LIKELY MAIDENS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 18, 22 January 1937, Page 13

LIKELY MAIDENS

ASPIRANTS FOR TAKAPUNA

(Special from "Early Bird.") AUCKLAND, January 21. As usual, the maiden handicap events at the Takapuna Meeting at Ellerslie on Friday and Saturday of next week will be contested by large fields, although on this occasion there will be none of the unpopular divisions. Two of the entrants have done most of their racing in Australia, these being Raepata and School Song and both have been placed there. School Song is a well-bred five-year-old gelding by Hunting Song from Marchaway, daughter of Lucullus and March, and so closely related to those good gallopers Queen March, Te Kara, Lucius, Kahapa, On Parade, Limarch, and King March. He raced several times in Australia and was placed once, in a maiden welter at Menangle, New South Wales, fifteen months back. He is working in promising fashion at Ellerslie.

Raepata has been placed a few times both in Auckland, arid New South Wales, and as he is only a three-year-old now he should be worth following in this, his second season on the Turf. He is a brown colt by Brazen (.sire ol the brilliant Bronze Eagle) from Capsina, and he was purchased privately after the Sydney yearling sales in 193 j by Mr. E. Montgomery (owner of buyer Jubilee), in whose colours he races. At the last Auckland Easter Meeting he finished third with 7.2 to Inver and Rulette, and at his last start prior to that he was also third in a division of a Nursery Handicap at Canterbury Park, New South Wales. He is a promising colt and his first win may not be long deferred, for he will have plenty of opportunities from now on. But of course if he develops really good form he is almost certain to be sent back to Australia to race. Another interesting candidate in this class at Ellerslie is* the three-year-old gelding Ngakarau, who is a halfbrother by General Latour to Namakia, the latter being by Gay Shield. Ngakarau has not done very much racing, but he is undoubtedly going to be good if he improves as much as expected. The gelding had his last outing at Te Awamutu five weeks ago, taking on the Waipa Plate, and he finished a good fourth to King Neptune. Orate, and Girl Pat, form that was very good, for King Neptune subsequently won at Ellerslie, Orate took a double at Stratford, and Girl Pat was third among the good two-year-olds with 8.2 in the handicap at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. If he is produced at Ellerslie on Friday or Saturday Ngakarau should go close to winning for trainer A. Cook.