AUCKLAND SPRING MEETING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19762, 8 October 1927, Page 16

AUCKLAND SPRING MEETING

OPENING DAY'S PROGRAMME. GOOD FIELDS ENGAGED* The Auckland Racing Club's Spring Meeting opens to-day, and the acceptances received for the eight events which form the programme are so very satisfactory all round as to ensure the gathering proving well up to the most noteworthy of its predecessors. The leading event of tlie programme is the Mitchelson Cup, in which 13 horseß are engaged, and the issue is so well ctncealed that a very keen interest is centred in the result. A pleasing feature of the field engaged is that Te Kara, Star Stranger and Te Monanui, the trio placed at the head of the list, are expected to fulfil their engagements. Eleven horses are still engaged in the Great Northern Guineas, and, though Laughing Prince has the Avondale Guineas to his credit, the Australian-bred colt will meet several fresh opponents and that serves to invest the issue with additional interest. The Welcome Stakes, with 21 horses engaged, looks like attracting a record field for the juvenile race. Prodice won the Avondale Stakes attractively, but she ill meet a stronger field to-day, and Knightlike can be cited as a fresh opponent that the Auckland filly will probably have to contend against. The following is a list of the horses engaged in the various events:—

vjruiu, uuy . . i SCRATCHINGS. \ The following scratchings wore posted yesterday in connection with the Auckland Racing Club's Spring Meeting:— Flying Handicap.—Kiosk (12.15 p.m.), Lysander (2.30 p.m.). All Engagements.—Flying Tresses (10.55 a.m.). Welcome Stakes.—Seamstress (2 p.m.). REVIEW OF THE FIELDS. BY ARCHER. The meeting will open with the first division of the Gordon Handicap. Herein some decent hacks are engaged and there are a number with good chances. Alonsoa if> a recent winner, while Catkin ia an improving three-year-old With, distinct possibilities. Branson and .Wenday are capable of running a solid mile, but the latter may lack recent racing. On the minimum are a couple of three-year-old fillies that have shaped well in their latest engagements. These are Restaurant and Wild Pigeon. Neither has yet won, but Restaurant was second in her last start. It is an open race and fancies will take a fairly wide range, but backers may show a preference for Catkin, Restaurant, and Wild Pigeon. It is doubtful whether there will he more than six or seven runners in the Great Northern Guineas, but this should be sufficient for a good _ contest. It ia probable that Paganelli will be reserved for a handicap engagement later in tho day, and Gnscony may also be missing. The latter does not appear fit enough to get a mile successfullv iust yet. and his stable-mate, Great Charter, may be preferred. In fact, Grent Charter may prove one of the very hnrdest to beat, < although, with the track fairly dry, Damaris and In the Shade should be wherever he is. Paleta was beaten by Doree last week and would need to do better to score on this occasion. Form undoubtedly points to Laughing Prince, who has been galloping attrac tively, and he will probably start a good favourite, with Great Charter and Damaris also ,in demand. A decent field of Bprinters will contest the Shorts Handicap and the issue looks very open. Grand Knight has already ran two good races this season and has been sprinting well enough to suggest an early return to the winning list. At a difference of 2lb ho should account for Joy King, who is nearing form, but is without recent racing. Kiosk won well at Wanganui lust month, and, even with lOlh. more weight, should make a good showing. Aussie has been galloping attractively, but may feel the want of a race (- although he seems very well. Kingfield is due to strike form at any time, and Town Guard is an iro proving sprinter that must be respected, even though he failed to show up in his latest outing. The three-year-olds,'Paßanelii nnd Covent Garden, rend as well_ as any of those lower down and are distinct possibilities. Finelli and Ballymoy 11. are also a likely pair, but the former is not so " sure" at the barrier as she should to be. Backers may find difficulty iri malting a favourite, but Covent Garden, Town Guard, and Grand Knight may receive liberal support. Unless something unforeseen occurs, the whole of the 13 horses carded are expected to go to the post for the Mitchelson "up. As lie has been back in his home quarters in the