AWAPUNI TRACKS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 262, 3 August 1939, Page 13

AWAPUNI TRACKS

Bridegroom’s Riccarton Prospects Dominion Special Service. PALMERSTON N., August 2. There was little of interest on the tracks this week, most of the horses being restricted to pacework. As the going is in better order than for several weeks trainers will take the opportunity of speeding their charges up in view of early spring engagements. L. Knapp’s stable .will be represented at the Riccarton meeting by Hanover and Bridegroom. It will not be for the want of condition if they do not race prominently in their engagements. Though Bridegroom has only had limited experience over the big fences, he gives every indication of developing into a payable proposition. He is a bold jumper and the big obstacles at Riccarton are not likely to trouble him. There has been a tendency to discredit his recent wins on the ground of weak opposition, but the fact remains that in each case be has not been extended. There are races on the programme that will suit Hanover, and he will have a solid Awapuni follow-

“ Notwithstanding their tidy burden in the Winter Cup, local sportsmen will plank their coin on Catalogue and Majority while of the others the prospects of Alma and Meamea are favourably disCU The’ Siegfried—Soyes Ferine gelding Sevfried has been leased to P. Holman, and he was takeu to his new quarters at Feilding yesterday. He was trained toy E. Watson, who has a new arrival in his stable in the five-year-old mare Nigger Mark, by Nigger Minstrel out of Fairy Mark. She is built on generous lines. At present Nigger Mark is a bit in the rough, and some weeks will elapse before she is required to do anything outside of light exercise. Golden Ridge and Pitmark are the active members of this stable. The former has been taken along quietly in recent weeks, but looks in the right order to undergo the speeding-up process. The Hunting Song gelding Gold Chase, who met with a mishap a while back, is out in the paddock, but, the writer is informed, will be taken in hand again in a couiple of weeks time. W. Jenkins leaves Palmerston North for Riccarton on Thursday. His mounts include Catalogue in the Winter Cup, Monipere (second day), aud Racewell. W. Broughton will ride Indian Sun, Dungarvan and Ruling Spi (second day). G. Taterstall will pilot Waka and lours Truly. One of the most improved horses m training on the Awapuni tracks is Tidewaiter. He promises to strip a very fit horse at Riccarton, and his prospects of being in the money arc not likely to be overlooked. He and Aurora’s Star are to leave on Friday. A smart-looking colt now in active work on the local tracks is Boniden, a two-year-old by Nightmanch—.Ruminant. The latter is by Th urn bam from Sunglow, who is by Boniform. He is owned by Mr E. Dear, of Rongotea, and trained by Jim Kelly. Another active member' of this stable is Thrasos. The big son of Thracian —Pythia has not been long in active work, and is susceptible to further improvement. In the circumstances Thrasos ran a creditable race in the Hack Handicap at the Manawatu Hunt meeting. The attractive looking Hall Mark— Insense colt has had the name of King’s Mark bestowed upon him. He will race in the colours of Mr. W. J. Crawford, who purchased him in Sydney a while back. King’s Mark is trained' by Geo. New, who has a useful team under his guidance. Of the other horses in work this week the most noticeable were Old Bill and Quadroon, who, under restraint, strode determinedly over five furlongs in a shade over 1.10. Florence Mills is given steady work daily. As she is partial to hard going—and that is not likely to come about for a few weeks—she will not be required to do anything outside of pacewonk.

Judging by the short period in which they (have been among the active workers, Bing Boy and Blue Steel shaped in such fashion at the Manawatu Hunt fixture as to indicate that they will be hard to keep out of the stake money at coming meetings. They are inanates of L. Knapp’s stable.

The well-known horseman, .1. (“Jack”) Leach, who has 'been a patient in the Palmerston North Hospital for the past three weeks, is making excellent .progress, and expects to be about again shortly.