THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 172, 21 April 1928, Page 16

THE RACING WORLD

MARLBOROUGH MEETING OPENS AT TRENTHAM TODAY

A REVIEW OF THE FIELDS

(By

“The Watcher.’")

The autumn meeting of the Marlborough Racing Club, which this year is being held by courtesy of the Wellington Racing Club Stewards on the Trentham course, opens to-day, and will conclude on Monday. While horses of class are not particularly well represented, useful fields of handy size will be seen in action. The race track is in first-class order, and, given fine weather, the Marlborough Club should have a successful fixture.

A special train service has been arranged by the Railway Department for the meeting, with excursion fares from the Manawatu and Wairarapa districts. Special race trains will leave Lambton for Trantham at frequent intervals from 10 a.m. until 10.57 a-m„ and at .11.20 a.m., with additional ordinary trains at 11.50 a.m., 12.15 p.m., and 1.20 p.m. Race trains leave Petone at 10.15. 10.24, 10.35, and 10-55 a.m., and Dower Hutt at 10.29, 10.49, and 11.1 a.m. The first race is timed to start at 12 noon, and the day’s card is as follows: — FIRST HACK HURDLE HANDICAP, of 150 sovs. One mile and a half.

Vexatious has had her weight raised from 10.1 on account of her win at. Awapuni, and she is likely to start, on the flat. In her absence the best form is represented by Modern, Olympic, and Polyphemus. Bonhomme, on Rangitikei form, must be considered, but it looked as if Polyphemus should have beaten him there. NOVICE STAKES, of 130 sovs. Weight S.O. Six furlongs. Atholspear Inflame Fairone Mark Mint Freezeout Second Thought Handsome Tatrina Imnrosebud Waihemo There in not a great deal of form to guide backers in the Maiden event. Mark Mint, Freezeout, and Tatrina may be the best supported. RAILWAY HACK HANDICAP, of 150 sovs. One mile.

Neither Holus Bolus or Borsalene raced up to form at Awapuni, and both had every chance. The form of Court Jester is superior if he has got over his soreness. and Borsalene might be given a further opportunity. WATERLEA CUP, of 300 sovs. One mile and a quarter.

Until the dispute over the sale of Black Mint is settled, lie will not be able to start, but if he should go to the post, his form last month will probably send him out favourite. Joy Bird foiled at Awapuni, but in the smaller field she might run a great deal better, especially if ridden in behind. Oratrix raced so well at Riecarton that she is sure to have numerous supporters, who should get a good run for their money. Ring Boy reads well through Vertigern, and Kilniiss might run one of her good races. Ten furlongs has so far been beyond Beaumont, and the others’ form is not goodOn the whole, Oratrix. Ring Boy and Joy Bird may be the best supported. JUVENILE HANDICAP, of 150 sovs.

The form of the two-year-olds is moderate. Royal Duke. First Ruler, and Flying Hero may make most appeal to the public. Royal Duke was third to Miss Ransom and Mithra at Trentham last mouth. OI’AWA HACK HANDICAP, of 150 sovs.

Maui is raised 101 b. from 8.1 for his Awapuni win. but it is only 61h. more on his back, and on , the way he won he should again bo very dangerous. Panther should be well suited by the track, and Keddar may appeal most of the others. Spearmiss and Vigilance were both well beaten at Awapuni. and will have to improve a lot to show up. AUTUMN HANDICAP, of 200 sovs.

Miss Pat has gone up 51b., from 8.2, for her Awapuni win. It is a rise of 181 b. from Thursday, but she .won so well against better horses that with B. 11. Morris in the saddle backers will no doubt stick to her. First Acre will meet her on 41b- better terms (91b. if he claims the apprentice allowance), and as he appears to be improving, he may prove a difficult opponent. Whenuanui was not too fortunate in the running of his race at Awapuni, and should race better on the Trentham course. Recent form points to both Cerf and Cosmetic beating Royal Ceres, and this pair of lightweights should run creditably, as also should Kilperon. Royal Ceres, however, may hold his own. Backers may choose to rely upon Miss Pat, First Acre, and Whenuanui. BEAVER HACK HANDICAP, of 150 sovs.