country, nothing has been seen of Te Kara since he won the Avor.dale Cup. It is reported that he has trained on well and such a solid stayer, with recent winning form, must be respected. Star Stranger has been working very attractively, and nt even weights he may be preferred to Te Monnnui, the latter has done nicely lately. It is probable that Star Stranger would be better for another race or a little more work, but he is in good shape and his class might stand to liim. Mask disappointed last meeting and has not been particularly impressive in ' his work. Still he is in fine trim and should not lack condition. A shorter distance might be more to his liking, while Transformer has only had one race for some months and may not be Quite seasoned enough yet. Twelve months ago Eden Hall ran second in the same race with 8.3, and with 2lb less he should go well this year, more particularly m fia recently save

evidence of being near to Mb best. Tresham is thoroughly seasoned and has been racing consistently, so that he must be given a chance. There has been nothing special about the latest track of Royal Mint, Desert Glow, Mint Leaf, and Cohesion, although they have been doing nicely. There will not be a fitter horae in the field than Royal Mint., and his condition will be a factor in hie favour, despite the fact that the going may not be bo much to his liking as it waa at the recent Avondale meeting, when he won on. the second day. With his handy weight Desert Glow sliould run a good race, but there is just a doubt as to whetheir he is Quite at his beat yet. Delifhtment has so far shown no liking for a journey and may be troubled by the distance, while Lord Star does not appeal. It should be a fine betting race, and horses likely to receivo solid sujiport are Star Stranger, Eden Hall, and Royal Mint. The Welcome Stakes has attracted a good field and the juveniles should provide an interesting race. Knightlike has done well since winning the Debutante Stakes, while Prodice has been sprinting attractively since accounting for the Avondale Stakes. Several of the others 111 Freehold, Prince Humphrey, and Second Wind have also been doing nicely, while Orewa, Chit, and Shot Silk have a little form to recommend them. The popular fancies may include Knightlike, Freehold, and Prodico. Most of those engaged in the Hunters' Steeplechase hail from the country and little is known concerning their recent doings. There are a number of nossibihties and an interesting contest should be provided. A trio that may appeal to backers are Glendowie, Nukutere, and Town Hall. There are bott.6 useful hacks in the second division of the Gordon Handicap. Manly displayed decent form toward the end of last season, and Romantic ran a good race for a third at Wanganui last month. War Officer and Bahama have also raced creditably lately, while Judge's Box and Creation have been working nicely and might win soon. Then on the minimum is the promising three-.veur-old Star God, who has been doing well on the ; tracks while assisting Star Stranger in the final stages of his gallops. Star God may start favourite, with Judge's Bbx and War Officer also in demand. A nice field is carded for the Flying Handicap and the event bears an open aspect. The top-weight. Civility, represents good class, and with all her weight should race prominently. King Lu is at the top of his form, but has a go.od weight. Kiosk is another good one, but he may be started in the Shorts Handicap m preference to this. About the middle of the handicap are recent winners in King Smock, Sir Archie. Gala Dav, and Hipo. who should all have chances. Then there is the hardy Day Guard, who has a weight under which he should run a fast seven furlongs. Archeno, Value, and Sleepy Sol have been working well and read best of the lightweights. Altogether it looks a very difficult race for backers, who may give solid support to Civility, King Smock, and Day Guard. NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE. GOSSiP OF THE TRACKS. BY ARCHER. ,Tlie No. 3 grass track was available at Ellerslie yesterday, but was not used to any extent. Kiosk and Paleta went nicely over four furlongs in 52 l-ss, with the former going very strongly at the finish. Catkin was timed to run the last four of five furlongs in 51 2-ss, and he hit out very freely. Grand Knight ran six firlongs on the sand, without being full.v extended. in 1.24 3-5. Eden Hall, who looks well, completed a useful task with three furlongs in 