FORM AT MASTERTON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21934, 18 October 1934, Page 9

FORM AT MASTERTON

NEW ZEALAND CUP. HORSES WALTON PARK AND HAZOOR BRAMBLETORN IMPROVING [from our own correspondent] "WELLINGTON, Tueeday Principal interest in tho racing at Masterton centred in the form of the New Zealand Cup candidates. Six were racing and the winners were Walton Park and Mißht 2 with Hazoor second, Gold Trail twice third and Arikira and Blue Bo.y unplacQcl. With the exception of tho last two, who will require wonderful improvement to enter seriously into discussions, all may be said to have enhanced their prospects in tho twoiniles event. Walton Park and Hazoor showed grit and stamina in a punishing finish on tho first day in a long-sustained run up a straight that is every yard as long as that at Riccarton. Hazoor did not ruij on the second day, when Walton Park was unplaced, although little notice need bo taken of that defeat, as ho ib a hard horso to ride. Might ran fourth on the first day, and won on the second, his success also being due to stamina, and takinn; a line through Gold Trail, his form looks quite up\ to that shown by Walton Park and Hazoor on tho first day. Advantage In Weight Gold Trail put up two solid performances and is running consistently, although she does not appear to be quite at her best yet. On the score of weight, sho meets her opponents on considerably better terms in tho Cup, Hazoor Blb. batter and Walton Park 171b. and 151b. better respectively, while she meets Might on no less than 2Slb. better terms. Over the two miles weight may not be such a consideration as it appears on paper; the deciding factors on tho day of the Cup may be riders and stamina. A little earlier it was not definite that Gold Trail would tun in the Cup, but it is now fairly certain, although no rider has yet been engaged, nor has a Cup rider for Wulton Park been decided upon. On Masterton running Walton Park, Hazoor and Might will certainly get the Cup journey, and there is no reason why it should bo beyond Gold Trail. If the New Zcalajid Cup were to bo run this week, the issue, as between the Masterton candidates, would lio very materially with the calibre of the horsemanship. Brambletorn, the winner last spring of tho C.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap, raced for the first time this season at the 'recent Napier Park meeting, and ho dropped out tho running after four or five furlongs. Ho showed great improvement at Masterton. to bo in tho picture throughout. Ha weakened over the final stages, as was only to be expected against muoh more seasoned opponents, but ho finished fifth, near Might, Who won on tho second day. If Brambletorn continues that improvement it will not bo long before he wins a race. He is not in the New Zealand Cup. Maine Strikes Form Maine was narrowly and somewhat unluckily beaten in the maiden race on the first day at Masterton, but she scored very convincingly on Saturday, and completely reversed the form against her victor, Orby's Last. Maine has been racing for a couplo of seasons without previous success, but she showed great promise at Trentham in July, and now that she has struck form she appears likely to win a lot more races. She is related to some first-olass gallopers, being by Arausio from the Birkenhoad mare Hoy, herself a galloper of class and dam of Anomaly, Snatcher, Pcnelephon, Shirley and King's Jest. Synagogue's last, three races have produoed three wins, and his latest effort at Masterton, although only against hack class, was under the substantial weight of 9.9, sufficient to test a three-year-old at this stage of the season. He was well tested, toQ, for he eaßed np after taking the lead, and had to be called upon for an extra effort at the finish. The way he did it wao impressive. He has yet to tackle really, good class, hut there is no reason Ao anticipate that ho will not measure up to the best that has been produced this season among tho three-year-qlds. Synagogue was taken nut. of tho Great Northern Guineas when he injured. himself on the trip to Wanganui, and while it would appear that he mipht won the Northern ra.ee the cancellation "AT the trip might be » •blessing in disguise. «» be, doe# not stand too much racing and travelling, and has had the right treatment to recover fully and develop hi# form gradually. A Successful Trainer • Since coming to Trentham T. R. George has attended two meetings, Otaki and Masterton, a#d has won five races with two horses Synagogue> won a double at Otaki, where Might was also successful, and the same pair won again at Masterton. Although Cherry King had not had a race since Pebruary. his win at Masterton appears to have been fairly well anticipated, although it was possibly a shock to his connections to see nim start favourite. The field that finally paraded, however, was not strong, and he was good enough to dispose of it with a; good finishing effort in the straight. Cherry King should improve with the race. Ho is engaged at Trentham. Argument raced for the first time in hie new colours at Masterton. and was responsible for two good races without having any the best of the luck in running, especially on the second day. As he was not particularly forward he should bo in good order | for his next start.

