Racing.

Putaruru Press, Volume XI, Issue 252, 18 May 1933, Page 1

Racing.

FORM FOR TE KUITI MEETING.

(By

“Trebla.”

The jumping season in the Auckland Province may be considered to be properly opened with the Te Kuiti meeting to be held at Te Rapa on Saturday and Monday next. The acceptances are abnormally large for a country meeting, and it is quite on the cards that big dividends might be recorded. On this account also the place machine is sure to be popular.

Saturday’s programme will open with the Kopaki Hack Hurdles, for which there are 23 acceptors. Most of those horses with form to their credit are well weighted, particularly Thespis, the Great Northern Hurdles early selection. However, Thespis is a good welter horse and should be accorded favouritism. Marble King and Unoco will also get support. The Maiden Handicap has drawn an acceptance list of 32, and certainly presents a conundrum to investors. It is possible that it will be a division race, but as eight races are provided the machine can only open ■ once on this event. Transaction should carry money, while Miss Lulu j and Diversion have racing condition. ' However, this is the kind of race for I a turn-up. Billy Boy has a good horse’s weight in the King Country Steeplechase, but he should be able to carry it over the distance and what beats him should win. Make Up has shown form on the flat recently. Billy Boy, Make Up and Lucess should be the favourite division in a two dividend field. The President’s Handicap has not attracted a classy field, and conditions might not suit some of the candidates. Speedmint appears to stand out, but is also engaged in the sprint. Gibraltar won last up, while Flying Prince has been racing consistently. Ruri is an improver which might spring a surprise, but the public will probably go for Speedmint, Gibraltar and Flying Prince. Woodful has won with more weight than he is asked to carry in the Otorohanga Handicap, of six furlongs, but the distance may be a bit short for him. Imamint appeals, while Mahkill and Intaglio are recent winners. Dark Marble, Chief Lap and Valreina are possibilities, but the first three mentioned read best. Te Kuiti Hurdles will be contested by a select field, six of which are recent winners. On performances Prince of Orange is not overburdened, and he should be favourite. Emancipation must run well to have any chance in the Northerns, while Cruachan has won twice previously over these hurdles. True Blood and High Commissioner might upset the favourite. Tradesman should be at a short price in the Stewards. He won easily at Avondale and will have the going to his liking. Prolyxo has had a lot of racing, but if she strips well will carry support. Several of Jonathan’s efforts point to him being a good horse, and if he can hold Tradesman over the initial stages he might win. Selections may be Tradesman, Jonathan and British Columbia. The final event is over a mile, with Master Norval topweight. His impost is heavy for a small horse, and maybe the winner will come from lower down the list. Blandford, Gay Broney and Tatyoon have all run well during the last couple of months and the winner should come from this trio.

MATAMATA TRAINING NOTES. (By “ Spear Dance.”) In view of the Te Kuiti meeting to be held at Te Rapa on Saturday, interest in the prospects of Matamata horses is very keen. Training operations on the Matamata course have been watched with interest, and good form has been shown by many of the candidates. Operations on Tuesday were carried out on the out- | side of the course proper, which was 1 a bit holding after recent rains. | Grand City and Eva Rose went five furlongs in 1.8 3-5, with Eva Rose finishing in front. Eva Rose is a full-sister to Heremia, and will be given her first race at Te Rapa, | where she should give a good account j of herself. Lucess and Last Lap ran a mile in 1.54 2-5, both horses working well. j Lord Val, looking bright and well, j ran an easy six furlongs without do- ! ing his best. Woodful, much more robust in * condition, also ran an easy six fur- I longs, and could have done better. The main attraction of the morning was a gallop between Tapapa, I Master Norval and Knight of Aus- j tralia, which were sent six furlongs. ] Master Norval led to the turn, where i Knight of Australia ran up alongside | to finish level. Tapapa was out- I . classed in 1.21. This was a fair gal- i ' !op. j

Prince Val, who has not been in work long, and was carrying a lot of condition, was sent a working gallop over seven furlongs. This horse should pick up a stake shortly, now that the going is on the soft side.

Another good working gallop was that between Standfast and Valpeen over six hurdles. Valpeen outjumped his companion at every fence, and is likely to pick up a stake at Te Rapa.

Dark Marble was too good for Try Luck over five furlongs in 1.5, which was a good gallop.

Valueless ran six furlongs nicely with a companion in 1.23.

Chief Lap, Merry Lap, High Exchange and several others did serviceable work.

E. Keesing came over from Te Aroha for riding work.

A. McArthur is handling a nicelyturned filly by Spear Dance from Irene Bruce, which, judging by its looks, should be a useful sort.

Baroscope and Spearwin, from J. W. Anderton’s stable, are still running out in the paddock and carrying plenty of condition.

The following horses might run well at Te Rapa on Saturday: —Valpeen, Eva Rose, Master Lu, Speedmint, Ruri, Dark Marble, Intaglio, Emancipation, True Blood, Tradesman, British Columbia, Master Norval, Last Lap, Knight of Australia.

The roller recently purchased by the Matamata club is proving a great asset. Great credit must be given to the caretaker for his share in the fine condition of the course as the tracks are in great order for this period of the year. The Matamata course has all the appointments necessary for training operations, and is becoming more and more popular with trainers. There is the course proper which can be used almost the whole year round, and the same applies to the inside grass, which is also used for a hurdle track. Then there is the plough, which dries quickly after rain, and a steeplechase track which is useful in schooling horses. The whole is surrounded by an ideal natural grandstand from which to view the racing.