425. The three-year-old Catkin has been having trouble with his feet, but on the easy tracks it has not prevented bim from doing his work really well. The Catmint gelding is an improving galloper, with useful form to recommend him, and, with the going with the sting out of it, he should require a lot of beating in the first division of the Gordon Handicap. Two horses whose condition will be closely inspected when they strip to-day will be Glendowie and Town Hall. The pair Pie engaged in the Hunters' Steeplechase aid are two of the most promising horses in their class in this district at present. They have been working in the country and have not come under notice for home time, so that no comment can be made on their immediate prospects. Over country Glendowie, who would have won the Hunt Club Cup in June only for falling at the second-to-last fence, may b<? the better prospect just at present, as he has had more experience than Town Hall. Still the latter mad© many friends when, he finished third in his first start over fences in the Hunters' Hurdles at the Pakuranga Hunt meeting. Mr. W. C. Ring's two-year-olds. Orewa and Moehau, reached Ellerslie on Thursday evening «nd they were out working yesterday. The youngsters seem to hav4 done well since racing at the Avondale meeting and they reeled off four fnrlon«rs on the No. 3 grass tracK in 50 2-os, with Orewa pleasing most. One of the interesting features of the racing to-day should be the meeting of Knightlike, winner of the Debutante Stakes, and Prodice. winner of the Avondale Stakes, in the Welcome Stakes. There are several others in the race that also have good chances, but because Knightlike and Prodice have both beaten the majority of those engaged and_ have shown the best form their meeting will be eagerly awaited. Knightlike may take the honours. STUD NOTES. AUSTRALIA'S GREAT LOSS. BY PHAETON. The death of Valais is a serious loss to Australia and to the State of New South Wales in particular. Foaled in 19X3, Valais was in his fourteenth year," so that under ordinary circumstances he might have been expected to keep ut> the credit of the great families to which be owed his descent for a good number of additional years. The stud record of Valais stands out as one of the most noteworthy in the history of the thoroughbred family in the Southern Hemisphere. In five seasons his descendants won prizemoney to the amount of £171.970. and the £57,398 which thev captured in the season of 1925-26 beat nil previous records so far as Australia and New Zealand are concerned. The record of Valais as a sire brought out in striking form the success of inbreeding to the Bend Or line. His Rire, Cicero, is a descendant of Cyllene (frrandson of Bend Or), while his dam, Lilv of the Vallev, is by Martagon (son of Bend Or). The Messrs. Thompson paid the long price of 14.400gns for Valais when they bought the Cicero horse in 1924, but, though he only lasted for a little over three years after he went to their establishment, he stood at 500gns for two seasons, so that he earned a good round sum in fees before he was numbered among the defunct. According to a Sydney cablegram. Valais was heavily insured, so that his death does not mean a total loss to the Messrs Thompson. Heroic and Manfred, who stand out as the most noteworthy descendants c.f Valais. %vere relegated to the stud *this season, and they are both made the subject of marked eulogy. AN INTERESTING LIST. A consideration of the sires' list in connection with the Australian Jockey Club's Derby reveals that in the 63 contests that have eventuated to date no less than 54 different horses claim the parentage of winners. Marihyrnong (by Fisherman) and Chester (by Yattendon) hold the record, each with a trio of winners. Maribyrnong's winning representatives were Richmond, Woodlands, and Bargo, while Chester's successful representatives were Abercorn, Stromboli, and Camoola. The Musket line comes out well in the summing up. Nordenfeldt (by Musket) scored in 1885, MartiniHenry (by Musket) claimed the winner, Singapore, in 1889, Trenton (by Musket) was responsible for Trenchant, who won in 1893. and then in 1896 and 1897 two descendants of _ Carbine (Charge and Amberite) respectively claimed the attention of the judge in first place. Havoc (by Nordenfeldt) claimed the winner. Belah, in 1903, and three years after Multiform (by Hotchkiss, and thus a grandson of Musket), had a winning representative in Noctuiform, while in 1913 Multiform