Black Ace Should Take Another Trick: The Avondale Stakes

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 262, 4 November 1944, Page 4 (Supplement)

Black Ace Should Take Another Trick: The Avondale Stakes

IX pre-war years, when the Avondale spring meeting was held in early September, the Avondale States (for two-year-olds) was one of the chief races on the programme. In those days there was a tendency to discount winners of this event, because it was argued that youngsters which were subjected to the rigours of any strenuous preparation for a race so early in the season were seldom able to retain their form for any length of time. That contention was substantially correct. Few Stakes winners ever did, but since the relegation of the event to the November meeting much more importance is attached to the contest, and next week's race will hold all the interest of a two-year-old classic.

When the final payments were taken it was apparent that a number of the acceptors had been left in in error and it is practically certain that the field will be reduced considerably. A notable defection from the list is the Pioneer Handicap winner, Royal Slipper, which had been troubled with a cold and is not yet entirely free from the ailment. There has been rather a prevalence of thiscomplaint at Takanini, and sufferers include Beau Martian,' Perdition, Sir Joval and Balgowan. Expected To Improve Ellerslie track watchers expect a big effort from the Coronach colt Balmore, which was not favoured with a good run in the Welcome Stakes, and an improvement on his fourth in that race is very likelyThen, too, General Lytup, third in the Welcome from tenth'position at the barrier, cannot be discarded. Slight improvement will again find him playing a prominent part At Takanini hopes are pinned to Black Ace, for there is no denying 1 the fact that he won the Welcome with ease, leaving the impression that it would take a smart juvenile to lower his colours. He has gone on the right way in the interim and will only need to please in his final work to see him at a much shorter price than he returned in his recent victory. As stated, Perdition has not escaped a cold, but it is understood there is a chance that he will be able to take his place. He will not be started unless he is all right, and should he appear will have followers. Is In At Napier Lord Coronach, an acceptor, is also in at Napier Park to-day and next Saturday. He has a reputation, and would add interest to the contest. No doubt to-day's effort will influence his future programme. The black colt Tilting looked as though his race in the Welcome would improve him, while Last Sign, which came to Auckland with a reputation for the Pioneer Handicap, but was not sighted, may also be a possibility. Newcomers to racing will be General March, a very attractive black colt by Limarch—Dalthonic. bred in Australia and purchased by the Hon. E. R. Davis and Mr. O. Nicholson. The youngster is now pleasing in his work at Takanini and should acquit himself well. Fiorin, an upstanding gelding by Gynerium—Whero Katoa, is a bold mover and promises very well, while Honora, the half-sister by Dink to the good performer Hot Pursuit, has been shaping satisfactorily. White Blaze, a bay filly by Foxbridge—Rippling Waters, and Jovial Song, a bay filly by Jovial Son— Bonny Song, are a pair of youngsters which have attracted some attention and creditable efforts are expected from both of them.

In the main, however, those who are making their debut in this event will be up against a solid proposition and, unless anything of extraordinary ability is concealed in the list, it should be left to the experienced division to fight it out. For this reason it is unlikely that the public will look beyond Black Ace, Balmore and General Lytup for the favourite division.