AUTUMN RACING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 64, 16 March 1944, Page 7

AUTUMN RACING

EASTER PROSPECTS ROYAL MERIT IMPRESSIVE Interest in the Easter meeting is quickening now that the fixture is but a few weeks away, and considerable attention is being paid candidates of the calibre of Lord Chancellor, Royal Merit, Sweet Biscuit and Beau Vaals, four members of F. Smith's team which are working attractively. It may be of some significance that Lord Chancellor's regular working companion is Royal Merit. The latter has proved himself both as a sprinter and a stayer and impresses as possessing all the attributes of an Easter winner. His chances are favoured at Takanini, where he is a strong pre-post fancy. During the last few weeks there have been additions to the establishments ot Takanini trainers. Golder's Green, formerly trained at Ellerslie. is now with H. E. Grav; Nettarion and Royal Silver have been added to A. Tinker's stable, and a four-year-old by Dolomite —Greylands Is now stinder the care of J. H. Wallace. A. Tinker's luck has been out since he returned to Takanini, and in a short time he has lost the services of three ot his team. Gaymiss, which had been difficult to keep right, again went wrong and has now been retired to the matrons paddock, while her half-sister, CaUinan, which displayed great promise, but wab always troubled with soreness, had to tie fired. Lockheed, which promised well as a jumper, was another casualty, ana ms future career is doubtful. The ranks of Takanini trainers are shortly to be increased —that is if tne Land Sales Committee approves ceitain transactions. Norman Cunningham, oi Ellerslie, has purchased the Property °* Mr. L G. Abel, and in due course hopes to be domiciled at this centre. With J. W. Cathro also on the list as a buyer of J H Wallace's stables, Takanini should be exceptionally strong next season. Among (he Juveniles My Bonnie and Plassida are among the regular workers in preparation foi the Easter meeting, and both youngstei:= ai ; p in the Champagne Stakes. At this Stat,o, this pair seems to be likely to thwmten the northern supremacy ot the brllUant Navvab, and their progress in the interim will be watched with interest. Other juveniles expected to be on hand for the above-mentioned event are Gay Chat, Artificer, which has .recovered from his Te Rapa injury, and High Span—three winners, and not elegible for the minor two-year-old race on the first day. They are shaping pleasingly in their woik. The Railway Winner The Railway Handicap winner, Sweet Biscuit, which has been raced spaii t,l> throughout the season, is still a bal ot muscle and is infusing all her former dash mo her work, suggesting that she retains the fine form which enabled her to do so well among the sprinters. If H-mdicap is elected for her, she will make a bold bid, as her brilliance will take her a long way. Beau Vaals is another lightly-raced gelding. His best form this season was revealed on the Trentham track in the snrinc but he is working well enough at 3 e moment and. giving every Indication that another sprint event will come ms not raced since mas, is regaining form after a lespite. ™s the Ringmaster gelding has shown to advantage under soft track conditions it fs anticipated that he will prove a good winter prospect and his promotion to open company not a bar to further success. "wSSto it is unlikely that he wMrace for some time, The Dozer is atliactinj, aUe.rtiom Carrying more condition than formerly, and showing great dasn m ,°s work, the Valette gelding may prove anything but a spent light when winter jumping events come up for decision.