furnished another winner in the shape of Berragoon. Wallace (by Carbine) was included in the list of successful parents when his son. Mountain King, won the Derby of 1907, and now Cyklon, by "Spearmint (son of Carbine), has the distinction of siring Trivalve. who vton the classic event at Randwick this year. Horses_ tracing to St. Simon also have an attractive record. _ Maltster (by Bill of Portland), Hautvilliers (by Haut Brionl, Poseidon (by Positano), Cisco (by San Francisco), Biplane and Artilleryman (both by Comedy King), Ballvmena (by Nassau), and Rammon (by Rossendale) comprise the list of Derby winners of the St. Simon line. MISCELLANEOUS NOTE. The German breeders -were placed in jubilant spirits last year on the financial return of a shipment of 14 yearlings sent to America for sale, the average being £lB6. Encouraged by the result named, the Harzburg Stud this year sent a draft of 23 yearlings for disposal in the United States, but the average (£260) was much below that obtained in tbe previous year and was viewed as decidedly disappointing. Bargains are still to be found in the bloodstock market in England. In December, 1925, a draft of mares from the Lucknam Stud was sent up to auction at Newmarket, and among the number was Captured, a daughter of Earla Mor—Bird in the Hand, in foal to Buchan. The mare was bought on account bf the Xalapa Stud (U.S.A.), and she was transported to America. Captured produced a filly to Bitchan, and when the latter was offered for sale as a yearling lasi August she was sold for £B2OO,

12.2—GORDON HANDICAP, Of £'325. On© mile. First Division. st. lb. st. lb. Alonaoa .... 8 12 Bold, Front . . 7 0

Catkin . » 8 7 Charitaine 7 0 Branson . . b (i Good Boy . 7 0 Wenday ... 8 2 Josie Melville 7 0 Killutq. . ... 7 10 Nassock 7 0 Ralieptno . . 7 9 Piet . V 0 Fiery Lad . 7 2 Restaurant . . 7 0 Daddy's Girl 7 1 Speechless . . 7 0 Wild Pigeon 7 0 Te Tahi . . . . 7 0 Acushla 7 0 12.17—GREAT NORTHERN GUINEAS, Of £1500. One mile. 8t. lb. st. lb. Carinthia . 8 10 Paganelli . . . 8 10 Catkin . . . . 8 10 Paleta .... 8 10 Gascony . . . 8 10 Thaw . , . . ,8 10 Great Charter 8 10 Damaris . . . 8 5 In the Shade 8 10 La Roma . . . 8 5 Laugh. Prince 8 10 1.32—SHORTS HANDICAP, Of £ 600. 6 fur. at. lb. st. lb. Civility . . 9 4 Covent Garden 7 6 Grand Knight 9 4 Tinokoa .... 7 4 Joy King . . . 9 2 Ballymoy 11. . 7 o Kiosk 8 10 N as tori . . . 7 1 Aussie . . . . 8 7 Automne . . . 7 0 Kingfield . . . 8 4 Whaka King . 7 0 Town Guard . 8 3 Finelli . . . 7 0 Master Boon . 7 13 Gold Aero . . 7 0 Paganelli . . . 7 a Serang . . . 7 0 Oration . . . . 7 7 High Finance 7 0 2.22—MITCHELSON CUP, Of £2000. 11 miles. at. lb. st. lb. Te Kara . . , 9 7 Royal Mint . . 7 12 Star Stranger . 9 4 Desert Glow . 7 8 Te Monunui . 9 4 Cohesion ' . . 7 5 Mask 8 8 Delightment 7 4 Transformer 8 7 Lord Star . . . 7 1 Eden Hall . , 8 1 Mint Leaf . . , 7 0 Tresharu . . 7 12 3.2—HUNTERS' STEEPLECHASE, Of £400. About 21 miles. st. lb. st. lb. Hypothesis . . 11 7 Raflerty . . . 9 0 Stonewall . , 10 0 Glendowie , . 9 0 Nukutere . . , 9 10 Glenlight . . . 9 0 Wiltshire . , . 9 3 Nabob . . . . 9 0 Sea Comet . . 9 3 Town Hall . . 9 0 Mangani . s . 9 1 Simplicitas . . 9 0 Syndicate . . . 9 1 Edifice . . . 9 0 3.47—WELCOME STAKES, Of £1000 5 fur. et. lb. st. lb. Catonian . . . 8 5 Shot Silk . . . 8 5 Dumblane . . 8 5 Armenia . . . 8 0 Envoy . . . . 8 5 Avon Court . . 8 0 Freehold . . . 8 6 Chit . . . . . 8 0 King Val . . 8 5 Episode . . . . 8 0 Knightlike . . 8 5 M. Birthday . 8 0 Metonic . . « . 8 5 Moehau . . . . 8 0 Perception . . 8 5 Orewa . . . 8 0 P. Humphrey . 8 5 Prod ice . . . . 8 0 Red Lion . . . 8 5 Volimond . . 8 0 Second Wind . 8 5 4.32 —GORDON HANDICAP. Of £325. One mile. Second Division. et. lb. at. lb. Manly . . . . 8 8 Creation .... 7 0 Romantic . . . 8 6 Judge's Bo* . . 7 0 War Officer . . 7 13 Lady Robinson 7 0 Bahama . . . 7 9 Royal March . 7 0 Catapult . . * 7 7 Respirator . . 7 0 Baby Bun . , 7 1 Romford . . . 7 0 Slump . . . 7 0 Star Comet . 7 0 Arch Queen 7 0 Wyoming . . 7 0 Ash Tray . . 7 0 Star God . . , 7 0 Brampton . . 7 0 5.17—FLYING HANDICAP, Of £600. 7 fur. st. lb. st. lb. Civility • • 9 9 Hipo . . . . . 7 12 Grand Knight 9 9 Pelham , . , . 7 11 rKing Lu . . . 9 7 High Pitch . . 7 8 To Monanui . 9 6 Archeno .... 7 6 Master Doon . 8 4 Golden Kriat. 7 4 King Smock . 8 4 Thursby . . . 7 2 Sir Archie , . 8 3 Sleepy Sol . . 7 0 Day Guard . . 8 2 Value . . . . » 7 0 Le Choucaa . 7 13 Tinoiti . . . . 7 0 Gaia Dav . . 7 12