THE TE KUITI MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19557, 9 February 1927, Page 10

THE TE KUITI MEETING.

NOTES ON THE FORM. BY ARCHER. The Te Kuiti Racing Club was favoured with beautiful weather for the holding of its annual race meeting, and there was a fair attendance each day. Despite small fields in several instances, the racing was very interesting, and produced one or two surprises. The totalisator returns showed a decrease of £7895 compared with last year, and emphasised the fact that there is not as much money about for racing as there has been in previous seasons. It is unlikely that the club will show much profit over the meeting.

There was good support for Pouri in the hurdle events, but lie was unplaced in each start. These were his two first outings over iences, and hfi> should benefit by the experience. It will probably be found that ho will 'do better before the country circuit concludes.

Until she scored in the Piopio Hurdles, Uralla had not won a race for nearly twelve months, but she scored nicely and may win again soon. her victory was freely antici--pated as a result of her second on the opening day, when her rim was left rather late and she was narrowly beaten. It is only a short time ago that Uralla was put to hurdling and she is improving with experience.

On account of her consistent form in previous starts this season, Gold Rep was the popular choice for the Hack Hurdles. Her backers were on good terms with themselves when she took up second position early, but their hopes were shattered when she fell at the fourth fence. Gold Rep was going well at the time, and would no doubt have taken a hand in the finish.

For horses that were having their first race over hurdles, Lady Spalpeen and Rangiawhio, who filled the minor places, made very creditable showings in the Piopio Hurdles The pair should derive benefit from the outing, and will very likely do better in minor company later on. Rangiawhio is a six-year-old gelding by Day Comet from Bon Rose, and had never previously raced, eo that he should be susceptible to a good deal of improvement. He is trained by J. F. Tutchen at Te Rapa. Town Guard enhanced hi 3 reputation by scoring a runaway victory in the Maiden Handicap, and he was backed down to an extremely short price in the Maniapoto Hack Handicap on the second day. Turning, for homo in the latter event, he looked likely to repeat his first day's performance, but the extra furlong troubled him and he weakened at the finish, to be beaten narrowly. Town Guard is not seasoned yet, and he would probably have won on the second occasion had bis/ider delayed his effort a little, for he had his opponents beaten for speed.

The disappointing Air Queen notched two thirds, but her efforts were nothing more than moderate. Air Queen is carrying an improved appearance, but probably wanted some racing, and may do better before the country circuit is over. Races at distances under a mile may suit her best. The three-year-old Ballachulish was a little unlucky in the Maiden Handicap, otherwise ho may have been closer than } u i * s unlikely that ho would have troubled Town Guard in any circumstances, but he proved equal to beating that horse over a furlong further on the second day, Ts iP ir 6 i- ? le . him on 61b. better terms. iJailachulish is on the improve, and may get another one among tho minor class soon. Few horses have done more racing this season than Day Guard, and he seems to thrive on it, for he won the Te Kuiti Cup from end to end. On the second day lie endeavoured to repeat the performance, but Macroom kept him at it, with the result that he was unable to finish, on under his increased poundage, and missed a place. Day Guard has won four races this season, and is a genuine customer who should continue to win in his turn.

It was thought that Gold Jacket would race prominently in the middle distance handicaps, but he did not relish tho firm Konig.and was unplaced in his two starts. «old Jacket has reached an age when he is not likely to bo improving, but he should be moro difficult to dispose of on easier going. '

A good effort at her previous start caused .Miss Vera to start favourite for the Te Kuiti Cup, and she gave her supporters a good run by finishing second. She pulled hard in the middle Btages, and may have done better by challenging Day Guard a little earlier. Miss 'Vera dead-heated with King the Bell over seven furlongs on the second day, and is so well at present that her prospects at the coming meetings are bright.

Two more failures were registered against Lord Star, and he seems to have lost his form entirely. A few years ago this gelding was really good, but unsoimdness kept him off the scene for a long time and he has so far failed to regain his dash.

One of the moat decisive victories of the meeting was that of Llandudno in the Te Kiinji Handicap, and he will bo in demand with backers on the nest occasion he is stepped out. Last season ''Llandudno was trained by S. Waddell, and had a good reputation, but after winning a novico event at Hastings his form failed to come up to expectations. He is none too sound, but W. Stone has him in good order at present and more success should come to him on the country circuit.

