AUCKLAND COMMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 9, 21 December 1933, Page 2

AUCKLAND COMMENT

ON ELLERSLIE CANDIDATES. After a preliminary review of the fields the Auckland “Star” suggests as most likely to claim attention for the Cup event Nightly, Rocket, King’s Knave, Master Norval, Speedmint and Red Sun. For the Railway Handicap it points to Gay Sheila, Exaggeration, Puss Moth, Silver Streak, Greek Gold, Bambury, Tradesman, Diatomous and Sinking Fund. Following are some brief discussions from the same paper on a few likely starters at the meeting. Epigram was finishing on in fifth place in the Hack Cup at the Waipa meeting, a useful performance, as he was not favoured with a good run during the middle stages of the race. This hack has several victories to his credit this season, and despite the fact that he will be meeting some first-class hacks at the Auckland meeting he is not likely to be disgraced, and should win some money during the meeting. * i» After being slow to begin, Chief Lap put up a creditable effort in the Kiliikihi Handicap at Te Awamutu, in which he acted as runner-up to Tin Lap. He was giving the leaders several lengths’ start at the home turn and had to make his run on the outside, otherwise he might have won. The race is sure to do him good, and if produced in the Robinson Handicap at Ellerslie on Boxing Day he can be relied on to put up a real good showing under the handy impost of 7.8. # » * There was a lot of merit in lhe win registered h» Jonathan in the open sprint rare at Te Awamutu, and the

success shows that this four-year-old. is back to his best form again. He was up against several proved sprinters, who had him doing his best all the way, but he outstayed them at the finish, and, taken all round, his performance was a good one. Jonathan claims an engagement in the Auckland Cup, and Ills latest victory is sure to gain him additional admirers for that event.

Among the horses that contested the Te Awamutu Cup on Saturday none stripped in better condition than Red Sun, who looks much improved since he raced at the Auckland spring meeting. He wa s at the rear of the field for over six furlongs, then moved up fast, and was just behind Mungatoon and King March at the entrance to the straight, where ho appeared to get a slight check However, he was staying on m good style at the finish and is a distinct possibility in. the Auckland Cup, in which he hag 131 b. less to carry.

Master Norval never looked a likely winner at any stage ot the Te Awamutu Cup and eventually finished a number of lengths behind the placed horses. He was racing in a handy position as the field left the straight and was lying fourth along the back stretch, but lost ground approaching the top bend. He moved up again a* the home turn, then gradually weakened and was one of the last to finish. In the past Master Norval has always raced best when the sting is out of the ground, and as the going is likely to be hard on Boxing Day the chances are that he will not be seen to advantage.

Mungatoon’s winning effort in the Te Awamutu Cup was a clear-cut one, as he led practically all the way and ran out the ten furlongs in solid fashion. It was his best showing to date and clearly demonstrates that ho is an improved galloper, and. one likely to do better as a middle distance performer. Mungatoon is down to contest the Christmas Handicap on the first day of the Auckland meeting, in which he has been rehandicapped from 7.2 to 7.7 Summed up on his past efforts he will take a power of beating, for he is now at the top of his form and can he depended on to run out the mile journey in brilliant style.

One of the most convincing wins at the Waipa meeting was that of Star Artist in the Hack Cup, the half-sister to the defunct High Comedy beating a first-class field of hacks with the utmost ease. She did not begin as quickly as usual, but took charge at the end of a couple of furlongs, and from then on the issue was never in doubt. Lucidus and Ruri challenged her at the top of the straight, but when Goulsbro gave the filly her head, she went right away and won easing up, traversing the seven furlongs in 1.27 1-5. Star Artist has two engagements at Ellerslie on Boxing Day—the Robinson Handicap, seven furlongs, and the Railway Handicap, six furlongs. If started in the latter event she i s likely to beat more than beat her.