Turf Notes

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 132, 7 June 1930, Page 23

Turf Notes

RACING FIXTURES. Juno 19, 21.—South Canterbury J.C. June 20, 21.— Hawfcea Bay J.C. June 25.—Bgmont-Wanganul Hunt Club. June 27, CS.—Napier Park R.C. June 2S.—Ashburton County B.C. June 28.—Walpa R.C. July s.—Oamaru J.C July, S, 10, 12.—Wellington B.C. July 17, 19.—GIsborne R.C. July 19.—Walrnate District Hunt Club. July 26.—South Canterbury Hunt Club. July 31.—Mananatu R.C. rnoTTiA'u mruiuiß. Jose 1-1-—Ashburton T.C. Next Week. The calendar next week shows a complete absence of racing fixtures. On Monday are due the handicaps for the Egmont-Wanganui Hunt and South Canterbury Meetings. Friday next is entry day for _ classic events for practically all clubs in the Dominion who have those races on their programmes. Nominations are due on Friday for the Napier Park Winter Meeting. Knows the Way. When S. Henderson was riding at the too of his form at Eilerslie he showed_ uncanny iudsrmeur. over ths steeplechase course, "and "Henderson's run" down the hill became a byword. On Thursday A. M'Donald on Aurora Borealis gave a complete exposition of Henderson's tactics, and each time down the hill ho and his mount gained many lengths on the opposition. M'Donald has been riding in fmo style in steeplechase events this season, and he has given the opposition a heap of points on cutting corners and saving ground. This was also a marked feature of his riding at Eilerslie. It is reported that M'Donald contemplates retiring from the saddle this season, aud therefore is anxious to bring oft' a notable victory or two. AVith a Great Northern Steeplechase to his credit, he has achieved something of his ambition. Unlucky Omeo. Without attempting to detract from the merit of the gallant effort of Aurora Borealis in the Great Northern Steeplechase, it is fairly certain that Omeo would have been returned the winner but for his unfortunate injury when being schooled at Eilerslie last week. He badly bruised and out the point of his stifle, and was still a little btilf and sore when paraded for the big event on Thursday. As a matter of fact his running in the race was in doubt until Thursday morning. The injury meant easing him in his work, and that is a big handicap when a horse has to climb the hill three times, jump twenty-five fences, and gallop three miles and three-quarters. As he struggled on gamely and was beaten by only a length, without the mishap doubtless he ■would have won. Unfortunately- he injured himself again on the same spot during the race, and was very sore afterwards. He will have to be spelled, and possibly not much more will be seen of him. this jumping season. In the present lean times ho is worth looking after. Elysianor Recovering.

The injury received by Elysianor in the Great Northern Hurdle Race has responded surprisingly well to treatment. His trainer, A. E. Neale, -worked away at him for hours subsequent to the race, and had his reward. Elysianor will not race again i'or Borne time, however, for lie is to be blistered and spelled. Probably he will go to, Sydney for the hurdle races at the big meeting at Randwick in the spring. Matu aiid the Hill. There is no doubt that the hill at Bllcrslie finds out many horses when they lirst tackle it. Matu is one of them. Even a good stayer like he is made very heavy work of the third ascent, and he was "anything but happy over the two fences on the top. He had no dash on the downward incline, and although he tried hard to head off the lightweight Odin for third money, he failed by a narrow margin. For Matu, however, it was a creditable showing, and he should have his reward in a good race before long. A Peculiar Display. For a horse that has won. good jumping races Mangaui gave a very erratic display in the Great Northern Steeplechase, eventually being pulled up. He ran out at all his fences, losing lengths, particularly at the sod wall in the straight. At this obstacle he ran from the inside almost to the outside to jump it sideways. On one occasion he was five or sis lengths ahead of the nearest horse going into the obstacle and came out lengths behind. Had he gone kindly and jumped straight he would have played a prominent part. Poor Old Maunga. The history of Maunga has become almost an equine tragedy. Several seasons, ago, when he looked like being a- star '"chaser, more than one sound judge would have paid a good sum of .money for him, but for sentimental reasons his ladyowner declined to sell: ' Each' season he has been the victim of circumstance of one kind or .another, aud has ■ suffered every kind of vicissitude. He was a sick arid sorry horse ' after ' running 'in the Great Northern Hurdle Race, during which he bled: He was produced oiv 'Thursday for the big steeplechase, but after doing his preliminary his jockey brought him back to the birdcage, explaining to the club's veterinarian that the horse "was rolling about like a drunken man." After a close inspection the official ordered Maunga to be taken away, and the amount represented by 336 tickets invested on him on the totalisator was returned.

