HASTINGS TRACK NOTES AND GOSSIP

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 152, 13 June 1932, Page 2

HASTINGS TRACK NOTES AND GOSSIP

There were more touts out on the Hastings racecourse on Saturday morning last than have been seen for many a day, no doubt the jumping and the prospects of a very interesting meeting next Saturday being the reason. The various tracks were in tip-topi order. The caretaker and staff are busy erecting the obstacles for the steeplechase, and the stage promises to be well set for one of the most interesting meetings held hero for some time.

Fondle and Court Lady were the first but were not there to break the watches, being contented with a working gallop. The once round on the plough took 1.48.

Cuticle, alone, ran six furlongs on the same track in 1.19. The Paper Money mare pulled up Al, and appears to have thrown off the stiffness in an off hind joint that effected her earlier in the week.

High Grader pleased his connections exceedingly by' getting to tho end of half a mile on the course proper in 49}, the best timed gallop of tho morning. He has come to hand very quickly, but will be raced only at Hastings am then eased up for a while, and taken to Gisborne next month.

Margaret Rose and Head Serang, with their respective trainers in the saddle, were not ridden out to run five furlongs on tho plough in 66}. Margaret Rose, on tho inside, if anything, pleased tho more.

Beverage and Arabliss did not impress when it took them 5-1 to run half a mile on the plough, but neither could have improved on the time.

Ponjola was given strong three-quar-ter pace work, and went like a steam engine. Peter Smith, for the time he has had the Tuuiiaha —Miss Millicent gelding, has brought him forward well and, though he may want a race, what wins the Hawke’s Bay Steeples will know they have been jumping and galloping by the lime Ponjola is headed

Thornproof and Swift and Sure were companions over half a mile on the

grass. Swift and Sure found his feet ever so much more quickly than The Ace and, coming into the straight, looked as though he would conic homo on his own. However, his condition petered out and Thornproof had the best of tho argument by a good length, running the distance in 50}, a fair effort, but a full second slower than that of High Grader, another Trial Plate candidate.

Autopan, Menndeura, and Slipawny were sent the same distance on the plough, which took 52, a very fair effort. The first-named had a nock advantage passing the winning post. Slipaway was well back, not being able to foot it with his companions from the word go. » * * I.ndv Gain took 1.20} to traverse six furlongs on the course proper. Clinsham picked up his stable companion for tho

last half-mile. Chesham is developing into a fine cut of a horse, and may yet fulfil promise of developing into a hurdler, a department for which his owner has always intended the Lackham gelding.

Royal Hunting, with an apprentice on top, skipped over six furlongs on the plough in 1.17}, but was on the bit all the way. His finishing effort pleased.

Teller and Keen, on the course proper, took 1.19 for the same distance, with Teller doiug it easily throughout. The Paper Money gelding has not had a rousing gallop for some time, so looks n little on the pretty side, and may want a race before being back to his best.

Moa Bird was not asked to gallop at top. Jumping off at the half-mile post on the grass, she ran home the last three furlongs against the bit in 40.

Leathery Fox, Jaquette, and Blue Boy also went half a mile on tho grass. The first-named at the finish had the best of matters, with Blue Boy a length behind. The time, 52, was not good enough to give any of the three an outstanding chance in tho maiden next Saturday Blue Boy showed a big improvement, but at the same time is not goipg as well as anticipated three or four months back.

Chatter On, with the worst of the weights, was .slightly behind Night Speaker on passing tho winning post at the end of half a mile ou the plough iu 52}.

Pillow Fight was not galloped, b<dng given a couple of rounds at an easy half-paee. He is to have a light let up from fast work, as he will not be racing until the end of September.

Imperial Fame ran home the last half-mile of his pace work and moved a little more freely than before he went to Otaki.

Gohl Mag and Monarchy went from tho six and a-half furlong barrier to run the last six in 1.17. a very fair effort.

Gay Lass, in appearance, is a much improved maro and, with a race or two, should prove a good proposition. At the moment she is a little on the big side, hence the suggestion that a rave will be required. She was not galloped, but pulled strongly in pace work. THE JUMPERS. Princess Elizabeth (E. Dunn) gave a good display oyer eleven of the steeplechase fences. Ike first once round was timed at 1.49. Corning to the first fence, the mare slipped slightly and it looked as though she would have difficulty in getting over in safety. She, however, flew it like a bird, showing much cleverness in getting out of the trouble tho way sho did.

• • • Hard Gold (E, Dunn) also went a couple of rounds of the country, never laying a foot wrong. He appeared to be going somewhat tenderly in between his fences, though at the finish the seeming soreness was not so noticeable.

San Quex (W. Horne) did not jump the schooling fences as well! as last time, but tho slow pace may not have suited her. Owner A. Stevens has the mare in great heart and, with a couple of flat races into her at Hastings, she should strip very fit the following Thursday at Napier Park.

Rasouli (E. Dunn) rapped the first fence in front, but from then on gave a slashing display over once round of the hurdles.

Kinross (P. McGuire) and Manuiri (G. Greene) went well in a similar task, but the novice Kinross jumped the better, at least he gained ground at two of the fences.

Owner-trainer W. Stone, from Palmerston North, arrived on Friday midday with Alpinist, Thornproof, Forest Stag and Tautbow. All appear in great heart, especially Alpinist, who is a picture of health and condition and will be hard to dispose of, no matter what she contests here next Saturday Forest Stag is a fine cut of a galloper and has already shown sufficient form to warrant the prediction that he is going to develop into a paying proposition. Thornproof and Alpinist were in tho early part of the season trained at Hastings.

Whakauo, who unfortunately went in tho wind, is to be operated on for the trouble. Royal Flyer, who went through this operation some few months back, is back in work, showing the benefit of same. He will race hero on Saturday

A pound wasted. Lochabye, who was nominated in tho H.B. Hurdles, has broken down, as was expected by many.

The 3-yr. Lucullus —Day Comet mare which was brought back here after the Wairarapa Easter meeting, was tried and found wanting. As a hunter, in the fieM. or as a show juniper, he might prove worth while, but as a racer never.