Catkin, Moutoa Wonder, and Little Queen have receut form which may appeal most.

NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “The Watcher/’) Commendation comes down to George Jones at. Awapuni at the end of the month preparatory to another racing campaign. Jones has broken in and is handling a couple of yearlings— a Kilbroney—Teniba coll and a filly by Tea Tray from the Linnet. The fiUy is out of a sister to Songbird. It has been reported that T. Metcalf is leaving the North, where he lias been riding for some time, and returning to the South Island. Metcalf states that the report is incorrect. He has no intention of returning south, but will be riding there next week at the South Canterbury meeting. He did receive an offer from a Riecarton stable to do its riding, but lie turned it down. The pride of Ellerslie is its gardens and flower display, but the Awapuni caretaker can give the northerner.s a good run for their money. The display of autumn, blossoms there this week was beautiful and formed the subject of much admiring comment from race patrons and visitors. The great feature of Awapuni is that while expert attention has been devoted to the flowers and shrubs with excellent Jesuits, the main object—the race track and its appointments—has also received its full measure of attention and been raised to a very high standard.

Vertigern is one of the most improved horses in training and has now reached first-class handicap form. As lie shows every sign of staying, he may be given the opportunity to win one of the big distance handicaps next season. It is interesting to note that a yearling sister to Vertigern was passed in at the Sydney sales at 900 gns. this month. She is a chestnut, whereas Vertigern is a bay.

Royal Damon lias never been or looked so well as he does at present, and his condition is a credit to his trainer, H. S. Greene. A master of weight, Royal Damon in his present order may win in better class than he has been able ‘to manage hitherto.

Brigadier Bill fairly bolted home in the hardies on the opening day at Awapuni after a splendid display of jumping. It is apparent that he races well fresh, for he has only been up a month after a spell at Makaraka, where, however, he was not exactly idle. It is .Air. Bull’s intention to try Brigadier Bill over steeplechase country this season, and with his pace and jumping ability Hie All Red gelding should make a name for himself.

Moa Bird is a very smart hack, and should soon win again. She is the first of the progeny of the imported English mare Woodhen by Sunstar, and was bred by Mr. T. 11. Lowry. She is returned as being by Lord Quex or Lucullus, and in either case a very promising filly has been left.

Puwheio’s forward running in the hurdles at Awapuni on Wednesday makes him a good prospect for an early steeplechase.

Vexatious, who won at Awapuni on Thursday, is now trained there by J. B. Coyle.

J. Farmer has in hand at Awapuni for Air. S. Gibbons a couple of young fillies, one by Chief 'Ruler from Oratress, dam of Oratrix and Concentrate, and the other by Paper .Money from Equitas.

When Glonross and Shining Armour make their next excursion from Forded it will probably be as hurdlers. F. Tilley intends to school them shortly. A. McDonald being the schoolmaster, and as both geldings have done well on the Hat. they should, if they take to jumping, be? very useful performers in their new sphere.

Air. Lionel Clare, of Gisborne, owner of Merry Mint, called yesterday prior to leaving for New Plymouth to join the Port Albany en route to London, via Sydney, Java, and Egypt. Ho intends while in England to purchase a suitable mate for- Hunting Song. He expects to return in the spring'•via Sydney, where Merry Mint will race again, one of his missions being the Epsom Handicap. Merry '-Mint has practically recovered from the hock injury which set him aside some months ago. Mr. A. B. Williams won the first. Awapuni Gohl Cup in 1915 with Chortle and since then has scored with Rapine and Star Stranger. With. Mr. Lowry he.shares the honour of being the only triple winner of the trophy. Since and including 1922 Absurd and Limond have won every contest fertile Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, and Mr. G. Al. Currie himself has won three. The Hawk lasts well. As long ago as 1921 lie won (he Manawatu Stakes, and this week ran a very creditable second. At the same time he showed pretty plainly that Cimabue, although very "smart, is not a champion. The two-year-old colt Connoisseur, who ran bracketed with Knightlike at Awapuni on Thursday, has done very little racing’. He is a tine well-built juvenile who should turn out well at three years. By Solferiuo from Bonne Bouche, by Boniform from liearthen, he has the breeding credentials of a Derby winner. He was not prominent in his race. He cost 325 gns. at the yearling sales. Five first favourites won at Awapuni on Thursday and another ran second. At least two were absolute certainties.

