NOTES BY PHAETON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15884, 3 April 1915, Page 10

NOTES BY PHAETON.

In the last four contests that have eventuated for the Easter Handicap, a mare has come out at the head of the field on three occasions, and curiosity ie naturally prompted as to whether one of the weaker rex will this year be first to reach the judge. Merry Roe, who is the star performer of the mares engaged in to-day's race, and with 9st opposite the name of Soult'e game little daughter, such represents 31b over weight-for-age, so that it can be said the brown mare is set a hard task. Merry Roe's doughty- feat in defeating the brilliant Warstep over eight furlongs in the decision of the Islington , Plate at EUerslie in December will not be overlooked when backers come to sire up the field engaged in the Easter HandiWhen Merry Roe defeated Warstep she was timed to run the mile in lm 395, bo that she can be appropriately referred to as a brilliant miler. Merry Roe is in the pink of condition, and she is looked upon £3 likely ti render a good account of herself.

A horse engaged in the Great Easter Handicap in whose performance a deal of interest is centred is Cresus. The three-year-old son of Royal Fusilier and Aurarias has placed a sequence of wins to his credit, and though the company which he will be called upon to meet in the Great Easter Handicap wtU be much in advance of that with' which he coped in his previous j successful exploits, the trend of events points to his counting sufficient support to send him out favourite for the big seven-furlong race, 6et down for decision at Riccarton on Easter Monday. The Bst 61b which Ctcdsu3 is. called upon to carry in the Great Easter Handicap is 21b below weight-for-age, and if he is the colt he is held to be (and there is *ome reason to accept the finding in his favour) there is little fear of bis party being frightened out of the field. A ticking-off of the winning list associated with the Great Easter Handicap shows that since the race was instituted in 1892 one of the three-year-old division has led the field home on 11 occasions, and in that connection it is interesting to note that the last four contests for the Riccarton race has found one of that age in the van when the post was reached. The greatest three-year-old performance associated with the Great Easter Handicap is down to the credit of Cruciform, who carried 9st 91b to victory in the race of 1902.

Woorak was ft failure in Victoria in the early autumn; but since the son of Traquair returned to Randwick he has been galloping in great style, and the prediction is offered that ho will redeem his character at the A.J.C. Autumn Meeting. Woorak figures amongst the acceptors for the Doncaster Handicap, in which race he is weighted at Bst 101b, and, winding up with a fast six furlongs on Thursday, there is reason to anticipate that the colt .will retain his place at the head of the quotations. That Woorak is great up to a mile and vquarter he demonstrated in the spring, when he reduced the time record for that distance to 2m 54.8 in the running of the Craven Plate.

The mares racing in New Zealand this season continue to increase their Cup victories. Warstep, who occupied chief place, ran a dead heat with Indigo in the settlement of the New Zealand Cup, and she fiubsequently captured the Auckland Cup and Dunedm Cup. Kooya led the field home in the Manawatu Cup, Bertrada was first to reach the judge in the Wairarapa Cup, Honesty scored in the Invercargill Cup; while Pavlova gained the verdict in the Wellington Cup. Immer placed the Nelson Cup to her credit. Scotch Melodv scored in the Wainsate Cup; while Lady Moiitoa beat the opposition in the decision of the Rangitikei Cup. That the forthcoming autumn carnival will find several further noteworthy successes credited to the weaker sex can be looked upon pretty well in the light of a certainty.