Following on her winning exploit the previous week, Flying Juliet was solidly backed for the Stewards' Handicap, 'and she acted up to expectations by winning nicely. Her speed enabled her to get a few lengths on Felham in the early stages, and she had sufficient in reserve.to stall him off at the finish. Flying Juliet is steadily on the improve and should be seen to further advantage in the near future.

Felhani ran two good races for a second and a third, and it should be his turn soon. Entering the straight in the Waitomo Handicap he appeared a likely winner, but New Moon carried him out wide at the turn, otherwise he may have won. Mr. J. Fraser Smith has been out of luck with his horses for some time, but Quinette gave him a change of fortune when she landed the Mauroa Flying Handicap, the victory being very popularly received. Quinette has been stinted to Raceful, and she will probably not do much more racing. On his previous efforts this season Pegaway was adjudged an improved horse, and he emphasised his improvement by landing a double. His victories were only gained by small margins, and he was fortunate in getting a beautiful opening at the turn, which compensated for a couple of checks he received earlier in his Becond success. Pegaway was solidly backed in his two races.

Ring the Bell ran two good races, and is a very fit horse at present. The imported gelding is going on to Tace at Rotorua, where he should go close to winning a stake if he repeats his latest form. r

Takapuna form pointed to Macroom winning the Otorohanga Hack Handicap, and it worked out correctly, although she only won by a head. Macroom lacks size, but she has been racing very consistently, having notched two wins and two seconds in the past couple of months.

On figures Dobbin looked to have a great chance in the Farewell Handicap, for, with the exception of Illingar, Prince Abbey and Miss Sphinx, the field was composed of horses he had met over six furlongs in the Otorohanga Hack Handicap on the opening day and to whom he was conceding only a few pounds, as asfainst- amounts ranging from 221b. to 281b. in the latter event. Dobbin raced prominently on the first day. and, under the circumstances, his dividend for winning the Farewell Handicap, was a good one. The great difference in the weights was brought about by the change of class, the Farewell Handicap being un open event. Some of the hacks that raced at the meeting are going to find it hard to win unless they make considerable imnrovement. but a few novices among them that showed sufficient d:>sh to indicate possibilities later on were King Fes. Venus Abbey. High Rose, and Captain Cobham. King Peg is a fullbrother to Pegaway.

Riding honours at the meeeing were obtained by R. McTavish and T. Green, who rode with conspicuous success. Mclavish had ten mounts for five wins, two seconds and a third, and Green twelve mounts for three wins, a dead-heat for first, three seconds and four thirds.

NOTES FROM WINGATOI. [BY TELEGRAM.— PSZSS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Tuesday. The course proper at Wingatui this morning was in good order, the outside being available for fast work. Pink Note and \ award went nine furlongs in lm 48 2-ss. Pink .Note carried several pounds abovo bis Cup v-eight, and finished well. . Crossbow beat San Salvador over six furlongs in lm 191s. . Silver Coot, Don Jose and Str>iigbow sprinted five furlongs in lm lis. Great Spear went under to Bluo Dragoon over seven furlongs in hn 55. 8 . Tholomon and Overhaul went five furlongs in lm ss. the fastest gailop of the morning.

Ark Royal beat Credit easily over five furlongs in lm 7s. Cartoon bad the best of Adjutor. who jumped badly over two rouuds of the schooling hurdles.

Guncnse jumped badly while schooling once round with Coastguard. . King Sol beat Martis over seven furlongs in lm 8-1 k.

Corn Money moved in a very cramped manner oyer a circuit, sprinting home the last tive furlongs in lm 36b. Arpent ran half a mile in 54 4-ss. rat her Or iynn. looking well, was given strong worn over nine furlongs.

WAIPAPAKATJBI MEETING [B\" TELEGRAPH. OWN COBJ3ESPONDENX. J WHANGARE!, Tuesday. Permission has been granted by 'he W.tangarei Borough Council for the W:»papakauri Racing Club to hold its annual roeebng a t Kensmjrten Park on March 31. Club's ***'