RACING AT TRENTHAM TODAY

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1929, Page 5

RACING AT TRENTHAM TODAY

WELLINGTON STEEPLES TO BE RUN LARGE, CLASSY FIELDS ENGAGED DISCUSSION OF THE PROSPECTS A beginning of the end is the opening of the Wellington Racing Club’s winter carnival to-day, for the 1928-29 season, at least, and followers of form will look to this big fixture to shed some light on the prospects for the Grand National meeting and the early Spring racing. The best winter horses in the Dominion, both over fences and on the flat, claim engagements, and the big fields of classy gallopers alone will draw the sporting public from far afield. Scattered generously through most events on the programme are a fair assortment of Taranaki horses —sufficient alone to attract the attention of enthusiasts from the province, and those representatives are expected to pick up an appreciable share of the stakemoney this week. Taranaki horses do not usually shine at this meeting, but last year Bisox took the Parliamentary Handicap on the second day as a preliminary to successes in the Winter Cup and, later, the Avondale Cup. Bisox is again back in search of new laurels, while Valkon, Anolo and Kawhakina join her in the longer flat events. Horomea is a good hurdler, and Airtight, San Fera and Waitaunaha appear among the hack ’chasers. While the weather appears to be improving and may favour the carnival with sunny days, the heavy rain since the week-end will have a detrimental effect on the course and the going to-mor-row may be fetlock-deep. Mudlarks in Matu, Taboo and Black Mint were successful on the opening day last year, while Home Made, Radiate, Kawini, Aberfeldy and Nukumai were found in minor places. The octette claim engagements to-day and there will be many prepared to see them take a big part in the decision of the .various events again.

WELLINGTON STEEPLECHASE

THIRTEEN MAY FACE BARRIER. WINNER SEEMS WELL..CONCEALED (By “Moturoa.”) Handicapper Bert Coyle has set the jpunters a difficult task in the WELLINGTON STEEPLECHASE. Of 1000 sovs. Three miles and a-half. Nulcumal 11 7 Radiate 9 5 Kawlnl 11 1 Kauri Park 9 2 Glendowlo 11 1 Maunga 9 0 Brigadier Fabriano 9 0 Bill 10 2 Kamelwuneflia 9 0 kCing’s Guard 911 Royal Elm 9 0 Motu 9 5 Rangi Sarto 9 0 Pride of place is' given to the grand old veteran and champion hurdler and flat performer, Nukumai. If his performance in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase can be taken as any criterion he must be considered and has only to complete the course to be found well up at the finish. Despite his aptitude for the Trentham course, punters may be a little dubious of his ability to cover three miles and a-half of solid “country,” and, with six pounds less, their calculations may wander to Kawini. A great jumper and a proved stayer, the lighter-weighted . division have only to err in the heavy going to find him running prominently. No stranger is he to the Wellington course, and in the past two years he has played second fiddle to “Beau” and Pouri. A more consistent first-class jumper can scarcely be found in the Dominion, and in his third attempt at this event he promises to strip as fit as at any other stage of his career. Takanini’s track work left nothing to be desired, and the Trentham fences and sod walls will hold no fears for the army of supporters that will rally round the Aucklander. GLENDOWIE HAS THEM PUZZLED. Claiming a prior engagement, Glendo wie presents a difficulty to the stay-at-home sportsmen, and there is no indication as yet which race he will prefer. His faultless schooling efforts promise that he will make a brave showing in whatever race he takes on. The steeplechase event may find his condi-

tion lacking, 'but it is safe to say he will be a very fit horse for the National's. A repetition of his Wanganui Steeplechase form would see Brigadier Bill run .prominently, but the writer thinks the heavy going might worry him. His astute mentor, Jim Morris, is very confident of his prospects, but he is not keen on the sod walls —neither is Bill! King’s Guard is undoubtedly a good horse when sound, and Trainer Dick Hannon has given him a chance to win a good race here, reserving the runnerup of both Northerns, Roman Abbey, for the Nationals. On his home track, ia safe conveyance and a plodder is !Matu. Prior to the Wariganui meeting great things were expected of him, but he struck a fence ami had to be withdrawn from the Northerns. He made his reappearance at Hawke’s Bay and ran a creditable third. Providing he Jias 'made the expected improvement in the interim he will not *be left out of Calculations, and Wellington punters jriU look with favour on his pros- i

