AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3801, 18 January 1927, Page 58

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By

Digger.

Auckland will have a good representation at Trentham this week, and should get a fair portion of the stake money on offer if firm track conditions are maintained. Most of the intending visitors do their best under good track conditions.. Ballymoy II ran one fine race at Ellerslie, and fell in her other engagement. Apparently no harm has come to her as a result of the fall, as she has been sprinting brilliantly during the week. She was much too good for Cawnpore over six furlongs on No. 3 grass on Thursday in Imin 15 2-ssec —a good gallop, , and in time upon which she could have greatly improved had she been asked. Northerners expect the. English mare to make a- bold showing in sprint events at Trentham. N. Cunningham will take Ballymoy II and Royal Picture to Trentham. Chips and Modest Boy are also engaged, but it is not definitely decided whether they will make the trip. A few races have wrought great improvement in Royal Picture’s condition, and the grey is now in fine racing shape. He is on the upgrade, and his last day’s form at Ellerslie was good enough to ensure him support in hack events at Trentham.

Baby Bun, Cawhpore, and Stormy were to leave for Trentham on Sunday night. Baby Bun will need to improve on past form to get a race, and Cawnpore’s track form does not suggest that he is quite ready yet. Stormy is in great heart, and will be very hard to dispose of in anything he attempts during the meeting. He is a solid individual who appears to thrive on racing. Mr H. Friedlander has sold the two-year-old Exalted to Mr M. Powell, and she has joined R. Hall’s stable at Papatoetoe. Lack of size has been Exalted’s drawback so far, and she may always show her best in small fields. Ambrosia, a three-year-old filly by Tea Tray from Orvieta, is the latest addition to T. George’s string. She has raced a couple of times, but is yet in the green stage.

The form of the Magpie colt Corinax has been so disappointing up to date that it was decided to geld him last week.

J. Williamson is handling a trio of rising two-year-olds. They comprise a gelding by Leighton—Flora M'Donald, a filly by Lucullus —Miss Kalmar, and a gelding by Valkyrian. Boomerday is again doing light exercise. He wears a guard over his injured eye. The Fox, by Marble Arch —Persis and Subdivision, by Surveyor—Juanna have been recommissioned again, the former by J. Lambess, and the latter by W. Patterson. Subdivision, who showed'-good speed in Sydney but who raced unsuccessfully, has only to train on satisfactorily to soon break his maiden status. His appearance suggests that he has been allotted some work away from the track.

After a winning effort in the sprint the once brilliant sprinter Pavo has gradually gone right off. It has now been decided to permanently retire the old fellow. Last season Serang did" not show any form until the autumn. ’ So far this season he has been a failure, but he is now working attractively at Ellerslie, and there is a likelihood of the Absurd gelding repeating his efforts of last autumn. J. D. Kemp is having little luck with Acushla and Naveelish, but both are looking improved with their holiday racing. Sir Henry, who gave a good deal of promise last season, has been taken up by this trainer, after a lengthy sojourn in the paddock. Arch Arrow was not brought north again after racing at Taranaki, but is likely to

be put up for auction at Trentham. He has fair speed, but evidently lacks a sound constitution.

Sandbag is a fair sort of maiden galloper. He is. to compete at Kawakawa, where tha opposition is never strong, and he should be capable of getting into the money. Auckland riders are w'ell engaged at Trentham, some Cup engagements being A. Driscoll (Mandane), H. Wiggins (Desertl Glow'), .W. Jones (Oreum), and R. M’Tavish Seatoun). Driscoll will ride Ballymoy II in the Telegraph. N. Dickey is working a solid looking Isengareh. four-year-old mare by Some Boy II from J. G. Jamieson had not decided last week upon his team for Trentham, but his likely travellers are High Finance, Eden Hall, Ring the Bell, and Tea Bell. The last-named pair are only suited by. firm conditions, but are in good order to show their best under favourable circumstances. _

Princess Ronnie continues to hit out pleasingly without being overtaxed on the tracks. The Polydamon mare shines when the top liners are absent and she may show up at Takapuna or Gisborne. It is not yet certain at which fixture she will compete.

The Valkyrian gelding Odin is sprinting satisfactorily. He has not been up long, but is showing promise.