Mr. E. ,T. Watt must surely entertain some sort of hope that Moonbria will vet win him a big race, for he has accorded the five year-old half-brother to Noct inform a nomination for the weight-for-aee Cumberland Stakes and 'A.J.C. Plate—to be run at the forthcoming Randwick meeting. Moonbria figures in the Sydney Cup, and as the Bst opposite his name for that race represents an impost 181b under wtight-for-age the New Zealand sportsman may hope to see his colours with distinction on Easter Monday. . At the Glenora Park sale in 1911 Dr. A. H. Bennett, of South Australia, purchased the Seaton Delaval mare Clochette, with a colt foal at foot by Soult, for 165 guineas. Under the name of Bob Soult the colt distinguished himself by winning the Somerton Handicap of 250sovs at the South Australian Jockey Club's meeting on the 20th Inst. Bob Soult, who carried Bst 81b, win his race by downright gameness. The in£t;Jlation of change windows in dealing with totafisator business at E'.lerslie is a step that should tend to facilitte business at the mchine. It is to be a hard and fast rule that the exact amount of money must be tendered for the ticket or tickets required. A meeting between Mountain Knight' and Carlita in the A.J.C. St. Leger on Saturday next appears to be quite assured. The two Derby winners are both reported to be galloping well. Tact has been displaying a lot of pace m her track work at headquarters, and on Thursday morning finished up alongside 1 nnco bonlt over six furlongs covered in lm 21s. Belasco easily defeated Rosea pver half-a-milo jn fair timp.

L. Wilson, C. Browne, and J. Buchanan, who have already ridden previous winners of the A.R.C. Easter Handicap, will have mounts in this afternoon's big mile event. It would not be surprising to not© Wilson's mount, Downham, finishing up the actual favourite on the machine, as since his arrival at Ellerslio the Railway Handicap victor has impressed trade watchers by his freedom of action. Without being flaked to do his utmost on Thursday morning, Mr. E. J. Watt's candidate got to the end of a mile in'lm 17s, and defeated Red Book, tho gallop being executed outside the trestles. Prior to the last Easter Handicap at Ellerslio Ventura had never shown her ability to race out a fast eight furlongs, but she won in lm 39 4-ss, and as Downham (from the same stable), who has never won over a longer distance than six furlongs to date, makes a similar attempt this afternoon, his performance is creating a lot of interest. The chestnut colt is well served on tho score of condition.

Since 1898, when the faster Handicap at Ellerslie was first decided over a milo course, six three-year-olds have scored in the 17 contests, including Advance (1900), Nonette (1902), Mobility (1906), Gold Crest (1908), Aborigine (1909), and Antoinette (1911). No less than five of that age are booked to contest this afternoon's event, including Bedford, Mullingar, Downham. Castalia, and Tete-a-Tete. The latter (a naif-sister to that great galloper Bobrikoff), and Castalia, have a decided advantago over the other trio, so far as the weight-for-age poundage is concerned, both being let off with 201b under. Teto-a-Tete is regarded in some quarters as likely to earn distinction on the turf shortly,, and when her condition is thoroughly observed at headquarters this afternoon the daughter of Royal Fusilier and Gossip will find plenty of supporters, '• r F. Davis has the black filly in great form. It will be remembered that Tcte-a-Tete defeated Mullingar in the Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie last autumn, and though she ran unplaced on three different occasions at the last A.R.C. Summer Meeting, she bears a decidedly improved appearance, and her party are said to be quietly confident. In both her track gallops at headquarters this week Tote-a-Teto has finished up in front of Balboa in fair time.

It would not be surprising to noto both March and Lightning drop out of tho Champagne Stakes this afternoon, as both claim an engagement in the minor two-year-old event. Tho absence of the pair named would leave a field of five, with Desert Gold almost certain to ':arry the confidence of the public over Arran, whom she has defeated on both occasions which they have met to data In tho Great Northern Foal Stakes and in the Twentieth Royal Stakes at Ellerslie, during the Christmas carnival, Desert Gold defeated the best two-year-olds produced, while Arran ran unplaced in each event Desert Gold showed up particularly well in a six-furlong spin with Beldame on Thursday morning, run in lm 21s, while Arran, who is a delicate customer, was sprinted on his own. He has shown galloping ability, but is a hard horse to. keep right.

At time of writing, there is some doubt whether Astor will go to the post for tho Easter Handicap. It all depends on whether his trainer can secure the services of a suitable horseman. Astor camo into prominence with Aucklanders on Thursday morning at Ellerslie, when he finished up ahead of Bedford and El Gallo over seven furlongs, run in lm 345. Astor is said to be a particularly good track horse, and that he repeats it in his races he conclusively proved when he finished a good second to Ladoga over a mile and 100 yards at the recent Wanganui meeting. He would probably be most at home m seven furlong events.