A. Driscoll, who has ridden a failshare of winners, is going to try his (prtune in West Australia. Driscoll, who served his time with the Ellerslie trainer. W. Garrett, is a capable rider who should do well in his new surroundings. D. J Burgess, the Auckland hurdle horseman, has also arranged to go to Australia in company with Driscoll and will follow his calling whenever opportunity ofters. ■

An English exchange states that there is a likelihood of a more scientific method being adopted of hoisting the winning numbers on racecourses The arrangements are still decidedly antlquated in the Old Country and behind colonial ideas. The new scheme is very much better, however, and is an electrical device, whereby the judge can make the necessary numbers appear simply by pressing a button. ' ror lll-sl-'--’'-e. by pushing down button No. 2 f number instantaneously appears on the semaphore. Accuracy, linesaving ami labour-saving can all be claimed for the new idea.

About fifteen years ago Hie Soul*. Czarevna mare Anna Carlovna was sold in New Zealand Io Erie Connolly, tor whom she won some rood races, hut was inst beaten bv Anrtler m the Caulfield Cup. After her tacimi career sho was sent to the stud, where she

has an unlucky record. Her first mate was Mazagan, but that stallion Anna Carlovna missed, and she was then sent across to Bonny Vale, and was mated in four successive years with Sea Prince. Lt is rather curious that the brilliant mare never foaled a colt. In 1916 she slipped twins, and her subsequent efforts were: 1917, br. f. (Anna); 191.8, b. f. (Teresa); 1919, b. f. She was then put to All Black, with somewhat similar results to her first alliance with Sea Prince, as she slipped her foal. Then in 1921 she dropped a brown filly (Nungamardah) by All Black. Another change of sires was decided on for Anna Carlovna. She went to Lanius, to whom, extraordinarily enough, she slipped twins. That was the finishing touch so far as Mr. Connollv was concerned, for he got rid of her, and Mr. C. P. Tobin took, her up to liis property in North-eastern Victoria and mated her with Headwind’s half-brother Ilurinattan. Whether he has had any luck with her is not known.

The pacing stallion. The Sheik, wellknown in New Zealand, has been sold to a West Australian buyer for racing there, states a Press Association message from Sydney.

The stewards of the Wellington Racing Club ‘have granted permission’ to Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., to offer a two-xgar-old gelding by Greyspear from Outlet for sale by auction in the saddling paddock at 11 a.m. sharp and just prior to the horses entering the bird-cage for the first race at Trentham to-day Spearwater, the gelding in question, was purchased at the Trentham yearling sales by the late Air. A. B. Pilmer and has been kept in training, although he has not been started. He is beii>£ offered for sale by instructions of the trustees of the estate. Particulars are advertised in this issue. In to-day’s issue the Railway Department advertise train arrangements for the races at Trentham. Frequent services to and from the meeting are provided. Patrons from the Manawatu and Wairarapa lines will be able to attend the meeting, view the last race, and return home the same day. AUCKLAND NOTES HORSES HAVING A QUIET TIME Dominion Special Service. Auckland, April 20. After their strenuous exertions at. Ellerslie and Avondale most of the horses trained at headquarters have been having an easy time. A little schooling work was performed on Thursday. Raheputo, who looks better than at any previous stage of liis career, gave a splendid display over hurdles. He should pay his way well during the winter. Marble Mount and Royal Ti“k wrformed satisfactorily over the small hurdles. The latter is a rather promisiug gelding by Royal Soult,-who has done little racing.

