LATE TURF

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 234, 22 December 1927, Page 15

LATE TURF

TRACK WORK AT EPSOM I EARLY BIRDS STEP OUT VISITING CONTINGENT ARRIVES A fair number of enthusiasts visited Alexandra Park before breakfast this morning, when several candidates for honours at the Auckland fixture were stepped out merrily. Black Lila was sent over a two-mile journey at a sound clip, and, while not out to make time, paced attractively. Phipps’s mare is very forward, and despite a slight limp caused by an old foot trouble she is in fine form for her engagements. All Bell and Pitaroa were associated in an interesting bout over a mile and a-quarter, the pace being sound all the way. Both pacers gave a good exhibition, with All Bell perhaps going the better at the end. RAIMA IMPROVES Raima and Bingen King were dispatched on a 12-furlong journey, and the pair accomplished a pleasing workout. The trotter went evenly all the

way, and showed a big improvement, on his last efforts at Epsom. Bingen King, free-legged, gave a neat display, and is gaining friends for his encounter with the unhopppled brigade next week.

Lord Nepean, after being exercised at medium pace for several circuits,' slipped over a mile at a merry clip, and did his work well. Later on the stablemate, Buz Buz, was given a sound test over 12 furlongs, and after a couple of skips settled down and finished the task in good style. Van Rich and Gold Jacket were associated in a useful piece of work over two miles. The pace was not all on, but both paeers showed they are very fit for their immediate engagements. Gold Jacket is nice and bright, and should show up at the fixture. THE SHEIK

Sheik CD. Withers) and Native Prince (P. Riddle), after being warmed up free-legged, were geared up, and gave a fine display over a two-mile course. Sheik was on the outer, and did his woi'k like a good horse, having •a slight advantage at the post. Native Prince’s effort was full of merit, and stamps him as a solid pacer. Anselirie, with Amberite and Margaret Wallace, were sent over t\Vo miles at a mery clip, Anseline doing the best one and a-half miles, where Margaret Wallace came very fast over the last half, to finish on terms with the square-gaited trotter. . Anseline is very well, and made many friends by her display. Native Star (Price) and The Shrew* (W. Head) were associated in an interesting run over two miles. After covering half a mile they were joined by Medusa (Julian), who kept the two visitors busy. Half a mile from the post The Shrew*, who was unhoppled, broke, and took little pai't in the finish. Medusa had a little on Native Star at the post. A SOLID WORK OUT There was a general . rush for the track fence when J. Shaw took Jewel Pointer out, followed by Amaris C. Fairman) and Bold Bill (S. Selkirk). The Cup horse dashed away from the twelve furlong disc, and when nearing .the mile peg, his stable mates hopped away with a good lead: Bold Bill was not long doing it- right, but Amaris was in the mood and gave Jewel Pointer something to do to. get on terms. Over the last half the pace was all on and the two Logan Pointer horseS finished together, both having put up an attractive performance. Master Councillor, Day Time and Peterwah set out to cover two miles, but after half the journey the former got the stitch. Daytime kept the Gisborne trotter company till the home stretch, where he went away to finish on his own. Peterwah is showing signs of his misadventure by a swollen off hind leg, but this did uot appear to impede his progress. The Cup candidate, Cardinal Logan, with .Dad’s Hope and Uncle Bert, gave the onlookers an attractive exhibition of pacing over a course of two miles. The pace was on frdm the start, the Cardinal having the other two hard at it, with the result that Dad’s Hope tangled at the end of a mile. Uncle Bert hung on w*ell, but was of little use to the Cup horse, who was blowing at the end of his task.

Ricardo worked unhoppled over a number of circuits, but was not asked to clap on any speed. The grey is in great heart, and should strip a very fit horse next week.

Anselm was geared up, and after getting a pipe-opener clapped on the pace for eight furiongs. The big fellow gave one of his best displays, and appears to be coming back to form. Nelson Tasker and Billy Carbine did useful work. The former covered several circuits in fine style, and will strip a very fit horse on the opening day of the Christmas carnival. Billy broke badly when under pressure, and his display was not impressive. QUIET AT MANGERE. Very few* horses were in evidence at Mangere this morning, and the suburban track would not give the impression there was a big trotting carnival looming on the horizon in the course of a few days. The circuit was in good order, but this did not entice many to speed up. PETER GRATTAN IMPROVING. Peter Grattan, Tho Tartar and Spirit Bell set off over two miles, but The Tartar refused to strike a gait and was soon in the rear. Peter Grattan led the grey at a sound pace, and six furlongs from home The Tartar, who again joined in the venture, made the pace willing. Turning for home, Peter Grattan hit the front and finished a couple of lengths ahead of Spirit Bell with The Tartar, who broke in the straight, further back. Betty Moko, who looks a picture, was restricted to slow work. The brilliant daughter of Peter Moko is as fit as hands can make her, but unless the track is soft her Rowe Cup prospects will not be bright. An unnamed chestnut sister to Betty Moko was driven a pleasing work-out by W. Morgan, who also gave the trotter Chessey a spin on the Otahuhu track.

