To Go to Australia?

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 734, 6 August 1929, Page 12

To Go to Australia?

MR. CURRIE’S TEAM RATTLING TRY-OUTS (Special to THE SUN) WANGANUI, Monday. Whether Mr. G. IST. Currie intends tho make another trip across the Tasman within the next few weeks, this time with a team of his own breeding, or whether the Koatanui ownerbreeder will prefer to remain in New Zealand for the spring campaign—that is what is exercising the minds of quite a number of those interested in the sport in the Dominion. The writer is in the position to state that a decision will be made this week, and as yet nothing definite can be stated, except that at least four members of the team at present being trained at Wanganui have shown sufficient form to induce their owner to undertake a campaign in Australia. Until an announcement is made by’ Mr. Currie, inquirers cannot expect more than the answer that Tau Henare once gave the late William Massey when tho Leader of the Reform Party asked him if he were going to vote Liberal or Reform: “I’ll give you two guesses.” If proof were needed that members of the team are well forward in the event of a decision in favour of the trip, it was furnished on Saturday* morning, when they were put through their paces in order to permit Mr. Currie to see how they' have been getting along during his absence on an extended holiday in Australian Condiwere perfect for training operations when Walter Rayner stripped his team, upon the members of which he Iras spent so much eare and patience during the winter. It was late in the morning—well after ten o’clock—and bright sunshine and an absence of wind added to excellent conditions that made for fast times, but the tracks were a holding on account of tlie recent rains. On the outside of the course proper there ifas a good sole of grass, making it an almost ideal testing ground save’ for the slight deadness in the going, .but the hurdle track, on which the two-year-olds galloped, was in equally good condition. Showing Promise The first of the team to be sent along were Pomp and Drastic, the two Absurd juveniles, the former a colt out of Pomyris, and the later a filly' out of Drax, so it will be seen that each claims an English-bred- mare as the dam! ‘ Both had light-weights in the saddle’when they set out on their fourfurlong task on the hurdle track, so that it could be expected that the pace would be fast. Getting to the end of the initial furlong in 32sec, the pair covered the first quarter-mile in a tick over 24. Naturally', with so much of the final furlong on the turn, could be expected that the second half of the task would occupy' more than the first two furlongs, and when they got to the end of the half-mile in 49 3-ssec, it could not be accepted as otherwise than a splendid try-out for both-of them. When they reached the post. Pomp was the best part of a length in front of his companion, though neither of them was knocked about. Mask's Leg A five-furlong essay on the outside ! of the course proper saw Mask, Alloy, and . Pedestal associated, the firstnamed carrying in the vicinity of 9st. and the other pair having light-weights up. This also was destined to be a pleasing performance, for the trio reached tho end of the first furlong with the watch recording 12 2.ssec, while the next furlong took 12 l-ssec. making 24 3-ssec for the quarter. The pace was even for the next furlong, for they took 36 4-5 to cover three furlongs. Over tho concluding stages Mask was finishing on well, to reach the post in 1.3 for the five furlongs, with Alloy’ a length away, and Pedestal a couple of lengths further back. Mask was travelling well at the finish, and it was a very creditable effort on his part, as he is under suspicion for unsoundness in one of his pins. When he had cooled down, he ghowed distinct signs of lameness in the off-hind leg, but after walking around for a* while he appeared to throw it off. As far as Alloy and Pedestal are concerned, it may be stated that they shaped in improved sty'les, both going well to the finish, and it was certainly no disgrace for either of them to be beaten by Mask at this stage of their preparation. Speedy Three-year-old It now remained for but one of tlie team to show his owner-breeder what he could do, but here it was a case of saving the best for the last. When Ceremony appeared with a lightweight in the saddle, it was confidently anticipated that something good was in store for the watchers, and the son of Absurd and Pennon certainly did not disappoint in this respect. He was moving along when he passed the flag at the five-furlong barrier, lienee it was not surprising to find him taking 11 4-ssec. for the initial furlong, and when the watch was clicked as be flashed past the quarter-mile flag it was seen that he had recorded 23 2-5 sec. The three furlongs took him a tick over 35, and he came home full of running to record 1.1 3-5 for the five furlongs. This certainly must be accepted as a good effort on the part of the three-year-old, and was very pleasing to his owner. Those who have seen the team in action will agree that Walter Rayner lias all the members in great fettle for whatever campaign Mr. Currie decides on, and whether it be in Australia or in New Zealand that their spring racing is done, they may be depended on to add fresh honours to the already great record that Koatanui-bred horses have to their credit. EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS CONSIDERED AT PUKEKOHE PLANS FOR GRANDSTAND Tlie annual meeting of the Franklin Racing Club was held at Pukekohe last evening. About 60 members were present. The president, Mr. Dynes Fulton, in enlarging upon his report, a summary of which has appeared in The Sun. stated that the executive still* hoped* that ultimately' a permit for a second day’s racing each season would be granted to tlie club. For this vear th« Dates Committee of the Racing Confer - j ence had recommended to the Minister that one of the two floating permits be allotted to Whangarei and the other to Taumarunui. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

The president asked for an expression of opinion from members as to whether the executive should consider the erection of a grandstand and further course improvements. On the motion of Messrs. J. K. Ledger and R. •J. Glasgow, it was decided to recommend the executive to draw up plans and specifications for a grandstand and for concreting work to cover the stream in the saddling paddock. The president thanked the executive officers for their services, specially mentioning the work of Mr. H. IT. O’Loughlen as hon. auditor for some years.