SABU FAVOURITE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 34, 10 February 1943, Page 5

SABU FAVOURITE

OTAHUHU HANDICAP AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB

Despite his failure to flatter his supporters at any stage of the Summer Handicap at the Wellington Trots last Saturday, Sabu is a solid favourite in preliminary discussions on the Otahuhu Handicap chief event at the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting at Alexandra Park on Saturday. However, there is some justification for his popularity in these parts, for on the occasion of his last visit here, in October, the son of Man-o'-War and Honora Bingen won three races with consummate ease, beating the same class as he is called upon to meet at the weekend. AVhat is more, upon his return south, Sabu recorded 2.39 3-5 when he finished second to Ronald Logan (2.39 2-5) in the Intermediate Sprint Handicap. Next in favour are Parshall and Parrish Lad, both consistent winners in the province. Parshall won the Parnell Handicap in October in 3.28, and, on the second day of the Christmas meeting, took a double, the Onslow Handicap in 3.16 3-5 from 3.28, and the New Year Handicap in 2.45. This five-year-old Ringtrue gelding is one of the most promising pacers in Auckland, and when he was last seen out left the impression that it would not be long before he added to his record. Parrish Lad is p. very solid pacer, and he has won up to two miles. He met with trouble in his last two starts, but prior to that defeated a good field over a mile and a quarter in the Remuera Handicap. Isabella Pointer and Shadow Son make a pretty fair bracket, while Bronze Queen is consistent, and there are others in the race which are entitled to consideration. Nevertheless, there is little doubt that Sabu, Parshall and Parrish Lad will be the favourites when the totalisator is closed. Most of the horses in the Papakura Handicap have earlier engagements, and investors will be looking for a guide, but there is one acceptor, Shady Glen, which is sure to attract attention if he is brought north. This son of David McElwyn, has a winning record of 2.41 2-5 for a mile and a quarter, and 3.15 for a second over a mile and a half, and as he is on 2.52 in the Papakura he is bound to have a solid following. AN IMPROVING PACER The Southland-bred pacer Sea Fortune has joined H. J. Smith's stable at Addington. Sea Fortune is a six-year-old by Wrack from Erin's Fortune (2.10), and in six starts this season she failed to get a place. Last year she got four seconds and four thirds. Erin's Fortune is a member of a successful family, among them being Nelson's Victory (4.22 4-5), Alva Lass, Fortune Maid and Mishap. At Addington recently Sea Fortune paced a mile and a half in good style. She took 1.6 to cover the last half-mile, and is improving. GAY TIME AT ADDINGTON Gay Time, by Rey de Oro from Shore Leave, is now trained at Addington by L. O. Thomas. He won the Waiwera Handicap at Motukarara last year in 2.49, and the Orari Handicap at Geraldine last September. IN WORK AGAIN Bronze Eagle has made a complete recovery from a serious illness he had in October, and has resumed work at Addington. He has regained his condition, and is pacing well in the easy tasks allotted him. ' CAPTAIN MORANT It is reported that Mr. J. R. McKenzie has purchased Captain Morant and the Rey de Oro—Bonny Logan gelding will be trained by G. B. Noble. Last season Captain Morant wpn the Sapling Stakes and won the Champion Stakes, but had to be content with second place in the New Zealand- Derby, in which Scottish Lady beat him by a length in 3.25. GOOD AUCKLAND MARE The former Auckland mare Buncrana went her best race for about two years when she was narrowly beaten by Danny Malone in the Southland Handicap at Dunedin. She started promptly, and made the pace to within a few