FROM TRACK AND STABLE

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1933, Page 4

FROM TRACK AND STABLE

ASSEMBLED PROSPECTS

CHIEF MARIONETTE IMPROVES.

SOME GOOD SCHOOLING

(By

“Hurry On.”)

Excellent schooling displays were given at Te Rapa last week by Royal Visitor and Wilton, ,who were sent along separately. Both handled their fences in pleasing style and jumped confidently. High Commissioner and Twenty-four Carat also gave a' creditable display. Twenty-four Carat is shaping very pleasingly, and with a little more experience should pay expenses where the company is not over strong.

Still Spelling. The three-year-old Silver Ring, of whom big things were expected this season, but who failed to produce his two-year-old promise, has been enjoying a spell on his owner’s place since the New Year, hut it is intended to put him into commission again after Easter. It is to be hoped that the let-up will have the desired effect as this son of Silverado is undoubtedly a good sort who would win in the best of company when back to ? / form. The National Winner. Kellsboro’ Jack, who led the big field home in the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree on Friday, was served up a very hot favourite in the Brook Steeples at Gatwick on February 8, but was beaten into second place by Buch Willow. On that occasion he fenced well but critics were very doubtful as to whether he would be able to stay the National distance. He commenced racing only two seasons ago, when he was Very successful in hurdle events. Won At Oamaru. After Assemble had scored in such stylish fashion in the Craven Plate at the midsummer meeting at Riccarton there were many good judges who considered him to have a royal chance in the Thompson Handicap at Trentham, but the company proved a little too rich for him. Better fortune attended him at Oamaru, where he carried off the big race on the second day on a heavy track. Despite his failure at Trentham he is likely to be a well-backed runner in the Great Easter at Riccarton. Course Did Not Suit Him. The course at Tauranga had Psychologist in trouble on both of his starts on Saturday, and he never appeared to be going generously, even though he was a good third in the cup. Too much notice should not be taken of his failures, and on a bigger course he should not be long in making amends. As he is in great order and can Stay, a race like the President’s Handicap on the opening day of the A.R.C. Easter meeting might not prove beyond his capacities. Paid A Big Price. » The price paid by Chief Marionette on the straight-out machine last week is said to be the largest paid since the Manawatu Racing Club moved the scene of its operations to Awapuni nearly 30 years ago. Chief Marionette’s dam, Dolly / • Fisher, who produced those two fair performers Santiago and Santonib, is a halfsister to the dam of that good horse Antique, who recently scored at Sydney. Chief Marionette showed a lot of promise as a two-year-old but Her form in the spring was very disappointing. She how appears to be improving again and I should develop into a middle-distance performer.

Related To Gay Lap. Try Luck, who won a double at Tauranga on Saturday in stylish fashion, is a full-brother in blood to Gay Lap, being by Lapidary "from Swift Bird, a full-sister to Gay Lap’s dam. Try Luck is on the small side and may never shine under weight, but there is no doubting his pace. His performance was enhanced by the fact that he was making his first appearance with the colours up when he contested the opening event on Saturday. He will receive plenty of support when next asked to race, no matter what the company may be.

Lady Quex Appears Sound, f Lady Quex pulled up quite sound after her gallop with Cereal on the New Plymouth track yesterday morning, and provided that the courses do not become too hard there appears to be every probability of her standing up to the Easter campaign. She will take her place .in the field for the Flying at Stratford and much will depend on her showing there. She had not raced at Stratford since she won a double there as a three-year-old, when she was busily smashing her way through the hack class. She lumped 9.13 home the second day in easy fashion. That, however, is four years ag» and on Saturday she will have her first race on the course in open company. Hawera Trots Nominations.

Nominations for all events on the programme for the Hawera Trotting Club’s meeting on April 15 and 17 close with the secretary, Mr, H. E, Robinson, at 8.30 to-night. Off to Sydney.

The crack Hawera-trained two-year-old Golden Hair will leave on Thursday momin for Wellington en route to Sydney in charge of her trainer, O. Cox. She claims engagements in the Sires’ Produce and the Champagne Stakes at Randwick at Easter. She has done splendidly since racing at Awapuni and -should give a good account of herself next month. Her first race was in the season’s first two-year-old event, the Juvenile Plate at Marton, in which she was left. Her first win came at Awapuni at Christmas, and she has since also won at Stratford, twice at New Plymouth and again at Awapuni. In eleven starts she has been five times first, twice second and twice third, and her winnings amount to £690 to date,' a total inferior only to those ,of Princess Doreen, Dole, Red Manfred apd Diatomous among her juvenile rivals. No rider has yet been engaged but it is probable that an Australian and not a New Zealand jockey will have the mount.

Apprentice Rider Goes South. The Takanui apprentice jockey N. L. Craig, who visited New Plymouth at Christmas with Rereatu, Palace and other members of J. L. Gray’s team, has gone to Westport to pilot the local-owned .Ravine in his West Coast. Nelson and Bienheim engagements. The Auckland lid last season visited Nelson and Blenheim, where he rode Ravine for a win and three minor placings in four starts. * Ravine is a useful horse in his class and although not on the big - side carries weight well.