SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5947, 24 May 1944, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

ON RACING AND TROTTING '' BRIEF ITEMS FROM THE TRACK (By “Old Rowley”) A Pair to Watch The Otorohanga Hack Handicap, run in divisions at Te Rapa on Saturday last, provided two interesting displays by hacks which have shown mediocre form in the past, but a pleasing feature was the running of the three-year-old Fox Spi, which finished fourth in the first division. This filly, owned by Mr J. Hedley and trained by M. B. Abbott at Opotiki, has been rather a disappointment, but she looks fit enough to win any time now. A three-year-old of which good things were expected is Mr W. S. Goosman’s chestnut gelding, Mr Rowl, but he had shown little ability until he finished a very creditable fourth in the second division. He should be in the right hands, for J. J. Goodwin has him at Papatoetoe. It appears that the progeny of Mr Standfast are better with a little age on them, and Mr Rowl should be watched carefully from now on. A Great Exhibition Although never very prominent in the running of the Hamilton Hurdles, Erndale ran down the leaders with the greatest of ease and won in a style that stamps him as a really good weight carrier. His connections secured the services of L. C. Brown, and this rider, as he has demonstrated on other occasions, rode a very confident and patient race. Stock Exchange and Gold Cape ran very creditably, but they have not the class of Erndale. Incidentally Varuna was noticed putting in some good work, and this might just be the stable choice for the Great Northern Hurdles.

President’s Handicap Form Tweedsmuir .would appear to be right back to his best form if the manner in which he came away from the field and won by two lengths is any indication. Constitution ran a very honest race for second money, but the unlucky one appeared to be Marble Fox, which did not get away very smartly and then went round the field to get an inside position, only to be forced to come on the outside again when the final effort was made. Marble Fox is right at her peak, and it will be very surprising if she doesn’t notch a win shortly. Airport never appeared to be in a likely position, and although he moved up close enough to get fourth he made no impression on the three placed horses. Chatter About Chat Well, there were plenty of punters sanguine enough to think that Mr C. P. Thorburn‘s black mare would be in the first three at the finish of the Te Rapa Steeplechase, but it was asking a lot of the little mare to expect her to win such an event at her first outing of the season. She raced along quietly for most of the journey near the tail of the field, and over the final stages she passed the tired horses to finish in fifth position. This race should have done her a lot of good, and if she starts in the Great Northern Steeplechase there seems to be every possibility that she will go close to winning it. Might Cloud the Issue Several (well) informed railbirds were overheard remarking last week that The Cardinal was the “sure thing” for the Te Rapa Steeplechase, and while he could never at any stage have been said to be “sure,” he certainly put up a creditable performance, and his fourth was good enough to raise the question as to whether he has possibilities in any of the forthcoming cross country events. Since he started his lepping career he has proved a costly proposition, but if he can continue to fence as cleanly as he did on Saturday there seems to be every chance that he will make amends. Out of the Bag It was worth the price of admission to Te Rapa on Saturday last to see the winning effort of Colonel Vaals in the Stewards’ Handicap. In a good start he somehow got left and was at the tail of the field when they settled down, but once Toki asked him for an effort he just swooped down the straight and won going away by two lengths from Bonny Pay and Sir Dingle, with Prince Baffles in fourth position. To make things harder Hunting Camp, in his usual tear-away manner, cleared out from the field and soon had a break of several lengths on his nearest attendants. Of course they went after him—just in case!— and believe it or not, the Colonel wasn’t wasting any time even before he made his run. On the Upgrade . Kouraeka, now owned by Mr J.

Chadwick and trained by Harry Long at Te Rapa, ran an improved race in the Seddon Hack Hurdles, and while he had no chance with the placegetters, it was an encouraging performance and provided nothing too ambitious is undertaken he should win a stake shortly. Unjustified Optimism On the strength of a fourth placing at the Waikato Racing Club’s meeting last month, his first start for the season, when he raced with the leaders all the way and then weakened at the finish, Ballyneety was made a hot favourite for the Horotiu Hack Handicap, but he never looked a winner, and it was just another case of unjustified optimism on the part of punters. Harris Tweed repeated his Te Aroha performance, while Gold Stand and Grey Salute were creditable placegetters. Boystown was always in the firing line and appears to be keeping fair form.