THE NORTHERNS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 983, 28 May 1930, Page 14

THE NORTHERNS

GOSSIP FROM ELLERSLIE ELYSIANOR’S ENGAGEMENTS Kawini schooled well over the battens at Ellerslie yesterday morning, but after he had cooled off he was very lame. It is extremely doubtful if he will be a runner next week. Matu. who was runner-up to Pcnjola in both the Egmont and Wanganui Steeplechases, is to leave Trentham today for Ellerslie, and will be here tomorrow morning. Matu will be schooled over the hill on Saturday morning, and some curiosity will be evinced as to how the much-boomed Trentham candidate shapes over the Ellerslie country. His usual pilot, A. Jenkins, will be his rider in the Great Northern Steeplechase. Supporters of Elysian could find no fault with his appearance when -he came out for a schooling bout at Ellerslie yesterday, and he

lias done well in the preparation for the two Northerns. That race at Taumarunui. too, would improve matters, and the horse’s owner-trainer, A. E. Neale, will have the satisfaction of knowing he is sending his candidate to the post in his best condition. Master of Weight And Elysianor’s jumping yesterday was quite in keeping with his past performances, the efforts that have earned for him the stiff impost of 11.5 in the big Hurdles. However, Elysianor is a master of weight, and whereas many will be troubled by the Ellerslie obstacles, the visitor lias demonstrated previously his ability to encompass the course with comparative safety. This year’s Hurdles field may not be quite up to the standard of previous contests. Thus, for all liis weight, Elysianor has an exceedingly good chance, as instance his last appearance at Ellerslie at the summer meeting, when he carried 11.13 to beat King’s Guard (12.7) in the Auckland Hurdles. Mangani on the Scene With the exception of a few Southerners, and some provincial horses, the candidates for next Tuesday’s racing at Ellerslie have put in an appearance at headquarters. No newcomers were noted this morning, but yesterday Hie Great Northern Steeplechase candidate Mangani arrived at Ellerslie. lie was accompanied by the To Aroha pair, Honiton and Taumai. Mangani’s condition attracted favourable comment when he went out to work this morning, and he has improved a lot since racing at Ellerslie and Avondale last month. SHOWING FORM GAY COCKADE’S PROSPECTS One or two performances gave the impression that Gay Cockade was a hack who would quickly remove himself from that grade, but unfortunately he is not over-big and climbing up in the weights soon stopped him. Hut he made a surprising return at the autumn meeting at Ellerslie, beatbut the smart Tenakoe in the Nelson Handicap (19 runners) and, incidentally, giving a decent doubleligure dividend. Then an effort at Avondale last month saw him run a good race just outside a place. It looks now as if his mentor, W. J. Hawkins, is due for some success. Gay Cockade shaped in pleasing fashion m his trial at Ellerslie yesterday and drew attention to his prospects at the meeting. He will take on the second division of the Jervois Handicap—not over-strong at that—on Tuesday, and reads nicely placed with 21b over the minimum. TE HOIA’S MISSION FOR THE CARBINE PLATE Included in the team A. Cook will bring to Ellerslie next Monday is Te Hoia, the four-year-old son of March, the dam of Te Kara and other good ones. Like the Hawke’s Bay representative. Grattus, his special mission is the Carbine Plate, the mile race at set weigths, runs on the third day. Only amateur riders are allowed to compete in this event, and Te Hoia is to be handled by his owner, Mr. M. IT. Tims. Te Hoia has shown useful form this season, and he has won two races, including a dead-heat. His best performance was his effort in sharing first honours with Spring Abbey in the Champion Hack Cup (nine furlongs 100 yards) at the Te Aroha meeting early in March. That was a sterling race, and entitles Te ITola to consideration for his forthcoming engagement. WINTER RACING FIXTURE AT TE AWAMUTU The programme for the Waipa RacrTlS C Io b ’ s meetin S at Te Awamutu on June 28 provides for seven races carrying an aggregate of £940. Following is the order of events: Ngaroto Hurdles Handicap, of £IOO, about 11 miles; Hunters’ Steeplechase Handicap, of £l3O, about 2j miles; Arapuni Handicap, of £100; seven furlongs; Woodstock Stakes Handicap, of £l9O, 11 miles; Te Awamutu Steeplechase Handicap, of £2OO, about 21 miles; Hairini Handicap, of £IOO, six furlongs; President’s Handicap, of £l2O, six furlongs.

Nominations close at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 13, with the secretary, Mr. J, G. Wynyard, Te .Awamutu, or Messrs. Blomfield and Company, Auckland.