The Hardes

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1081, 19 September 1930, Page 12

The Hardes

The hardest race of the programme tomorrow at Avondale is not the cup, nor the two seven furlong contests with their huge fields. It is the Avondale Stakes thati s the real puzzle. So far as form is concerned, there is only one borse that has any at all. That is King Colossus, who was second to Korokio at Wanganui last Saturday. Unplaced in that race were Eastertime, Summertime, Teller, and Type, all of whom are in tomorrow's classic race. So that, of the 17 left in the Avondale race, only five have had a race, and if any good at all, that should assist them to put it over their comparatively inexperienced opponents. A Likely Contingent Rut to analyse tomorrow’s runners as they appear in the correct card No. Is Eastertipie (Illumination— Gamboling). The sole claim this gelding has to support i.s that he was left in the parade at New Plymouth three weeks ago, and then finished so well to be first past the post. He galloped fairly well yesterday. Next is Golden Sceptre (Rosenor — Moiselle). As long ago as three months this very racy-looking colt won bis

division of the two-year-old parade at Te Awarnutu, displaying a rare burst of speed. Gray rode him then, and he will be up again tomorrow. If Golden Sceptre has improved since then, he will take some beating tomorrow. Hunting Horn (Hunting Song— Merry Day) impressed the critics by his general appearance yesterday, and is a likely colt. Informant (Lapidary—lnformative) is a good-looking sort, and is coming on nicely. First Prize Of the two-year-olds that had arrived at Avondale up to yesterday morning, King Colossus .Colossus — Queen Elizabeth) surely took _ first prize on general appearance This upstanding chestnut gelding Impressed considerably when he was paraded at Marton a fortnight ago, and that this opinion then formed of him was justified was shown when lie defeated all but Korokio on Saturday. The Awapuni representative was by no means so forward as the winner that day, yet he raced solidly. He should he favourite tomorrow. Kingsway (Little England—Glen-

Problem of Avondale Stakes

cannot be forgotten that Star Stranger was one of those “racecourse certainties’’ beaten in the last Auckland Cup, and on that day the Ellerslie course was pretty wet. but not actually sticky. It may not be worse tomorrow. Both Star Stranger and Historic are great weight-carriers, and Dominion racegoers can count themselves fortunate that they have been privileged to see such fine handicappers in opposition on several occasions. Twelve months ago Historic, having won the Winter Cup a few'weeks earlier, captured the Avondale Cup, and then the Mitchelson Cup—-three stai*ts for three wins and £2,073 in stakes. Not Same Preparation On this occasion Historic has not had the same intense preparation for the Avondale Cup. But he has had a couple of races into him. He showed promising form in the seven-furlong sprint at Dannevirke just over three weeks ago, and nine days later he

albyn mare) is reported to be a bit backward as yet. Royal Gallant (Top Gallant —Princess j Ilona) showed up in the parade at , Ellerslie a month ago, finishing second j to Bonnylea. He has gone on all right ; in the meantime, although it is the ; impression that he will want time j A Good Bracket Pope’s bracket, Roseric and lloyal Artist, both by Leighton from and Oddity respectively, owned by Mr. R. T. Reid, will be in great demand, for they have made vast improvement since their showing at Ellerslie four weeks back. Takanini expects this pair to pay a dividend. There is another bracket, Barascope and Princess Bede, by Weathervane — Tortrix and Catmint—Lady Bede respectively, owned by Mr. E. H. Cucksey, and trained by F. Loomb. Both these youngsters have trained on well at Te Awarnutu, and their sprints down there indicate that if they but run up to those efforts their Auckland owner may “take out.” Division Winner Bonnylea (Arausio—Waterlea) shaped so well when she won the Pakuranga parade that, having gone on the right way since then, she will have to be seriously fancied. With her great turn of speed she should be able to get a position early, if not hopelessly drawn, and then may hang on. Lady Vane (Weathervane —Panama), like tlip majority of the Te Aroha contingent, appears to have got through a good preparation. She is fast, and if she can stick on is a possibility Llanylan (Gainscourt Holly well) was possessed of speed to burn when she contested the parade at Te Awamutu, but she was green. Her effort yesterday morning indicates that perhaps she has not come along as well as she might have done. On the other hand, when one looks back and remembers that her trainer, W. Stone, has supplied Supremacy and Royal Ruler to win the spring classics in the past two seasons, then Llanylan is viewed in a rather different light. The year before that it was Prodice, another Te Awarnutu youngster. Summertime (Grandcourt Very Hot), Teller (Paper Money Tango), and Type (Leighton—Merit) complete the field, and the last-named—whose name calls for the support of newspapermen—may be the best, in the light of her sprint yesterday morning. At stated at the outset, this is the hardest race on the programme. Those that can be recommended are the following: KING COLOSSUS. GOLDEN SCEPTRE. BONNYLEA. ROSERIC—ROYAL ARTIST bracket. BARASCOPE PRINCESS BEDE bracket. The contest for this classic last year was rather disappointing, for it was a big field, and at this barrier more than half the field had their chances extinguished either through failure to draw a good marble or to lump out well. It is this aspect that makes the Avondale Stakes such a difficult race to win—and pick. But the pick will be found elsewhere.

