Turd Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 676, 30 May 1929, Page 12

Turd Notes

CONDUCTED BY

"EARLY BIRD"

Great Northern Hurdles The Great Northern Hurdles, probably the most difficult hurdle race in the Dominion, is to be decided on Saturday at Ellerslie. At Napier Park Tomorrow is general entry day for the Napier Park winter meeting. Due Again Shortly

In the early spring there were few hacks smarter than Arikitoa, but subsequently he appeared to go off and was a costly proposition to his connections on more than one occasion. Now that he has had a couple of races to brighten him up, consequent on an easy time in the paddock, Arikitoa may shape more pleasingly in the future, and as he is partial to a yielding track trainer Frank Loomb may bring off a mild surprise during the meeting. Has the Speed At his last start Mark Mint showed an abundance of pace, and the fapt that he was ridden a few pounds overweight contributed largely toward his defeat. If he has done all right in the interim he should make more than a favourable effort if produced on the second and third days at Ellerslie. However, six furlongs appears to be as far as he cares to go just now. Fancied for Saturday As he is trained at Takapuna little is known regarding the doings of Arihana. Still, the Australian-bred gelding will only need to be in the form ho was when he captured a double at Avondale last month to make thirigs very uncomfortable for the majority engaged in the second division of the Jervois Handicap on Saturday. Few hacks have the brilliance possessed by Arihana, and as he indicated at his last start that he was racing more solidly, there is every prospect of his having to compete in open company very shortly. On the Improve The effort Dave made in the sprint at the recent Pukekohe meeting and the training he has got through since then has left its impression on this one-time capable sprinter, and he is showing remarkably good progress, so that it should not be long before he is again a force to be reckoned with. Unsoundness was the cause of Dave’s long absence from the tracks, but as he appears to be all right now he should continue to add more prize-money to his account. Is Doing Well Prior to racing at Pukekohe Lady’s Boy was showing signs of soreness and this accounted for his performing poorly. He appears to have thrown off all signs of the trouble now, and is training on more generously. With an easy track and back to somewhere near his best, Lady's Boy has reasonably good prospects of annexing the Members’ Handicap on Saturday. He is only a small horse and his weight (8.6) is about as much as he can capably handle. Lady’s Boy will no doubt be a much better proposition in the spring when the seven stone minimum is again in force. May Run Well On the minimum in the Cornwall Handicap are two Ellerslie-trained geldings. Eager Rose and King Emerald, under the charge of A. and W. Kemp respectively. The former is a promoted hack who has yet to reach, her zenith. She has shown improvement in her ,latest track essays, but the Cornwall 1 appears to be too tough for her just yet. King Emerald is confidently expected to put up a fine race, and as he relishes winter conditions he must be counted among the possibilities.

A Winner Soon? Since their return from Sydney Hoariri and Taneriri have been getting through a useful preparation, but there has been nothing outstanding in their latest track gallops. Hoariri is under a cloud at the present time, and it is likely that Taneriri will attract more notice during the meeting than his elder brother. Taneriri proved himself a very useful hack in the spring, and as it is understood that his Sydney trip improved him more than anything else, he can be expected to win a race very shortly. Dimmer as Hurdler Tho bit of jumping has improved Dimmer’s condition, for it has taken off a large amount of the surplus flesh and muscled him up well. The exAuckland grey gelding is now trained at Gisborne. A Good Record King Willonyx has a great record this season, having eight firsts, three seconds and one third to his credit out of 14 starts, which is a very good performance. He is to race at Ellerslie the next few days. Promising Sort Glena Bay will be the representative of M. J. Carroll’s team racing at the Auckland meeting, writes “Martian,” Among the events Glena Bay has been entered for is the Carbine Plate, which is to bo decided on the second day of the coming meeting. The Romeo— Martigues gelding finished third in this race last season, after being very badly placed in the early stages. Leaving for Sydney Gay Ballerina is due to leave for her new home in Sydney next Thursday, the Lord Quex filly joining the Mauaganui at Wellington.

Sold for South Grand Acre has been disposed of by Mr. W. White to a Southern owner and tho Acre gelding has been sent South to the Riccarton mentor, J. W.‘Jen-, ning. Grand Acre gave striking performances when he won the Novice Plate at Woodville and then a fortnight later Avon the Highden Handicap at the ManaAvatu Christmas fixture. A narrow defeat in the Apprentice’s Plate at Trentham followed and he was then treated to a spell. ITe made a reappearance at Feilding and then at Wanganui, when he ran second to Cool Mint in the first diA'ision of the Purua Hack, but which did not gain for him any place money. He should prove quite a good proposition in the South.