Stenning's candidates 'for the Easter Handicap this afternoon, Jack Del aval and Mullingar, have both been acquitting themselves well in their track work, and made good time on Thursday morning. Jack Delaval is not beginning as smartly as he did a couple of seasons back, though big things are expected d the three-year-old Mullingar, who is a particularly attractive galloper when at his best. A longer course than a mile should be more to the liking of Jack Delaval.

Black Northern was schooled again at Ellerslie on Thursday morning with voung Kelly in the saddle, shaping well at most of the fences. More interest will centre round his showing in the Brighton Hurdles this afternoon than any other horse at the meeting. He has threatened to return to his habit of " stopping" lately, and, though he captured a double at country fixtures, there is some doubt existing as to how he will shape at Ellerslie, though most' people best able to judge are agreed that he is a particularly good horse when in the mood. D. Moraghan has been galloping Tragedy King in company with Soultikoff of late, evidently in an endeavour to fit the son of Soult to run out the two miles attached to the Brighton Hurdles. On Thursday morning it took Tragedy King about two seconds i longer than Gloy to encompass a circuit, but Tragedy King is a much better fancy than Gloy, and would be a distinct fancy with tho public if he had a recent race to recommend him. Admiral Soult hit out very well in his work at Ellerslie on Thursday, and, despite the fact that he is saddled with 12st 51b in the Brighton Hurdles, will not be without a largo following when it is remembered that he won the New Year Hurdles, of two miles, at Ellerslie with only 31b less on his back. On that occasion he ran (the distance in 3m 483.

Achilledes, who has performed consistently well at country meetings, will be ridden by P. Brady in the mile and aquarter Tradesmen's Handicap at Ellerslie to-day. So far the son of Achilles and Dexterity has won up to a mile only, but finished on nicely when he won the Paeroa Handicap last Saturday with Gst on his back.

Grattan, who has competed at Ellerslie in the past without success, tripped over four furlongs in fair time last Thursday morning. He is engaged in the President's Handicap this afternoon, but has gone out of favour with Aucklanders, and does not appear to do his best in races on tho right-handed track. Gardiner's other charge, Calais, who figures as topweight in the Nelson Handicap, comes with a reputation as a good hack. The outside of th© course proper at Ellerslie on Thursday morning was in good order, and it was not surprising to note hacks making good time. Lonemoor defeated Monodon and another over six furlongs in about lm 225, while Had] and Lolorna made a little better time. Monathol got to the end of seven furlongs a long way in front of Lady Elgiva, while Manukau was better than Romanui over five furlongs from the new post in lm 7s. Bouvardia defeated a companion over half-a-mile in 535. Lady Penury and Royal Irish were associated over 10 furlongs at a good pace on Thursday morning, the time being fair. The former, who was a distinct fancy for the Oaks, is hardly at her best just now, and the eventual result of the classic does not bear the rosy appearance it did when the Penury filly led the field home in the South Auckland Cup. Scots Guard was exercised over the steeplechase hill at Ellerslie in company with Webfoot on Thursday morning, and made no mistakes, though We.bfool came down at on* of the obstacles on top of the rise. Maisonette and Vestal were also sent over the course, giving a good display. Inspector cleared the obstacles on the flat nicely. A lot of discussion is heard over Red Book's galloping abilities However Downham appeared to hold him very safe at eicht furlongs on Thursday morning at Ellerslie. In a short sprint on Thursday morning last at headquarters, Carlvsian showed good sprinting powers. This youngster may be saddled up to contest the Onslow Handicap at Ellerslie this afternoon. Colonel Soult is reported to be under a cloud, but probably not serious enough to prevent him sporting silk at Ellerslie thy afternoon,.

King Lupin made his appearance at Ellersfie on Thursday morning, and though not asked to do his best dashed over a middle distance in fair time, and bore signs of having undergone a careful preparation. His stable companion, Tinopai, covered seven furlongs in good time, and appeared to be going easy at the finish, though she may not bo thoroughly suited in sprint events after having been raced over a distance.

