A. E. Ellis Will Ride Merry Mint in Cup

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 721, 22 July 1929, Page 12

A. E. Ellis Will Ride Merry Mint in Cup

HIS NATIONAL MOUNTS RICCARTON TOPICS (Special to THE SL '.V J CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. I Though conditions at Riccarton this ! morning were not ideal for training! operations, some useful gallops were . recorded. Honeycomb and Huntley j took the honours, running five furlongs in 1.5 2-5, and Lord Ranald, who has come into favour for the Grand National Steeplechase, again impressed spectators with a dashing piece of j schooling. No. 7 grass tack was available, but it was very heavy and fast times were cut of the question. Honeycomb was partnered by Hunt - ; ley during his live furlongs gallop, and j the manner in which both horses fin- j nished up their tasks shows that they ; are in excellent condition for their engagements. Apart from Honeycomb's good effort, Huntley created a very favourable impression, and he is certain to run well in the Novice Handicap at Washdyke next Thursday. The field is by no means strong and if Huntley improves upon this morning s effort he may not be troubled to beat the opposition. Chide and Starshooter were hard held during their six furlongs in 1.24 1-5, and over two furlongs less Airplane worked well. Limerick and Arikiwai sprinted four furlongs attractively, recording 52 2-a. Subdivision was partnered by Battle Colours over five furlongs in 1.8 2-5, and for their three furlongs’ spurt Leader and The Viscount recorded 40 Making Progress Paquito’s work leaves little doubt about his galloping prowess. Since the autumn he has made rapid progress and his three furlongs this morning in 39 1-5 was the best effort over that distance. Honour and Pride sprinted three furlongs, and Full Feather and Hurl;.' Burly were given an easy task. Quickplunge and Sudden Storm ran three furlongs in 40 2-5, but were not extended. Though he has not had any searching gallops since the Ashburton meeting, Solferite is doing nicely in his work and during his easy five furlongs, which occupied 1.15. he hit out very freely. Zeuxis and Grand Song ran five furlongs in 1.6, and for the same distance Rapier and Kapina (by Paladin-Pin-eta. dam of Rapine), registered 1.7 3-5. The Northerners. Young Thurnhani and Elysianor, /were matched over six furlongs, but Elysianor was far too good for his companion and galloped with ease throughout. This gelding seems to have done well since his arrival at Riccarton, and probabilities are that he will be favourite for the Pukaki Hurdles at the South Canterbury meeting. ; Amor ran an easy five furlongs, tak- ; ing 44 to run the last three, and K.ai- j kahu ran the last six of his mile gal- ; lop i» 1.24 2-5. One for Thursday A gallop that was impressive was Phastar’s six furlongs in 1.22 2-o. He was associated with Commentor, but the big fellow always held the upper hand and was doing his work comfortably at the end. Phastar ran a good second to Honeycomb at his last start, and with 9.13 in the Beconsfield Hack Handicap next Thursday he should be prominent. Rascal, assisted by Haulage over the last three furlongs, recorded 1.22 l-;» for his six furlongs’ task, and for Ins five-furlong gallop Aberfeldy was not extended to record 1.9 4-5. Gala Day’s 1.37 3-5 for seven furlongs was good, and at the end he appeared to be travelling freely in front of Wrigley. A striking six furlongs was that o> Gay Sonnet, who put up the good time of 1.20. She hit out with much freedom, and after running the first three in 38 3-5. finished well. Sweet Refrain was going easily m front of Pagolin at the end of five furlongs in 1.9, and for the same distance Gay Jim took 1.11. Haze was bracketed with Overdrawn for his six-furlong gallop, and at the end there was little to choose between the pair, but neither was extended. The time, 1.21 2-5, was good, but it did not represent the value of the gallop. Overdrawn impressed watchers with his effort, but besides commending him as a possibility in his coming engagements the gallop suggests that Haze must be getting near his best form again and should be due for a win in minor company before long. . Royal Flower performed satisfactorily in her gallop with Prickles, and at the end of four furlongs, run in 53. the pair were together. Crack Sprinter Silver Paper, with A. E. Ellis in the saddle, registered 41 3-5 for his three furlongs with Aspiring, but they were not asked to go fast. A. E. Ellis, by

the way. will ride the Winter Cup favourite. Merry Mint, in his coming engagements. He also will be on Mister Gamp in the National Hurdles and on Glendowie if started, in the Steeplechase. Fresh Breeze and Troilus ran six furlongs in 1.23 1-5, and for her halfmile Dutch Money put up 55. Over the same distance Ripdale and i Morion also took 55. Mime (G. Salt) jumped two hurdles, j but his display was indifferent. Lord Ranald (W. Scobie) and Radioc j (I. Tilson) jumped eight fences attrac- j tively. Lord Ranald was far too good for his companion, however, and his | dashing display gained him additional j admirers for his coming engagements, i Sea Boy (G. Salt). Master Garland | CW. Scobie) and Hyperon <I. Tilson) ! set out to jump a circuit of the big j fences, but at the first obstacle Mas- ! ter Garland took off too soon and j hitting hard lost his rider. Hyperion 1 and Sea Boy continued on. but at the second of the double Sea Boy ran off. Later, however, he was sent at the double again, and jumped it well.