Nelson Fame was not being asked to do his best, but the crack miler is in good fettle, and will be nice and bright to tackle the opposition in the shortdistance events at Epsom. The 'Worthy Bond filly in T. Brady’s stable was geared up, and with the veteran, W. Orange, holding the ribbons, gave a nice display of, pacing. She is inclined to get a bit out of plumb in her gait, but this will not take much remedying. Wallroon, without the straps, paced in his usual fine track style, and P. Rogers has the gelding in good trim. Satinbird was also showing speed in patches, but when asked for a final rally stopped quickly. SOUTHERNERS ARRIVE.

A large contingent of Southern representatives arrived by -special train early this morning, after, a good trip from Christchurch. All the contestants bear a well-seasoned appearance, and the majority will play an important part in the forthcoming carnival. Among the artivals were Concliffe. Elzear, Young Blake, Dalmeny, Bell "Harold fW. J. Yomkinson), Bob Logan, Tom Thumb, Quickfire, Firebrand _CF,

Holmes), Machine Gun, Sea Pearl, Escapade (R. Berry), Koliara, Money Spider, Ahuriri (J. Bryce), Jack Potts, Auditress, Quality (C. Donald), D’Artagnan, Orphan (W. Warren), Great Bingen, Great Actress, Dolores, Peter Swift (D. Withers), Nelson Boy and Clonmel.

FOR THE SOUTH RICCARTON CANDIDATES F. D. JONES’S NORTHERN STRING (Special to THE SUN.) CHRISTCHURCH, To-day. Battle Colours was responsible for a very smart performance at- Riccarton this morning, when he ran nine furlongs in the excellent time of 1.55 2-5. He was accompanied over the last six by a stable mate in Moorland, and though he ran his first three furlongs in fast time he was alongside his companion at the end. The Solferino gelding was well into his stride when passing the nine furlongs post,, and was travelling so well when pinked up by Moorland at the six furlongs that it was obvious the trial would, -be a good one. Moorland was in front half way up the straight, but Battle Colours finished on well and was alongside his mate at the end. The first five - furlongs were run ir. 1.3, the last mile in 1.42, and the full journey in 1.55 2-5. Battle Colours’s effort was a remarkably good one, and he should go well in the Wyndham Cup. ARIKIWAI IN FORM When Arikiwai galloped with First Sight and Nincompoop on Tuesday he disappointed track watchers, and appeared. to be well beaten. However, this morning he galloped in brilliant style over five furlongs and easily defeated Assurance, the time for that distance being 1.4. The last half-mile was rim in 49 2-5. Arikiwai’s effort this morning must have greatly pleased his trainer, F. D. Jones, who will take his team North by to-night’s ferry steamer for the Manawatu meeting. Jones will also be in charge of Hoylake and Assurance on the Northern trip.

The best gallop over half a mile was credited to Countersign, who was slightly ahead of the Paper Money youngster. Silver Paper, at the end. Countersign was always travelling in her best style, and appeared to be galloping easily at the finish, but if it was a good gallop on the part of Countersign so it was for Silver Paper, who conceded his elde rrival about a stone in weight and was going equally as well over the last furlong.

AWAPUNI TRIALS

THIS MORNING’S GALLOPS Press Association. PALMERSTON N., To-day. Beautiful conditions prevailed for track operations at Awapuni this morning. The majority of horses were exercised on the plough. Wild Pigeon was given an easy task, and Phantasy and Sir Fanciful went once round at a strong pace, running the last five in 1.13. Powhiri jumped off at the six furlong post, picking up Red Bank at the five. The latter was slow to move. Powhiri led throughout and ran home in 1.20. Capitulation did pace work, being allowed to run over the last two furlongs. Shining Star and Broad Acre went six furlongs on the outside of the course proper in 1.23, the first two taking 26. Shining Star finished better than his companion. Le Champ and Mocregas went five on the plough in 1.8, finishing together. Superb King ran five in 1.101, being wide out on the plough. and going better over the last two. DUKE ABBEY WELL

Blimp and Duke Abbey ran seven furlongs on the plough from a standing start in 1.35. They finished together after Blimp made the pace throughout, but Duke Abbey had something in hand. Piuthair had Keddar as a companion over six furlongs on the plough in 1.19. Piuthair finished strongly, and drew out in the run home. Lin Arlington, looking very well, did half pace work, and Del Sarto ran away from Mister Gamp in the early portion of a seven furlong journey, but, hard held, came back over the final part and Mister Gamp beat him home in 1.36 3-5. Dobbin had Plane as a companion over five furlongs on the plough in 1.8. Plane hung on, but Dobbin had his measure. Novar, Kilmiss and Gaze were associated in a gallop on the i;>lough over a mile and a quarter. Novar and Gaze raced together throughout, with Kilmiss in the rear. The leading pair Were fighting out the issue in the run home, when Gaze lost a stirrup leather and was pulled up. Kilmiss disappointed. Novar did the journey in 2.2 K. ,