Historic. Perhaps the setback was not so serious as fancied, in which case she is still entitled to have the danger signal attached. She is a noted perfoi mer in mud. At the two last Great Northern meetings in Ellerslie, in June, when the conditions are all in favour of mudlarks, Seatown won the Cornwall Handicap last year, while at the last meeting there he was third in the Cornwall to True Blood and King Emerald, and beat all but Maori Boy in the open mile the final day. On the strength of those showings Sea- ; town is confidently expected to give a splendid showing tomorrow. Ellerslie Hopes Eager Rose, who with Hannibal is the sole Ellerslie candidate, ought to give a good showing, for she has been galloping nicely since she won ; the principal event at Te Awarnutu ; nearly three months back. Hannibal, too, has been working like an im- ; proved horse, and if there is to be a surprise from the bottom of the handicap. it may be this chestnut. Success for Hannibal would be in the nature of a nice wedding present for his trainer. Mendip has appeared all too fresh before his races of late, and now that he has had two hard races at Wanganui, followed by the trip to the scene of conflict, he should not be so frisky. That will be all for the best in this chestnut’s case. Incidentally, his I form of late has been quite good enough to bring him into favour. Paddon and Maori Boy There seems little doubt that Paddon is not the horse, as yet. at any rate, that he was when under Tinker’s j charge. If he was then his chance j tomorrow at his present impost would be greatly enhanced. His second to Black Mint at Marton was unimpressive, even allowing for the bad luck be experienced at tm? home turn there. Maori Boy infused such dash into bis work-out at Avondale last Saturday that he must be respected. He i.s a noted mudlark, and the worse the conditions the better his chances. That point should be borne in mind. A similar remark applies to High Pitch, who won so well at Ellerslie last month. Indeed, if the conditions are very, very bad, then one could do much worse than recommend Maori Boy and High Pitch. Desert Glow does not like tracks j that are anything but flinty, so he j will have to wait some time for that ; state of affairs to appertain. At the Bottom Of those on the minimum—there are half a dozen of them—Standfast, Prince of Orange (who is expected to be taken out and reserved for the final event) and Barometer, in addition to Hannibal, already referred to, are most entitled to at least a little respect. Standfast has been most unlucky in his races of late, and like some horses, he appears to run into any trouble that it is possible to meet in a race. On the other hand, it must not be overlooked that Standfast belied his name on this course in the autumn by winning two races. The best quintet that can be named under the conditions would appear to be— HISTORIC SEATOWN ■EAGER ROSE MENDIP PADDON The draw can be said to have some effect in this mile and a-quarter contest, but all the same if a horse is good enough he should be able to win on this course. The field will have a clear run of a furlong before commencing a nicely-rounded bend, leading to the back straight, two furlongs in length, with another almost graceful bend to the straight, and a run to the judge of over two furlongs. Yes, provided the horse is good enough Avondale is the course.