TAURANGA RACES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23600, 8 March 1940, Page 5

TAURANGA RACES

PROSPECTS REVIEWED KEEN CUP CONTEST LIKELY PHILCOURT AND GOLD VAALS

BY BOBRIKOFI-'

Fields of ;i handy size arc carded for the first day of the Bay of Plenty Pacing Club's Autumn Meeting, which opens at Tauranga to-morrow, and with every prospect of line weather a successful gathering seems assured. The progressive policy of the club in making improvements to the track and accommodation for patrons lias succeeded in making the meeting one of the most popular on the country circuit.

The chief event, the Tanrnnga Cup, has drawn one of the largest fields of the day, and from the 1(1 acceptors a fine contest should result. The top-weight, Kena, won the K'otorua Cup in runaway style with 7.0 and was second to Cornish in tho President's Handicap on the second day with 8.3. He subsequently failed at 'i'e ltapa and To Arolia, hut has had time to freshen up, and if the going is easy he will not be overlooked. Kaana has been performing well on the East Const, although the class has not been good. He won a double at. Gisborne last month, but will have to be right at his best to succeed with 8.9. Gamos proved his ability over a middle distance by winning the Herries Memorial Cup at Te Aroha in fine style. He is a game finisher and will have to be considered in spite of his increased weight. Te Hai Consistent

Te Hai has been a model of consistency this season and races well on this course. He was narrowly beaten by Balinavar and Jayola last year. After a long lapse of form, I'hilcourt returned to the winning list at. Te Kapa last month by scoring in good stylo over a mile, lie was always prominent in the Franklin Cap last Saturday to finish a close fourth, and with the same weight, ,x. 1, should lie difficult to beat. I'hilcourt lias worked well at Takanini during the week. Since winning the Matamata Cup, Erlick has failed to run up to expectations, and Pirate King may be preferred. Pirate King finished fourth at his last start in the Centennial Cup Handicap oil the second day at Te Aroha, and is a free galloper who has won on the track before.

(lolil Vaals "as unlucky at To. Arolia, where lit) finished third to Vo«i and i uxsen in tin; Hot Springs Handicap, one mile. He invariably races well at Tauranga, and appears to be approaching his best form, it the going is easy, his prospects will be enhanced. Rarotonga showed up prominently for the major part of the journey in Me Hemes Memorial Cup at Te Arolia, and his southern form entitles him to respect. I ocket Venus finished close up in the fcrankhn Cup after having none the best of luck 111 running. A repetition of her best would make her a very likely light-weight. High Delight was finishing solidly in the Franklin C.iip. and may bo relied on for another good effort. Ul the remainder of the light-weights, Kaepata. who has been racing consistently welt in Mick company, "L'lie Dozer and Very Clad may oilier most opposition. The fancied candidates inaj be Phili-oiirt. Cold Vtials. High Delight and Pocket Venus.

Flying Handicap Field Headed by Black Thread with t).l, some smart sprinters appear in the t lying Handicap. Black Thread has been racing very consistently under big weight* and has been unplaced only once in his last seven starts. At his last outing he won at Cisborne with Id.;;, and previous to that he finished second to A micro at Wanganui when conceding J lib. Foxsen won in brilliant style over seven furlongs at Te Arolia in tier last start. Hut a furlong less may not be to her advantage. C'oriito has not appeared since making a return to form at Rotorua. A repetition o his best would make him one of the hardest to beat. Lorriaere won at Thames in January but is not too reliable. 1< oxmond made an excellent showing to run third to Orelio and Lexden on the second day at le Arolia. and. providing she begins correctly, should aorain irive a pfood account of herself, l enhance was narrowly beaten by \ alimoen and Orwere at Piikckohc last week and is due for a win at any time. Silver Eagle may find the distance a trifle short, although he was only narrowly beaten by Foxsen and biher Stick at Te Arolia over seven furlongs. Te Kawiti is an improving three->oar-ol 1 who finished fourth in the Pukekohe Ham - cap. six furlongs, at the l-runklin Kaunf Club's meeting last week. Providing he is hamlilv placed early. 'le kawiti should take a hand in the finish. Sir Hohm has been racing well under big weights in hack company and should appreciate the lighter scale. Of 'those on the minimum. Aoitaro. who lias lately been showing signs of returning to form, appeals most. Those likely to be most in demand are Foxmond, Black Ihreail, lc Kawiti and Corato.