Attractive Youngster A few weeks back Mrs. A. McDonald received at Awapuni from Mrs. M. A. Perry a tAA'o-year-old colt by Tea Tray —Piraeus, a half-brother to Kuhio and Teri. Noav the same breeder-owner has sent along a rising two-year-oJd half-brother to Duo. by Cape Horn. The former is a highly-attractive looking sort and although the neAvcomer is not yet a visitor to the tracks, he is stated to be equally attractive. To Turn Professional S. McGreal, who has been actiA'ely associated with the education of Marcellus, originally held an amateur rider’s licence. Of late he has been attached to W. Bailey’s stable and no doubt he will make application in due course for his professional ticket. Dobbin’s Rider It has now been definitely decided that K. Voitre will be the pilot of Dobbin in the open sprint contest at Otaki. This rider's engagements for the opening day at Otaki are: Imperial Spark, Dobbin, Wine Tray, Fallow and Corbel.

His Finish Old Scotch Mixture dropped dead at Gisborne recently while doing slow work on the Park track. The Heather Mixture gelding was well past his best, but at his peak he was A-ery useful, having Avon good money for his owners, Messrs. S. Kirkpatrick and F. Allen. Manawatu Dates At a meeting of the ManaAvatu Racing Club held on Monday night adA'ice Avas recei\*ed that the club’s application for December 26, 27 and 2S for its Christmas meeting had been confirmed by the District Committee. By applying for these dates the local club is attempting to assist owners and trainers, for by racing on the consecutive days of Thursday, Friday and Saturday will permit.of A'isiting horses resting over the Sunday and then departing for the NeAV Year meetings on the Monday. For its autumn meeting the club has applied for the 'Wednesday and Thursday in the week immediately folloAA'ing the Wellington fixture. The Manawatu Hunt Club lias been allocated October 2 for its annual fixture, but the Manawatu Racing Club, on whose course the meeting is held, coni siders the date too late and has asked that a date not later than September 18 be selected. Sundear is Good Mr. G. S. Bell secured a cheap filly when he gave 190 guineas in NeAV Zealand for Sundear, who had an easy win in the Maiden Handicap at Menangle Park last week, says a Sydney writer. The filly is by Blue Ensign from imported Sky Dream, and was bred in England, and foaled in NeAV Zealand. She had raced only a feAV times, and her third in a three-year-old race at a recent Menangle meeting indicated that she A\ r ould have an excellent chance. Keeping her on the safe side, the bookmakers opened her at threes, but lack»of support caused her price to stretch to more than twice that figure. A rush to back the filly brought her back again, but, strangely enough, it is said that the stable djd not benefit to any extent. Sundear smothered the opposition in the la.st furlong, and Avon with the greatest of ease. Mr. Bell is now training his own horses, and this was his first success as an owner-trainer. Olympic Back The aged Polydamon gelding, Olympic, has entered R. E. Hatch’s Awapuni stable in order to qualify for jumpers’ events, and is an attender at the ManaAvatu Hunt meets. On Tuesday morning at Awapuni he was sent over three fences, which he jumped carefully, but well. However, this branch of the game is not unknown to the chestnut for he paid a big dividend at Trentham a year ago when racing over the battens. Incidentally, friends of R. E. Hatch will be pleased to learn that his wife, Avho has been seriously ill, has now sufficiently recoA'ered to permit of her return to her own home.

Running of Haze The performance of Haze in running third to Amourette and Briar Thorne in tho Longbeach Hack Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday did not contain any special merit, but, nevertheless, ho finished up his task pleasingly and perhaps he will benefit considerably by the race. The Demosthenes gelding has suffered a good deal through leg troubles at different stages, but trainer F. P. Claridgo entertains hopes that ho will stand a preparation. Hazo has been, perhaps, one of the most unlucky horses racing in the Dominion in recent years, but he looks so healthy at the present juncture that maybe he will soon pick up another race. When trained by R. J. Mason Haze was considered a good horse, and at one period of his career, when on a visit to Randwick, he impressed critics to such an extent that he was installed one of the ante-post favourites for the A.J.C. Metropolitan. Stops Quickly After seeing Solgele perform at Ashburton on Saturday, the only conclusion to be arrived at is that up to five furlongs he is a very speedy sort, but beyond that distance his form is very moderate. In the Eiffelton Handicap he was going so well in front when the straight was reached that his supporters must have been on good terms with themselves. But with a suddenness that AA-as quite unexpected he compounded when tackled by Great Star, and ultimately he was last to pass the post. As a rule the progeny of Solferino develop stamina with age, but Solgele is now four years and the probabilities are that he will never mature into anything but a sprinter. Will Do Better Wrigley was not fancied by the general public for the Longbeach Hack Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday, and he ran accordingly. But those who noticed his finishing effort, which took him into sixth place, will remember him the next time he sports silk. He finished very fast over the closing stages, and over a distance that AA'ill suit him he will show to much better advantage. Wrigley is a six-year-old gelding by Greyspear from Foil, and trained at Riccarton by H. Nurse. He has not done much racing to date, but with experience it would not be at all surprising if he turns out more than a useful galloper. As a Hurdler Bonrose and Gay Bird race in the same interests, and probably it. was on this account that Bonrose A\*as withdrawn from the Longbeach Hack Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday in preference to Gay Bird. The latter, who is now trained at Washdyke by Trilford Brothers, ran a good race into fourth place, and while not impressive, his effort was satisfactory. It is stated that he is shaping well in his schooling bouts at Washdyke, and he might pay his way as a hurdler. Kate Kelly for Wingatui In the early stages of the Trial Plate at Ashburton at the Aveek-end Kate Kelly was standing up the leading division a big start, but once in the straight she finished with a smart burst of speed, and was in the bunch that followed the placed horses at the close. The Tractor filly should be all the better for the outing, and in her engagements at Wingatui she might have to be reckoned with. Kate Kelly is owned by the Southern sportsman, Mr. W. T. Hazlett, who raced that brilliant filly. Razzle Dazzle, and other good ones. Her First Spin Quickplunge had her first outing in the Trial Plate at Ashburton on Saturday, but she was never conspicuous at any stage. However, she should benefit by the experience, and when she becomes seasoned she might pick up a stake one of the minor fixtures. Quickplunge is a two-year-old filly by The Ace from Equipment, and is thus a full sister to Centrepiece. She was bred by Sir George Clifford.

