THE THAMES MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19783, 2 November 1927, Page 17

THE THAMES MEETING.

BY ARCHER.

NOTES ON THE FORM.

As has been the case at most of the meetings in these parts this spring the class of hurdlers competing was weak, and this was particularly so with the hack hurdles on the second day. The hunter Mangani, who was fairly well supported, succeeded, in winning on the opening day, and with nearly two stone more weight he ran second on the concluding day. Mangani lacks size, and is nothing more than ordinary at present, although ho may win again when the class is not good. It waß the general opinion that Judge's Box was nicely treated in the Borough Handicap, and she was sent out favourite. The Nassau mare contested the second division and W8 1 always in a prominent position to eventually win with ease. Judge's Box is probably a little better at present than at any previous stage of hex career, and seems likely to run her way out of the hack class this season. For a horse that was making his firet public appearance the three-year-old Bombarder made a goad showing by leading for most of the journey in the first division of the Borough Handicap, and eventually finishing third. He was one lof the outsiders of the field and was returning a substantial dividend to win. Bombarder has shown some speed on the tracks and it would appear that he ia likely to develop winning form in minor company. One of those to receive solid support in the Borough Handicap was King Peg. who was among the runners in the second division. Like some of the others he had hi? chance effectually settled at the " start, which was most uneven, by getting badly left. King Peg has the appearance of a useful galloper, and should be worth following. The consistent Nancy Lee accor.nted for the two open sprint events in her best style, and is undoubtedly at the top of her form at present. The Lucullus mare has always been a solid performer over short courses, and has rarely run bad races. Her successes were thoroughly deserved as she has notched two thirds and a second in her three previous outings and won entirely on her merits on each occasion. As a two-year-old High Finance used to go very 'ast for five -furlongs, and she still retains her brilliancy, although she does tot run on a groat deal better than formerly. High Finance was a competitor in the two optj sprint events and finished second in both, after being out in front for most of the way each day. On the second day she was going so nicely lit the distance that sne looked like winning, but weakened h little further on and was comfortably beaten by Nancy Lee Making his fir«t appearance this season, Antrim Boy ran a surprisingly good race among the open sprinters in the Flying Handicap by racing prominently throughout and finishing a close third. This gelding displayed promise last season by winning two hack events at the spring meetings, but he subsequently proved a disappointment. Antrim Boy is rather delicate and this is against him. although he will only have to reproduce hi latest form to win in his class this season. Improved by his outing on the opening day. when he did not get away well and was never prominent, Dave was responsible for a fair showing in running fourth in the President's Handicap. It is not very long since he resumed work after a spell, so that with the racing he should do better in future engagements. Hitherto Dave haR proved a useful sprinter at country meetings. and seems likely to be back to hi 3 best form shortly. It was expected that Gold Acre might make a fair showing in the Flying Handicap, as he seemed improved by his recent racing, but he was never in the picture. His failure to do better may have been due to the fact that he pulled up lame It is a pity that he should go amiss just when he appeared to ; be getting near to form. Subsequent to the race Messrs. J. C. end P. S. Gleeson made ji present of Gold Acre to his trainer, M. Ryan

In finishing second : n the Nursery Handicap Volimond recorded her best performance to date, and she is evidently improving with her racing. The clas3 of youngsters that contested the event was not good, but with a continuation of her present rate of progress Volimond should win when the opposition is not too strong The Limond filly was credited with .beating Prodice in a- gallop before she made her first Bppearance, but on public form she is a good deal inferi ' to the latter. Failure to begin smartly cost Red Lion an excellent winning chance in the Nursery Handicap, lis after being well back early he was running on strongly in third position at the finish. The Solferino gelding was one of the finest looking youngsters in the field and he promises to do well as lie ages, for he has shown that he possesses speed. There can be no doubt as to Mosaic being very fit hor<3e at present and he is performing better than at any previous stage of is career In the Goldfields Cup he ran to the front with five furlongs to go and won with ease, while with thirteen pounds more he finished gallantly in third place in the Thames Plate less than a ength from the winner. He was not well placed in the first furlong in the latt>r event and under the circumstances his performance was attractive. For his inches Mosaic, who is little more than u pony, is uncommonly good, and has raced with marked consistency lately. That good horse Pegaway was a runner in the two principal handicaps but was not fancied and was not prominent in either of his engagements, although he was seventh in the Thames Plate. The racing should be beneficial to Pegaway and it is unlikely that he will be so neglected by the public when he is produced again. Ellerslie has never been a lucky course for Nippy and he has never won there, but this did ,ot prevent backers from sending him QUt favourite for the Goldfields Cup Through the race he was always handiiy placed and was iust be hind the leading pair at the turn, but he hung out in the straight and was beaten into fourth position There was again solid backing for Nippy in the Farewell Handicap but he injured himself before going very far and was pulled up after drifting back last. It may be some time before he races again.

A'fter racing b.idly for some tune, Sei'Htig revealed a glimpse of form by running: two jiood races for a third and u second. It aeema that ho is recovering the dash that he displayed in winning five times in succession at the back end of his three-year-old career and the indications are that he will soon make, amends for his lengthy list of failures. Sernng should be i an improved horse for his racing It was impossible not to be impressed with the manner in which Branson won his two races, although he did not have a big margin either day. As a result of his four successive victories he is getting up in the weights but ' he is steadily on the improve and should do his owners fur ther service through the season Hif breed ing suggests that he might get middle dis tances successfully, although his extra vu gant action may be against him ns i stayer. It is takina Bold Front a long time 10 win a race and he is apparently nothing more than a moderate He appeared unfortunate not to score in the Puriri Han dicap as he finished third after getting badly interfered with and sent back nearly last at the five furlong post. However, he was again beaten into third place in the County Handicap wherein the class wae not good. Notwithstanding that he tailed to reach u place on the second day. Piet went well enough in running Respirator to a head in the Puriri Handicap on the opening day to suggest that he will win in hack company shortly. He has done very little racing and is likely to improve as the season progresses, • One of the easiest wins of the meeting was that of Modest Boy.- who scored very comfortably in the County Handicap Modest Boy was unfortunate in meeting really good hacks on several occasions last season, and it was fitting that he should get a winning turn early this season. Incidentally the win interrupted a sequence of outs for his trainer, N. Cunningham, whose horses Heom to have developed a habit of running seconds lately.