CERNE ABBAS IN GOOD FORM

Southland Times, Issue 23389, 22 December 1937, Page 10

CERNE ABBAS IN GOOD FORM

PREPARATIONS FOR ELLERSLIE COURTCRAFT’S USEFUL MILE - (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 21. The chief feature of the work at Ellerslie this morning were the efforts of De Friend, Peter Beckford and Tray Bit over five furlongs, Ben Braggie over four and Kiltowyn over seven. The best trials registered by Cup candidates were those of Cerne Abbas, Argentic and Knight of Australia. Other horses to impress were Courtcraft, Paper Slipper, Wild Chase and Trench Fight. The course proper, 45ft out from the rails, was used and the going was in perfect order. Several horses worked on the No. 3 'grass and tan tracks. Knight of Australia was first out and completed a round in 2min 9sec. He ■ran the last seven furlongs in Imin 33 4-ssec and the final six in Imin 21 l-ssec. He finished full of running and it was a good trial. Kilonsa finished in front of Aero King and Land Girl over seven furlongs which occupied Imin 31 l-ssec. This was the second best gallop of the morning over the distance. Oratory went evenly while traversing five furlongs in Imin 4 3-ssec. She worked nicely and could have im-> proved on the time. The best half-mile was credited to Ben Braggie, who ran the distance in 51sec. It was his first fast sprint since arriving here and he acquitted himself well. Trevace, after taking 39 l-ssec for his first three furlongs, completed six in Imin 19sec. Courtcraft led Kelly and Royal Chief over a mile in Imin 45 4-ssec. The last six furlongs took Imin 18 4-ssec and the final half-milte 50 3-ssec. Courtcraft put plenty of dash into his work and was a couple of lengths clear of Kelly, with Royal Chief further back. The last-named was moving short. Trench Fight ran three furlongs in 38sec and continued on to complete seven in Imin 33 3-ssec. He was going well within himself at the end. Argentic and Cerne Abbas were over a length in front of Padishah, with The Buzzer close up at the conclusion of a round in 2min 8 2-ssec. The last seven furlongs took Imin 33 3-ssec, six Imin 21 l-ssee and four 53 3-ssec. Cerne Abbas and Argentic finished strongly in the straight and both impressed. Padishah, who worked lazily, put up a fair showing. * Gay Broney and My Money finished in front of Jolly Dance and Royal Appellant at the end of seven furlongs rim in Imin 34sec, the first three taking 40 l-ssec. Royal Appellant did not appear to work as freely as usual. Over a similar distance Wild Chase occupied Imin 35 3-ssec. He ran the first two in 25 2-ssec, and had a bit in reserve at the finish.

Shy covered a round in 2min 11 4-ssec. He traversed the last seven furlongs in Imin 35 2-ssec and the last half-mile in 54 4-ssec. He was not putting much dash into his work at the finish, probably due to working alone. The Great Northern Foal Stakes candidate Te Hero had Homily as a companion over three furlongs run in 38 l-ssec. They went from the six to the three-furlong peg and were both going well at the end. Paper Slipper and Nightdress after taking 24 3-ssec for their first two furlongs were on terms at the conclusion of five in Imin 3 2-ssec. Paper Slipper worked very freely and Nightdress also shaped satisfactorily. The fastest five was accomplished by De Friend and Peter Beckford, who ran the distance in Imin 2 3-ssec. They traversed the first two in 24 3-ssec and there was nothing between them at the post. Kiltowyn, who had a fair amount of pace on when he went away from the seven-furlong post, came home in Imin 30 3-ssec. He ran the first three in 38sec and the first half-mile in 55 2-ssec. This was a really good trial. The two-year-old Coronation reeled off three furlongs in 38 2-ssec. It was a smart effort and he did it well. Fersen, Black Thread, Omaha, Stretto and Jonathan were also given useful exercise on the tan. Royal Mimic and Tahae gave a safe display over four hurdles in the centre and got through their task safely. Arrivals from the South this morning included Quadroon, Florence Mills, Wagner and The Crooner. Sulieman, 1 Te Hero and Marie’s Acre also arrived from the Waikato.

SCRATCHING OF SMOKE SCREEN (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 21. Smoke Screen was scratched for all engagements at Ellerslie at 9.37 a.m. today. Smoke Screen’s principal engagement at the meeting was the Great Northern Derby in which he would have been opposed by Royal Chief and Courtcraft.