AUCKLAND EASTERMEETING

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12406, 27 March 1926, Page 8

AUCKLAND EASTERMEETING

INTERESTING REVIEW ("Times” Correspondent.) . AUCKLAND, March 26. The Ellerslie Easter fixture promises to be one of tho best in the history of the Auckland Racing Club, many of the best horses in competition being engaged. - Tho acceptances are not available, but there is every reason to .believe that good fields will be on hand. With regard to the Easter Handicap the best of the local candidates may be Merry Damon and Lady Ridicule, ; although Cawnpore is, possibly the actual favourite. In the Brighton Hurdles Black Cruiser, Kawa and King’s Guard have each performed well over hurdles at Ellerslie. and have been eased in the meantime. There is no reason to suppose that they may not be bet ter for the respite. ( A hack that lias raced fairly well at country fixtures is Te Kawana. He will most likely race at the Wairarapa fixture at Easter, and if he fails to run well many keen observers in Auckland will be surprised. . Sleepy Sol has never looked better, but he is one of those who only go well when the sting is out of the ground. He may have won by the time these notes appear in print, but keep him in mind in a moderate class at any time. Lady Ridicule has never looked better, and like her stable mate, Ballymoy 11., is in blooming health. Lady Ridicule will be hard to beat in the A.R.C. Easter Handicap, and one can commend backers to follow her, but do not forget Ballymoy 11,. for she is exceptionally good and has improved vastly of late. Bahadur has been fencing like '• a champion, but struck trouble during the week, having hit himself - Should he train on' Bahadur will be a source of trouble to all tho maiden ’chasers during tho - winter. There is an inclination in some, quarters here to support The Thorn for the A.R.C. Easter Handicap.- He may be a possibility, hut will need to improve on anything he has shown to win this year’B big mile event, for it will take some winning. After his running at Paeroa it was thought Le Choucas would be a good one to follow. He was very unlucky not to win. on the second day. Cawnpore has galloped well twice during the week, but it is possible the last half furloffg of the Easter may find him out. ' That good horse, King Merv, is pleasing his trainer at Ellerslie, but up to date he has performed nothing of a noteworthy character. He may be one of those good ones who do not show their best in private. Clarus, who was one of our best in tlie spring, was given a let-up during tho summer nnd has come back with renewed vigour. If he fails to win a juvenile event during tb« coming four days’ carnival at Ellerslie it will be surprising. Spoony was the unlucky horse in the

big mile on’ the second day at Paeroa, and he looks a better hore t e than formerly. One of the coming handicap ©rents should come his way. A big horse who gave the impression that he could plough through heavy ground is Rangatahi. He is worthy of being kept in mind for future events when the class is not too strong. Reremoana is a. good horse with 9.11 in the A.R.C. Easter, and he must be hard to beat. Twentv-four years ago Nonfctte, a three-year-old, won with tho same weight, and the** is no reason to believe Reremoana, although possibly not so gpod a stayer, is not the equal of Nonette at a mile. I Have a great opinion of Reremoana's chance in next Saturday's big mile event. . Merry Damon is looking very well, but a little accident stopped him in his work during the week, and it is possible he may Tack one gallop before the Easter. Had it hot been for this circumstance the Polydamon three-year-old would have been my outright selection for the Easter. He has beaten] good ones in the past as a two-year-old, and gave a taste of his r quality at Takapiina, when- he came from the clouds and won a six furlopg event in the last'fifty yards. Musketoon is bright, but looks a little burly'. It will be hard for his trainer to get him ready for a race next week, but tho English bred horse is so good that an outing or two in public may put him in shape to make a showing after that.