KOROKIO’S RIDER

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 32, 1 November 1932, Page 13

KOROKIO’S RIDER

N.Z. Cup Engagement PROBABLY S. WILSON Departure for Riccarton (By "The Watcher.”) Although not yet definite, it is likely that the Trentham lightweight, 8. Wilson, will have the mount on Korokio in the New Zealand Cup. Definite. A. Eastwood has been definitely engaged to ride Fast Passage in the New Zealand Cup.

Cup and Stewards. L. J. Ellis will ride Shatter in the New Zealand Cup, and Merry Peel in the Stewards’ Handicap.

Drumfire. The Wellington winner, Drumfire, who also included a second in his record here, is standing up well to his training at Riccarton. If all goes well with him he will earn some money at the Cup meeting, and may go close to the Derby, as the field does not look strong.

Concentrate. Concentrate is doing solid work at Riccarton. He would have been all the better for a race, which was to have been his portion last Saturday, but if conditions are favourable, some solid galloping for the rest of the week should see him in something like his form for the meeting. Being well forward before his compulsory let-up will assist his trainer in bringing him to bis best again.

May Run Well. Mr. W. J. Wood, who took Chopin down to Riccarton last week, is fairly confident that his gelding will make a good showing in the New Zealand Cup. Chopin is only a handful, but he is all heart, and while his owner-trainer may appear optimistic so far as the two-miler is concerned, Chopin’s form in the past leaves no doubt that if he is on the scene at the finish he will take some shaking off.

Off to Riccarton. The Trentham contingent for Riccarton, consisting of Historic, Eminent, Aga Khan, Red Sun, Normandy, Autopay, Pahu. Aroma. Elower, Purse, Black Mint, and Pegged Exchange, went south last night.

Lucky Escape. L. J. Ellis was riding Taunton at Riccarton on Saturday when that geldinjc dropped dead. Ellis fortunately escaped injury.

Grecian Prince. , Grecian Prince is in solid work again at Riccarton, but he has suffered, from lameness since returning fronr Sydney. If he starts in the Stewards Handicap E. Ludlow will ride him.

Bad Track Worker. , , Gay Crest galloped badly on the IrentLain tracks prior to the meeting, blit he did better in his races. He is doing the same at Riccarton. and little notice need be taken of any moderate showing he may make during the week.

Improved. The two-year-old filly Fracas, who won from Midian here on Labour Day, has improved since then, and on Saturday morning she was responsible for one of the best half-miles at Riccarton —19 l-u sec.

At Riccarton. - - The postponement of the -Sorth Canterbury and Banks Peninsula meetings has caused Canterbury trainers considerable anxiety, as the majority were relying upon them to give their horses final runs for the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting. It has also inconvenienced Mr. ». Jury; who’ intended to give Korokio a race last Saturday. With a continuation of fine weather, however, plenty of solid winding-up work will be possible, and the caretaker has made the outside of the course proper available for all those who wish to use it. In all probability the Randwick idea of grouping horses and holding trial runs will be followed.

Mot Only Sprinters. Tea Tray’s stock have in the main been sprinters, but the recent successes of Bronze Tray in the Avondale Cup and of Refresher in the Waverley Cup indicate that, given the chance, the Tea Trays can successfully negotiate middle distances. Tea Tray has left the Elderslie Stud, and is now at the Mardeela Stud, Otahuhu, where Vaals is standing.

They Set the Main. G. Murray Ayusley’s horses have frequently set the main at Riccarton on galloping mornings prior to the New Zealand Cup. Some years ago he had Bonny Glen, then followed Warstep and Snub, and later Footfall, and Chide. All these horses morning after morning ran the best over their distances, and this week it looks as if there will be no exception with Silver Scorn and Meprisant. On Saturday they were only the second lot to gallop, but their 2.9 3-5 was not bettered during the morning. ■ Elude.

Elude has been galloping well lately at Riccarton. He showed good form at the Grand National meeting, and it was anticipated he would be a winner ere this, but he has not always been handled with the best of judgment. Arikira for Riccarton. Arikira went south last night to run in the New Zealand Cup. He has developed mulish habits at the post, and on Labour Day at Trentham stoo<i on the mark and refused to leave. Arikira is a good galloper who must be given a chance in any company if he will do his best. An endeavour is being made to secure the riding services of B. H. Brodie.

Silver Ring. Silver Ring has been galloping beyond sprint distances, which suggests that he is being worked more in view of the Derby than the Stewards’ Handicap. He still shows signs of lameness after work. Has Good Prospects. Normandy failed at the Wellington meeting, but be did not like the ground, and when it became worse the second day he was hot started. Normandy has been working exceptionally well for some time past—in fact, it is no exaggeration to say that some of his galloping has been good enough to say he has n chance in the Stewards’ Handicap. A light boy at 7.0 in this event may not get the best out of him, but he is, on his work, and with good going, a prospect for a very early win.

A Lightweight Possibility. Red Sun’s gallop against Historic at Trentham on Saturday would, if his public form were better, drawn prominent attention to his New Zealand Cup prospects. It was, however, only in keeping with what he has been showing for several weeks past, and in his public trials he has not materialised. It will pot surprise, however, if this Australian Sun gelding soon develops very good form. It is even possible he may be hard to shake off over the end of the New Zealand Cup. for his breeding, allied to his track work, suggest that he has all the qualities necessary for a Cup winner.

It All Depends. It is unfortunate for Pike that he should be standing down during the period of “big” spring racing in Melbourne, but it rather amuses me (writes “Pilot”) that people who arc always demanding that the stipendiary stewards should “do something” in connection with the allegedly unfair riding are disposed to find fault with them for taking action a-ainst Pike. If the offender had been some rider of lesser note it is probable the stewards would have been highly commended for their keenness of observation and desire to have races cleanly run.