ELLERSLIE REVIEW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22198, 27 August 1935, Page 7

ELLERSLIE REVIEW

FORM AT HUNT MEETING SUCCESS OF GAY DEFENCE WIN FOR KING'S ARCHER BY ARCHER Tho Pakuranga Hunt meeting at Ellerslio on Saturday provided a successful opening to the new racing season in Auckland and the increase of £2742 iti the totalisator turnover was an encouraging sign and an indication that there may be a greater volume of investment at the spring meetings than was the caso last year. The heavy state of the going on Saturday militated against the chances of some horses and there were a number who will do better when the conditions are more favourable. although tho class generally was not as good as in some previous seasons. One of the most promising competitors was the four-year-old Gay Defence, who scored a very convincing victory in the Sylvia Park Handicap, in which he displayed fine speed early and had something in reserve at the finish. The patient policy that has been adopted with Gay Defence should be well rewarded this season and he is a smart galloper who should not be long in achieving further success. Seven furlongs is tho longest distance he has vet attempted, but he should cover a mile well and perhaps he may go a little further when thoroughly seasoned. Valmint Shapes Well Making his first appearance in public, the three-year-old Valmint went surprisingly well to finish third in the Sylvia Park Handicap. The most encouraging feature of his performance was that he was running on solidly at the end, after being badly placed in tho early stages. Apparently like other members of his family, be is partial to soft going and that may bo worth remembering. Because of the fact that he is inclined to bo delicate, Valmint has not bo seriously taxed, but it should be only a matter of him training on satisfactorily to win in minor company for J. IS. Thorpe, who has not had the best of luck with his horses for some time past. The defeat of Salesman proved costly to his admirers and he has not dono as well as anticipated since gaining a surprise victory in novice company at Te Rapa last March. Still, he should not be entirely discredited for his unplaced effort in the Sylvia Park Handicap. He did not jump out too cleanly from No. 15 and the run he made on the outside, along the back, to secure a forward position left him wanting at the finish, where he was well back Howover, he will require to do better to reach tho winning-list again, although there is the chance that he may be seen to more advantage when the ground is firmer. Bed Flame Shows Pace to various causes, tho four-year-old Bed Flame has not had much racing and she had her first outing since she was a two-vear-oid, when she ran unplaced in the Sylvia Park Handicap. Bed Flame displayed plenty of paco in the early stages and raced prominently until reaching the straight, where she tired. J. C. Lambess has exercised considerable patience with the half-sister to Sir Nigel and he may eventually be rewarded, as she is speedy and may run on better when she is more seasoned and the track conditions are more favourable. King's Archer gained his first success «"> a hurdler when he won the Harris Memorial Hack Hurdles and now that ho has. broken the ice he should eo on to further success. On Saturday ho was ridden right out to win by two lengths in a field that was by no means strong, bu'o he has never been really partial to heavy going and he should do much better on top of the ground. King's Archer waR turned out in fine condition by T. M. Morriss and he is under the charge of a capable trainer who will give him every chance to make good. Square Acre and Mazir In spite of the fact that ho had not raced for ten months. Square Acre was a good third fancy for the Sylvia Park Handicap, but ho failed to flatter the hopes of his supporters at any stago. Another to make a reappearance in the same race after a long absence from racing was Mazir, who was above himself and failed to make a showing. Mazir registered three minor placings in four starts last season and he is a smart hack who may be worth keening in mind at later meetings if he trains on well. The idea that Kiltowyn is likely to prove better than ever as a six-year-old this season was strengthened by his third in the Jellicoe Handicap. His performance was good considering that he is not yet thoroughly attuned and also was not altogether suited bv the heavy state of the going. Kiltowyn is in fine order to commence the season, being big and bright, and Mr. A. D. Potter should have him in first-class condition for the Avondale and Auckland spring meetings. The performance of Prosv Boy in just winning the Pakuranga Hunt Cup after an exciting finish with Ardmatining did not indicate that he is anything out of the ordinary, but he made a good impression by the courageous way ho went on under pressure. He has an unbeaten record in three starts and is a solid customer who is likelv to improve and make a very useful steeplechaser noxt winter. Prosv Boy is hred on the right lines to make a successful jumper, being bv Lueullus from Prosv, n half-sister, by Demosthenes, to Napner, winner of the Great Northern Hurdles in 1912. Silver Brier Scores The class in the Auckland Handicap was not strong and the first and second horses, Silver Brier and Jewelled Girdle, came right,a way from the others in the straight. Silver Brier won really well and in her present condition she should not be long in winning again. It was thought that Jewelled Girdle would give tho winnor a much harder race when ho came into the straight travelling vory well in front,, but there was not tho determination in his finishing effort that could have been desired. Having trained on well since finishing second to Horowhenua in the York Handicap in June. Enge scored a very decisive victory in the Jellicoe Handicap, leading practically from end to end. Tho Lapidary gelding has been steadily on the improve for several months past and he has now developed into a useful handicap horse whom J. W. Cathro should bo able to place to further advantage at the spring meotirgs. Fngo was full of muscle and had excellent condition to assist him on Saturday. TROTTING FIXTURES August 31- Ancklani I'rotting Club. Vtifriint SI Chnrit-? MeeHnu at Adrlingrton 'September 7 —Aurklnnd Trotting Club. September 7—New Brighton Trottins: Club September 14 Wellington Trnttino Club