Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 144, 8 September 1927, Page 6

Turf Notes

By

“EARLY BIRD”

Avondale Handicaps Weights for the first day of the Avondale spring meeting will be declared after the Wanganui fixture has concluded. Recent Foalings Th© chestnut mare Koura who, owned by Dr. Grant, was a capable steeplechase performer, has produced a colt foal to Valkyrian. Filly’s Sudden Death On Tuesdaj' morning a yearling filly by Tea Tray from Nolament got out of its paddock, and was run down by a motor-bus and killed. The filly was a full sister to Tea Set. Doing the Work

No complaints are forthcoming concerning the work of Diamond Queen. The chestnut mare has been going groat guns for trainer J. Anderton, and with a little experience should turn out a payable proposition. Coming to Hand

The work allotted to Lord Guy is proving beneficial, and the son of Quin Abbey is bearing a nice appearance. Since coming to Ellerslie‘he has improved vastly, and the suggestion is offered that when asked to sport silk Lord Guy will make a creditable showing.

His Connections Waiting Blue Sky, who injured a. fetlock prior to the Pakuranga meeting, is at present quite sound, and it may be conjectured that he lias fully recovered. E. Rae keeps the grey doing serviceable gallops, and he is in sound order. So far Blue Sky has proved a disappointment, and it remains to be seen whether he will fulfil the hopes that his connections held for him earlier in his career.

Starting to Move Last season Antrim Boy’s efforts suggested that with age he would be a grood winner at a year older. However, he was given a spell towards th© close of the 1926-27 term, and it was only recently that he was recommissioned and placed in W. Patterson’s stable. Since joining the active brigade the Some Boy 11. gelding has not dono much, but as his trainer .is now beginning to send him along one may take it that Antrim Boy will receive sufficient work to get him ready for the Auckland spring fixture.

Gascony’s Reappearance F. Davis stated at Marten that during the winter he had a very anxious time with Gascony on account of internal troubles; in fact, at one stage it was thought he would not be saved. Gascony, however, has completely recovered, but naturally the sickness set him back a lot, and his next appearance, which was intended to be in the Wanganui Guineas, will not be until later. Probably Gascony will be racing at the Auckland spring meeting. Great Charter will represent Mr, Lowry in the Wanganui Guineas.

A L.ikely Hurdler Th© big, striding grey, Eh Timi, who recently joined G. Henderson’s stable at Ellerslie, is not being asked to do more than the lightest of tasks, and walking exercise about the roads is all that he is accomplishing these days. Eh Timi under welter weights has proved himself to be a capable performer, and when he returns fit and well to .the fold he may figure once again on the winning list. Going on size he should make a good jumper, ai d in all probability Eh Timi will be competing in improved style over the battens as the season advances. Merry Mint as a Stayer

Commenting on Merry Mint’s win at Warwick Farm last week, a Napier writer says: H. Hickey on Saturday received private information that Merry Mint had succeeded in the Hobartville Stakes at Warwick Farm (Sydney), scoring in a decisive fashion. Owing to his recent failure in the Three-year-old Handicap, at the Rosehill meeting, the connections of the Gis-borne-owned and Hastings-trained gelding got a good p’ice about him, of which they availed themselves in a generous manner. The news was very welcome to Hickey, who, when the invasion of Australia was first set on foot in regard to Merry Mint, had the Hobartvillo Stakes in view as one of the races that the son of Catmint- and Merry Roe would have favourable opportunities In. The veteran educator’s opinion has assuredly been a true prophecy* and from advices received it would appear as if Merry Mint will have to be taken into serious consideration as regards the A.J.C. Derby. He has been tried as a stayer, successfully emerging from the ordeal in a style that Hickey was thoroughly satisfied with. In addition, Merry Mint has got a lot of pace, which will stand him in good stead to secure- a position in the classic at Hanchvick next month, features which will go far to favour his possibilities. Unfortunately, the owner of Merry Mint, Mr. L. Clare, was unable to see his representative succeed on Saturday as he is at present: confined to his room at Gisborne.', suffering from an attack of influenza. It is his intention, however, to be present at Randvvick next month to see him perform in the A.J.C. Derby. Merry Mint is bred on staying lines, as he is a grandson, on the male descent, of that sterling performer Spearmint (by Carbine), who numbers the English Derby among his annexations. Persimmon, who sired Red Lily, the dam of Catmint, also innL \f d o 1 llis vict uries an English Derby. He was got by unbeaten St Simcn, out of Perdita 11, who, in her lineage, embraces strains of the desirable bloods of past monarchs on the turt m Hampton, Lord Clifden, St. Albans, and Newminster. Among the many high-class horses that he sired was the mighty Hermit. Through his dam, Merry Roe, Merry Mint is further braced up with the St. Simon—Musk t effusions of blood, as Merry Roe was sired by Soult (son of St. Simon), her dam, Lrey Roe, being got by one of the best, of his time in New 2:ealand, St Hippo, by Trenton (son of Musket), farther back in the pedigree occurs the name of Lady Chester, one of whose sons, in Chester, in conjunction with other wins, scored in the Melbourne Cup and Y .R.C. Derby in the one season, s.nd numbered among her ancestors is Stockwell, justly described as the Emperor of stallions. The .above realities force the conviction that: Merry Mint is bred to stay, and stavers are required -when plans are laid to capture a stake of the A.J.C. description.

About Te Tahi Te Tahi, who will be ridden by E. Stanway in the Swanson Hack Welter at the Avondale meeting, has been galloping well on the Ellerslie tracks, and promises to strip fit for that event. Although unplaced he was prominent througihout the Auckland Handicap at the Pakuranga meeting, and that race appears to have sharpened him up. It is the intention of Te Tahi’s connections to start him in the Kingsland Hurdles on tlie second day of the Avondale meeting, and it is anticipated that the race he has on the opening day will thoroughly tune him up for the jumping event. Praises for Auckland Rider

R. H. Reilly, who scored at Marton on Miss Mercia and Tame Fox, is an Auckland light-weight, formerly of Australia. It was due in large measure to Reilly’s vigorous handling that both these horses won, comments the “Dominion,” and he should not lack further opportunities on lightlyweighted horses, or for that matter, horses handicapped at any weight. Rode Winners

W. H. Jones, with a total of 21 wins —a first and a dead-heat on Huikai and a first on Tanagra—was the most horseman at the Marton meeting. Others to score were: R. Reilly (2). A. E. Ellis, M. C. Nicol, R. J. Maekie, C. Goldsbro, A. Lord, D. C. Watts.. A. Tricklebank, E. Warner, H. Wiggins, A. McCormac, E. DLinn (deadheat), and Mr. H. McPherson.