Taumai Shows His Worth. Those who know him state Taumai would not be such a good performer on left-handed courses as he is at Eilerslie owing to his being "mouthed" only on one Bide. This may be so, but lie is such a good galloper and fast clean fencer, while his condition is so beyond reproach that he could not be discarded on any course at present. Prior to the meeting it was stated that he was a Northern horse, and he' has proved himself in that class. He was far too solid for the faint-hearted Prince Lu in the Remuera Hurdles. Prince Lu retired when he found he had as agile an opponent and one with more courage. Taumai, moreover, went too fast for Mister Gamp, on whom Bowtlen was busy a long way from home. Mister Gamp kept plugging along, but failed to get within three lengths of Taumai. Exhausted Their Patience.

New Boy, who returned a rather sensational dividend at Elierslie on Thursday, has registered some great track gallops at Elierslie, on the strength of- which he has been well backed in races, but failed dismally. K. J. Mackie was put up on him on Thursday, and from No. 23 at the barrier the Trentham horseman soon had his mount with the leaders. He kept him up to his,work with the result that is now known. A few of the persistent trackwatchers stuck to !Ncw Boy for small amounts, and at the price it did not reTpire a very big outlay to recoup the isesea. 2Jstt Boy possibly earned his unenviable reputation for unreliability undeservedly, for possibly all he requires is energetic handling. He finished on solidly enough under pressure in his last attempt. Havering Expected. Havering is under keen observation by the regulars at Elierslie at present, and was solidly backed on Thursday. With an experienced horseman up he would have troubled Gold Money, even if he had not beaten her. As it was he was beaten into third place. W. Mantle took the gelding to Elierslie, but owing to a disagreement with the owner, the latter took over the horse, and Mr. J. M. Corcoran figured as the trainer in Thursday's racebook. Havering should win a good race before the winter season is fur advanced. Freehold Improves. Mr. W. Duncan, the owner of Freehold, was at Elierslie, where he gave out that the chestnut would win on the second flay at Ots.ki. He was not a. rumcr on

My "Vsoirrr*"*

' correct. At Wauganui Freehold looked a much more robust horse than ever before, and Mr. Duncan explained that the chestnut was now being paddock-trained ami he had thrived on the open-air treatment. L. G. Morris had an exceptional run with the Forded horses at Otaki, and it is evident that he has learned oue ot the real secrets of success, feeding his charges well. Probably there is no more energetic and hard-working man in the game, and he is well on the way to success. Only a Juvenile. .This year's winuer of the Great Northern Steeplechase, Aurora Borealis, was the youngest runner in the race, being only a five-year-old. She is not the only horse of that age to win the race, other successful five-year-olds being Silvio, Jenny, Bombardier, Moifaa, Sol, Hautere, aud El Gallo, a rather select band. Aurora Borealis has been a versatile performer, having won on the fiat, over hurdles, and over country. She commenced her racing career as a three-year-old, when she ran 15 times for one win, three seconds, and four thirds. Last season she started 25 times, for one win, three seconds, and two thirds, and it was then that she won her first race over fences, her victory being achieved in the Woodlands Hack Steeplechase at Hastings. This season has been easily her best, for she has won eighr. races and been four times placed. To date she has contested 62 races, and her winnings now amount to £3300. Aurora Borealis was foaled in 102 i and was bred by Mr. D. Buic-k.