Potoa mado his reappearance at Ellerslio on Thursday morning, and dashed over half a mile in fair timo. Ho is engaged in the President's Handicap at Ellerslio this afternoon; but never was a good beginner, and may find the five furlongs too short for him. However, he gives evidence of standing a preparation, and should bo scon to better advantage with a littlo racing.

Tho following riders have been engaged in connection with the Easter Handicap mile this afternoon :—J. Buchanan, Merry Roe; A. J. McFlynn. Jade Delaval; J. Conquest, Bedford; W. Price, Mullingar; L. Morris, Goldsizo; L. Wilson, Downham; H. Robinson, King Lupin; C. Browne, Tact (if .started); R. Manson, Red Book (if started); R. Roid, Tete-a-teto; C. Kennedy, Castalia; C. Sinclair, Minister; T. Chaplin, Selection; L. Brown, Salvia. Should Red Boole start in the Tradesmen's Handicap, Manson will be found riding Belosco, while Beldame is spoken of as an unlikely starter.

Christmas Rose was never galloping hotter than of late at Ellerslie, and oil Thursday morning she shared the honours with Goldsizo in getting to the end of six furlongs in about lm 20s. Both worked separately Absolum's charge has not always been consistent in repeating her fast track work in races, so that her showing over seven furlongs in the Eden Handicap this afternoon is eagerly awaited.

Kitty Bollairs, who is to be ridden by R. Manson in tho President's Handicap this afternoon, ran a good five furlongs from tho new post on Thursday morning at Ellerslie—lm 4 l-ss—and is bound to come in for some support from trackwatchers. However, with Toreador, Bluestone, Centre, and Colonel Soult all going along pleasingly in their work, the eventual result bears a particularly open aspect. Centre, who is by HyTnettus from that good performer Target, has shown up well in his track work at Ellerslie since his arrival, but is regarded as an uncertain beginner, which may prejudice his chances in any five furlong event. He is to be ridden by C. Sinclair at Ellerslio thin afternoon, and it should be interesting to noto how he shapes at tho barrier. "He may bo bettor suited away from such speedy beginners as Toreador, Kitty Bellairs, and Co. Those who witnessed El Gallo show out in front of the Wanganui Stakes field at nino furlongs last month, may bo inclined to expect him to show up prominently in tho Tradesmen's Handicap at Ellerslie. He will bo ridden by H. Robinson this afternoon. Phosphorus was in a particularly kind mood for galloping at Ellerslie on "Thursday morning, and finished out a mile outside the trestles in great style, easily defeating Lady Alicia and Maui Nina, in about lm 475. He may he ridden by L. Wilson in the Tradesmen's Handicap" this afternoon. Barbwire has not been *n regular work at Ellerslie since meeting with a mishap at Paeroa last Saturday, and is said to be an unlikely competitor at the meeting. STUD NOTES, [ny riUETOX.]

The addition of another highly bred imported sire to the list of horses at Glenora Park gives the Papakura estate further prominence, and in another column Mr. W. Walters presents the breeding of his valuable horse in an attractive form. The names of classic winners stand out so profusely in the pedigree of Lucculus that tinson of Ard Patrick emerges with marked distinction when his breeding lines are put under the searchlight. That Marble Arch proved a success straightaway was a fitting accompaniment to his high breeding, for lie traces to the greatest celebrities of the stud book. General Latour, who was specially retained by Mr. Walters to take the place of his sire, Soult, can be termed a promising successor to his celebrated parent. General Latour is evidently endowed with all that vitality which is so marked a characteristic with the Soult familr, and in addition he has all the St.. "Simon quality.

In discussing Carbine's descendants now at the stud in England, the ".Special Commissioner" of the London Sportsman has a deal to say in favour of Javelin (Spearmint—Full Cry), and thinks the mating of that horse with Aiirina (Aurum—Concertina) likely to be productive of a classic winner. It has to Ho noted that Aurina's dam, Concertina, has thrown winners to nearly everything with which she has been mated, one of her progeny being the speedy Playaway, a Caulfield Futurity Stakes and Newmarket Handicap winner- The writer quoted is of opinion that Javelin and Aurina will make a perfect combination.