HORSES AND COURSES

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 214, 19 August 1931, Page 7

HORSES AND COURSES

CANDIDATES FOR PAKURANGA STALE ALADDIN PERFORMANCE By "SIR ORACLE" Although that consistent sprinter, Gold Money, has not had any serious racing since the Ellerslie winter carnival, she is in fine fettle for her engagement at the Pakuranga Hunt fixture at Ellerslie on Saturday. On a track that is heavy or holdiifg, Gold Money has proved herself to be a match for the best, in the land. Flying Prince, which in the past has proved rather a disappointment, now bears a splendid'racing appearance, auguring well for the success of his early engagements. Catoma recently impressed track watchers at Ellerslie by proving much too solid for Wild Country over a round in lmin 48 l-ssec. As Catoma was conceding Wild Country a great deal, of weight, his effort was particularly pleasing. Grand Spirit, which raced rather unluckily during the late autumn and early winter, appears to have retained her form. She promises to "land"' a good hack event in the near future. Taneriri, whose winter form was the acme of consistency, promises to be again in the picture in his Pakuranga engagement on Saturday. Taneriri recently put up a smart five furlong gallop at Ellerslie, the special feature of which was his solid finishing effort,

Te Hoia, which is expected to run prominently in his engagement in the big mile and a-quarter event at Ellerslie on Saturday, was responsible for a sound performance at Te Awamutu recently when he easily accounted for the much improved Red Lion over a fast run six furlongs. As Te Hoia has been doing consistently good track work, he should lack nothing on the score of condition. When ho raced at tlie Ellerslie winter carnival, Te Homai gave evidence of being a decided cut above the average hurdler. Te Homai has not been given an outing lately, but his track work, has been most satisfactory, so that he is certain to be a "hot pot" at Ellerslie on Saturday. King's Counsel, from Mrs. McDonald's Awapuni stable, raced well enough at the recent Grand National carnival at Riccarton to be entitled to a full mead of consideration in the Hunt Steeplechase at the Pakuranga fixture on Saturday. The class of Northern steeplechaser engaged in this event is by no means good, but Billy Boy, which proved himself to be a safe fencer and good stayer at Ellerslie last Juris, with a stand-up, is certain to provide the Awapuni "hope" with the stoutest of opposition.

As a hack Biddy's Boy displayed exceptional speed over sprint, journeys, and in his few outings in open company the Te Awamutu representative gave further taste of his quality, on one occasion dead-heating for second money with such a brilliant sprinter as Supremacy. Although the opposition, at. Pakuranga on Saturday is exceptionally strong, including as it does Cold Money, Taneriri, High Comedy and Tea Chat, providing he does not need the race, Biddy's Boy's exceptional beginning speed should be a decided factor in his favour. lie should prove a payable proposition fo.' spring racing.

Riding engagements already announced for Pakuranga include the following:

R. Bagby,' Catoraa, Ganpat; K. Voitre, Tea' Chat; E. A. Keesing, Catch 'Em; 11. Wiggins, Amber Link; Mr. .T. Morris, Dominican. An old performance of an old pantomime was staged at the concluding day of the Grand National carnival at Riccarton last Saturday, and just as theatre-goers take exception to old stuff badly done, so does the racing public to old tricks badly staged. Aladdin was in the title role of the Riccarton performance, and the judicial body had no compunction in giving him and his sponsor "the bird" for a period of six months. A mint of money was lost by speculators on and off the course on account, of Aladdin's failure to maintain his previous outstanding form. The owner who cannot, or will not, realise that the public maintains racing, and therefore is entitled to fair play, seldom receives any sympathy when he i bumps up against the "heads." J Ci-oupier demonstrated beyond | doubt at, the recent Grand National | carnival that he is in a class by him- j self among present hacks. Last Saturday he was backed as the "certainty" of the carnival, and his army of supporters never had a moment of worry, as Croupier waltzed away at the start and just strolled home on the bit. Croupier claims an engagement in the Wanganui Guineas, and as Hector Gray is to be his pilot, his running will occasion special interest. ; Providing the acceptances are as favourable as the nominations, the Taranaki Hunt Club should have a "bumper" meeting at New Plymouth next Saturday week. The class of horse engaged is a vast improvement on pre- ' vious fixtures, and the events • generally have a most open ap- i pearance.