FOR AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 71, 17 December 1935, Page 15

FOR AUSTRALIA

Whenuakura To Go NOTES AND COMMENTS Form at Otaki

(Bt

The Watcher.)

LLJI J-xxa Mr. W. Kirkland, who returned from Melbourne last week, has decided to race Whenuakura in Melbourne, where he already has had great success with Link Divine. The Chief Ruler gelding will not go over till after the holiday racing, but he will not fulfil his engagements at Auckland. He has, however, been entered for events at the Stratford New Year fixture. Ran Well. Might, who was having his first race since his return from ikustralia when he ran third at Otaki on Saturday, put up a good effort for a fresh horse, and the race should improve him. He should be a possibility for the Manawatu Cup, in which he will be ridden by B. H. Morris. Speedy. The Hunting Song mare Happy Hunting is very well just now. and with any luck she should soon win a race. She is possessed of a lot of pace, and despite being freely used on Saturday she was only just beaten. Should Improve.

Whyte Melville did not fine down much ns the result of his race at Feilding, and he looked still a bit new when paraded at Otaki on Saturday. He should, however, not be long in showing improvement.

He Won Well. As Sunee carried 51b. less than his handicap weight at Otaki owing to being ridden by an apprentice, he will meet both Gay Boy and Might 111 b. worse in the Manawatu Cup. It may not be enough for them to reverse placings if Sunee runs to the same form as he displayed on Saturday. Non-Stayer.

It would appear that Princess Doreen will not run a good middle distance, though it is likely that she would have done better had she been allowed to run along more freely than was the case on Saturday. She may be taken to Auckland with Cuddle. Well In.

Although Legatee has been beaten in his two recent starts, he appears well placed w*ith 7.5 in the Christmas Handicap at Auckland. He is to make the trip to the meeting, and will be ridden by S. Wilson.

Not Impressive. The win of Golden Hair at Otaki was hardly so impressive ns her admirers had hoped, as after getting off so -well, she was being kicked np at the finish to bold off After Money, who had conceded her some ground in the running. It was her first race for some time, and she will no doubt improve in condition, but a mare of her class on Saturday should have spreadeagled the opponents carded if she is to return to her very best form. In the meantime judgment must lie suspended until she has another and more searching trial.

Saved for the Race. The win of Hiue'Ra at Otaki emphasises that it. is not always necessary to

gallop a horse to win a race. She has hardly been out of a canter since her arrival in the stable of T. R. George. This is very much similar to the successful handling of Acceptable, her older halfbrother, by H. Pritchard. Naturally speedy horse frequently leave their race.? on the track if sent against the watch. Harsh. The connections of Brabant appear to have received a hearty invitation to stay away from the Manawatu meeting. He has won one race against the most moderate opposition, beating Siegmund, who has run four times since without getting any money, aud he has to give weight to all his opponents. He is 31b. above . Dawning Light, who has won two races, besides running a close second to Paper Slipper wheu in receipt of only 3JIb. at Trentham. and third to thetumc winner at Riccarton. Brabant has to give Laughing Lass 91b . the latter at her last start beating Karl and Wagner, the former beating both Notium and Kindheart. Uncertain. Jonathan dropped out of the Auckland Cup, and if there'is any strength in rumour he may not run at'the meeting. Not a Sprinter. The first time Terry is started in a longer race than six furlongs her chance will be enhanced. She cannot begin well enough for sprinters, but she is always finishing fast. Poor Prospects. One could be pardoned for doubting the sanity of the people behind some of the horses that have been racing at recent meetings. Auckland Candidate. Arrangements have been made by C. Davey to race Davolo at the Auckland Cup meeting. His second in the Stewards’ Handicap last month was a good performance, and though he has failed twice since then he only needs to show his best form to pay his way at Ellerslie. Riding Arrangements. A. Cutts expects to have Sky Pilot, Hororata, Taillight and the two-year-old Impersonator under his care at the Manawatu and Wairarapa meetings. S. Anderson will do the riding when the weights permit, with the stable apprentice, A. C. Messervy, to assist him with the lightweights. Hastings Gallop. At Hastings on Saturday morning Passion Fruit (H. Callinah) and Royal Banquet (H. Young) were three lengths in front of Hunting Cat (C. Stratton) over six furlongs in I.l9—only fair time, Ou this gallop (says the “Tribune”) Hunting Cat is more likely now to contest the hack events at Awapuni than the Manawatu Cup.

