HASTINGS TRACK GOSSIP

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 119, 4 May 1934, Page 2

HASTINGS TRACK GOSSIP

(By "The Barb.’’)

Highgrader (T. 8. Fanning) aver five flights of hurdles, gave a brilliant display of jumping yesterday morning. Handicapped at lOst. in the Century Hurdles he is an interesting competitor, as last season he was selected to be about the best of the then recruits to hurdling. At Wellington he defeated, among others, Hounslow, who went on to the Grand National and annexed three hurdle races, including the big hurdles. • • o With increased stakes drawing big acceptances, the Egmont Racing Club enjoyed one of its most successful meetings for some years. The racing was good throughout, but on the »econd day, after rain had fallen, speculators were well off the mark. Hawke’s Bay horses did not do too well, but managed to pick up a. stake and many minor placings. • « • • Royal Bengal was the only Hawke’s Bay winner at Egmont. He ran well at Marton, and also on the first day

at Egniont, on hard tracks; but yesterday, when the stinu was out of the ground he won well in very fair company. His stable mate, Oawbeen, on the first day, was not too fortunate in the running, but at the same time Chief Marionette was less fortunate, and instead of these two filling the minor places Chief Marionette should just about have won from Cawbeen had all things been even. Cawbeen, on the second day, did not jump out too well, and was going better at the finish in fourth place than at any other part of the race. * « * Million, who has been training at Greenmeadows since Easter, succeeded in winning the hurdles the first day at Egmont from a good field. She was not started yesterday, being kept in reserve for the Century Hurdles,' a distance, (one mile and three-quarters) her party consider her best at. # * * Arauline ran two fair races at Eg mont but not being too good nt the barrier her chances are lessened ‘over short distances. Wanganui gQing might suit her better. *■ # * Manuiri, on the first day at Egmont, when going well, fell in front of the stand at the double, but it is very doubtful if he would have beaten either of the first two horses. On the second day he ran second to the more seasoned Brown Abbey, who jumped 50 per eent. better than he did the first day. ♦ * * Bon Ayran got round both days at Egmont, but lacks condition. Certainly he was third the second day at Hnwera, but there was only one horse behind him, and that a competitor who was having his first run over country. » * # Callus showed pace both days at Egmont, but after leading to the home entrance began to weaken. Maybe the racing will do him good, and perhaps at Wanganui, on the turning track, will see the. little fellow to advantage. # * & Hy'biscus ran wide the first day at Egmont, otherwise be would have been in the money, but yesterday he gained third position at the finish, incidentally paying a great price. * # * De ’Prop was raced the first day only at Egmont, being in the middle of the field all the way. She will race at Wanganui and Rangitiki on the way back, and in a weak maiden field will attract attention. * * * Lady Spy was a fair top on the second day at Egmont, but did not manage to even get into the money. Her stable mate, Royal Dash, is running very poorly and much below expectations. Tres See was turned out in great condition at Egmont to run two great races. Tho first day he was always well placed, and at the finish won decisively. On that race it looked as though the extra furlong and a half would suit him admirably yesterday, yet he could only run second, but it. was a very close one. '•» * * Riotous, the H.8.-bred gelding won (he Egmont Steeples to give a perfect display of jumping. The Birkdale — Cross Words gelding gave every indication of developing into a useful ’chaser, but in my opinion three miles will be about his best distance. # # # Don Erma ran two good races in the hurdle events at Egmont. The first day he was a creditable fourth, and tho second day beat all but Pahu, who was narrowly defeated the first day Don Erma jumps the country proficently, and will attract attention tho first time he is stepped out in a hack steeplechase. ♦ * • The Arausio mare Merry Way showed a return to form by winning the five-furlong event at Egmont yesterday. She was well back entering the straight, and getting an uninterrupted run mowed down the opposition in good style in win well.