ELLERSLIE WORK SMAHT SIX FUIIt.ONGS BIDDY GIRL SHADES WHENUA SILVER STICK AND WORTON Six furlongs liy Biddy Girl was tlic liost effort, nt KlltM-slic yesterday nmotig tlio candidates lor the Hay ol Plenty I?nring Club's Autumn Meeting, tn be lielrl at Tanranga to-morrow. Otlier features of tiie work were a smart ballmile by Silver Stick ami Worton, and excellent jumping by Hoynl Abb. Te Kongo. Agog and Right Royal. The No. 1 grass track was used for galloping, the going being good. On the (rmss Rarotongn (Gilchrist) covered seven fll rluiiirs in 1 Ihe last half-mile in ,"i:{ Ho is a lazy worker and is capable (if doing nine!) bettor. Rarotnnga is bearing a well-trained appearance and may prove a danger in the Tauranga Clip. Effort by Tybalt Tybalt (Speck) strode over six fll rlonsrs in I.Fie is coming: to hand nicely and will bo ready to race when the tracks become easier. British Talent (Pell) rati an easy six furlongs in I .'J I Maori Star (Speck) proved too speedy for Loyal Grant (Oom-

moll) over throe furlongs iu 10s. Over !lie same ground The Dude (Speck) recorded io •j-.'is. After running (ho first furlong in I'2 s, Golden Bonnet (Ileum) was easing up at (lie conclusion of half a mile in .">1 3-fis. The full sister lo Royal Message was expected to show up at. Pnkekohe. but a bad position al the barrier prejudiced her chances. Morning Mist (fleam) was always in front of Sarduo (Parsons) over half a mile in ,">() s, running the first furlong in 10s. Morning Mist, a three-year-old filly by Irish Lancer from Flying Mist, and a relation to Cuddle, is a trifle small, but lias plenty of speed. Tea Gong (Ryan) covered seven furlongs at a little better lhan 1 ."is to the furlong. Bidd.v (iirl (li. Fount) was finishing boiler than Wheniia (Ryan) over the final stages of six furlongs in 1.17, the last, half-mile being run in .">1 3-ss. Biddy Girl has pleased in 1 er latest work and should have prospects al Tauranga. Best of the Morning The best sprint of the morning went to the credit of Silver Slick (Rae) and Worton <Farrrll), who were going nicely on terms at the end of half a mile in los, the first furlong being run iu 1 '_'s. Worton wont, iu improved stylo, bill Silver Stick again bled. ITappicoat (.Wesson,v) easily ran the la-t five furlongs of her work in 1.10. Llandaff (Murray) was not troubled lo gel lo I lie end of six furlongs in 1,-jl. Nightbenm (Wiggins) and Nighl Pilot (Ryan) wore associated over five furlongs in I ,s> running the last lliree in lo - _'-,"is. Night ben in worked very freely and promises to be in excellent fettle for his engagements at Trenth.im next week. After running the fir>l two in '_'7s. Odtaa (Messervy) showed plenty of dash over five furlongs iu l.r> "Royal Abb (Ritchie) and Te Ronga (Neil) were responsible for an attractive schooling bout over four of the steeplechase fences on the flat. Royal Abb finished in front and on his recent displays is one of the most, promising novice 'chasers seen for some time. Agog (Fergus) went over six hurdles, giving a clover display. He has benefited by his recent racing and should he near fhe lop of his form for I lie Brighton Hurdles at Ellerslie this month. Right Royal (Fergus) gave a fast, and clean display over four hurdles. Ho is expected lo figure prominently in jumping events during the winter and is well seasoned as a result of recent racing.

CIIEDDINGTON EASED AUTUMN RACING UNLIKELY As he has not made a complete recovery from his ailment, Clieddingloii's preparation for the Great Northern Champagne Stakes is to he discontinued ami it is unlikely that he will race again this season. B.v I'lialeron Bay from silver Rule, Cheddinudon showed great promise in the Great Northern Foal Stakes at Kllerslie at Christmas, when be was narrowly defeated by Lou Rosa, and it is unfortunate that aii has not gone well with him.