THE AUCKLAND MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19918, 11 April 1928, Page 13

THE AUCKLAND MEETING.

NOTES ON THE FORM. BY ARCHER. One of the features of the recent autumn meeting at Ellerslie was the success of horses owned by Mr. G. M. Currie, and trained by W. Rayner. Mr. Currie had five runners at the meeting and three of these were winners. Episode winning the Great Northern Champagne Stakes, Damo ris the Great Northern Oaks, and Mask the two middle distance handicap events. The Wanganui sportsman was an easy first on the list of winning owners with a total of X' 2900. Trainer F. E. Loonib went very close to doing the "hat- trick" on the second day, when he secured a second and two wins in the first threo events with Cybele, Prodice and Lady Cintra. Tho threo horses were all at nice prices mid followers of the stable would no doubt have a very profitable day, more especially as Lady Cintra and Prodice both returned double figure dividends and Cybele also made a good return for second. Ihe fact that the horses all race in his own colours would give tho Te Awanmtu trainer extra reason to bo gratified 'with their performances. Those who supported Corinax in the President's Handicap were disappointed when he faded out in the straight alter being in front at the home turn, where he appeared to be going well. When he returned to the enelosuro i! was discovered that Corinax had bled and thai would no doubt account for his failure to do better. It, will be a great pity if the Magpie gelding is to be affected 'by bleerling troubles, because he is a most promising young stayer that haß not yet been seen at his very best. After his good second in the President's Handicap, Papatu was expected to do better over the longer distance in the Autumn Handicap, and ho was one of ihe. prime fancies for the latter event. He mado another good showing but was not suited by the slow pace over the first mile and could only finish sixth. Papatu might have done better if his rider had allowed him to go to the front instead of restraining him behind the leaders. The Romeo gelding will lie improved by the racing and is likely to get a wnining turn shortly. In the Shade's Victory.

It was not a remarkable performance for In the' Shade to win the Easter Handicap with the minimum, as several three-year-olds have carried a good deal more weight and won that race. Nevertheless his victory was notable for the great run he made over tho last three furlongs. Until over half the journey was covered he was absolutely last and then moved forward slightly to be still well back at tho turn. Once into tho straight he put in some splendid work and forged ahead in the last fifty _ yards to win by half a length. In the Shade was fortunate in getting a beautiful run on the inside and he did not have to go outside one horse until he passed Great Charter and Awarere, who were close to the rails.

Track form pointed to Awarere having an excellent chance in the Easter Handicap and ho made a great effort, only to be beaten into second place in the last fifty yards. Before a furlong was covered lie was out in front with Ballymoy 11., and was still hanging on so well in front inside thq distanco that he seemed likely to succeed until In the Shade came on the scene. Awarere weakened over the last little bit but he dispelled any doubts about his ability to run a good mile and also enhanced his repulation as a brilliant galloper'.

Tho fjivourilo, Joy King, was rather unlucky in the early stages of tho Easter Handicap, and he was always one of tho rear division until reaching the straight. Then he made a game bid and was close up fifth at tho finish. Joy King was better placed in tho early stages of the Huia Handicap on the second day and made another fine showing to bo beaten by that classy sprinter, Aussie. One of tho fittest horses at the meeting, Joy King has only to retain his present, form to make his presence felt in his remaining autumn engagements. The Two-Year-Olds. Episode took the leading honours among the two-year-olds by winning the Great Northern Champagne Stakes in the stylo of a good filly. She hopped out in front at the start and, though she had to be ridden hard inside tho distanco to stall off Prince Humphrey, won rather easily in the end. Two-year-old form has been complicated this season and the Question of supremacy has been in doubt. After her latest exploit, Episode, who has won at her last threo starts. has undoubted claims to the premier position, for she beat tho supposed best of her age decisively. There is no doubt that tho Limond filly has great pace and determination, and at tho moment it would be difficult to name one of her age to beat her. Two youngsters to disappoint in the Great Northern Champagne Stakes were Raasay and Staghunter. Most pcoplo were prepared to accept Raasay as the best juvenile of the season after his meritorious second in tho North Island Challenge Stakes last month, and his failure to get a place on this occasion has left his admirers wondering. It was sgainst his chanco that ho drew the extreme outside at the barrier, and as a result had to cover more ground than any of tho others. Raasay was not knocked about at the finish when his rider realised his cliance was hopeless, otherwise he might have been a little closer. His third with 9.12 in the Viotoria Handicap on the second day further proved that he is a good colt, and it is unlikely that he is so much inferior to Episode, as the form in the Great Northern Champagne Stakes would indicate. The Hurdlers. Wedding - March won tho Brighton Hurdles in good style, slthoYigh he was probably lucky to beat Revel, who was not well handled, and also received a bad bump four furlongs from home. On the second day Wedding March was produced in the Autumn Steeplechase and ho was travelling well in second position when he toppled over at tho fence by tho five furlong post. It is unlikely that he would have beaten Wiltshire, although he would no doubt have been second. The Quin Abbey gelding is good either over hurdles or country, and he is in great order just at present. On the strength of his running in the Brighton Hurdles, wherein ho led from the fourth to tho last fence, and eventually finished a close third, Potoanui was confidently backed for the Trial Hurdles,' and his failure to finish closer than a moderate fourth was a disappointment. Although ho looked well, tho big fellow might have been feeling the. effects of his previous outing, as he did not race with nearly so much dash. Any time Potoanui repeats his Brighton Hurdles effort he will require beating. The two performances of Town Bank in notching minor placings in the two middle distance handicaps demonstrate that ho is rapidly returning to his best form. On tho second day he was very narrowly beaten by Mask. After leading most of tho way, and still being in front inside the distance. Town Bank seems certain to win a good handicap soon and should bo worth following in his next few starts. It is seldom that a horse wins a hack event at Ellerslie by such a big margin as Ohinemuri had to spare in the Eden Handicap. Tho Potoa mare ran Tight away from the field in the middle stages and never looked like being beaten. At tho end sho had a clear lead of five lengths and her performance demonstrated that she has improved considerably. Ohinemuri will in future have to compete in open company, although she has several hack nominations that she will be ablo to run out. It is not surprising that Ohinemuri can gallop. for sho is a full sister to that good horse Te Monanui. Some fine performances have been witnessed over sprint distances at Ellerslie this season, but none better than that of Aussie in winning the Huia Handicap under the steadier of 9.9. Always well placed he dashed up 011 the outside of the leaders in the last furlong and won handsomely in 1.13 3-s—time that is seldom beaten at headquarters. Aussie is undoubtedly a class sprinter and is seemingly better than ever, although some had an impression that ho might be in need oi a race.