VALPEEN FOR SOUTH

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

VALPEEN FOR SOUTH

GRAND NATIONAL AGAIN

(Special from "Early Bird.") AUCKLAND, July 5. Master Musk undertook the ion^ trip from Matamata to Trentham by iloat. Wli'si ing Rufus was to have made the trip, but at the last minute his engagement was cancelled. He is not/much good in bad ground, hence the decision. The original plans to. take Valpeen and Prince Val on to Riccarton after racing at Trentham will be adhered to, all going well in the interim. Reports from Matamata state that Valueless has been schooled, so it is possible that he will be raced over the sticks next reason, but his engagements at Trentham are on the flat only. Tybait pleased by the manner in which he hit out in his final gallop at Ellerslie before leaving Trentham, his task being one of five furlongs, run in fair time on a heavy track. All Tybalt's recent galloping has been over short distances, but the race on Tuesday will assist him for his longer races on the second and third days. R. McTavish is to ride him in his engagements. Lord Val ran seven furlongs at El-, lerslie before going to Trentham in lmin 35 3-ssec, which was a very fair effort under the conditions, the two-year-old Aymon bringing him home over the last four. It will not be for lack of condition if Lord Val fails to add to his reputation at Trentham. Catoma has never been over-raced, and he is being kept going, probably with a view to making an appearance

at the Pakuranga fixture -next month. Yesterday he was sent an easy six furlongs, and hit out very well, indicating that he will be a well-galloped horse when next he sports silk. So far Catoma has been a big disappointment, but he may do better if given more chances next season.

While Auckland .sportsmen are confident that one of the four northern horses will lead the field home in the Wellington Steeplechase, the position in the Winter Hurdles is not nearly so bright. There the main hopes of the north would appear to be Trayelling Agent and Master Musk,.but their running on ./the first day will give a further idea as to their chances.

Two years ago Landlubber was a really smart hack, but he then disappeared off the scene for a time, unsoundness keeping him out of action. He 'seemed all- right last August, and was taken to the Combined-Hunt Meetings at New Plymouth, but in his one race he broke down apparently hopelessly; yet with careful treatment he came back again and ran excellent races in open company at Ellerslie last month. Like most of the Lucullus breed, Landlubber is at his best in bad ground. .

Air Lassie, a promising galloper who has not done a good deal of racing, is in active commission pjice more, and is furnishing up' nicely for the coming season. This stable companion to Tybalt does not appear to be at home in heavy ground, and that is why she was given a let-up after the Auckland Meeting. She won a highweight event over ten furlongs at the Takapuna Summer Meeting, so that she may stay well next term.

The owner of Air Lassie and Tybalt has just taken up a four-year-old mare by Romney from Takahau, dam of Wharncliffe, winner of the Grand National Hurdles. Tybalt's dam, Akahau, is also out of Takahau. Romney is by Shepherd King from Elegance, by Seaton Delaval, and is a brother to Refinement, dam of that good winner in Australia, Mystic Peak, who won many good races a few seasons back. The newcomer at Ellerslie is a very likely-looking sort, but like this owner's other horse she will not be hurried.

Wee Pat, who had three hard races at Ellerslie last month, is t again in work, and it is the intention of her owner to race her on the flat at next month's Pakuranga Hunt fixture. Wee Pat has yet to win a race on the flat, though her owner has given her several chances to "break the ice" in this respect between racing her over the sticks.

One of the largest teams in work at Ellerslie is that presided over by J. M. Buchanan, who experienced rather a lean time during the season so rapidly drawing to a. close. He has seven Worses in work, and as they are beginning to shape up nicely this ownertrainer may do better next term. One of the interesting candidates in his string is the three-year-old Overdue, who has- been given every chance to develop. This novice is closely related to Gay Blonde, for he is by Gay Shield from Madam Ruth (a half-sister to Gay Blonde), by Lackham from Lady Murie, by Romeo. Winners in Buchanan's team that may- show improvement are Royal Appellant and Persian Lady. On Parade is to be kept going, despite the fact that he is not engaged at Trentham or Riccarton. It is said that the weight allocated in the Whyte Handicap did not induce his owners to take on the Wellington trip, but with. 101b over the minimum it could not be said that he was harshly treated. On Parade, together with his stablemate Versant (just brought in after a let-up), may race at the Pakuranga fixture next month.