NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20028, 18 August 1928, Page 15

NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE.

GOSSIP OF THE TRACKS. BY ARCHER. E. Pope lias a team of three in work at Takanini in preparation for events ahead. His string comprises Lunette and a couple of two-year-olds, one a filly by Snow KingGold Plane named Snow Plane, and the other a gelding by Lucullus from Minsk. The Lucullus youngster has been on the easy list for a few weeks with a slight leg injury, but ho is all right again. Lunette is a four-year-old mare by Nassau from Lady Frisco, hence a half-sister to White Comet. She is moulded on solid lines and may have prospects later on. On paper Town Bank read well in the Islington Handicap at Riccarton on Thursday, and he duly won, getting home narrowly from that improved galloper Rotor, who is racing consistently but unluckily. It was Town Bank's first win since he was purchased by Mr. J. M. Samson a couple of months ago, and now that he has returned to winning form he may score again soon. What may be against his future prospects is tho fact that he is not too sound. Still, lie is standing up tc his work and racing and may continue to do so. It is evident from the times recorded in the various events that the going was heavy at Riccarton on Thursday. There would not bo time for aaiy great improvement in the conditions before to-day, and it would not be surprising to see Fairy Herald, who relishes soft ground, making a bold showing in the Heathcot© Handicap. Fairy Herald was unplaced in the August Handicap on Thursday, but he will be better suited by a mile than six furlongs. There are few more consistent horses racing than Rotor, whose last ten starts have yielded two wins and eight minor placings. This week he has run two fine races at Riccarton for a third in the Winter Cup and a second in the Islington Handicap. The Tractor gelding was beatcai by the narrowest of margins, and he should be worth watching later in the season. Without getting intd a placis Narrative ran well enough at Riccarton on Thursday to suggest that Bho might soon score in minor company. She is down near the minimum in a moderate field in tho Longbeach Handicap to-day, and may make an improved showing. Tripaway and the elect of Miss G-. Maher's pair Ivalos and Locarno I may be her most dangerous opponents.

It would appear that Rangi Sarto would have won the Hunt Club Cup at Riccarton on Thursday if he had not fallen, as he was in front with the winner Captain Sarto when he toppled over, llangi Sarto will be competing in a. similar class to-day in the Aylesbury Steeplechase, and may go very close to winning.

Two seconds have gone down to Gaze at liiccarton this week, and 011 both occasions he has been beaten by that good horse Nukumai. Providing that his efforts have not affected him. Gaze might manage to win the Sydenham Hurdles to-day, as the class is not good. Red Fuchsia looks like being the hardest to beat, although the improving Craigmorc may be a possibility. On several occasions last season Ned Kelly demcEEtrated that he was capable of showing useful form over hurdles, and there ; s no reason why he should not repeat that form this season. Fit and well he should go fast enough to make his presence felt in the Styx Hurdles nt Riccarton to-day. One of the hardest he may have to beat is Diana's Lad, an improving young horse who has won twice lately. After his second in the Grand National Steeplechase, Pouri will probably start favourite in the Lincoln Steeplechase at Riccarton to-day. His latest form has been good and, although he was unplaced iu the Grand Natioaial Hurdles, hisi prospects should be excellent to-day. His most dangerous rival might be Brigadier Bill, although that horse has not fenced confidently in his latest outings over country. If he fences correctly the "Brigadier" will certainly want a lot of beating. There are some useful hacks in the Redcliffs Handicap at Riccarton. to-day and it is likely to be a good betting; race. Two who might appeal to backers, are Grand National and Solfello. Panther disappointed when he failed in the Winter Cup, but bis form may not have been correct. The Kilbroney gelding will be afforded an opportunity to make amends iu the Selwyn Handicap to-day.

TARANAKI HUNT RACES. declaration of weights. [by telegraph.—press association.] WELLINGTON, Friday. Weights for tli© Taranaki Sunt Club's meeting are:— LEPPERTON HUNTERS' HURDLES, H miles.—Bay Digliton, 10.3; Blago, 9.7; Inahman, 9.3; Omeo, Micliael Shirnore, Teucer, Patrolet, Pikimai. Chyrria, Harrowgate, 3.0. HUNTERS' MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE, 2 miles. —Haeremai, 10.9; Waitanekau, 10.7: Huirangi Girl, Inaliman, 10.4; Hats OS, Trouble, 10.2; Liberal Lady, _ Nimblefoot, Toney, Michael Shirnore,. Vitality, Pikimai, Excelsior, Flying Fran, Passport, Quarrelsome Kitty, 10.0. WAIHI HACK HANDICAP, 7 fur.—Flying Shot, 9.0; Miss Mercia, 5.13.: Troilus. 5.12: Argue. S.~; Gasnapper, 8.4: Kaha, 8.3; Green Acre, Yawl, Whisogne, 8.2; Te harere. 8.0. , TARANAKI HUNT CUP STEEPLES. 2{ miles.—Haeremai, 10.7; Pompeius, Waitanehau, 10.5; Inahman. Huirangi Girl, '.0.2; Trouble, Liberal Lady, Passport, loney. 10.0. STRATFORD HANDICAP. G fur.—Benzora, 9.4; Te Monanui, 8.9: Partaga. 8.2; Vivo, 7.12; Hoariri, 'Horomea, 7.11; Anolo, Monoghan, 7.10: Oration, 7.8; Mint Leaf. Royal Mint. 7.7; Manly. 7.0; March IISaggitarius. 7.2: Paul Lucerne. Lochson, Capt. Gazeley, Sea Star. Monsogne, Lucrative, 7.0. HUNTERS' FLAT HANDICAP, 11 miles. —Bay Dighton, 11.8: Waitanehau, 10.-; Blago, Resin, 10.6; Inahman, 10.2; Haere. mat, Teucer. Chyrria, Michael Smmore, Razor, Flying Fran. Harro'.vgate, Quarrelsome Kitty, Patrolet. 10.0. URENUI HACK HANDICAP. 6 furGold Dawn. 9.0: Silver Rule. B.b; Denier, Onward. 8.6; Miss Mercia, 7.12; flying Shot, 7 11- Te Atiavva, Argue, 7.10; Lucrative, 7.9:' Monsogne. 7.7; Yawl. Green Acre, 7.2; Buster Cut,, Finey. Our Manty, Tangerim, Merxcis, Bisosne Filly, Boundary» 1 akake, To Karere, 7.0.

THE LUCK OF RACING.

FRENCH TURF INCIDENT. The victory of Cri de Guerre in this year s Grand Prix do Paris serves to bring out in pointed form the luck that surrounds racing. When a yearling ihc colt was bought for 18.000 francs. In the early stage of his three-year-old career it 13 related that lie was hired by the Marquis de Saint Sauveur to make the running for a supposed crack (Kantar) in & race at Longelianu's. and he made such a race of it with the favourite as to bring him into note. The colt was placed on offer to a prominent English trainer at something like i'4ooo, but 110 business resulted in that Quarter and he was eventually purchased by Lord Derby and Mr. Ogdcn Mills for 250,000 francs, plus a. further 25.000 francs out of the first race ho won of the value of 50,000 francs. It. is stated that. Cri de Guerre was ostensibly bought to lead Kantar in his work. Something happened to the latter, and Cri de Guerre was thus given the opportunity of earning honours in the Grand Prix de Paris, and he scored a sensational victory in the leading three-year-old event of the French turf. The accident that happened to Kantar (writes " Audax" in Horsa and Hound) was probably the most lucky incident that ever happened in racing. The winner's portion of the stake attached to the Grand Prix de Paris was 775,000 francs.