BOUGHT FOR £8

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 533, 10 December 1928, Page 10

BOUGHT FOR £8

TRANSFORMER, THE BARGAIN TE AROHA NOTES (Special to THE SLX) TE AROHA, Saturday. [ The most recent addition to A. E. Cox’s team is Whitiora, by Some Boy ll—from a Gravitation mare. 1-Ie is a five-year-old, and a typical Some Boy, being low set. stylish and very muscular. Gravitation, by Birkenhead —Stepfeldt (a full sister to Stepniak) was bred by Mr. W. E. Bidwell, of Rototawai, Featherston. On both sides Whitiora comes from winning strain. He is fairly forward in condition, and in good hands it will soon be found if he is a galloper of merit. E. A. Keesing, who had the misfor- ‘ tune to break a collarbone a few weeks ago, has made a quick recovery, and ‘ expects to be riding again at the Waipa meeting next week. He is sure to have 1 his full share of mounts at this fix- J ture. 1 As the result of her two runs at the Takapuna meeting, Nancy Lee had ' sharpened up nicely, and is sprinting in really good style on the tracks. Tea ' Time, who ran two seconds at the same meeting, has never been better than he is just now. The trip had the effect of brightening him up considerably, and if he keeps in good heart for the next three weeks may be depended upon to at least run a good race in the Railway Handicap. Needs a Race Ruffles, 7.5, is well treated in the Flying Handicap at Te Awamutu. He may, however, need a race or two before he strikes his best form. During the holidays he is to be taken South, and will compete at thf Manawatu-and Marton meetings. If the Southern . handicappers take a line from the Waipa poundage Ruffles should get in at the minimum, and should then be capable of accounting for a portion of the prize-money. The General Latour —White Fox gelding, Indolent, is showing material improvement. He is bright and healthy, and is putting much more vigour into his work. He gallops fast without much effort, and although he may not be sufficiently forward to take his place in the Great Northern Derby field, he is one of the most likely of those locally trained to win races shortly. Team for Te Awamutu Local horses engaged at the Waipa meeting are Hangawera, Waltzer, Lady Spalpeen, Ah Wera, Lucy Rose, Ruffles, Te Koroke, Flying Tresses, Indolent, Crown Arch, Nancy Lee and Black Maire. As a rule Te Aroha generally accounts for its share of prize-money at this fixture, and now that most of the contestants are well forward in condition, history be repeated. Taking track work as a guide, Flying ! Tresses was confidently expected to I run prominently in her Te Kuiti engagement. The state of the track, however, was against one of her action, and she was therefore unable to fight out the finish. The trip did her no harm, and after this week’s work she has been pulling up quite sound. The big Chesterfield gelding, Hangawera, is being persevered with. But for leg infirmities this horse might have been a really fine cross-country candidate, being speedy, up to any weight, and a fine jumper. He is doing most of his work on the plough, which provides excellent going. On Thursday morning good working exercise was indulged \in by Black Maire, Orchus, Whitiora, Ah Wera, Lady Spalpeen, Lady Mestor, Love Call. Tea Time and ITangawera. Glen star and Te Koroke were associated m a mile gallop. The former, ridden by the very light-weight, Chandler, rushed to the front, and making every post a winning one scored by four lengths in 1.47, being all out. Te Koroke’s essay was satisfactory, and he had a decided disadvantage In weight. Waltzer and King Lu went five furlongs in 1.5, the former having slightly the better of the sprint. The two-year-old Lucky Alice and Bell© Star, strode along over six furlongs, sprinting home over the last furlong. Belle Star was going rather better than her companion at the finish. Lucy Rose and Flying Tresses ran out a good five furlongs in 1.4 2-5, the former winning by half a length. By winning the Alison Cup in a good field. Transformer proved that he is a well-preserved veteran, and that on a clear track he is difficult to beat. Episodes in the career of the Thurnham Mangamaire gelding make interesting reading. I-Ie was bred by Mr. James McNicol at Wairakau, Te Aroha. who a few years ago was breeding more extensively than at present. About February in each year several owners and trainers attending the Te Aroha race meeting made it a practice to visit Wairakau to inspect the thoroughbred stock, and at least some sales were generally effected. For three seasons there were no buyers' for tho one since known as Transformer, partly because he was not good looking or classy, while the Thurnham Stock were not in favour with trainers. Thus it comes to pass that as no buyer wafe forthcoming, Mr. McNicol sent the gelding to the Waihou stock sale, where he was knocked down to Mr. A. Forrest for the munificent sum of £ 8. The purchaser broke him in, named him, and in due course he was given a few spins on the local course, where he quickly showed undoubted speed. Later he was sold for a comparatively low price to Mr. D. Twohill. of Thames, who has done remarkably well with the sale ring bargain. The romance of racing was exemplified here last Februray. when the horse who four years previously went practically begging, won the coveted event of the district, the Herries’ Memorial Cup.

WAIPA REHANDICAPS

The following rehandicaps have been declared for the Waipa Racing Club’s meeting by Mr. F. J. McManemin: Pirongia Hurdles —Highflown (71b), 10.5. Tvihi Ivihi Handicap—Takutama (51b), 7.11. Te Awamutu Cup—Siaosi (61b), 7.9. Orakau Hack Handicap—Hakanoa (91b), S.ll. Flying Handicap—Takutama (51b). 7.5. A committee meeting of the Waipa Racing Club was held on Friday evening, presided over by Mr. A. S. Wallace. There were also present: Messrs. S. A. Empson, A. H. Storey, C. F. Storey, A. Bond, J. P. O’Sullivan, W. Alexander. M. H. Tims and the secretary, Mr. J. G. Wynyard. It was reported that the acceptances for next Saturday’s meeting at Te Awamutu total 124, compared with 138 last year. The secretary had received three nominations several days too late, the explanation being that the envelope had not been addressed. Consequently it had gone to the deadletter office and back to the nominator. Mr. C. F. Storey undertook to take charge of the turnstile, from the railway line, with two assistants, and Mr. A. IT. Storey was appointed to arrange for. staffing at the members’ car entrance and the ordinary car entrance. A number of horses are expected from Taumarunui, and Mr. W. Finlay is busy arranging accommodation. The following new members were elected: Messrs. W. F. Woodward, Te Awamutu, and I-loldcroft, Parawera,