RIDER FOR MAZIR

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 85, 7 October 1936, Page 15

RIDER FOR MAZIR

ELLERSLIE ENGAGEMENTS

(By Telegraph.) (Special-from "Early Bird.")

AUCKLAND, This Day. Advice from Te Aroha yesterday stated that Mazir will be ridden in the Mitchelson Cup by R. McTavish, and he may prove an effective substitute for H. N. Wiggins. Other riding engagements for this race on Saturday include:—Jonathan, A. Tinker: Flood Tide, W. Bartle; Mungatoon, S. Tremain; Royal Appellant, G. Cameron; Scotland, P.: Fearn; Knight Australia, C. L. Goulsbro'; Red Manfred, P. Atkins; Spiral, E. Peck; and Fersen, L. J. Ellis. ~, _ There is every prospect or the uordon Handicap at Ellerslie next Saturday having to remain divided, for nine scratchings are required to obviate a division. This event has drawn the best hacks in the province arid many of the others can have no chance, (especially in the case of those who failed to show up at Paeroa; LEGATEE IMPROVING. Legatee is improving with . every race and his showing on the second day at Paeroa was really good, for he is the type that would not find that turning track altogether to his liking. It is a moot point as to whether he will get back his two-year-old brilliancy, but later on he may develop into a handicap performer. He is nicely placed in the open seven furlongs at Ellerslie on Saturday, and if he can hold his own in the early part he may take some shaking off at the finish. Horses most sought after for the Mitchelson Cup, outside of Mazir, are Fersen, Royal Appellant, Flood Tide, and Red Manfred, the last-named coming into favour after a fine gallop over a round on Saturday morning. Ellerslie regulars have a word to say in favour of Knight of Australia, and in view •of . Dark Shadow's New Zealand Cup engagement's being continued there is some curiosity being evinced as to his prospects. It looked as if Sinking Fund should have won the handicap on Monday at Paeroa, for he was overhauling Orac at every stride in the dash to the post. His rider apparently thought; at the bottom of the straight that he would catch Orac quickly, but the latter, was not finished with, and when Sinking Fund's rider went for his whip it was too late. Sinking Fund would be very much improved by the race, and he may show up at Ellerslie. A little incident in race riding occurred in this race at Paeroa. Sinking Fund was with Delrain in last place passing the five furlongs, with Bonny Gay (rails) and Silver Brier just ahead. At this point Silver Brier apparently hung out, and McKenzie, on Sinking Fund, promptly went up into-the gap between ■ them. This was quick grasping of. an unexpected situation, yet it might have cost Sinking Fund the race, for he was then placed in such a position that in making the home turn he was forced out about four horses from the rails when the leaders swung wide. As this happens in eight out of ten races on the Paeroa track, it seemed that had Sinking Fund stuck to, his position on the rails he would have come home the shortest route and saved many lengths. ,In the end he was only beaten by a short neck. A DANGEROUS FENCE. The post-and-rail fence at Paeroa last March, erected for the first time for that meeting, brought about the downfall of Gascille, and it was the same obstacle that was responsible= for all the nasty smashes in Monday's race. It was the first fence in Monday's race, and was cleared safely, but the next time round Moree and Valpeen crashed, and the third" time over. The Hiker, Golden England, Green Park, and Valpeen (remounted) fell, ~ Green Park breaking his neck. Approaching this fence the horses had the■< sun dead ahead, and it was probably this that brought about so many,, accidents. Blue Needle ran a surprisingly good race in the open sprint at Paeroa on Monday. She was fast enough to get to the front" ■ quickly^' Tsiit making the home turn she began to drift arid appeared beaten. However* she came againl and stalled off Legatee's challenge after the latter had covered a bit of ground. The field was hot a really strong one, and Blue Needle only just got home, the rear merit in her effort being the courage she displayed when seemingly beaten.

Golden Sheila gave si disappointing showing in- the sprint the first, day at Paeroa, and she will need to niake vast improvement to be a possibility in the Guineas on Saturday. Last season the filly was not hurried in her preparation, andi probably the same policy is being followed now. However, backers were pulled: through when the stable companion, Mungacre,'; won well from Tray Bit and returned quite a good price for a favourite combination.