LATE SPORTING

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 149, 20 December 1929, Page 13

LATE SPORTING

NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE

(Special to "The Evening Post") (By Telegraph.) AUCKLAND, This Day. It was aii off morning at Ellerslie this mornings although several of the visiting horses were given a run along No. 2 grass track, while the majority were exercised on the tan and sand tracks. On No. 2 grass, the Auckland Cup candidate Paquito cantered round to the three-furlong post and ran home with a fair amount of pace on. This horse is not.as solid as one would expect from his performances. He is a light-framed gelding, but apart from this is an exceptionally nice mover when extended. He is in capital condition, and it will not be on this score if he fails to show up prominently in the big event on Boxing Day. Vertigern was given a run over six furlongs, but was not fully extended. W. D. Maroney has the Kossendale gelding in nice order, but he will require to improve on his recent running to hold his own in the Auckland Cup. Duellona was out doing pace work. There is no doubt that she v is vastly improved since racing at Takapuna a week or two ago. She is due to contest the Queen's Plate on Boxing Day, in which event she will be ridden by H. Gray, provided he has recovered from the injury at Taumarunui. Count Cavour, looking as well as ever, with his stable mate Amor, traversed half a mile in 52 3-ssec. Both horses moved very freely, although Amor may be in want of a race before being seen at his best. The Railway Handicap candidate Great Star is still going a bit short. He has recently been suffering from kidney troubles, but he should be greatly improved between now and the meeting. The southern hurdler Pangolin did strong work on the sand track, and is looking in tip-top fettle. He has a bold style of galloping, and after his good showing at the New Zealand Cup Meeting at Eiecarton, when he won the Spring Hurdle Handicap and the Port Cooper Hurdles, and finished second in the Middleton Hurdles, he should perform well at Ellerslie, although he may find the hurdles somewhat stiffer than those he has been accustomed to. Dunraven, full brother to Limerick, is a nice, evenly-balanced youngster with plenty of size. He has not yet raced, and he may require a little time to come to his best. King Midas, Count Palatine, and the two-year-old Tenterden each bear a well-seasoned appearance. They were only doing easy work, but will be sent along to-morrow. ■ Prodice was given a run over six furlongs, - completing her task in lmin 1 4-ssee, moving exceptionally well throughout. This filly has fined down nicely, and is not carrying an ■ ounce of superfluous flesh, and few of the Cup candidates will strip in better condition, although many doubt her ability to stay out the two-mile journey. It has to be remembered tlfat she finished fifth in the New Zealand Cup, at which time she was not nearly as forward as she is 10-day. Several horses arrived by train from the South this morning. They included Shrewd, Toxeuma, "White Fang, Eoyal Parade, Catonian, Prodice, Biddy's Boy, Flying Prince, and Nassau Lady. To-morrow morning J. Cameron is expected with four horses, J. H. Jefferd with three, and W. M'Lean with three, which will all be quartered at E. J. Eae's stable at Greenlane.