AUCKLAND SPRING MEETING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18550, 7 November 1923, Page 12

AUCKLAND SPRING MEETING

NOTES ON THE FORM.

BY ARCHER.

J. Williamson -was the moat • successful trainer with three wins, his winning representatives being Brown Heath. Pavo, and Loyal Irish. C. Coleman (Silverton twice) and M. J. Carroll (King. Merv and Raceful), with two wins each, were next on the hat, while H. Spinks (Miss Egypt). AV.. Raymer (Motley). F. Loomb (Finelh). F. Davis (Highland), O. Cox (Reremoa-na), W. Sharp (Miss Melva), W. Gall (Day Guard), C Hodder (Just Quietly), and W. Kirk (Ruapapa) each prepared a winner. ■ _ :.- M. D. O'Shea (Silverton twice). E. Keesins: (Day Guard nnd King Merv), and R. «- Tnvish (Raceful and Miss Egypt) were the most successful horsemen, each having a couple of winning 'mounts. P. l\ ft yner (Motley). T. Chaplin (Brown j Heath , H. Dulieu (Finelli), A. Reed (Highland). M. Conway CRer.»moana), J. Preston ..IMisil Melva), J. O'Shea (Pavo). .H. .Goldfinch (loyal Irish), L. Manson (Just Quietly), and E. Manson (Ruapopa) each rode a winner. ■ Backers of the favourite did hot experience a very profitable meeting, Motley and Highland being the only favourites to score during the*two days _/'.., Good dividends were a feature, of tho meeting. Silverton (firsb day). Brown Heath, Halgina (second first day). King Merv, Racelul. Pavo. Just Quietly, and Ruapapa all making their backers double-figure returns. Silverton was the only double* winner at tho meeting, winning the Trial Hurdlo Race and the Onehunga Steeplechase ...The Sylvite gelding gave two perfect exhibitions of fencing, and should be seen to advantage again soon, for he is seemingly bacK to his best form. The failures of Pentagram were very costly to backers, for he was solidly supported in both engagements. Previous to the meeting he had been working attractively, and his showings were distinctly disappointing. The hurdle events served to .show Royal Fame up as a very promising hurdler. Though he did not win. the chestnut notched, two very creditable seconds, and only for a bad jump nt the hurdlo by tho flix-furlong Post would havei been more difficult to beat on the second day. Ho is yet new to the business, but should be considerably benefitted by tho experience, and only has to become more proficient in jumping to bo an early winner. Despito her two defeats at Avondale. backers made that charming filly, Quoen March, favourite for the Great Northern Guineas, but again a mile proved a trifle far for her. and she : was relegated to third place, although within half a length of the winner. There can be no doubt that shs has retained her two-year-old brilliancy, and she can: be confidently expected to do better when she tackles a shorter course. The success of Miss Egypt in the Great Northern Guineas was anticipated by many keen followers, who considered that she was unlucky to lose the Avondale Guineas. She was fortunate in getting . a run through on the fence in the straight, but. all the same, she must be given every credit for her determined finishing effort. Her form indicates that she will win more races during the season. Miss Egypt is engaged in the Great Northern Oaks, which is run in the autumn, and at this stage she seems certain to run well in that event. Pelham was prominent throughout the Guineas, and was just beaten in the last few strides. On the second day he notched another second in the Normanby Plate, being defeated by Reremoana, whom he had beaten 111 the Guineas at even weights and was meeting on the same terms. This fellow was a lata foal, but the manner in which he finished under pressure indicates that he will get a distance w?ll. After being responsible for a merry pace to the home turn in the Guineas, Reremoana began to weaken and missed a place. Evidently he was in need of a gallop, for he was equal to defeating Pelham, the runner-up .in the Guineas, at even weights over a mile on the second day. Keremoana has a fine burst of speed, and should do well over sprint courses, but, .ash he. La bred to stay, he,'may be capable of winning over a distance later on. Motley was always'in front in the Welcome Stakes, and won brilliantly, although fcho did not dash right away from- the field at the start. When her rider -asked her to go at the foot of the straight, she quickly put the issue beyond doubt. . Motley is a nicelyturned filly by that aire of speed, Absurd, from imported Pennon, and she has won twice and been second once in three starts. With her great pace Motley ehould fully extend the cracks. Inferno and Killochra should they meet, although the latter has previously defeated her. Brown Heath, the winner of the Hunters' Steeplechase, is a six-year-old full brother to the useful Glenotue. Ho has been improving steadily during the last couple of months, and scored nicely. Unfortunately he struck trouble early while contesting the Onehunga Steeplechase, and did not survive the first fence.' Beginning with her usual brilliance. Finelli soon got a break on the field in the Shorts Handicap and never gave her supporters much cause for uneasiness. She endeavoured to repeat the performance in the Epsom Handicap on the second day, but a rise of 1-ilb. in weight stopped her. She is small, and will be seen to most advantage under light weights when the class is anything approaching good. The unlucky horse in the open sprint events was Halgina, who finished well from & long way back each day and notched two seconds. This fellow should be worth watching, as he should soon do hotter. Improved by his race in the Shorts Handicap, Alfort ran