Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 13, 6 April 1927, Page 6

Turf Notes

A Valuable Race The most valuable race run in India is the Eclipse Stakes of India, at Bombay. The total value is 100,000 rupees (approximately £6,666), of which £3,800 and a gold cup goes to the winner, £1,333 to second, £666 to third, and a similar amount to the nominator of the winner. The distance is a mile and a quarter. The race was decided on March 5, and was won by the Aga Khan’s English gelding Quincy (Verwood—Quakeress), who, ridden by A. C. Walker, beat Ventose (J. Townsend) by two lengths. There were eleven starters.

LIKES THE COURSE

WINS AT WHANGAREI BIG PAPAKURA TEAM FOR HEADQUARTERS In the past J. T. Jamieson has turned out several winners for his patrons at Whangarei meetings, and last week he served up Curraghmore and Dimmer. The former won the big event on Saturday, while the grey colt scored in a hack event each day. Spoony was the disappointment of the team that went north. He ran quite a good race into third place in the Waipapakauri Cup, and on the second day he finished out of a place, the first day’s effort having probably got to the bottom of him. The Nassau gelding promised well early in his turf career, but he has proved to be a disappointment. BIG TEAM FOR ELLERSLIE The Papakura stable has done well of late years on courses outside Ellerslie, the headquarters track apparently having a hoodoo on the Jamieson string. It would come as a welcome break for Jamieson to break the run of ill-luck that so consistently pursues him at headquarters, and he will have a team to represent him at the forthcoming Auckland and Avondale meetings that may, in cricket parlance, stop the rot.

For these two meetings a team of eight is expected to arrive at Ellerslie next week, comprising the Easter candidate Le Choucas, as well as Eden Hall, Nippy, Dimmer and three two-year-olds, Ti Tree, In the Shade and Prince Otto. They are a nice lot to look after, and as they are all reported to be in nice form they should be able to gather in a stake or two in the immediate future.

MANAWATU NOTES

WORK ON THE TRACKS ARDATH HAS A FALL (Special to THE SUN.') PALMERSTON NORTH, To-day. Beautiful conditions prevailed at Awapuni yesterday morning, indeed the recent rains have had little effect on the tracks, and the majority of the mentors elected to exercise their candidates on the plough in preference to the grass. To-morrow’s meeting at Masterton does not find many local representatives figuring therein, Trainer R. E. Hatch being the only trainer to make the trip. He will have Merry Damon, Askari and Hymestrason present, but the prospects of the latter pair do not appear to be over-bright. Merry Damon (Yelverton), Novar (Mackie) and Askari (Stratton) were associated in a gallop over a mile on the plough. Novar was the smartest to begin and racing along the back had opened a three-length break. Approaching the straight entrance Merry Damon commenced to gather up the leader—his stable companion being tailed off —and with heads straightened out for home the ex-northerner beat the Manawatu Cup winner by a length in 1.43 3-5. It was an excellent gallop on the part of the Polydamon gelding, despite the fact that he has the reputation of not always repeating I his track work with the colours up. Hymestrason, who claims an engagement in a hack seven-furlong race, was sent a smart gallop on the plough, and although the Hymestra gelding looks well, the top division in the handicap threatens to be the real source of danger. C. Stokes, who served his apprenticeship with F. Higgott at Otaki, has linked up with H. Doyle’s stable. He was out on Buoyant on the plough yesterday morning, and momentarily caused some perturbation among the trainers by sending his charge along the reverse way over the first circuit. MERRY DAMON’S RIDER R. J. Mackie, who has been far from well since his attacks of pleurisy at Napier Park and Trentham, was on the tracks yesterday morning and rode several horses. He will pilot Merry Damon in his engagement in the Stewards’ Handicap at Masterton tomorrow. It is the horseman’s intention to enter hospital following the Easter racing to undergo the operation which has long been deferred. T. Green, the leading apprentice jockey, is also at present suffering an indisposition, a recurrence of gland trouble in the throat keeping him from the track at present, and it is very doubtful whether he will be in the saddle at Masterton. A refractory tooth made him cancel his trip north to the Whangarei meeting, and he accordingly missed a winning ride on Ballachulish in the Cup race. Two youngsters from G. New’s stable in Shining Star (Broughton) and Cavity'- (Mackie) were sent over five furlongs on the grass, the last four taking 55i. Shining appeared to have a shade the advantage at the firiishing point. Kilmiss (Mackie) was sent over seven furlongs on the plough, being picked up by Fiery Comet at the threefurlong post. However, the latter, who has always proved slow over the early portion of his races, could not hold the mare, who ran home in front in a tick under I.32sec.

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