BUSY EPSOM

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 172, 11 October 1927, Page 11

BUSY EPSOM

ROUND THE STABLES

TEAMS AT WORK

THEIR AUCKLAND PROSPECTS

THE recent spell of good weather, together with the approaching Spring fixtures at Alexandra Park, has created a big stir in light-harness operations at Epsom, lhe tracks and stables present an animated scene, and a large number of trainers are making good use of the course and appointments.

During the past few days “Abaydos” has I;'id an opportunity of interviewing the various trainers operating at Epsom, and lias noted the enthusiastic manner in which those engaged in the sport undertake their duties. From the one-horse mentor to those with large teams, there is a good sporting spirit permeating their ac tivities, and even when “out of luck” they stick to the business and come up smiling every time. The following review deals with those who have teams operaing and candidates engaged at tli 2 forthcoming fixture. THE FLYING SPARKS C. G. Lee is one of the busiest trainers at Epsom, as besides working a big team of pacers and trotters, he carries on his shoeing profession with a vigour that spells satisfaction to his numerous clients. While there is no spreading chestnut tree to draw attention to the smithy, the cheery

ring of the anvil, the flying sparks and the merry laughter of the genial “Togo” is sufficient indication of the v/hereabouts of the premises, which are handily situated within the park gates. A BIG STRING “Togo” Lee has Wrigley, Florent, Tiger Salve, Carberley and the Derby candidate Queen of Weir under his care for the forthcoming fixture, while three other maidens fill apartments in .the stables. Queen of Weir, by Man-o'-War from a Paralta mare, is very backward and is one of the many likely non-starters in the classic. Carberley is a promising trotter that will do better later on. Tiger Salve is a much improved trotter, and his turn will come soon. Wrigley is in the pink, but inclined to get on his toes. Florent, the king-pin of the establishment, had nothing the best of the deal with the handicaps, and is not an acceptor for Saturday. TRAINER FROM ELLERSLIE The Filer si ie mentor, J. Shaw, has bis hands full with Jewel Pointer, Amaris, Peter Dean, Direct Morning, and the handsome Man-o’-War—Air Raid colt Warplane. The latter claims an engagement in the Great Northern, but it is doubtful if he will go to the post. Jewel Pointer is the pride of the stable, and will be sure to win some good money between now and Christmas. Amaris is moody, but when in the humour can tramp a solid two miles. Peter Dean appears to be coming on, but Direct Morning is disappointing. WESTERN KING RECOVERING Western King, the Australian-bred pacer, in Shaw’s stable, is still on the easy list, us a result of his recent accident, but the fine-looking son of Rock Huojq —Hopefield Maid is making a very satisfactory recovery. Bittern the Harold Dillon gelding, is at present spending a holiday at Russell, and Great Audo, who apparently requires time to come to, was this week shipped to Christchurch. He will not be hustled, but should be ready for the later fixtures. W ROYAL OAK TEAM Harry Kinnimont, the Royal Oak trainer, has a useful quintette under his supervision, the team comprising Cold, and the trotter Roma Bingen. Gold, and the trotter Roman Bingen. Anselm has recently arrived from the Waikato, and looks as if he has not had sufficient work, but will not take long to strike' form. Black Gold was one of the ineligible brigade for Auckland, and may not sport silk till the Waikato fixture in December. A three-year-old grey colt by Gold Bell from Dorothy Dimple will soon join the establishment. ONE FROM GREY LYNN Joe Gee is, like Johnny Walker, still going strong, and has Rua Pere, Maid of the Mountains. Anseline and old Amberite under his roof. Rua Pere arid Anseline will represent the Grey Lynn stable at Alexandra Park this and both are working attractively. Neither secured a win last season, and though Rua Pere may find the opposition a bit solid at Auckland, he promises to pick up a stake in the not distant future. Anseline should turn up trumps very shortly. WEBB ON THE JOB George Webb, who arrived from the Waikato a few months back and hung up his sign at Epsom, is busily en-