pects. Radiate won recently, but the writer cannot see 'him staying out the distance. Royal Elm and Kamehameha may hold Fabriano safe. Nothing meets the eye with outstanding qualities to warrant a “hot order” being picked out of this year’s Wellington Steeplechase, and the weight of recent form should have a tendency to give the betting market a wide range. If the punters are going to take form and past performances as their guide, remembering the state of the tracks, it may be found that Kawini is more strongly supported than Glendowie, if started. In the event of Glendowie’s absence, Nukumai and Brigadier Bill would automatically advance in favour. TRENTHAM HURDLES, (By “Moturoa.”) Bearing an unusually open appearance, a fine array of jumping talent has been drawn in the TRENTHAM HURDLE HANDICAP. Of 500 sovs. One mile and three-quarteffl

Two failures, one over hurdles and one over “country,” set the public off Red Fuchsia, but the best of jumpers

make mistakes and the son of All Red can be depended upon to make amends for his fall from grace before very long. He likes a short race, although ho cannot be despised over the maximum hurdle course, and for that reason “Moturoa” expects him to keep Mister Gamp busy. Comical and Glengariff, though twu good hurdlers, are not in fashion now, and though Eiysianor is well thought of, both by the handicapper and his connections, Aberfeldy should keep him quiet. No one talks Home Made, but with Bright Land out, the writer has seen Mr. Gaisford’s hurdler win, and bis record over fences has been remarkably consistent, though, perhaps, in a small way. Beaumont cannot give four pounds to Overhaul, and Auckland form points to Prince Lu accounting for both of them. Mister Gamp will probably be the favourite, but RED FUCHSIA and HOME MADE may make the pace too warm for him.

RIDING ENGAGEMENTS FOR TO-DAY The latest riding engagements announced for the Wellington meeting are as follows: — R. Reed. —Bisox. Kaiti. T. Green. —Royal Gaine, Vinella. R. J. Mackie.—Air Laddie (Trial second day). H. Dulicu. —Kauri Park, Master Doon. L. Dulieu. —King’s Guard, Tinokoa. H. Wiggins. —Hopwood (Trial, second day). B. H. Morris. —Historic, Roi de Vai. J. Gammick. —Taneriri. R. McTavish.—Black Mint, Marble King, Merle, Cerf, Advening (second • • R. Olive. —Kawmi. E. Manson. —Maori Boy. R. Syme. —Horomea, Prime Lu, Boomerday. H. Goldfinch.—High Pitch, Waltzer, Mark Mint. - - _ K Stan way.—Elysianor, San Fera.

WHYTE MEMORIAL HANDICAP. (NTY-FIVE HOLD THEIR PLACE PADDON RULES WARM FAVOURITE (By “Moturoa.”) With twenty-five acceptors and almost as many certain starters, the way of the punters is certainly not strewn with roses in the WHYTE MEMORIAL HANDICAP. Of 500 SOV'S. One mile. '

Ruanui appeared on the track looking well and, although he has not raced for some time, the benefits of the Fordeli private track are too well known to allow the Tilley protege to go out unbacked. Singleton has been a good middle-distance performer, and though he has been given his full measure of poundage, he must be considered. Bisox does not get in badly with 10.0, and for this reason “Moturoa” considers she will keep the top weights busy. She may not win to-day, • but she is fast approaching her best condition and her turn cannot be far off. Valkon’s work on Saturday did not impress the writer, though he would “eat” this herd if he were right. As a mudlark High Pitch has proved his capabilities, but form points to Paddon accounting for him, at least. However, it is disconcerting to hear that Paddon is “sporting” a gammy leg—the leg that has prevented him from proving his class before now, but if he stands up to the strain, and he revels in the heavy going, he might prove a tough nut to crack. The last two years Fairy Herald has accounted for the Winter Oats in good style, and reports state that "Pat” Hogan has her in good nick. Weight might trouble Moutoa Treasury and°for that reason Vesperus, with a

pound less, should appeal as a good galloper on the improve. Black Mint won last year, but this time no one wants him. In spite of his recent failures he likes Trcntham and the mud and should beat more than beat him. The writer inclines to pass Anolo over »n preference to Gold Cure—the best hack seen out this season, many keen judges acclaim. Ohinemuri may account for Full Feather, the ancient Kickoff and Otairi, but Bonrose has done all that has been asked of him and the son of Boniform and IPot Pourri is no sluggard. Kawhakino and Merry Mint will have their admirers on the minimum, but Taneriri should hold them all safe.