Derby Prospect. Lady Graceful, the three-year-old halfsister to Vintage, has gone on well in her work lately and she should be at her best for her races at the Auckland Cup meeting. The Great Northern Derby will be her principal engagement, and she will prove a hard opponent for the colts, as she has demonstrated that she can stay.

A Strong Contingent. For many years Riccarton stables have been able to provide a strong contingent for the Auckland Cup meeting, where usually they have secured a fair share of the prize-money, while they have an excellent record in the principal events. This season’s contingent for the north will leave to-night and on appearances the results should be good (says “Argus”). Seven stables are likely to be represented : H. A. Cutts may have four horses. Fracas and her sister Bun Fight are a likely pair for handicaps, while Wild Chase and Paper Slipper represent top class among

the season’s two-year-olds. They may be among the star attractions ot the meeting, as many people are looking forward to their meeting with Stretto, the brilliant Auckland filly. 1. U. W1 ! take Greek Shepherd, who is liable to get some money, apart from his excellent Derby prospects; Pelmet, a good two-year-old ; and Cranford, a useful sprinter, due for a return to form. P. V. Mason will make the trip with Mr. A. Louisson s pair, Variant, due for a good win, ami Roaming, a promising maiden. 11. Rama may go with Tooley Street and Horotiu, two promising hacks. C- C. McCarthy has Argentic, who may run well in the Auckland Cup. Mrs. J. Campbell will go with Lady Graceful, a staying three-year-old, engaged in the Derby. C. Davey hopes to be there with Davolo, who only needs to strike his best form to be in the money, as he is good for six furlongs to a mile. This contingent of 14 horses should win some races. Modest in Success. While in Melbourne Mr. W. Kirkland renewed acquaintance with Keith \ oilre, who was successfully associated with bw horses on many occasions in New Redland. “Keith hasn’t changed a bit, he said ; "he was down tit the boat to meet me, and during my stay nothing that he could do for me was too much trouble to him. Success hasn't made the slightest difference to him and he is as levelheaded as ever.” In New Zealand Voitre was one of the few prominent jockeys who did not own a car and despite his amazing earnings since going to Australia he is still without a car. “However, he is thinking of getting one now,” stud Mr. Kirklaud, who with a smile added, "but the choice of one is causing him a lot of worry, as he is being sliown many different types that he likes. In the meanwhile he still rides his bike around and i« always at the track every morning riding work.” Manawatu Acceptances. Acceptances for the first day of the Manawatu Racing Club’s summer meeting to be held on December 26, 27 and 28 will close to-night at 8 o’clock. Wairarapa Acceptances. Acceptances for the first day of the Wairarapa Racing Club’s New Year meeting to be held on January 1 and 2 will close on Friday at 8 p.m. Hawke’s Bay Acceptances. Acceptances for the first day of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club’s New Year meeting’ to be held on January 1 and 2 will close on Friday at 8.15 p.m. Marton Acceptances. Acceptances for the first day of the Marton Jockey Club’s New Year meeting to be held on January 1 and 2 will close on Friday at 9 p.m. Answers to Correspondents. “Pat,” Palmerston North: (1) £2/4/6. 15 /"' “Enquired,” Petone: (1) £B/2/-. (2) 19/-.

FIXTURES. Dec. 26 —Waipukurau J.C. . Dec. 26. 28—Taranaki J.C. Dec. 26, 28, 30—Westland B.C. Dec. 26. 28—Dunedin J.C. Dee. 26. 27, 28— Manawatu R.C. Dec. 26, 30, Jan. I, 2—Auckland R.C. Jan. I—Waikouaiti R.C. Jan. I—Wyndham R.C. Jan 1, 4 —Stratford R.C. Jan. 1, 2—Marton J.C. Jan. 1, 2—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Jan. 1, 2—Wairarapa R.C. Jan. 1, 2—Greymouth J.C. Jan. 2—Oamaru J.C. Jan. 2, 3—Southland R.C. Jan. S, 9—Reefton J.C. Jan. 10, 11—Vincent J.C. Jan. 16, 18—Thames J.C. Jan. 18—Wairio J.C. Jan. 22—Asbhurst-I’ohaugina R.C. Jan. 22, 24, 25—Wellington R.C. Jan. 25—Ciifden R.C. Jan. 25, 2<J—Takapuna J.C. Jan. 30, Feb. I—Wanganui J.C. Feb. I—Matamata R.C. Jan. 30, Feb. I—Walton R.C. Feb. s—Tapanui R.C. Feb. 6. B—Taranaki J.C. Feb. 6, B—Poverty8—Poverty Bay Turf Club.