a creditable' third in tho Epsom Handicap on the second day. This fellow came to the Dominion wit a good reputation, but bo far ho has not succeeded in winning a race. Ho should be benefited bv the racing, and it is not improbable that he will get among the winners during the next month or two. . Prince Abbey ran creditable races in the Shorts and Epeom Handicaps, finishing third in the former event and fourth in tho latter race. On this form he should be worth consideration at his next outing. The victory of Highland in the Mitchelson Cup was full of merit, for he had -the big impost .at 9.3 in the saddle and won in splendid style. The chestnut gelding is possessed of great speed, and this was a big factor in his*success. Highland was turned out in sDlendid condition by F. Davis, and is more robust than he was last season, ne has many important engagements ahead. among them being the King's Plate and the Auckland Plate at the Auckland summer meeting, and he should be very difficult to dispose of in those races. . Mark Time* ran below form in,the Mitchelson Cup, tailing off after the start and being in a hopeless position before the field had.. gone three furlongs. ~ In the King Edward Memorial he did considerably better, and was travelling very fast in third place at the .finish. Though v well up in the weights, this fellow - seems certain to win another big handicap soon., The defeats of Muaketoon proved costly to backers, tor he was solidly supported in both start.-. In the Mitchelson Cup he made a good showing, finishing well in sixth position after swerving badly when his rider applied the whip at the distance.. He was started in the Welter Handicap on the second day, and, after being in the rear of the field for the first five furlongs, made up his ground at a tremendous rate from then on and finished fourth. ' That he can stay there is no doubt, and he may do better at his next attempt in a big handicap event. Though burdened with big weights. Surveyor ran two splendid races, his third in the Mitchelson Cup being a fine effort, but was perhaps eclipsed by his fourth in the King. Edward Memorial Handicap under the welter weight of 9.13. There was considers able merit in these performances, which" furnished further proof of the gallant cheatnut's class. . ,•'„■_. Day Guard missed a place in the Welcome Stakes, but he confirmed his Avondale form by easily accounting for the Nursery Handicap, and stands out at present as the best of the EUerßlie-trained two-year-olds. 'i Nigger Minstrel, the full-brother to Desert Gold, hardly did as well as some people expected, but hv will benefit by the racing and will improve. Nearing the distance in the Nursery Handicap he looked like filling a place, but weakened over the last furlong and only got fourth. . , By winning the Gordon Handicap from a big field King Merv, a three-year-old gelding by Quin Abbey out of a mare by The Rand, left a distinctly favourable impression. This was only his second public appearance, but he won at the right end and should win in moro pretentious company. His success put him out of the hack class, but he is engaged among that class at Hamilton, and will bo able to run his nominations out. During the latter portion of last season Raceful was spelled and did not make a reappearance until he raced at the Waikato Hunt meeting on Labour Day. Apparently he gained a lot of benefit from that race, for he established beyond, doubt ' that he had retained tho dash which characterised his efforts of a couple of seasons ago by accounting for the Flying . Handicap in good style. • On the second day he ran a creditable race in the King Edward Memorial Handicap, and only, to remain sound to •win,moro money during the next few months. Amiform, who was making-his first appearance this season, was well supported in the Flying Handicap, in which he finished fecond, leis than a length behind the winner. He raced in • second position , for most of the way in! the Liverpool Handicap on the concluding day, but dropped back when the straight was reached and was outside of a place. He ran sufficiently well, however, to indicate that he will soon be returning to the winning list. . Before the meeting Royal Abbey ran one of the best six-furlong gallops that has been witnessed on tho No. 3 grass at Ellerslie {or some time. Notwithstanding,-he failed to win a race, although ho ran fairly well, being just behind the place horses, in tho Flying Handicap and third in the Liverpool Welter.- One would prefer him in hurdle events theso days, but in the light of his second day's form he ia iitill likely to win flat races. . . .... - , >.' Hyginob wan having his first run for many months in the Manukau Hurdle Race, and did well to finish fourth. On this showing ho should bo worthy of respect in his next engagement, as tho race is sure. to bring about an improvement in his condition. Rouen figured eighth in tho order of betting on the New Zealand Cup, and it may bo inferred that, tie victory registered by the Bezonian geldin.j in the birr race at Riccarton on Saturday last carried a, solid dividend. ' '•■ ~ •'; ' It is understood .that, the connections of Raceful and King Men' threw in for a good win over the accesses of the-horses named, both of whom paid remnerativo prices. That fine sprinter, Pavo, fiave another taste of! his Quality bv carrying 9.6 and defeating a useful field ■ of liters in (lie Epsom Handicap. It is seldom that the black gelding is allowed to start at such-a good price as he paid, but no doubt -his failure to run prominently in the Shorts Handicap on the first day caused him to go cus ol iviomtt