If PADDON had been brought to the ground safe and sound, the punters would have had little difficulty in determining their favourite, but while be is under a cloud, his misfortune causes many to think and ponder deeply on the subject, with the result that while there is little likelihood of the runnerup in the Cornwall Handicap being displaced in the betting market, Vesperus and Fairy Herald are likely to advance in favour, while those looking for & likely lightweight may not feel disposed to go past Taneriri. STEWARDS’ HANDICAP FIELD. ('By “Moturoa.”) In placing nine of the fourteen on the minimum, the handicapper’s idea is cramped in the STEWARDS’ HANDICAP.

By reason of his good form at Auckland and at Timrau, Black Duke continues to be most discussed. Lack of condition causes Historic to be passed over, but Taboo, a mudlark, has a wide range of admirers. Form does not favour Kaiti and Valkon, but Ora-

tion has been running good races and Is worthy of consideration. Royal Game’s form has not been so good as that shown by Billikins, while further down in the list Takutama is good. How he will fare under the higher scale of weights remains to be proved, but he is an honest customer. In summing them up, the punters may favour BLACK DUKE AND TABOO. TO-DAY’S STARTING TIMES. The starting times for to-day’s races are:— Vittoria Hurdles. —11.30 a.m. Woburn Handicap. —12.10 p.m. First Hack Steeplechase.—l2.4B p.m. Stewards’ Handicap.—l.3o p.m. Wellington Steeplechase.—2.lo p.m. Trentham Hurdles. —2.50 p.m. Whyte Memorial. —3.30 p.m. Te Aro Handicap.—4.9 p.m.

