NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19962, 2 June 1928, Page 15

NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE.

GOSSIP .OF THE TRACKS. BY ARCHER. The No. 3 Grass was available at Ellerslie yesterday, but, though it was freely used, there was not much work of interest. Ono of the best efforts was recorded by Flying Juliet, Waltzer and King Lu, who covered five furlongs in 1.5 3-5. High Pitch went five furlongs in 1.8, and Oration covered a furlong less in 53 2-ss. Tinokoa, Mervette,' Stormy and Archeen were others who worked freely. Tho Cornwall Handicap candidate High Pitch has reached Ellerslie in capital con-' dition and strode along freely in his work yesterday. It is stated that he was recently affected with an abscess in the mouth, but that trouble has disappeared. High Pitch has always run his best races in soft ground a.nd that should bo worth remembering at this time of the year. Whether he will get a mile and a-quarter successfully has yet to be seen, as he has not yet won beyond a mile. All the same. High Pitch may be a good horce to follow at the meeting, for, if ho fails in the "Cornwall," he should have good prospects in the shorter races. That good horse King Lu has not had a race for some months, but he looks very bright and well and may give a further taste of his quality at the meeting, as he has always shone under winter conditions. King Lu sprinted five furlongs nicely with a couple of companions yesterday, and, although he might be belter for a race, his chance in the Members' Handicap might be brighter than generally believed. It is some time since Hyde Park raced, but he has done well lately and is one of tho kind likely to show up without racing. His latest track efforts have been pleasing and his 50 l-5s over four furlongs last Saturday was the best that has been recorded over the distance at headquarters for some weeks. Hyde Park will only require to race with the same dash as he gallops on the track to go very close to winning one day at the meeting. The smart six-furlong gallop recorded by Miss New Zealand will cause her prospects of winning a hack event at the meeting to be highly regarded. Miss New Zealand beat a big field of novices in good style at her last start a.nd has done so nicely in the meantime that she must be very hard to beat in the second division of tho Jervois Handicap, wherein she is well placed on the minimum. The Te Aroha trainer A. E. Cox has Nancy Lee, Orchus and Taurima to represent his stable at the meeting and his charges are in fine condition to undertake their engagements. Nancy Lee is looking a picture, and, although she is up near the top of the handicaps in the short races, is such a good mare under any conditions that her prospects cannot be overlooked. Orchus and Taurimu have shown fair form previously and may be capable of showing improvement under winter conditions. When not quite ready, Marble King ran two good races at Te Rapa a few weeks ago. It is stated that he has been galloping well in the meantime, so he may be equal to racing in improved fashion at this meeting. Marble King is a three-year-old fullbrother to Queen Arch and won a couple of six-furlong hack events at Stratford in January. It is some time since Cureaform was seen out in public, and, in consequence, she might feel the lack of racing in a hard contest. However, she appears to have done plenty of work, and, as she is one of the best stayers engaged in the minor steeplechase events, might prove one of the hardest to beat. Cureaform got round "the hill" all right tho other morning and it is in her favour that she is usually a safe conveyance. Brigadier Bill suffered no harm from his fall the other morning and worked freely over a distance yesterday. His fall was attributed to the fact that he slipped on landing, which was bad luck. It is understood Brigadier Bill will miss his engage? menl in the Great Northern Hurdles and be specially reserved for the Great Northern Steeplechase. A horse whose running to-day will be followed with a lot of interest is Glendowie. Everybody recognises that he is one of the most promising young jumpers in the Dominion amd his admirers are anxious to get a further line on his form in view of his engagement in the Great Northern Steeplechase on the second day. Of course, racing in the Hunt Club Hurdles and in the Great Northern Steeplechase will be very different propositions, but a victory to-day will no doubt cause his prospects in Monday's big event to be even more favourably regarded. A lot of patience has been exercised with Bluespear and a few weeks ago he gave his connections hope for the future by running second in a minor event at Te Kapa. In the meantime he has gone on. the right way and his track form indicates that he will get a winning turn shortly. Bluespear has received a good preparation at the hands of J. Lambess and will strip in splendid order for his; engagements at the meeting. While schooling the other morning Ruby Ring struck one of his knees and it has filled a good deal. As a result he has been struck out of the Green Lane Steeplechase. Another candidate for that race who is also feeling; tho effects of a schooling mishap is Polyphemus, who was very sore yesterday. Not a great deal lias been heard of Eden Hall in connection with the Cornwall Handicap and this probably, is due to the fact that he has run below form in his last couple of starts. It is rarely that Eden Hall does run a bad race, as he lias been a model of consistency. Therefore, if lie strips well to-day it is quite on the cards he will take a lot of beating, as he is very partial to soft going and will be racing under his favourite conditions. The tasks allotted to Archibald for several days past have been of a Very light order and there is a suspicion that oil is not as well with him as might be. Whether this idea is correct will soon be proved, but it may bo advisable for his admirers to satisfy themselves about his condition if be goes <o tho post for the Great Northern Hurdles. Tliero was an unusual incident at Ellerslie yesterday. The horse concerned was Prirnco Lu. who went down on all fours at the last fence in a schooling bout and righted himself in a strido or two without shifting his rider, R. E. Thomson. The blunder w«3 probably due to Prince Lu losing his fcotiiig as he landed.

Latest reports regarding Perle de Leon are to the effect that.his joint, which filled several days ago, has improved a good deal. It is bope-d he might be able to work this morning and an idea exists that he might run in the Great Northern Steeplechase on Monday. The hunter Geyersland ha 3 done most of his schooling since arriving at Ellerslie over country, which would indicate that his particular mission might be, the Hunt Club Cup. However, he is in the Hunt. Club Hurdles fo-day, and, as he finished fourth in a hurdle event at Hastings a, few weeks ago, he might possess an equally good chance over the small fences as in the steeplechase. Gpyserlautl may not be favourite, but he will, no doubt, bo well supported in the Hunt Club Hurdles. The Cornwall Handicap candidate Town 33arik was showing signs of soreness yesterday and there is a doubt as to whether he will run to-day. If he goes to the post, T. Tito will be his pilot.

Twelve months ago S. Henderson ro<?,6 with considerable success at the Auckland Winter Meeting, winning the Great Northern Steeplechase on Beau Cavalier, the Jervois Handicap on Town Guard, the Cornwall Handicap on Lomint, the Ranfurly Handicap on Goldjn Krist, the Orakei Hurdles on Kaniehameha, and the Yprk Handicap on Master Doon. In addition, he was also second on Archibald in both the Great Northern Hurdles .arnd the Remuera Hurdles. Henderson will number amon?: his mounts at this year's meeting Beau Cavalier (Hurdles), Lomint, Glendowie, Quincoma and Kamehameha. The popular horseman can scarcely hope to eclipse last year's record on thin occasion, although it is possible he may B,gain have a successful meeting