GOOD NOETHEEN HAND

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 6, 6 July 1935, Page 23

GOOD NOETHEEN HAND

EVERY RACE AT TRENTHAM

(Special from "Early Bird.") AUCKLAND, July 5. In view of the fact that Auckland horses have fared so well at Wellington Winter Meetings, their next week's minor invasion is invested with something more than the average amount of interest. For instance, the recentlypublished record of Lord Val at Trentham in winter, together with the results of the last dozen contests for the Wellington Steeplechase, six of which have been won by Auckland horses, is sufficient to confirm this point. One of the reasons why northern horses fare so well at Trentham at this period of the year may to a considerable extent be accounted for by the reason that at Ellerslie the Great Northern Meeting is usually held with bad track conditions, and this gives owners an indication as to their horses' chances under similar conditions, or worse, at Trentham. Just how strong the Auckland representation is on this occasion may be realised when it is mentioned that northern stables have candidates in every race on the opening day. Sir Musk is to set the ball rolling in the northern attack on the Wellington stakes, his engagement being in the Mariri Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase. At Ellerslie last month Sir Musk contested the three hurdle races confined to the hack class, arid in each of these he had to come literally from the clouds to get near the leaders at the end. This suggested plenty of stamina, and if he can handle the Trentham country he must be regarded from this \ angle as possessing an excellent opportunity. He has not had a great deal of experience over country, but last season he finished a moderate third to Riotous and Brown Abbey in the Egmont Steeplechase,

Auckland running last month points decisively and almost conclusively to Solaria in the Woburn Hack Handicap, but the northern trio may make it interesting. This comprises Grand Score, Rona Bay, and Landlubber. The first-named finished second over five furlongs at Levin, and that was a good effort, for one would not select him to win a race of this type on the Levin track. He won at Trentham two years ago, and as he is, like all other members of the family, good on heavy tracks, he is a distinct possibility in his engagements. Rona Bay was "floated" from Auckland to Trentham,- and if this long trip has not affected the filly she should run up to form. At Whangarei she, literally cleared away with her. race,, but only from a modest-class field. Landlubber used to be a great mudlark, and judged on: his form at Ellerslie last month he is.coming back. His owner was enterprising enough to take on the cracks over seven and eight furlongs on the two final days at Kllerslie, arid it was seen that Landlubber had the pace to foot it with the best sprinters. MASTER MUSK'S CHANCE. There are three northerners in the Vittoria Hack Hurdles, this trio being Master Musk, Prince Val, and Trishna, although the last-named has. been so long away from home that he has almost lost his residential .-.. qualification. Master Musk is a very good class of; hurdler,'and while it may be the general- opinion that a mile and a half is-too short for; him it is .Y.ery likeiy. that he_will ■ fare'• better ■at Trentham• thanihe "did over longer distances at Ellerslie. He is a Winter Hurdles possibility, so he' ought to show to advantage. on the opening day, especially in the class he is meeting. Prince Val has won at his only two visits to Treritham, so he has the chance to do the hat-trick. However, this time lie appears as a hurdler,:,and little is known as to his ability! so one can only wait and see. Of- Trishna it is said that he is a born hurdler, so he will have a chance, seeing that he has performed satisfactorily in handicap company of late weeks. Three is again the main in the sprint, the Stewards' Handicap. One may be in error in naming Tybalt for a later day, with the opinion that six furlongs may be a bit short for him, but he is a good sort and he may* surprise here. Astarth registered a rather phenomenal performance on the second day of the Avondale Autumn Meeting, for after being almost knocked over at the half-mile she came with a late run just to beat Gipsy Moth and Namakia. A reproduction of that effort would make her a winner in any company, and she may repeat it if she can handle the going. Prince Acre is a fancied hack from the north, • and while he is tackling something good this time he may not return home without a stake. It will be in his favour that the stable apprentice will be able to take the mount, and the least that can be said about the combination at the r moment is that one could select a worse horse for a place investment. LONDON IN THE BOOM. There are four in the Wellington Steeplechase from the north —Valpeen, Haakon, Ruby Meteor, and London. The last-named is in the boom in Auckland for this event, but experience may tell, and for this reason the choice as between the quartet rests between Valpeen and Haakon, and it would not be surprising if. the topweight, with a rider like W. J. Bowden to hold him together, made amends for his Ellerslie failures. Haakon, of course, is a natural stayer, and that will be in his favour, but it is difficult to say which of the pair might add further | lustre to Auckland Turf honours by | winning the Wellington Steeplechase. Ruby Meteor is a solid sort of performer, but one liable to do the wrong thing, and so perhaps the fancy is for Valpeen over Haakon. When Travelling Agent left Te Rapa ;he was a fitter horse than when he won among the hacks at Ellerslie, so that he should give a fine account of himself in the Trentham Hurdles. On this showing his chances in the Winter Hurdles can be better assessed. Lord Val will carry big northern support in the Whyte Handicap after his success in the Cornwall Handicap, and if only for his previous successes at Trentham he is almost entitled to the position of favourite. Valueless completes the northern representation for Tuesday's racing, and he may show up in the Te Aro | Hack Handicap, for he had his first race at Te Rapa in May after a long absence. Valueless won the Highweight Handicap at this fixture two j years back, and he is again to contest this event next Thursday, in which his chance may be' a really good one. Kurapae also figures in the Te Aro Hack, but like Trishna he has been away so long that his form has been almost lost to northerners.