Topics from Ellerslie

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1164, 3 November 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

Topics from Ellerslie

Special to The Sun The opening of the local racing with the Avondale Jockey Club's Spring Meeting on Saturday has monopolised the attention of the racing fraternity during the week, but that meeting will be history by the time these notes see the light. In the absence of railway facilities all sorts of queer craft were commissioned for the day. + ♦ ♦

Malaya, who was very strongly fancied locally for the Gisborne meeting, injured her head on the trip down, which partly accounts for her failure. * ♦ +

Kawaha, a two-year-old filly by Rokeby from Ailsa, was thrown out of work recently owing to hock troubles, but is now back on the track, doing light work.

The Marble Arch—Lady Bobs colt has been named Marble Top. * ♦ ♦

The Taranaki-owned Grey Star has put up some attractive performances over the hurdles since his arrival in Ellerslie. He is a bit on the slow side, but is a very safe and attractive jumper.

Informal, who performed so well at the Wellington meeting, is the hope of Auckland against the Southern two-year-olds at the Ellerslie meeting. He is looking well and is making One progress on the track.

Local trotting enthusiasts anticipate that Steel Bell, the Aucklandowned pacer, will put up a good performance in the Trotting Cup, in which she is a second off the limit. Her times indicate that she can cover the ground, the one thing against her being her slowness in starting.

All is not well with Lady Penury, and she had to forfeit her engagements at the Avondale Meeting.

AUCKLAND, November 2. Chortle, Vagabond and Chuckle have been responsible for serviceable tasks during the past week. They will be raced at the Avondale Meeting, and probably remain for the A.R.O. fixture. Chortle still bears marks of the encounter he had with another horse prior to the Wellington meeting.

Amongst the light-weights riding at the Avondale Meeting is Dave O'Shea. an apprentice, brother to J. O'Shea.

Mullingar is again getting through useful tasks at Ellerslie, but he is not yet at his best. Present intentions are to get him ready for the Auckland Cup.

Amongst the visiting trainers at present at Ellerslie are Sid Reid, J. James, P. Johnston, P. Coffey, R. Johnston, and E. George.

E. J. Rac and his son Bert are back again at Ellerslie after their unsuccessful trip to Australia, which extended over four months. They brought Waimai and Tenacious with them and Luperino was also under their care.

During the week a number of two-year-olds have been sprinted on the course proper, their tasks consisting mainly of three furlongs against the watch. Canzanet led Comedy Prince and Kildonan home; The Broke was altogether too good for two others; Kawaha showed more pace than Hineamaru. Bonanza and Corinth and Shining Light cleared out from his companions.

The tracks at Ellerslie have been as soft as butter all the spring, as a result of the continuous rains. The tan track has consequently come in for more than its usual share of attention.