gaged in the preparation of Respect, Wild Nut, Typo, and Merrimax. A grey two-year-old by Worthy Bond from Logan Gray has signed on with Webb, and Wild Downs, a promising trotter, will arrive on the scene shortly. A piebald brother to that great trotter. Money Spider, is also booked to enter the Epsom stables. Reand Wild Nut may represent the team on the second day of the fixture. A FULL HAND Garth Robertson has a full hand with Logan Rothschild, Horizon, Admiral Hood, Great Ballin, and the Ballin — Theda Bara Derby colt. Actor Ballin. a ho latter is a promising sort, but is not nearly ready, and is an unlikely starter in the classic. Great Ballin is developing into a good sort and will be seen to advantage later on. Logan Rothschild is the stable hope for the races at Epsom, and Robertson has the big pacer in good order. He is working with more dash th in previously. MANUKAU ROAD STABLE Fr<‘d Smith, who is quartered in the -Lanukuu Road stables at one time oc-

cupied by W. Kelsey, is getting a useful team around him. He has Uncle Bert, Toll Chimes, Delavan Bill, Tui Zolock and a fine maiden by Gold Bell from Belgium Queen. The latter is at present in the long acres, while Tui Zolock, who is making a satisfactory recover}?- from her recent mishap, is still on the easy list. Toll Chimes, the free-legger, is engaged at Epsom, but if the tracks remain hard he will be lucky to see the races. Uncle Bert is in good health, and looking for a wet track. Delavan Bill doesn’t care whether it rains or shines. He is moody when on tjie course. BOVS OF THE OLD BRIGADE Ted Sandall, one of the veterans at the trcting business in Auckland, has three in work, but the sole representative of the dark and light blue livery this week will be Tradesman. The old trotter is hitting out in good style, but he is asked to step among some high-class' square-gaiters. Margaret Wallace-, the four-year-old Gold Bell mare, is, coming to hand nicely and will be ready for the country circuit. The other occupant of the stable is a big three-year-old trotter by Gold Bell, who w M take time to come right. Ted has the distinction of having saluted the judge twice in the Auckland Cup in successive years—lß94 and 1895. ENJOYS BOTH PASTIMES A. Julian, of Epsom, who mixes the trotting pastime with that of galloping, has three charges, Luvan, Medusa (the Derby candidate) and a trotter by Peter Moko. The latter will require plenty of time, and the Man-o’-War — Miss Rolfe filly, while looking a picture, will not be seen to advantage in the classic. Luvan is the pride of the stable, and will be stepped out at the week-end at Epsom. She will oe a nuisance to the opposition in whatever heat she is started. Admiral Lock is still at owner Hosking’s place, but will rejoin the Ellerslie stable later. MOUNT ROSKILL MENTOR George Phipps, the Hoskill enthusiast, is usually accompanied to the track 'by four well-conditioned candidates, two of which are the experienced pacers Dick Dillon and Black Lila, tine remaining duo being maidens by Rey de Ora and A 1 Mack respectively. Both are well developed young ones and show promise. Black Lila is in good fettle, but has reached a hard mark, but will take on the milers next week. Dick Dillon is the same old six ancl eightpence, and now that he Is pla.ced among the second squad of pacers, might give his owner-trainer a goocl return for his optimism. STILL GOING STRONG F. Young is a well-known figure at the park, where his Australian-bred pair, Lord Nepean and Buz Buz, are regular ly exercised. Both pacers have come through a solid preparation, and should strip well next week. The mare in particular is showing a fine turn of speed, and staying like a mother-in-law. and will soon earn some money for her owner. Lord Lou, a son of Lord Nepean, is also an inmate of the

stable, and although on the green side has a nice turn of speed, which he requires to be taught how to utilise. G. Webb has been driving Buz Buz in her latest essays, and handles her splendidly, and if on deck bn Saturday (of which there is a doubt) she will be hard no beat. TWO STRINGS TO THEIR BOW Other regular attendants, whose charges are not many in number, but also well kept and promising, are: Georgs Stubbs (My Junior and Speed King) J. McKendrick (Free Advice and a Blue Mountain King—Elsa Huon gelding), James Pettie (Nelson Bingen —Auckland Girl mare and Aerial Bingen—. Auckland Girl filly), W. Coghill (All Bell and Nut Ansel maiden), N. Cunningham (Single Mint and Golden Park) R. Warnoek (Woodvale and Fungus). SOLO EFFORTS A. Shepherd (Ena Thorpe), J. Lovegrove (Gold Bell maiden), Dave Arnott (Huon Grattan), W. Dyer (Ben Lomond) t B. Dyer (Mulwaree), A.. McSweeney (Our Thorpe maiden), R. Millari (Marble Star), Jack Johnston (Pitaioa), J. Aitkenhead (Van Coronado maiden), J. O’Kane (Battery Bell), W. J. Morgan (Chessey) and W. J. Dullin (Queen of Weir).