strides of the winning post. She was bred at Geraldine by Mr. Denis Sugrue, and was educated and developed by R. Townley, who sold her in 1940 to Mr. W. Hosking, of Waiuku. She then joined F. J. Smith's stable at Takanini, and while under him, she got a first, a second and two thirds. Last season, she rejoined Townley's stable at -Tinwald, but prior to her solid showing at Forbury, she had spoilt her chances by breaking. - - - — ROTORUA RACES ——— « EXTENDED PROGRAMME Owing to the numerous acceptors the Mokoia Hack Handicap, one of the events to be decided at the Rotorua meeting at Matamata on Saturday, has been converted into two races, while provision has been made to run the Arawa Park Stakes and the Geyser Hack Handicap in divisions. However, as only two scratchings are necessary to bring the Geyser field to the safety margin, there is every likelihood that this event will be run as one event. Details are:— FIBST MOKOIA HACK HANDICAP of £15* and a sweepstake of £2 each, six furlongs.—Noble Ea£l£ 90? St. Bill, 8.7; Sir Grant, 8.6: Prince Rewa 8.2; Sea Mist, First Gold Money, 7.10; Tlandine Two Pals, 7.8;, Miss Wherjko, Gay Pictof Catrine. Bulmin, 'Runanga, Miss Roselenl Matoka, Beaucoup, Young Autopay. 7.7. SECOND" MOKOIA HACK HANDICAP of£lso and a. sweepstake of £2 each, six furlongs —Gun--8- Powys, Bevace. 8.2; skydonna. Abbey Fox, man 87- Powys, Bevace, 8.2; Skydonna, Abbey Fox, Sister Gold Stand. Golden Tom, Miss Oration, Gay Land, Santa Anita, Blue Fox. Conquistador, Tough Guy, Century, 7.7. ABAWA PARK STAKES of £200, for two and five furlongs.—First division: Fox Hunting. Ext«a, Mr. Chips, Conquistador, Tough Guyf Raurimu, Tudor Rose, Century, Yes Tor 8.7; Tressless. 8.4; Roman Duke Atatu, Greek Boy Esmonde, 7.0- Doll Dink Stepptag Gold Moth, Colostrip. 6.11. Second division: Some Talk, Gunman, St. Leon, Reretere. Roman Orator 87- Kitty Ora, Hasacre, Gratify. Jovial lSs? 8.4 l Flowerburn, Saladam Toora Vale Zulu Boy; 7.0; Hot Speech. Royal Pay, TaflUne, Sky Queen, Gynella, 6.11. GEYSER HACK HANDICAP of £175 (£260 If divided), nine furlongs.—First division: Sir Dingle, 8.6; Bettennan, 8.3; Classic, 8.1; Rewa, 7 13- Edna's Birthday. 7.9; Marinoto. Two Pals, 7.8; Laughing Fox, Diagonal. Lord Mascot. Prince Baffles, 7.7. Second division: Lady Reynard, 8.4, Gold Cape, 8.2; Dependable, 8.0; Loch Acre. 7.9, Varuna, Funny Fox, 7.8; Royal Jay. Mazoe, Waifox, Bournemouth, Gold Age, 7.7. Miss Wheriko. 7.7, is an acceptor for the Hot Springs Handicap. Starting times are:—Fohutu Hurdles, noon; First Mokoia, 12.45: Tourist, 1.30: Second Mokoia 2.15' Cup. 3?0; Arawa Park Handicap. 3.45; Geyser Hack, 4.35: Hot Springs Handicap, 5.25. RECENT WINNER DROPS DEAD The Ringmaster gelding Pastmaster, winner of two races this season, dropped dead at Awapuni at the week-end. He was owned in partnership by Messrs. L. H. and H. C. Colllnson, Palmerston North, and trained by L, G. Morris. He was bred by Mrs. J. H. Grigg Longbeach and was bought as a yearling for 230gs by Mr. L. H. Colllnson at the 1940 sales. Pastmaster was given plenty of tuneto mature, and was a four-year-old. He was a half-brother to Concertpitch, a Great Easter Handicap winner. His second dam, Sopra, was half-sister to Autopay. OFF TO CAMP Mr. A. E. Wishart, secretary of the Hawke's Bav Jockey Club, goes into camp th!?week y Du?fng y his absence the secretarial work wiU be attended to by Mr. H. iff Bishopfwho for many years has been clerk of scales to the club. M , ls The Awapuni trainer, L. G. Morris, is due to entJr camp. Morris also acts as starter to several racing clubs *n tne southern end of the North Island. J. HALL PASSES BY The death is announced from Hawkers d,„ -f Took Hall one of the finest cross rteS a in o the Dominion in the early part of this century. He won the Grand National Steeplechase twice on Eclair in 1907, and on Nadador in lJua.