RACING

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 222, 8 December 1927, Page 6

RACING

By-

“EARLY BIRD”

This Week’s Racing With the conclusion of the Woodville meeting to-day, the next event to attract attention is the Taumarunui fixture, on Saturday and Monday. Waipa M Coming nearer home, there is the Waipa fixture, on Saturday week, a one-day annual that usually precedes the Auckland summer carnival. THis promises to be a popular gathering. Benzora Not Coming Benzora will do his Christmas racing at New Plymouth .and Stratford, aucl this policy will probably prove d wise one. It is sometimes better to endeavour to pick up a small race than to run into /minor places behind the cracks. Smart Three-year-old Silvermine ran two fine races at Peilding and will probably take his place in the Railway Handicap at Ellerslie on Boxing Bay. His dam, Silver Link, had a great record in this event. In 1918, as a three-year-old, she was third to ISTanna and Gazique; in 1919 she was second to Tigritya; in 1920 she was again second, this time to Statuette; but in 1921 she went one better and annexed the big Ellerslie sprint. A Change of Plans? Prior to the declaration of weights tor the A.R.C. Railway Handicap, + he trainer of Civility, Frank Lind, informed the writer that lie would take the Elysian mare to the Manawatu meeting. Civility was given 8.8 in the Ellerslie sprint, and although nothing definite has been announced, it is quite on the cards that Civilitv may journey northwards at the end of next week. Joy Bird’s Successes When Joy Bird won the Peilding Cup last week, it was Regarded as a fluke, for the race was only a sprint over the last five furlongs. This view was strengthened when she was a dismal failure the following day. However, she won the Woodville Handicap yesterday in excellent style, and so must be given credit for that achievement. Nevertheless, in view of her last three performances, the English-bred marc is rather erratic. Cup Rehandicaps “It is a great pity that the Auckland Racing Club cannot come into line with the big Australian clubs and abolish reliandicaps for the Auckland Cup and the Railway Handicap, comments a Taranaki critic. It is ridiculous to think that the winner of the Te Awamiftu Cup (worth about £250 to the winner) can be rehandicapped for the Auckland Cup, which carries a stake eight times as valuable. In common fairness, not only to the smaller club but also to the racing public generally, the A.R.C. should adopt a more enlightened and broad-minded view of these matters.” The critic overlooks the fact that it is left entirely to the handicapper’s judgment as to whether a horse should be penalised. Te Monanui Gallops Quite a lot of work was done at New Plymouth on Saturday morning, both on the plough and on the outside of the course proper, both of which were in good order. Te Monanui, with a good weight up, went seven furlongs with Patrolet _in 1.36. He claims an engagement 'in the Cup and at Tc Awamutu, and will probably take his place in the field. The Swell and a companion and then Anolo and Plying Shot were given good working gallops on the plough. Quillfire and an unnamed four-year-old by Bisogne were allotted a similar task. Te Atiawu, looking none the worse for his race at Peilding, was given an easy task. Lady Quex and a companion sprinted three furlongs nicely. Melissa did half a mile in 55sec. Manly and Gold Dawn were also worked. Training at Hawera At Hawera on Saturday morning Silver Rule, Hawora and Callapat finished in that order over two furlongs on the trial grass track in 23 3-ssec. Sungil't and the Sarehedon filly from O. Cox’s stable, ran three furlongs in 37 1-5, both working nicely. The Catmint two-year-old and Black Odin, from R. Brough’s stable, ran two furlongs in 25. The former is a beautifulbooking youngster. Reremoana finished lip his work by running home in 38scc. Eka finished in front of Mendip over five furlongs in 1.5. Barry under and Pink Rose did strong pace work, coining home the last three furlongs in 39t. The Lamb did strong pace work and is greatly benelited by his racing at Peilding. Airtight (Morrison) and San Fera (Conway) put up .u fine display over a round of ; five hurdles, both jumping exceptionally well*

Left Off the Card Stay-at-home followers of racing would have relished a bit of Wanderlust in the Borough Handicap at Woodville yest€;rday with 7.13, but they didn’t have the chance, for Wanderlust was left out. of the telegraphed list of acceptances. Marton’s New Year Programme The fine new course at Marton is expected to be in tip-top order for the Marton Jockey Club’s summer meeting on January 2 and 3. Since the spring meeting a couple of months ago the course has been sown and top-dressed with the result that this splendid track will be in great order. Good rains have fallen lately, and there is a luxurious growth of grass. The principal event is the Marton Cup, worth £SOO, while the other events are also well endowed. Last

summer the Marton fixture was held at Feilding, and fields generally were small, and races easy to win, most trainers preferring to do the Stratford gathering, with the result that competition was exceptionally keen and races hard to win at the Taranaki meeting.' For those who are taking their horses away fo.r the holidays, the Manawatu and Marion- circuit appears to be one worthy of support, for these two courses are but 20 miles apart, and both on the Main Trunk line. Entries for the Marton fixture are due tomorrow, Friday, night. . REMINDERS Nominations for all events at the Marton Jockey Club’s meeting will be received up to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 9, and acceptances for the first day close on December' 20. Manawatu acceptances are due on Friday, December 16. The handicaps should make their appearance on Friday, December 9. Acceptances for the Waipa Racing Club’s meeting will close with the secretary, or with Messrs. Blomfield and Company, High Street, at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 9. Acceptances for the following events at the Auckland summer meeting— Auckland Cup, Railway, Robinson, Grafton Hurdles, Nursery and Christmas Handicaps—also final payments for the Queen’s Plate, Great Northern Foal Stakes, Great Northern Derby and Royal Stakes, arc due at 5 p.m, on Friday, December 16.