G. Henderson brought Adjuster across from Avondale to school. He gave a fine exhibition for a novice, and made a big impression. He has the size and speed to make a really good hurdler. T. George has received a coup'o of additions to his team. One is a two-year, old filly by Tea Tray—Jolie Princess, owned by Air. W. R. Burrett, and the other is a three-year-old filly by Romeo —Thurnley, recently purchased by Air. J. D. Jones from Air. F. Alieon. When Peketahi fell at Avondale, C. Hastings fractured a collarbone, '’■'his young rider is having more than bis share of ill-luck at present. The objection lodged by Air. C. G. Alacindoe, owner of Ti Tree, against King Merv at Avondale appeared to 'ack grounds to close observers of the race, as King Merv was always in front of Ti Tree, and his rider committed no breach of the rules. The committee were of the same opinion and dismissed (he protest wit hout hesitation. . ' G. Reid, owner of Luev Rose, has claimed the stake won by White AVings in the Onslow Stakes on the giounA thnf she is not trained bv her owner, Mr. W. Scholium, as stated in the racebook. The matter was considered by the Auckland Committee on Fridav, but at time of telegraphing it is understood that no decision had boon ranched.

The speedy hack Tsidies’ Bov, had a change of stables ift ?r Avondnl-i. and is nt. present located with W. Tozer. Dave suffered an injury to a 14100 re cently, and in consequence has again boon eased up. Royal Tea's second d ly effort at Avondale was an imnre’.uco one. IF' in a classy sprinter, woo will go on to further successes if he renm'ns smm! 'l'he Fox was rath-r nn'-uckv at Avon dale, but he will benefit by Hie race, lie is not engaged nt Te Rann, but is sure to win a race before long.

THE KING’S FIRST WIN OF THE YEAR (Rec. April 20. 5.5 p.m.) London, April 19. Scuttle, the best filly the Kinz has yet owned, and an entrant in the Oaks, won i »e Brandon Handicap, the King’s first racing success of the. year. AN AUCKLAND INQUIRY BY Telegbaph.—pbess Association Auckland, April 20. The Auckland Racing Club Committee heard evidence to-day regarding the protest lodged by Mr. G. A. Reid, owner of Lucy Rose, against Mr, AV. Scholium’s White Wings being declared the winner of the Onslow Stakes, on the ground that Mr. Scholium did not train his horse himself, a s declared. The committee adjourned the hearing and decided to give its decision next week.

Panorama .. 10 13 Bonhomme . . in i Vexatious ... 10 11 Olympic . 9 8 Lady Polyphemus . 9 r> Passenger Modern 10 6 10 5 Whisogne ... . 9 3

IIoius Bolus. 9 9 Court Jester. 9 2 Horselene 9 3 Vexatious ... 8 3 Closefire .... 9 2

Joy Bird ... 8 11 Beaumont . . 7 9 Black Mint.. 8 8 Vesper us . 7 8 Oratrix .... 8 3 Twink .... . 7 0 Kilmiss .... 8 2 Lady Gay . 7 (1 King Boy ... 7 12

Five furlongs. Living Hero. 8 13 Wet Paint .. 7 Royal Duke. 8 3 Dancing Star 7 Tcheka .... 7 12 Koi de A al.. «7 2 Stanchion ... 7 .5 Mount Glare 7 4 Shannon 7 First Ruler.. 7 2

Seven furlongs. Panther 9 9 Borseleue ■.. s z Spear miss <) 3 Kindle .... . 8 1 Vigilance . .. 9 0 Billion .... . 7 (3 Maui . .. 8 11. Exhibition . 7 0 Keddar ... S 4 Fallow 0

Six furlongs. Dobbin . 9 0 Singlespear . , 7 9 Miss Pat .... . * 7 Cosmetic ..., . 7 8 Royal Ceres First Acre . s 6 Cort , 7 6 . 8 Quantum , 7 Whenuanui . . 8 2 Kilperon . 7 4

1. ix fl. ongs. Catkin 9 4 Sky Bird .. 7 6 Helotis .... 8 13 I’nr Money.. 7 (1 Vigilance ... 8 7 Little Queen. 7 Rotowliero .. 8 5 Mark Mint... 7 < • Eli a 8 3 Arrow Boy . 7 0 Moutoa Vindication . 7 0 Wonder 7 10 Jazzy 7 1)