NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20309, 17 July 1929, Page 9

NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE.

GOSSIP OF THE TRACKS.

BY ARCHER. As a result of his suspension for flvo weeks, A Ilobson will bo unable to lido at the Grand National Meeting at Riccarton next month and will therefore loso some good riding Tho southern horseman was responsible for «i foolish action in crossing Mister Gamp with Overhaul after the last fence i" 1 th< Winter Hurdles and has now to pay Iho penalty Although tho incident made no difference tc tho result Overhaul had Mister Gamp beaten at tho time. Tho action taken by the judicial committee in suspending Hobson will bo generally endorsed, as lie certainly committed a breach.

The EllerMio trainer, J. Williamson, left on a short visit to Sydney by tho Niagara list evening. It is probable that he will purchase a horse while on tho other side, ns lit has a couple under offer. Unless present intention* are altered Williamson will return early next month with a view to finalisinu tin. preparations of several horses ho i.. likely to race at tho Pakuranga Hunt Meeting which takes place on August 24. One of his representatives nt that meeting will be Odin, who is working along stendly in preparation for (he Pakuranga Hunt Cup

Unless plans are altered Sen town is to be shipped to Sydney from Wellington on Friday in charge of his owner, Mr. J. Frederic. It is stated that he will be trained by D. Webster on arrival on the other side nnd in the hnnds of that capable trainer he should have every chance to repeat tho good form that has won him a prominent place among our handicap horses. In comparison with some horses from the Dominion Scatown is very nicely handicapped in tho spring handicaps in Australia.

Although he is steadily recovering fiotn tho injuries he sustained on his way to Trenthnni, it is unlikely that Bright Land will be fit to race again for some time \ot. It was unfortunate for Mr. W C Ring to have the imported griding temporarily placed out o e action at a time when he appeared to be reaching the top of his form. How Bright Land would have raced at Trenthnni if ho had not met with the mishap is a matter for conjecture but the chances are ho would have performed with credit. It was believed that he was a better horse than when ho won a double at Ellerslio last month.

Every race appears to bo improving Matu, who registered two solid efforts for a fourth and a second at Trenthnni. and all going well in tho next few weeks he may prove a difficult horse to beat in the Grand National Steeplechase al Riccarton next month. Only for being difficult to train Matu would havo had a better record than he possesses as a jumper, and now that he is likely to strike form he should bo worth watching. It is in his favour that he is a reliable fencer and n solid stayer.

Having his first race for several months Gold Cure failed to stay on at the finish of the Whyte Handicap, but he benefited by the run and went much better to finish second in the Winter Oats Handicap on tho final day at Trentham. It is likely that, ho may show further improvement in tho near future, and all going well ho should bo a distinct possibility in the Winter Cup nt Riccarton With 9.9 tho black gelding i 3 nicely placed and ho may be among the early fancies.

After his fourth in the Whyte Handicap on the first day at Trentham when he was at a long price, Merry Mint was all tho rage for tho Winter Oats Handicap oil the final day and started a firm favourite. His form scarcely showed the improvement expected nnd it was a disappointment to his admirers when he weakened in the straight to finish fourth again, after looking a winner at the turn, where ho was going easily in front. Merry Mint may win at any time now* and may be an early favourite for the Winter Cup, although ho has none the best of the weights in that race in being asked to meet Gold Cure and Full Feather on lib and Gib worse terms than when they finished ahead of him at! his last start.

Good things were expected of Radiate in the steeplechase events at Trenthuui and liia defeats wero disappointing lo his backers. He went well for about two and alialf miles in the Wellington Stceplechaso and did similarly in the July Steeplechase, wherein ha was coins so well in front about six furlongs from home that defeat' seemed unlikely. On these performances Radiate appears to be a doubtful stayer and his running would indicate that shorter jnurueyß than three miles 'might be moro to his liking. Of course, ho may not have been entirely suited by tho heavy coins and there may be a chance that he will do better at Riccarton. where the ground is likely to Lo firmer.

Fabriano's display in running second in tho Wellington Steeplechase stamped him aa a solid customer likely to win an important steoplechase at any time now. Ilia prospects appeared to bo very bright in tho July Steeplechaao, but a faulty jump at tho end of tho first round brought about his downfall If he can bo kept sound and produced as fit a3 he was at Trentharn Fabriano should bo capable of ft bold showing under bis handy weight of 0.2 in the Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton.

Without running into a placo in any of his three starts at the winter carnival at Ellerslie Mangani ran two good races and looked liko winning the Winter Steeplochase when he fell at the second to last fenco. With 9.12 in tho Grand National Steeplechase and 9.2 in tho Grand National Hurdles ho has been nicely treated at Riccarton, and probably his connections will bo encouraged to let him take his clianco in those races. Mangani had 10.2 when he finished fourth in tho Great Northern Hurdles, so that, with a stone less, lie may bo one of tho picks of tho light-weight division in tho Grand National Hurdles.

Considering that bo was having his first race for some months Historic mado a creditablo showing to finish in tho bunch closo behind tho placed horses in tho Stewards' Handicap at Trentham. With this rac? and tho work he will get in tho jneantimo Historic should bo a much fitter hoi;so when he competes at Riccarton next month, and it is therefore likely that ho will perform in improved fashion there. With 10.4 ho will not find it easy in the Winter Cup, but bo should bo ready to display his truo form before tho new season is far advanced.

After a short let-up, Bizarro and Diamond Queen aro again among the regular attendants at Ellerslie. and working along usefully in preparation for the spring meetings. They are both looking bright and healthy and should be in nice racing ord-'r when required to race. As a result of care ful placing Biztirro and Diamond Queen both managed to win during the season now rapidly drawing to a close, and they may score again in tho new term at some of the minor meetings, where the class is not too strong.

A novice at Ellorslio who promisor to be well forward for tho early spring meetings is New Hoy, a four-year-old gelding by Some Boy 11. from a Sylvito mare. lie lias lately been accomplishing useful tasks in very satisfactory fashion and has improved Quite a lot in condition Sc far he has had little racing experience, but ho displayed some speed when racing un with tbo leading division for about half-a-mijo m tho t'itzroy Handicap on the final day of the winter carnival at EUerslio.

Useful tasks aro being allotted to Bom barder and he is steadily improving in con dition. It is probable that the big fellow will bo tried as a l'umpe* in the new Reason and ho has already had a littlo schooling in private. Another member of J Williamson's team who is working regularly is Dave, and he should bo in nice < rder for the spring meetings It is some time since Dfivo displayed any form, but lie still retains his speed and there is no reason why ho should not bo capable of showing eorno dash in the scar future*