WINTER RACING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 153, 30 June 1945, Page 9

WINTER RACING

TRENTHAM ENTRANTS HORSES FROM ELLERSLIE A number of Ellerslie-trained horses are due to compete at the coming Wellington meeting, and some of them have already left for Trentham. The stablemates, Tiger Tan and Good Fun departed yesterday and it will not be for lack of condition if this pair fail to earn some money at the southern fixture. Both horses have proved their ability to handle soft ground, so the conditions are unlikely to trouble them. Good Fun is to contest the Trentham Hurdles next Saturday, and if she reproduces the form that enabled her to easily beat a strong field in the Hobsonville Hurdles at Ellerslie in April, it will take a smart hurdler to lower her colours.

The Ellerslie trainer, W. Philp, has taken Shepherd's Mate and The Fake to Wellington and, judged on their recent form, both horses should acquit themselves in a creditable manner. By finishing second in the two hack events that he contested at the Great Northern meeting, The Fake clearly demonstrated that he is quite at home under winter conditions. He has trained on in good style in the interval and should be worth following. Shepherd's Mate has schooled attractively on several occasions, and his third to Sporting Gold and Kilmanagh in the Orakei Hurdles at Ellerslie earlier in the month will not be forgotten.

Engaged in Te Aro Handicap

Although eliminated from the Woburn Hack Handicap, to be run over seven furlongs at Trentham next week-end, Colonel Dink figures in the Te Aro Handicap on the same day. The latter event is run over a mile, and as Colonel Dink recently finished third to Chung Chong and The Fake over that distance at Ellerslie, solid support is likely to be accorded the son of Dink.

British Mint, which has been paid up for in the Vittoria Hack Hurdles, to be decided at the Wellington meeting next Saturdav, is due to leave for Trentham on Tuesday. The chestnut gelding has had a fair amount of schooling, and although his jumping has not been of an outstanding nature, he fences cleverly ror a novice. A proved galloper in heavy ground, British Mint should show up in his races at the southern meeting, though lack of experience as a jumper may be against him. To Go To Riccarton Since racing at the Auckland Winter meeting, that brilliant jumper Dauber has only been allotted light tasks, but he thrives on this sort of preparation and M. Ritchie will have the brown gelding ready to race when required. Present intentions are to take Datiber to Riccarton in August to contest the Grand National Steeplechase, and the big fences on the southern course are unlikely to cause the son of Romney any trouble. The record established by Dauber has been outstanding as he only began racing last April, after being out of commission for nearly four years and in that short period he earned £2250. SCHOOLING TASK The Wellington candidate, British Mint, was sent over six hurdles at Ellerslie this morning and save M. Ritchie a comfortable ride until the last fence was reached, when he hit the obstacle rather hard. However, it was a fairly satisfactory effort. HIDING ENGAGEMENTS Riding engagements for Wellington include:—M. Ritchie: Sir Ringman, British Mint. J. Bagby: Colonel Dink, Constitution. F. Hain: Brahman, The Fake, Lapidarian, Good Armour.