THE SMALLER FRY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1931, Page 11

THE SMALLER FRY

RACING AT ASHHURST

COMMENT ON THE RUNNING

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.f% PALMERSTON X., This Day. Disrank, who van third at Ashhuvst on Anniversary Day,' is now trained on his owner's farm at Hiwinui. His constitution is still far from robust. The Grcyspear-Alecto gelding Reilecto was a quiet tip for the hurdles, but after making a prominent showing for about six furlongs, he was pulled up going into the back. The Eangitero gelding Wanderlust was expected to have the going to his liking, but the track was not so soft as had been anticipated, and the old fellow uever went really kindly. . Baskier made .his first appearance in the scarlet jacket of the Opaki ownertrainer, B. Burgess, but made very indifferent showings in both his starts. Several horses had two outings on the day, and one of them, Golden Shadow, was unlucky enough to run a fourth at his first appearance and a second later in tbe afternoon.' ' The To Awiimulu representative Protoinint figured iv three events, but was withdrawn, from .the .scurry1 event in preference for the longer distances. The Catmint gelding was favourite for the .Maiden Stakes, but fifth in mediocre company was the best he could do. He reappeared later in the stronger hack company of the Gorge Hack Cup, and ran a very creditable fifth. While possibly a bit light in the hindquarters, Proto-

mint shows promise of developing into a useful sort.

The owners of the Quin Abbey mare Abbey Queen give their representative plenty of racing, double starts in one day being quite common. The mare did not behave over well at the barrier, and missed the jump out at both appearances. After being last to move in the Siberia Hack Handicap/ she finished strongly, but was just outside the placed horses, while at the second she got away a little better and finished in Mirth place. RUANUI DISAPPOINTS. As Kimnm had won at Fcilding in much stronger company than he was' required to meet at Ashhurst, he had strong support for the Ashhurst Cup, but was actually last to .finish. Kuanui had not had the benefit of any racing during the holidays, and, judging by his burly appearance, bad been enjoying an easy time. Even at the jump out lie displayed a disinclination to get moving, and his rider hail the whip going very early, but -with little effect. . • Aided by a nice run on the rails in behind the leaders over the whole journey, The- Swell was never further: back than third in the Ashhurst Cup, and he had the measure of Grand. Jury at the distance. The apprentice rider of the latter possibly moved rather early, otherwise the Grandcourt gelding might have been more difficult to dispose of. The latter had shown at Foston that he was improving, and his turn should come when the company is not too strong. It was not generally known that Mount Shannon had been galloped on a few days before be went out to contest the Ashhurst Cup, and the betting flattered him under tbe circumstances. . While he was well placed early, he -was beaten back into fifth place in the run home. Billion was indifferently 'placed in the early stages, but finished strongly from well back. It almost appeared as though' the connections of Billion would have fared better had they foregone the cup race for the Raumai Handicap, where the class was weaker.' . . Big things were expected of Blacksmith^ a five-year-old Greyspear gelding, in the early stages of his career. He had failed to live up to them 'prior to Anniversary Day, but opened his winning account in the Maiden Stakes at Asblnirst.. While the opposition was not strong, he finished on full of-running, and he may yet fulfil the good things expected of/him. An inmate of Mrs. M'Donald's stable«at Awapuni, Blacksmith has been; given an insight into jumping, at w)rieh he shows some promise.. / ■-•. There are not many of Black Ronalds progeny as yet who have attained racing age, but the Opaki trainer, T. Pritchard, , presented a likely sort in Lady Ronald in the Maiden Stakes. Indifferently'placed at the turn, Lady Ronald put in a strong finishing effort, and took second place. Lady Makere was beaten for second honours by Lady Ronald, after being in the picture practically throughout.' As both have done little racing, they should improve. •• ■ .1 NOT OUT OF TURN. The New Plymouth owner-trainer, R. Johnson, won the three open events with The Swell, Ridgemount, and Belle Star. All three paid very satisfactory prices, and, with the £490 in stakes, the owner-trainer must have enjoyed a particularly good innings. It would at least pay in some measure for the outlay entailed in his fruitless mission to Australia with The Swell and Ridgemount earlier in the season. '■ The leading, horsemen being at Trehtham, the boys held sway at Ashhurst, and there were some indifferent exhibitions of horsemanship. By the successes of the three members of R. Johnson's team, the Taranaki apprentice R. Drinkwater was enabled to bead the jockeys' list at the fixture, for he was in the saddle in each race. He has improved considerably. His closest call was when completing the treble, Chopin going very close to robbing Bell Star of the victory. Reports had it that the northerner Day Lass had proved quite proficient in her new' role as a jumper. -However, at Ashhurst she lost ground at every fence, and was early tailed off. Being by Day Comet, she has great jumping blood in her, and it will probably only require greater experience to make her a useful hurdler, particularly as she possesses a fair turn of speed on the flat. . . Progeny of the same mare, although by different sires, Wyeford (by Warplarie) | and He Whanga (by Acre), ran first and second in the hurdle event atj Ashhurst. Mr. 8. R. Hammond, of Hunterville, retains an interest in both, and took a good percentage of the stake money, as a resiilt.

Hack Cup contests are very popular among smaller owners, and a nice field of 12 candidates - contested the Manawatu Gorge Hack Cup. Some Acre, who had scored over ni mile at Foxton, was. first favourite, but found the extra 110 yards jnsfc enough to halt him, and Brambletorn withstood his challenge in the run to the post. Bvambletorn, by The Ace, had shown evidence of staying .powers in maiden e\!£nts, and the way he scored on Anniversary Day made it apparent that he has a promising future.' Acruil finished very fast to fill fourth place after being in a very indifferent position at the turn.