NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19896, 15 March 1928, Page 13

NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE.

GOSSIP OF THE TRACKS.

BY ARCHER. Two more defeats were registered against Bojnbarder at Pukckobe and he is proving expensive, to follow. As usual, he showed speed and was well placed at the home turn in both races, only to weaken at. the finish and misa a place. Bombarder has probably not yet, struck his true form and may require more time to do so.

One of the biggest disappointments ut Pukekohe was Ballymoy 11., who started favourite and finished last in a field of ihrce in the Harrisville Plying Handicap. "'he imported mare has lost a little of her early brilliancy and does best wlicn given rime to find her feel. On this occasion she was bustled to pace it with her opponents in the early stages and this was no doubt the. reason ol her lailure. as she was beaten before reaching the home turn. Had *be been allowed to drop in behind after the start, Ballymoy 11. would have been considerably harder to bent.

Those backers who sent Tea Time, out a. short-priced favourite for the Tuakau Flying Handicap at Pukekohe were very <<is(ippointed with his showing. Until reaching the straight he. was running in second position behind the winner. Macroom. rnd then stopped badly t.o finish last. Tlis form was obviously incorrect and his failure vas probably due to the fact that his trainer had been too e;is.v with . him. A race I.as previously effected big improvement in Tea Time and perhaps he will be seen (o more advantage at his next appearance.

.The manner in which Barometer finished in third place in the Pukekohe Handicap indicates that he is coining back to his best form, for he was going very fast at the end. It is doubtful whether he has ever looked better than at present and any time lie gets the ground with the sting out of :t is likely to effect a surprise. Barometer is very partial to going that is a little on the soft side.

As n. result of the kick she received at To Aroba Royal Doulton missed five -lays' work and it ■was deemed advisable to relieve her of her engagements at Pukekobe. W. Townsend reports that his charge is now well over, her trouble and is working along steadily with a view to racing at the autumn meetings. Messrs. Roulston Brothers, vho own Royal Doulton, are very keen supporters of the Franklin Racing Club and they were very disappointed at not being able to run the mare.

A hark to attract some attention at Pukekohe \vn* Gay Cockade, who ran (wo Kood races. On the opening day he finished close up fourth in the first division of the Bombay Handicap, N and on Monday he occupied third place in the Otnua Hack Handicap. In the latter evert he did not begin well and came fast from a good way back. Cay Cockade should be worth remembering for future country fixtures.

It was up to Piet. to win a race and his ♦urn came at. Pukekohe in the Onswhvro Hack Handicap, wherein he got home by a neck from Star C'omet. Despite several failures in previous starts, he was solidly supported when he scored. Up to nine furlongs Piet. is a useful hack and should win in his turn in his class.

The Immigrant was backed down ♦o a very short price for the President's Handicap at Pukekohe, being at odds on and the hottest favourite of the meeting. He began quickly and flattered the hopes of his rupporters by leading into the straight, where he weakened and could only finish fourth. The imported gelding has been very costly to his admirers in his last couple of starts, as he hoo failed on both occasions.

It is not very long ago since Daylight rejoined F. Gilchrist's stable at Ellerslie, but he has como on quickly and by running second in the President's Handicap at Pukekohe indicated that he may win shortly. Daylight had none the best of the luck in the race, as he was last in the middle stages and was forced to cover a lot of ground at the home turn.

Considering that he had not raced for a long time, Newbnry made a very respectable showing to finish third in the Paerata Hack Handicap at Pukekohe. Hitherto tie chestnut has been a speedy beginner, but on this occasion he failed to get a good position early, and, contrary to his usual style, was putting in solid work at the end. Newbury is delicate and difficult to train, but J. Williamson has built him up a lot and he may now be more solid.