GENERAL NOTES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 269, 28 October 1932, Page 2

GENERAL NOTES

Chromadyne had two races at the Cambridge Hunt Meeting on Monday. In the Members’ Handicap, one mile and a quarter, he was soon in front, a,nd was one of the fenders to the straight, where ho had had enough. In the Bollard Memorial, six furlongs and a half, he was always lying about fourth or fifth, and finished in the former position. Chromadyne looked well and he had the conditions to suit him, but he was not good enough. Minstrel Lad, a half-brother to Arrow Lad, is retaining his form well and has already won three events this season. His success in the Trial Stakes at Trentham was impressive, and he promises to develop into a real good performer when properly seasoned. Minstrel Lad is engaged in the New Zealand Derby, to be decided at Riccarton next month, but may hardly be up to “classic” form, though if taken to Riccarton he should get his share of stake money during the meeting. Hurlingham, who has registered three successive wins in the South Island, showed at Trentham that his southern form was good. He tost his position in the middle stages of the October Handicap on the first day, but was always near the front in the Ruahine Handicap on the concluding day, though he tired over the last fifty yards, and The Quorn and Drumfire both headed him on the post. The brother to Rantlagh js a good hack, who should soon extend his winning record. Flying Prince ran two good races at the Waikato Hunt meeting on Monday. In the Members’ Handicap, the chief flat event of the day, he came through in the straight and beat all but Protomint. In the Bollard Handicap he was last for most of the way, but finished very fast down the straight to cut Gay Lap out of second money. Flying Prince is very partial to soft going, and when he again strikes such conditions he will be handy again. Gay Lap, who has not raced for some time, was produced in the Bollard Memorial Handicap at Cambridge on Monday. He quickly ran into second place behind Tradesman, but weakened a bit in the straight, Flying Prince finishing strongly to cut him out of second dividend. Gay Lap is a smart galloper when right, and this race should work t considerable improvement in him. He should be hard to dispose of in his next few efforts. • • • Schizanthus, a three-year-old filly by Scherzo (the sire of Bambury) from Grey Eagle, made her appearance in a division of the Bardowie Handicap at Cambridge on Monday. She showed a great dash of pace till the straight and was then done with. This filly’s sire was a fine sprinter in England and she gave every indication of also turning out speedy. Schizanthus is trained by A. E. Cox at Te Aroha. • • • Protomint was made a very warm favourite for the Members’ Handicap at Cambridge on Monday. He was ridden in behind the leaders till the straight, and as they swung round the turn he shot through, to score in easy fashion. With two wins on end, Protomint appears to have returned to his best form, and it would not be surprising if he adds other races to his credit in the near future.

Fracas, who is a sister to Drumfire, had her first race in the Wellesley Stakes at Trentham last Saturday, but failed to show up during the running of that event. On Monday, in the Roseneath Handicap, she got away badly, but finished with a brilliant run in the straight, to beat Midian, who appeared to have the race in safe keeping. Fracas is a smart galloper, though at present she is a bit on the small side.

Lord Aintree put up two excellent performances at the Waikato Hunt meeting on Monday when he won a division of the Bardowie Handicap and later, with a rehandicap of 81b, annexed the Bruntwood Handicap. In both events he began smartly and was never afterwards headed, though Limex had him doing his best in the lastmentioned race. Lord Aintree likes the ground soft, and in view of his showing at Avondale it was surprising that he was allowed to go out at such a good price on each occasion.

The form shown by Fast Passage at the Wellington meeting was particularity good and will gain her additional friends for the New Zealand Cup, in which she is handicapped at 8.0. This filly has registered several good performances during the last few months and should strip in first-class condition for the big two-mile event at Riccarton. In the past most of her successes have been recorded over distances ranging from eight furlongs up to a mile and a quarter, but she should in her present condition be capable of seeing out a longer journey. At Riccarton last November Fast Passage ran second to Korokio in the Oaks, one mile and a half, and as she is now an improved filly hei» prospects in the Cup contest next month appear to be excellent.

Royal England, a five-year-old gelding by Little England, won the Hunters’ Hurdles in good style at Cambridge •on Monday. He was well back in the early stages, but moved up along the back the last time and, joining the leaders before the turn, outstayed them, to win comfortably. He jumped well throughout and looks like beating better company.

Cluny, who won the Wellington Handicap on Saturday, is the six-year-old half-brother by Cistercian to King Midas, both horses having been purchased as yearlings in Australia by the late Mr. C. Elgar. For King Midas Mr. Elgar paid 300 guineas and for Cluny 100 guineas. Cluny has won races at intervals since his three-year-old days. He was obtained privately by his present owner-trainer, B. Burgess, from Mrs. Elgar about eighteen months ago. * • •

The only horse remaining in the New Zealand Cup who has an engagement also in the Mitchelson Cup on the same day at Ellerslie is Korokio.