MINOR EVENTS DISCUSSED. TARANAKI MAY HAVE MORE SAY. (By “Moturoa.”) Ten are left in the Vittoria Hurdles with the defection of Glena Bay, and sufficient talent is left to make the event interesting. Amorist has South Island supporters, while Horomea’s honest efforts at Ellerslie were good. FINE ACRE is a promising recruit, and he may be backed down to a shorter figure than Horomea and Amorist. # # * Some good hacks arc accepted for in the Woburn Handicap, and the winner will have to be a fair sort. Lack of racing would not favour a gross chap like Roi de Vai, but Havering is good and is bred the right way. High Society and Mangahaeri are consistent and fair hack sprinters, while Glyn Dhu is smart when he gets away from the tapes. Australis-and Werata have reputations, while Mark Mint, El Boa and Tourist have their supporters. HAVERING may find the Taranaki supporters there in full strength, but Glyn Dhu and Australis will have friends also. GLENDOWTE has only to start in the Hack Steeplechase to be well supported. In his absence AURORA BOREALIS may find more friends when the final bell is ringing than Koauau and Askari. # « # * Judging by the drift of conversation, Maori Boy is going to be the hope of many puiiters to-day. He certainly has good’ form to recommend him, but Royal Black, Marjoram, Metolius, Ironic and Vinella have also good form. However, there may not be many who prefer Marjoram and Metellus to MAORI BOY. DOINGS AT TRENTHAM. SCRATCHINGS AND WORK. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, July 9. Bright Land was scratched for the Trentiiam Hurdles at 11.45 a.m. to-day, and Ariiiana for all engagements at 9.15 a.m. Fog obscured work at Trcntham this morning early, and a number of gallops could not be timed. Roi de Vai (with his trainer, S, Reid, up) and Historic sprinted. Maori Boy worked solidly. Quantum ran four furlongs in 54Jsoc. Royal Game, running well, did "four furlongs in 521 sec. Sudden Storm went four furlongs in 53sec Full Feather was going easily alongside Hurly Burly for five furlongs, run in Imin 5 4-sscc. Tanagra sprinted in the log. Taboo and Fairy Herald did five furlongs in Imin 9 4-ssec. Gold Cure sprinted well. The fog spoilt the gallop. ' Rory Mor sprinted. Mister Gamp beat Glengariff easily over seven furlongs, run in Imin 391 sec. Kauri Park did six furlongs in Imin 27|sec. Bonrose sprinted well. Bisox did steady work. Balloon ran five furlongs in Imin 12 l-Sscc. » Amorist, going well, did five furlongs in Imin 11 sec. 'Brilliant Light and Merle went four furlongs in 53sec. Tcheka and Last Crust did seven furlongs in Imin 42Jsec. Ruanui did an easy half-mile in 54J sec. He looks well. Tres'ham went six. furlongs in Imin 19|scc. Metellus did six furlongs easily in Imin 29scc. Master Doon jumped three hurdles indifferently. Juggle was exercised at the barrier, and then sprinted with plenty of dash. . Kaiti ran a solid half-mile. Tourist beat Lady Rene from a standing start over four furlongs, run in 54sec. Kamehaineha and Red Fuchsia schooled well over three hurdles. Singleton ran away from Mangaharei over five furlongs in Imin 9sec, the last three in 40sec. Paddon (A. Tinker), on the sand, did half a mile in 51sec. He is still sound, but doubtful. Modern ran four furlongs in 55sec. Overhaul and Comical ran the last half-mile of six furlongs in 52sce. Both were going very well. Royal Elm led Bonayron and Alarlc over five obstacles on the course proper. The pace was on all the way, and good jumping was seen. King’s Guard did strong work. Tinokoa ran four furlongs in 53scc, and Takutama did the last three of four furlongs in 41 sec. Maunga did pace work, and looks well. Beaumont and Otauru Lass ran four furlongs in 54sec. Hio-h Society did good pace work. Mark Mint, for the last four of five furlongs, took 54sec. Locarno worked solidly. Pari beat Imateagirl over four furlongs in 53sec, a good gallop. Glyn Dhu and Kick Off paced on the sand. Both look in good order. Lady Gay and General Wai jumped three hurdles well. Loving Cup and Waltzer ran five furlongs in Imin 8 3-ssec. NEW ZEALAND HORSE BOUGHT. CROWN AREA IN AUSTRALIA. By Telosraph—Press Assn. Copyright. Sydney, July 9. The New Zealand horse Crown Area has been sold to W. Booth, the trainer, who was impressed with the horse s performance on Saturday, although pi eviously Crown Area had been disappointing. Negotiations are proceeding in another quarter f° r the purchase of McCombes’ other horse Moorgas. MELBOURNE GRAND NATIONAL. Melbourne, July 9. The scratching of Cobbon from the Grand National Steeples has caused surprise and disappointment.

Bed Fuchsia 11 6 Beaumont 9 16 Ulster Gamp 11 3 Overhaul 9 6 Comical 10 IS Bed Bank 9 3 Glengariff 10 10 ’rroilus 9 3 E'ysianor 10 fl Just John 9 0 Aberfeldy 10 0 Prince Lu 9 0 Home Made 9 12 Peshwa 9 0

Ruanui 10 7 Full Feather 9 5 4 Singleton 10 3 Ohinemuri 9 Bisox 10 0 Kick Off 9 2 Valkon 9 12 Otairi 9 2 High Pitch 9 12 Bon rose 9 0 Paddon 9 10 Gardant 9 0 Fairy Herald 9 10 Kawhakina 9 0 Moutoa Merry Mint 9 0 Treasury 9 9 Rory Mor 9 0 Black Mint 9 8 Wanderlust 9 0 Vesperus 9 8 Tanerlrl 9 0 A nolo 9 6 Tinokoa 9 0 Gold Cure 9 6 Willow Wai 9 0

Of 400 sovs. Six furlongs. Black Duka 10 9 Cerf . 9 0 Historic 10 6 Last Crust 9 0 Taboo 10 1 Marble King 9 0 Haiti 9 12 Tabu Tama 9 0 Valkon 9 11 Waltzer 9 0 Oration 9 7 Tan 9 0 Royal Game 9 4 Tanagra 9 0 Billikins 9 4 Bulolo 9 0 Sudden Storm 9 0