FORM ON SATURDAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21932, 16 October 1934, Page 7

FORM ON SATURDAY

SOLARIUM'S IMPRESSIVE WIN NAMAKIA GREATLY IMPROVED STAR ARTIST'S' REAPPEARANCE BY ARCHER Easily tho most impressive win of the first day's racing at Ellerslie on Saturday was that of Solarium in the Mitchelson Cup. Now a five-year-old, Solarium is just reaching his best after being difficult to train in the early part of his career, and, in the light of his latest form, no handicap in the country should be beyond him. Solarium is a well-bred gelding of fine physique,, and he is by Limond from Sunbar, by Cooltrim—Sibar, by Bardolph—Siren, by Vice Admiral. He was bred by Mr. It. G. Hosking, of Whangarei, from whom he is held on lease by W. I£. Stone. When there appeared to be every likelihood of the track being heavy vfter the rain, a decision was made to scratch Solarium for the King Edward Memorial Handicap, and he was withdrawn before the postponement; was announced. Solarium came his race in the Mitchelson Cup splendidly, and looked a picture when out working usefully yesterday morning. He has been nominated for tho chief events at the Avondalo Jockey Club's Spring Meeting, and liis next outing will probably bo in the Avondale Cup, for which he is certain to be the early favourite. Consistency has been a feature of the latest form of Free Air, who has registered two wins, two seconds and a third in seven starts this season, and there is no doubt that she ha!> made considerable improvement as a juniper since going into the care of H. llama. Solid condition stood to Free Air in a hard finish in tho Trial Hurdles, and she ran on very resolutely when the pressure was applied nt the end. It is in favour of Free Air that 6he is a genuine stayer, and further good efforts may be expected from her at the coming meetings, especially when the tracks are easy. Promising Jumpers For beginners, Chromadyne and Allegretto went particularly well in the Trial Hurdles, and they are welcome additions to the ranks of local jumpers. In the short period Chromadyne has been in R. S. Bagby's stable he has made excellent progress, and now that he is gaining confidence in his jumping he should not be long in winning. Chromadyne had had the benefit of a- race over hurdles, but Allegretto waa having his first outing as a jumper, and in the circumstances his performance was all the more creditable. It should be only a matter of Allegretto remaining 60und to prove a good winner over fences. As the r«:sult of his good track work, Catoma was. expected to race prominently in the Trial Hurdles, but his effort fell short of expectations. Five furlongs from home it appeared as if he might take a hand in tlj& finish, but he failed to go on solidly. Posaibly the conditions did not entirely suit Catoma, who goes best when the ground is soft, and it may be unwise to discard him for his defeat. T4ie ground will be more to his liking to-day, and he will therefore have a favourable opportunity to make amends. On one occasion last season Gay Blonde gave Namaltia 38lb and a beating, so that the marked improvement the latter has made since then is evident from the fact that at even weights Gay Blonde had a hard race to beat her by half a length in the Great_ Northern Guineas. It was only in the last little bit that Namakia failed after setting a very fast pace, and her immediate prospects o.ppear very rosy. She is still eligible for hack events, and it will take a good one in that class to bring about her defeat if she is produced in the same form in the Champion Hack Plate at Avondale. Rerepai and Pin Money It is doubtful whether either Rerepai or Pin Money was seen at his best in the Great Northern Guineas. Neither began with his accustomed brilliance, and they were in thei rear of the fiei.d when the first furlong had been covered. Rerepai ran up fast on the outside along the back, to be handy in fourth position at the end of half, a mile, but that effort when the pace was a scorcher left lu'm wanting at the; fmin" and it was not surprising that'he weakened. Pin Money was never really prominent, and he was closer in sixth position at the finish than at any other stage. • -y< Although %he looked above herserf, Star Artist did w«ll enough in the Shorts Handicap to indicate that she may not be 10115 in striking form. She was not far away from the placed horses, being in fifth position at the: finish, and she will not require to make a great deal of improvement to_ be an early winner. Star Artist was responsible for some smart sprinting performances last season, and she should be capable of doing just as well, and perhaps a little better, this season. Failing to begin with his usual brilliancy from No. 1 in the Shorts Handicap, British Columbia was in the rear of the field in the early stages, and he Was never prominent until reaching the straight, where he ran on strongly to finish a very creditable fourth. As it was his first outing for several months and he looked a trifle pretty, the race should improve him, and hie return to tho winning-list may not bo far distant. Solomon and King Mestor A furlong from the post the lightweights Solomon and King Mestor appeared to have chances in the Shorts Handicap, but they faded in the last half-furlong. They were on the outside of the field at the start and, had they been more fortunate in the draw, may have done slightly better, especially King Mestor, who was on the outside of the field all the way. The easing of the going should not be to the disadvantage of Solomon and King Mestor, and they may be capable of showing a little improvement; under the conditions. Although unplaced. Carfex, Hoiowhenua and Baroocope all ran very creditable races in the Mitchelson Cup, and they were the closest to the placed horses at the finish. The easier state of the gding to-day will not be to their disadvantagfe, as they are all partial to soft ground, and they should be equal to running well. Baroscope came through his race on Saturday in good style, and he hit out with plenty of freedom when allowed to stride over three furlongs with Lady Diana yesterday morning. It was with a fine finishing run that Hikutaia got up to finish a very close third in the Gordon Handicap and, although he will not be competing to-day, he will not be overlooked the next time he is produced. Hikutaia has registered two wins and ft third in his last three starts, and he is an improver with prospects of reaching the handicap class, as he promises to stay rather well. Another who finished solidly in the Gordon Handicap was On Parade, who was closer in sixth position at the finish than at any other stage. THEO'S owner honoured , A POPULAR SPORTSMAN Sydney sporting men paid Mr. E. Moss a warm tribute when they met at Tattersall's Club to toast his health over the success of his colt Theo in the A.J -C. Derby. Mr W W. Hill, chairman of the club, said ' everyone knew the guest's sterling qualities as a sportsman, but his outstanding characteristic was his eternal help for those in distress. There was 110 citizen who did more in the way of charity. Mr .Tack O'Dea declared that Mr. Moss was the most popular and sterling sports, man among thcra. sterling because nobody went to him with a genuine case of need without receiving assistance, and popular because he was friendly with everybody, high or low. Nobody could have had a greater army of well-wishers before the Derby, and nobody more congratulations after. "We all hope, to see his colt go on to victory in the Victoria Derby and the Melbourne Cup. He deserves it." . Mr. Moss, in thanking speakers for thengood wishes, said one of the big pleasures to him in Theo's success was the fact that he had named him after one of the best sportsmen who ever stepped on to a racecourse. Mr. Theo Marks. He was glad that the association was such a happy one, embracing the biggest success of his career and his happiest turf experience. BACK FROM SYDNEY SEVEN HORSES RETURN [BY TELBGRAPH—OWN CORRKSPONDKNTj WELLINGTON. Monday The Monowai from Sydney to-day brought back seven horses who have been racing there recently. C.» Emerson returned with Marcus Cicero and Hine Ra, A. PL Nealo with Diatomous and E. Simpson with Autopay, while F. .D. Jones sent back The Masquerader, Custodian and Abdication. The five Riccarton horses went south on the Rangitira. to-night. . Autopay did well 011 the trip and he will fulfil his engagement in the sprint race at Trentham next Saturday. No rider has been engaged, but it is probable that either A. E. Ellis or D. O'Connor will be approached.