WAIKATO GOSSIP

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1076, 13 September 1930, Page 12

WAIKATO GOSSIP

MATAMATA TRACK ACTIVITIES CANDIDATES FOR AVONDALE _______ Special to THE STJ^J HAMILTON, Today. The Matamata training tracks have been busy over the past few weeks with the preparation of a useful string of candidates for approaching spring engagements, writes The Sun travelling Turf correspondent. The course and training tracks are in excellent order for this time df the year and are standing up well to the work, which has been augmented by the advent of several new trainers to the district. Matamata in the present term should reap its fair share of stake money. Cup Candidate Standfast, one of R. Mateer’s string, has been working along steadily and is rQunding into shape nicely. The Valkyrian gelding, who is down to con- j test the Cup at Avondale, should give a good account of himself. Although somewhat tardy at the barrier, he is nicely weighted, and should the going bo soft, as is likely, this member of Mateer’s stable should have a strong following. Valroe, of whom little of a strenuous nature was asked last season, has not yet been seen at his best and should prove a good stake earner around the country circuits later on. The Valkyrian gelding registered two firsts in his six outings in company last season. Valroe is entered for the Avondale Hack Cup. but it is doubtful whether he is quite ready yet. He may need an outing or two to put him on his mettle. A Good Sprinter Prince Val is another of the track attendants that is shaping well. He was given a full programme last season and the Valkyrian gelding’s record of five firsts and six seconds shows that he should be a force to be reckoned with in the present term. He is in the Avondale sprint. Sports King, also from J. Clothier’s stab e, is a useful sort, and although his showing last season was disappointing, he is shaping along the right lines now and should make amends for his past shortcomings. There is no doubt as to his galloping ability, but he is a difficult customer to train. Red Comet, from It. Martin’s stable, is booked to join the Matamata contingent for Avondale. The Day Comet —Erubia gelding does not inspire confidence at present owing to a doubtful leg. A Hurdler Glenstar is a little big and needs racing. With the going firm at Avondale, however, he must be given a show in the Kingsland Hurdles. Valstreet, who will also be seen in action at Avondale, has been putting in some useful work and indications point to the Valkyrian-Sports Queen gelding being in the money before long. Wild Mint and Wild Sea, who are to race in the interests of their owner-

trainer, R. Young, at Avondale, are useful sorts who should not be lost sight of as the season advances. They have been working along nicely but may need a little more time before they are quite ready. The jumper Glentui, who was formerly raced by Mr. A. N. Dingle, of Hamilton, and now of Gisborne, better known as the owner of Forest Gold, a good stake earner from Waikato a few years ago, won among other jumping races a Pakuranga Hunt Cup. The No Surrender —Sunshine chestnut had been purchased by a prominent hunting enthusiast who was endeavouring to get him ready for the big steeplechase at Cambridge, on Labour Day. After a season in the hunting field, however, the chestnut did not stand up to his preparation.