SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 28 June 1943, Page 3

SPORTING

Abbey Lu’s Steepies HAWKE’S BAY J.C. P.A. HASTINGS, June 26. Conditions were goodjf° r the winter meeting of the Ipawke’s Bay Jockey Club and there/was an excel-lent'-.attendance. Results were:— Maiden Race (Fir,<st Division).— 1/1 CARNFORTH (Green) 1; 3/2 Fescue 2; 5/5 Sun /Valley 3. Won by three-quarters o'f a length; half. Time 1.18. . . Maiden Division).— 12/12 (Sellars) 1; 8/6 Silver Ann Hatfield 3. Won bv a half. Time 1.17 2-5. Scr.: Nella, Fox Fur, Havelock Handicap.—l/1 KILLEYMOON 1; 7/6 Crispin 2; 6/9 KiWff 3. All started. Won by three lenWis; a neck. Hawke’s Bay Hwdles. —5/4 TALENTA (Brady) Malacca 2; 9/9 Opaltown 3. Scrl: Native Chief, Hasten, Irish Morn, Mimetical, Taharakau. Won by twq lengths; half. Time 3.18. x , Winter Handicap.—l2/12 HASTEN (Garth) 1; 5/5 The Monarch 2; 7/6 Clipper 3. Scr.; Noblq Fox. Won by a head; three-quarters of a length. Time 2.10. ' Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase.—2/1 ABBEY LU 1; 5/4 Gail Vaals '2; 1/3 Noko 3. Scr.: The Dozer. Won by five lengths; four. Time 4.31. Rotopai Hack Handicap.-—4/5 KINSMAN (Shaw) 1; f 1/2 Crucible 2; 3/3 Hamish 3. Scr.: Sir Mark, Taharakau. Won by 'six lengths; three-quarters of a length. Time 1.41. ‘ Flying Handicap.—NOßLE FOX (Dulieu) 1; Black Robe 2; Cheddington 3. Scr.: Pompit, Noble Eagle. Won by two lengths; .one. Time 1.17. ' 5. Final Hack Handicap.—VlN D’HONNEUR 1; Abbey Fox and Broiveine, a dead heat 3. Scr.: Killeymoon, Te Kiwi, Retort, Sanger, Kinconda. Racing Notes (By “Binocular.”) Unlucky: There is no doubt Flahiiluk was very unlucky in the Mangawhata Hack at Manawatu,. as he was badly interfered with at the barrier and was last early. When he commenced a -forward move his progress was badly impeded by the tiring horses in front of him, and even then, he was only a neck behind the winner. This 3 year old son of Musketoon should get'some of the money at Trentham.

Promising Hurdler: Of the novices racing at Awapuni nothing gave out more promise among the hack hurdlers than Poutu. He was always in the thick of it, and it was only .in the last furlong the better seasoned Red Glare wore him down. Over courses of one mile and a half Poutu should do much better.

Crammond Bay: All the lads are awaiting the appearance of Crammond Bay as it is said this half brother by Phaleron Bay to Lady Tinkle and Deolali is tne best of the family. He may race at Trenthanp

Not Impressive: Ascot Bloom was expected to make a name for himself over hurdles this winter, but at Awapuni he showed no fight in a moderate field, being well ’beaten. Unfortunate:

Backers of The Cardinal have had their share of misfortune. At Ellerslie he was badly stopped when Gold Spot fell in front of him, thougn per-? haps it is unlikely he would have beaten Chat, while at Manawatu he gott in too close to the first of the brush and lost his rider. The Cardinal is a solid horse with some good performances on the flat to his credit, and he may take one of the major steeplechases this winter.

Lease Expiring-; Mrs. E. M, Sloane’s lease of Gold Spot expires on July Ist. which is two days before, the Wellington Steeplechase comes up for decision. However, - there is a purchasing clause in the lease which has been in force over the last 3 years.

Returning to South: It is said that Noko is likely to return to th e Soutn Island after racing at the Hawke’s Bay meeting. In his absence Messrs .J. S. and W. E. Hazlett will be represented in the Wellington Steeples by Spendthrift who is already a substantial prepost favourite for this richly endowed event. While the performances of Spendthrift certainly point to bis having a big say, .it may be well to remember that he has not yet met tnp cream of the North Island cross country horses, and for such a hard puller, the heavy ground usually experienced at Trentham at this time of the year may make it difficult for him to concede' weight to such well seasoned performers as The Cardinal and Chat.- He has not had a great deal of racing lately, and should he fail he may possiblv make amends at Riccarton on firmer turf. Spendthrift <is a 7 year old son of J?aper Money, few of whose stock have raced over country.

From Invercargill: Platform and Bashful Lady are likely to be on hand for the principal distance events at Trentham. L. Hare will ride the former on both days, while A. Anderson has been retained to ride Bashful Lady in the Whyte Handicap. Balloted Out:

It was hard luck for the connections of Kronos that their horse was balloted out of the Whyte Handicap. Pie ran a great race on the second day at Ellerslie to take the major honours. If brought down for the later day, he might get some of the monev. as 'he acts particularly well if the' going is heavy.

Local Schooling: During the week end Rockery and Commemorate were schooled in company at Omoto. Rockery gave an excellent display. He is in fine order and is not without a chance in the Trentham Hurdles. For a novice, Commemorate, was responsible for a solid effort, actually out-jumping his mate at the first fence. Greenbank on his own, jumped four hurdles at a sound pace. This horse is making great improvement and is the right type to make good at the game. Trotting Notes Promising) Maiden: Among those given a chance in the race for maiden trotters at Ashburton was Hopoff. Trained by C. S. Donald, he looks like one who would appreciate firmer conditions than those ruling at that meeting. Nervous: Shirley Temple who is how owned by Mr. H.' Stafford is likely to take a Jot of settling down and at Ashburton she was very nervy, a trait she exhibited when trained by 1Townley.

Hat Trick: . « For the third successive season Wrack is at the head of the winning sires’ list of unhoppled trotters, his

get having won 17 trotting events this season.. Solidly Supported: At Ashburton there was some heavy wagering on Pontoon. Weil placed in the early part, he failed to show much dash at the business end of the Tinwald Handicap. He may do much better next time out. Solid Effort: In the Trial Handicap at Ashburton there was a good deal of support for Smirke despite the fact that he was giving the limit horses a start, of 72 yards. That the support was well merited was borne out by his fourth placing,' and in a more suitable class h e should give a good account- <>f himself. Silence is Golden: The connections of Worthy Addition are understood to have been his main supporters in his recent winning effort when he returned over a score. Few of the “railbirds”- at New Brighton even knew his name. Back Again: Mankind who has; been spelling since he injured a joint a few months back, has been taken up again by the Templeton trainer W. R. Butt. He will be prepared for the big events at the August meeting, and as he can pace in any kind of ground, he should earn further distinction for his popular Greymouth owner Mr. A. Grogan. .