RACING IN THE NORTH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20312, 21 January 1928, Page 21

RACING IN THE NORTH.

(Special to Dailt Times.) AUCKLAND, January 20. The ex-Aucklandter Nucleus will be given her first outin E over the sticks at Foxton to-morrow. She has the pace, and if she can jump should do all uglit at KnLfn m shoulcl never have been beaten the first day Marton and on that showing he must be hard to beat in the Poroutawhao Hurdles to-morrow. Probably Polyphemus will be the best backed of the remainder to oppose him. . There is a big batch in the Novice Stakes, and included among them are at least a couple of promising sorts. These are Warfille and Shining Star. Ine former was backed to win at Feilding at her first public appearance, and although she led into the straight she felt the want of a race, and finished out of a Jlace. Nevertheless, it was an impresSlV | fie e id U of eight remains in the Foxton Cup to-morrow, and from the holiday form the public will practically confine its attention to Kilmiss and Henna. The former was not herself, and could not race during the holidays, but she is all right again. Henna might haye beaten Stormy in the Marton Cup with a more vigorous rider in the saddle. In the Himatangi and Awahou Hack Handicaps several horses claim dual engagements, and in their respective races probably Maui and Vigilance will come in for heavy support. „„ aa ,v The open sprint will find the speec.s Vast Acre in the running. She was beaten the first day at Marton, and the next she defeated Kiosk when in receipt of 191 b. Apart from Vast Acre, Epistle will come in for solid backing. The five furlongs and a-half over which the Marotiri Hack is run makes it look bard for those that will be found in onnosition to Helotis, who is a very smart ro&nter, and may later on pay her way S open company. White Ringlet will also be suited by the journey but she does not appear of the same class as Helotis, who, by the way, is a half-sister t 0 top-weights in the Herrington Welter will probably be found too good for the others lower down. WhenuInui is a good sort when m the mood, and as he won handsomely at Marton, probably he will be again conspicuous It was at the Foxton course last year that Whenuanui started on his winning sequence, scoring twice here, and going on to win three out of his next four f races. First Sight was seen out at Marton, and impressed by his win, even .lfitwu in poor company. The High-weight Handicap at Trentham will suit this horse, who is a big fellow, and requires a strong horseman and a large course. He will get both at Trentham. where his rider will no doubt be A. E. Ellis. Goshawk caught the Auckland punters napping badly on the opening day at Ellerslie, for they were waiting for later on at the meeting. Consequently when the Magpie gelding finished second on opening day he returned a fine price. This was his only start at the fixture. The Hawk's half-brother will be all the better for that run, and as he will be ridden by that good boy, K. Gill, in the Apprentices' Handicap to-morrow, he must be hard to beat. The rich Douro Cup on Monday, however, will probably be his mission. Goshawk is a real good one, and with all his weight he will be among them. Opinions up this way are not unanimous so far as the Wellington Cup is concerned. Star Stranger has a big following, for it is recognised that this is his best distance, and, moreover, he will be ridden by probably the best horseman in the race. Piuthair is coming back to form, and then there are good ones like Set Sail, Laughing Prince, Mask (who mav be bothered by the last couple of furlongs), Battlement, Papatu, and other light-weights. Altogether, it promises to be a great race, but taking Auckland form as a guide, it will be surprising i Star Starnger, Laughing Prince, and Papatu are not prominent during the running. Everybody here expects Childsplay to be the favourite in the Wellington Stakes, and doubtless she and Staghunter will carry most money. It is fully expected that Childsplay will reinstate herself as the best over five furlongs, for she was a bit unlucky at Ellerslie.