TRAINING AT EPSOM SOUND WORK ON THE SAND CONDITION OF RED HOPE With the exception of Tinokaha, who was worked in hopples on the cinder track, all training at Epsom yesterday morning was executed on the sand track, which provided easy footing. Rod Hope (L. McMahon) paced with rare freedom and put plenty of dash into 6trong finishing effort. He has neyer looked in better condition and will bo one of the fittest horses at the meeting. McMahon stated that tho horse has thrown off all eigns of the leg; trouble which affected him on his last visit to Epsom. The Great Northern Derby candidate Superfine is also leaking satisfactory progress at Whangarei. She has grown into a big three-year-old and may have her first raco at Te Aroha on December 8. Superfine is by Nelson Bingen from Lottio Audubon, dam of Pegaway, Te Kahu and Nellotu, and was bred by Mr. J. T. Young, of Te Awumutu, Wiriwhata (W. G. Stevens) gave a sound display of trotting without being askod to go fast. The race ho had at Hamilton has proved beneficial, and, although he has not beon long in work, he ehould raco well at Epsom. Captain Bolt (H. R. Fisken) made no mistokes while trotting over several circuits, and he stepped out boldly on the final lap. Sinco coming to Epsom the Gisborne trotter has made good progress. ' 4 Free Logan (A. W.. Broughlon) had a mixed task of free-legged pacing and galloping, finishing with a dash over the last quartor. It will not be for lack of condition if he fails to race prominently. Autumn Lu (W. McLaughlin.) worked soundly over it mile and a-half in saddle, but was not fully extended at any stage. She bears a very bright appearance. Silver Watch (L. Mahoney). accompaniod for part of the journey by Wor'hy Cause (A. Tracey), ran a sound two miles. He worked lazily early, but put some dash into his finish. Munga Tangi (A. Laver) was given aoveral rounds at a useful clip. Tho three-year-old is very bright in condition, but his recent track work has not been impressive owing to a tendency to mix his gait when goinf; fast. Mountain Snn (W. Fleming) revelled in a strong two-miles task. Without doing anything of a special nature, ho has done well in his preparation. Nelson Luvan (C. G. Lee) gave a useful display of free-legged pacing over a mile and a-half. He has furnished well since racing in August, and his ability to .begin smartly will give him good prospects in the novice races.

Star Pronto (W. Dyer) was keen to hit out fast, while working over four laps, but was "held in check. Gumdigger (G-. Webb) was in hi« element v/hilo working over three circuits. Ho has put on a lot of condition since coming to Epsom arid has never looked in bette.ordor. Tinokaha (A. W Broughlon) was sprinted several separate furlongs from a standing start, moving away smaTtly nnd pacing neatly. Hf3 showing on the firm cinder trnck was a oig improvement on his grass truck display on Tuosday. The outside of tho course proper will bo open this morning from nine to eleven for the convenience of visiting horses, and the nruilego will be extended also t.o local horses engaged on either day of the meeting. AVONDALE SCRATCHINGS Pomp and Canopy have been scratched for all engagements at the Avondale Spring Meeting, TROTTING FIXTURES October 20, 22—Auckland Trotting Club. October 20, 22—Grevmouth Trotting Club. October 22 Oarnaru Trotting Club. October 27—Wellington Trotting Club. November 6, 8. 9—New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. November 22, 24—Forbury Park Trotting Club. November 24, 2S—JTolsom Trotting Clnb,,