Derby Colt Under a Cloud

CRAGADOUR’S TROUBLE According to a London message received in Sydney a few days ago, Lord Astor’s bay colt Cragadour (tavourite for the big Derby) was suffering from slight indigestion, but that his trainer, J. Lawson,, hoped to have the horse in full work in a day or two. Cragadour is by Craig an Eran from Pompadour, by Bayardo from Popinjay, by St. Frusquin from Chelandry, by Goldfinch. He Avas bred by Lord Astor, and when two years old was beaten by Mr. Jinks, another prominent Derby candidate, in the NeAV Stakes at Ascot, a race in which colts carry S.lO, fillies and geldings 8.7. Cragadour was freely nominated this year, including the Craven Stakes, run on April IS, the Two Thousand Guineas, run on May 1, the March Stakes at Newmarket, May 2, the Chester Vase, May 7, the Dee Stakes at Chester, May 9, Prince of Wales Stakes at Kempton Park, May 10, the Newmarket Stakes, May 15, and the Payne Stakes at Newmarket, on May 16.

Tie has also many other engagements following upon the Derby on June 5. Cragadour finished second to Mr. Jinks - in the Two Thousand Guineas, and was not placed in the Newmarket Stakes.

TWO FINE MARES

EPISODE AND STAR LADY TO VISIT MOABITE Important stud bookings for the next season include the New Zealand mart-s Episode and Star Lady, which will be sent across to visit Moabite (imp.) at Tarwyn Park, N.S.W. Moabite’s oldest stock are yearlings, but at the last Sydney sales he Avas represented by such a, class draft that it seems a corollary that breeders should anticipate results from the youngsters on the racecourse, and seek the serA'ices of the sire at the earliest. The pedigree of Moabite (imp.) is strongly imbued with sire lines. He is by Phalaris, and his grand-clam. Wife of Bath, is a full sister to Chaucer and a half-sister to Swynford. His mating with Epsode should be very interesting. Episode is rising four years, and as a tAvo-year-old was the best of her year, her wins including the Great Northern Champagne Stakes, the ManaAvatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, and the Wellington Pacific Handicap. She does not lack recommendation on breeding. She is by Limond (imp.) from Homage (therefore a sister to the Sires’ Produce Stakes winner, Honour), by Absurd (imp.)*, from Eulogy (imp.), who was by Cicero, and Avho traces back to Biserta, a half-sister to the dam of the great sire, St. Frusquin. What more could be desired? Star Lady takes some of the most rugged blood in Australasia with her. She is by Demosthenes (imp.) from Lady Lucy by Seaton Delaval from Hilda bv Musket. and she is well known as the dam of’ Star Stranger, winner of the A.J.C. Metropolitan and many big Dominion races. Messrs. J. C. and P. S. Gleeson are the owners of a \’ery fine colt foal Tv Moabite from Marriage Bell (by Tea Tray) running in a paddock at Otahuhu. Defeat of Great Star Backers accepted a very short price about Great Star in the Eiffelton Hack Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday, but the best the three-year-old could do was to run second. Nevertheless, in defeat the Solferino gelding registered a performance of high merit. He was always in a leading position, and after entering the straight he was proclaimed the winner. But he failed to withstand the strong challenge issued Iby Bonrose, and he was beaten two lengths at the end. The time Cor the race, 1.26 2-5, was excellent, and it equalled the figures registered by Gay Sonnet in the Farewell Handicap. No doubt Great Star would have done considerably better had he tackled the latter eA’ent, in which he was weighted at 8.9, while an apprentice alloAvance would have reduced his weight considerably. Tb© three-year-old is in splendid form at present, and if taken to the Dunedin meeting he will have a big following.