REVIEW OF FORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22437, 5 June 1936, Page 9

REVIEW OF FORM

CLARION CALL GOOD

FINE JUMPING BY TANGLED allegretto impresses BY ARCHER Somo attractive-performances have been registered during the Auckland Racing Club's Winter Meeting a«t Ellerslic, and course and race records have been broken in the various events. Conditions have never been moj-R favourable for a Great 'Northern carnival and the records that have been created may stand for many years, as the prolonged spell of fine weather has been exceptional to say the (east of it. When Clarion Call won the Remuera Hurdles lie reduced the New Zealand record for two miles over hurdles from 3.37 4-5 to 3.36 4-5. The fastest time that had been run before at Ellorslie was King Win's 3.38 3-5 in December, 1031, so that Clarion Call easily eclipsed the course record. The world's fastest time for two miles over hurdles was created by Blackford, who ran 3.34} when he won at Flemington last February. Blackford also ran two and a-half miles over hurdles at Flemington in March in 4.34, which is seven seconds faster than Prince of Orange's record for the Great Northern Hurdles.

Only a five-year-old, Clarion Call shared with Contact tho distinction of being tho youngest runner in the Groat Northern Hurdles and ho is one of tho most brilliant recruits to the jumping brigade for some years. Possessing pace above the average in addition to staying capacity, Clarion Call is a dashing fencer with amazing speed in getting away from his fences and he should reach a very high standard. As he had his first race less than twelve months ago he has done remarkably well and another year should develop him into a topliner. Forest Glow Does Well The performances recorded bj' Billy Boy and Forest Glow in tho Great Northern Steeplechase were good and the exhibition of jumping • they provided was a real treat. They fenced evenly all through with scarcely a blemish, and without extravagance and furnished a fighting finish that will be long remembered. The older and more experienced Billy Boy stayed a shade the better at the end and just won. Forest Glow and Diamond, who was third, were tho youngest in the field, being only six-year-olds, and both are likely to do a little better. Since he won at Paeroa, Foi'est Glow h,ns raced just well enough to get beaten, and a victory for him after six successive seconds would be popular.

When Royal Limond was following Billy Boy and Forest Glow closely after going up the hill the last time he appeared likely to take a prominent part in the finish until he. fell at the third to last fence. It is doubtful whether ho would have beaten Billy Boy, but he is a rare stayer and would have been very dangerous. The mishap to Royal Limond added another misfortune to the northern trip of his trainer, D. O'Connor, who lost one of the best steeplechasers in the Dominion when Rasouli was destroyed at Te Rapa. One of the best exhibitions of jumping given on the second day was that of Tangled, who won the Hunt Club Cup. On the first day Tangled gave a good idea of his ability when he finished second to Illuminagh in the Hunt Club Hurdles, but he was fcccond to greater advantage at his next attempt over country, indicating that he may toe better as a steeplechaser than as a-hurdler. However, he is not entirely deficient in pace and should do well in both branches, and looks like one who will go on to more important successes over country. A Reliable Fencer For a horse who has not had a lengthy preparation, Allegretto has performed well to score at his last two starts and he is likely to prove very successful as a steeplechaser if he remains sound. Besides being a reliable fencer, he has speed and stamina and with the improvement he should make with racing and training in the next few months he may be a likely prospect for races such as the Wellington Steeplechase and the Grand National Steeplechase. Allegretto will not be hampered by Heavy going, as he proved hia ability to act well on sodden tracks when racing on the flat. Before the meeting opened few horses schooled better over the hurdles than Contact and his failure to complcto the course in his races has been disappointing. The fence at the fivo furlongs post has been responsible for the downfall of Contact on both occasions and.possibly the mishaps may injure his confidence. In spite of the fact,that he was conceding a good deal of Weight to the others, the Cockpit gelding was going weir when lie fell in the Panmure Hurdles and might have taken a prominent part in the finish. Contact is a better horse than he has shown in his races at the meeting. Although he does not possess a great deal of size, Sporting Song has shown that he is the makings of a very capable jumper and he gave a sound display when he won the Panmuro Hurdles, in which he was closer to tbo leaclers in the early stages than when he finished fourth on* the first day. The resolute manner in which lie ran on at the end on Monday indicated that Sporting Song is likely to stay well and ho should win nioro races during the winter, especially as ho is not averse to soft going. Dark Shadow Improving The racing he has had lately has wrought considerable improvement in the condition of Dark Shadow and ho gave an indication of his real worth when he scored easily in the Ranfurly Handicap on Wednesday. Now that 110 has returned to winning form Dark Shadow should not be long in achieving more success, as he goes well at distances tip to a mile. Although he has a rise in weight, he should again go well in tho first division of the Fitzrov Handicap to-morrow. Up to the present Bantry has failed to snow any form on his northern trip, but he is bright and healthy and should be all tho better for the racing he has had. The three-year-old is a smart galloper when at his best and it would not bo surprising to see him showing dash at any time now. Con Fu'oco's finishing effort into third place in the Cornwall Handicap was meritorious, as he appeared to bo hopelessly placed in a strung-out field six furlongs from homo. Tho fact that he is not a very smart beginner may not be in favour of Con Fuoco when he has to opposo speedy sprinters in tho York Handicap to-morrow, but he may be troublesome at tho finish if he happens to secure a good position in the early stages.

TRAINER SUSPENDED HORSE DISQUALIFIED [BY TET.EGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WANGANUI. Wednesday At a meeting of the Wanganui District Committee this week, C. Moss, trainer, Palmerston Isorth, had his licence suspended, and _ the _ horse Treasure Hunt was disqualified for five years from January 22, 1936.