NOTES AND COMMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 27, 2 February 1927, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(BY "VEDETTE.")

RA-CING FIXTURES.

February 3, s—Gisborno B.C. . February 5, 7—Te Kuiti K.C. February 10, 12—TaranakI J.C. February 10, 12—Dunediu J.C. February .10, 12—Poverty Bay Turf Club. February 12, 14—Rotorua' B.C. February 16—Cllfden K.C. . February 17—Tologa Bay J.C. February 17, 19—Wanganui J.C. February 19—Canterbury J.C. February 23, 24—Gore R.C. February 23, 24, 26—Nelson J.C. February 24—Waiapu B.C. February 25, 26—W.oodvllle DisMct J.C. February 26, 28—Te Aroha J.C.

Nominations for the Nelson Meeting are due on Friday. ..-.. Handicaps for. the Taranaki Meeting -will be published on Friday and acceptances close on Saturday. The Takapuna Meeting appears to have been gotvover without any untoward incident. In most instances form worked out ■well, but naturally,on this small and fluky course there were some surprise ■victories. Tea Bell was the most consistent horse to race at. Takapuna, and the three-year-old's three starts resulted in a first and two seconds. Since the Wellington Meeting in October Tea Bell has raced without any luck, in fact, seldom has he had a track to suit him. At Takapuna, however, it was fine and dry and he gave of his best.- He should more than pay his way in Australia, and his Victorian purchaser has obtained a useful horse. J. T. Jamiesdn's Australian Sun two-year-old In the Shade was produced at Ellerslie at Christmas time, and then he looked a particularly likely sort but not , quite ready. A narrow defeat by Paga^, \ nelli on the second day' should not'be held' against him, for Pagarielli is very useful and more seasoned. ' ' ' :■•• Mr. W. P. Russell, of Wellington, the . Takapuna ' Jockey Club's handicapper, must have been well pleased with his handiwork oi the second day. There was one dead-heat,,and winning margins of a head, neck four times, half a length, and threequarters of a length. • ' Racing on the West Coast is said to,have improved - the hitherto disappointing "Nincompoop. He galloped well recently with Nine of Spades at -Riccartori." He is' to make his next appearance at the Dunedin Cup Meeting. ''__'' According to the records, IjTukumai has started in 71 races for 18 firsts, 13 seconds, 10 thirds, and 30 unplaced performances. . -He managed to win the Egmont Steeplechase last year, but failed badly afterwards in steeplechases, and it is to be hoped this year he is kept to hurdle racing. • . ■ '

Although Paleta scored his fourth successive victory at Trentham it was not until that meeting, apparently, that he was discovered by some writers. Any ordinary racegoer at Awapuni at Christmas time would have recognised in Paleta a two-year-old a good deal above the average. Te Koroke failed each day at Takapuna, Out hia turn should come on a bigger track, where he can muster up his finishing effort in the run;in. ■ Serang will be kept well before the public now that he has filled a minor place in an open sprint. He is a really good galloper, but J. Buchanan's horses do not appear to be able to do anything right in public. '

_ Town Bank would not be suited by the liard track at Takapuna, but the first time he runs in the mud he should play his part well. He was galloping well on the tan at Ellershe last week, but according to report the track provided the easy going to suit him. He is engaged at New Plymouth. _ Eed Wink is out of commission,: and it is doubtful if he -nail be persevered with any further. At his'best he was a goodclass performer, but his recent efforts have been' very disappointing, and it seems unlikeiy that ne will show a return to his form. * . E. Seoullar is busy at Ricearton with a three-year-old' sister to Volant, by Sol£erJnoi from Nithsevo. The filly is a recent addition to his team, and she looks a promising sort. ■ . Paperchase has been on the easy list , since she returned home from Trentham. She v/ill not go South for the Dunedin Jockey. Club's Meeting, and she may have a spell Defoie she races again. The Paper Money iilly Jj !; s had come hard ccntests during the last few weeks, and after her consistently good form in the North Island she is entitled to a short respite; So far she has been seen only as a sprinter, but she may run out longer journeys later on. It is said that the two-year-old Jericho, by Archery from Judith, is training on well for autumn engagements. Already he has shown useful form more than once, and he shapes like playing a prominent part in important events later on, when longer journeys have to be tackled. He will make his nest appearance in the Dunedin Champagne Stakes. J. B. Pearson has the steeplechaser Master Peter in regular work at Riccarton. He is going on well in his preparation for winter'racing, and he may have a few races over hurdles, before he has to tackle croas-country engagements. Tiff showed only moderate form at the recent Ashburton Meeting. He still looks very big, however, and he may not be at . his best until later in the season. In the meantime he is getting through plenty of useful work, and he is quite sound. Earlier in his career Tiff showed considerable promise, and if he regains his form he will win good races over long journeys. Although Hurry On headed last year's list of winning English sires, with over £59,000 to his credit, he owed his position to one horse—Coronach, £39,624. His other principal winners were the two-year-olds Applecross, £4969; Cresta Run, £4880; Call Boy, £4377; and Grand Vit esse, £1901. Of his other nine winners only Sereth got as high as £690. Phalaris came out much better than Hurry, On, though his total was only a little in excess of £42,000. His greatest winner was Colorado, with £10,610, but of his other 16 winners nine won amounts ranging from £5602 down to £1297. That left him with only six winners below the four figures mark. Phalaris had nine two-year-olds in his winners, and of bis older representatives the four-year-old Warden of the Marches was best.

Booster came through his two races at Trentham very well. He is not engaged at the Dunedin Meeting, and he may not be seen again until Easter. In the meantime he is on the easy list. The Solferino gelding has prayed himself a very .useful performer this season, and he looks as if he might be capable of still further improvement.

Rapier, who has done well since racing at Trentham, will be ridden by J. Beale in the Dunedin Cup. F. E. Jonea probably will be on Footfall, for Centrepiece is said to be an nnlikely runner. Front Rank may carry Sir George Clifford's colours -in the Cup, and Centrepiece may be given a run in the Publicans' Handicap. At six furlongs in his present form he might be hard to beat. Riecarton two-year-olds have a great record in the Dunedin Champagne stakes, and they are likely to play a prominent part in the event this season. Jericho s form has been very attractive, and he has a strong claim to notice, as he has shaped like a stayer in all his races bilver-Coot won in attractive style at irentham over five furlongs, but though he has plenty of speed he may lack stamina. Sudden Storm, another possible starter in the Champagne Stakes at Wingatm, showed pace at Trentham, and she may develop into a very useful performer. J. M. Cameron, owner of The Hawk, has decided not to make his proposed trip to Australia, as the gelding did not run up to expectations at the Wellington Meeting. The Hawk commenced his racing career in the 1020-21 season as a two-year-old, and has had a strenuous career since then, so it is only reasonable to suggest that the best has been seen of the brilliant son of Martian and Sparrowhawk. He is engaged at New Plymouth. > The three-year-old filly Countersign has not done a great deal lately, but E. beoullar has her looking very well. A few short sprints should see her at her best again for the Dunedin Jockey Club's .Meeting, where she may have to be seriously reckoned with in the Publicans' Handicap. Old racegoers consider that Saturday, loth January, at Eosehill, was one of the ifost trying days for many years past. The temperature was higher than in the city, And there was a high, percentage of humidity. The booths were crowded throughout the afternoon, and the supply pi liqn,* ran put before the last race came.

on for decision. Many of those on the course were .overcome: by the heat, and had to receive medical attention.