RACING NOTES

Grey River Argus, 20 June 1947, Page 6

RACING NOTES

By

Galtee More

A West Coast Interest The well known local sportsmen Messrs E. P. Higgins and C. E. Bourke have recently purchased

Steamboat, an aged gelding by Maxegin from Asset and he will remain at New Brighton under the care of G. Cameron, who trained him in the early part of his career. When first put in training Steamboat showed great promise, but as yet has failed to live up to it. His weak point is stamina. He is very brilliant out of the barrier, but when challenged he will not stay on. The small track at Victoria Park should suit him admirably; for on past occasions non stavers have been successful on the local track. It will be remembered Mr Bourke raced Super Jack with success several seasons back whilst liis partner, Mr Raul Higgins, has not as yet owned anything of note. His latest representative Sonoma Jack by Sonoma Harvester, earned his keep in the butcher’s cart after having been given up as a hopeless proposition on the race track. It would be pleasing to sec this local partnership meet with some success for the interest they are taking in the light harness sport. One To Follow

The three-year-old Swift Fox, just 'graduated from the hack class, had his first start in open company when he ran unplaced in the Visitors’ Handicap in which ho was made favourite. Swift Fox jumped out well from No. 3 at the barrier, but lost his position very quickly, going right to the roar of the field in a furlong. Even then he was not so far away at the finish, and his defeat may not lose him many admirers.

He is bred on fashionable lines, being by Foxbridge from Speed, Mint and has had three wins and four second placings this season. Due for Winning Turn

High Order endeavoured to lead from end to end in the Hakawhitu Handicap at Awapuni on Saturday but could not withstand the challenge of Young Trent, but he beat the others as easily as Young Trent beat him.

The four-year-old Ninth DukeMundane gelding is in fine form at present and can bo ticked off to go one better in the near future. Checked but Came Again

Aristea looked a .good thing beaten in the concluding event at Awapuni, the Awatapu Handicap. With three furlongs to run he was making a fast forward move in fifth position when Mr Pym, who was just ahead of him slipped and fell. Aristea lost his position. Even Light and Penetrate were then clear of the field. Brilliantly ridden by J. Garth, Aristea came very fast over the last furlong and just failed to overhaul the leading pair. Given a better run next time out Aristea will take a power of beating. .Back to Form Now Fortune’s Smile has struck winning form, he is one to be with, for the six-year-old son of Lang Eian-Silver Gain, is a smart galloper over any distance and if he makes the trip to Trentham it may be a case of what is going to be the other leg of the double. It could be Young Trent for Ihe son of Ninth Duke from that good mare Hispania, has previously raced well at the “Punters’ Graveyard” and his winning bracket on Saturday was scored in effortless fashion that pointed to better things to come. Badly Away Silver Race missed the jump out in the Fitzroy at Ellerslie. The Raceful gelding has a line turn of .speed and will salute the judge ere long. Consistent Hurdler Town Echo raced well at Ellerslie for two seconds and a win. His praises are echoing all over the North Island at present, and Te Awamutu railbirds say he will win in more select company. Performance of Class The grey son of Nizami Sahib won easily on the final day at Ellerslie and he was nicely handled by Stan Green. It would not he surprising to see this promising three-year-old win them in a row. Ready to Race Yasda is capable of a forward showing first time up. For he has come to hand rapidly and is beating them all on the training tracks.