BIG EVENTS AT TE AROHA HERRIES MEMORIAL

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1935, Page 10

BIG EVENTS AT TE AROHA

HERRIES MEMORIAL

GOOD THREE-YEAR-OLDS PROSPECTS OF FERSEN AND KELLY. GAY BLONDE FIT FOR WAIHOU,

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“Hurry On.’’)

Keen interest is taken in the race meeting at Te Aroha which opens on Saturday, the Herries Memorial and the Waihou Handicap both claiming much attention. The good stakes have drawn fine fields, and both races should produce splendid contests. Aga Khan, who heads the list in the Herries Memorial, is .generally regarded as well treated with 8.5,' but' the 11 furlongs journey may prove just too far for him. Nevertheless he rah a mile and a quarter in good style at Wanganui and was responsible for two solid efforts at Hawera last week. Gay Blonde also figures in the Waihou Handicap., Despite her Derby win on New Year's Day a hard run mile and three furlongs may find her wanting. Prince Colossus ran really good races at Takapuna and Rotorua. He is game and stays well., The big course and the distance should be in his favour. . Though he has not raced since the Ellerslie meeting Kelly is a more than useful three-year-old whose forte is staying. He has a handy impost. Mungatoon can gallop when in the mood, bu. his form is too in and out to suit bettors. Next on the list is Fersen. This three-year-old won very well at Wanganui and New Plymouth, but against this is his Hawera failure. That race, however, did not show his correct form. He can do better and should he make the trip he will keep them all busy over the final furlong. ' ' Not much has been heard of Knight of Australia this ■ season, but reports from Te Awamutu credit him with getting through his tasks in' good style; Caliente has not done anything to enthuse over since her good second td Cricket Bat at Trentham last December. StiL mares usually do better in the autumn and a good stayer like Caliente must always be considered. King Musk also figures in the Champion Hack, and as a strong' rider could be obtained that may be his mission. . Aiguille won in great style at Trentham but he will have to be taken on trust over this distance. Sinking Funa ran two really good races at Rotorua. He is staying' better at present but the company here is rather rich. Royal Artist is'not the horse that he was two seasons ago, while the distance is like y to trouble King’s Archer. The issue is very open. Aga Khan, Prince Colossus, Kelly, Fersen, Caliente, Aiguille and Gay Blonde and King Musk if started will all have.plenty of admirers The favourites are likely to be FERSEN KELLY PRINCE COLOSSUS. The Open Sprint. . Gay Blonde has 9.0 in the Waihou Handicap. This is a solid weight for a three-year-old but she is a great filly whose Railway Handicap triumph has not been forgotten. Good rains and a soft track would favour Greek Gold, but under any conditions his good race at the Takapuna meeting would ensure him ot support. Lucidus is a vastly improved sprinter who will keep them all busy* He won very easily at Matamata. British Columbia would require to show ai mg improvement on his recent form to have prospects. . Star Artist, who won this race last year, has not displayed a great deal of form this season. However, she ran two fair races at Trentham and must have prospects. Tai Ao, a hack ‘boom of some years ago, recently showed form at Gisborne but the class is different here Despite her failure at Rotorua Coronis is a wonderfully improved mare who should be prominent with only 7.4 to carry. Gay Lap cannot be fancied unless he happens to strike a wet track. Scotland’s good efforts behind Mothe?: Superior at Ellerslie and Lia Fail at, Takapnna represent good form, and he will command a big following. Exaggeration has not recent form and usually needs racing before being seen at her' best. Sirona is a possibility on the miniThere are plenty here with bright prospects—Gay Blonde, Greek Gold, Lucidus Star Artist, Coronis and Scotland. The final trials may throw further light on this event but at present form appears to favour GAY BLONDE SCOTLAND CORONIS. •RACING FIXTURES. Feb. 20, 21: Gore R.C. Feb. 21: Tologa Bay J.C. Feb. 22, 23: Woodville D.J.C. ®Feb. 23, 25: Te Aroha J.C. Feb. 27: Opunake R.C. Feb. 28: Waiapu R.C. Mar. 2: Banks Peninsula R.C. Mar. 2: Frankton R.C. Mar. 2: Napier Park R.C. Mar. 6: Rangitikei R.C. Mar. 8,9: Cromwell J.C. Mar. 9: Napier Park R.C. Mar. 16, 18: Wellington R.C. Mar. 22, 23: Manawatu R.C. In Australia. Feb 18: A.J.C. (Warwick Farm). Feb. to, 23: V.A.T.C. Feb. 19: Gosford R.C. , Feb. 20: Moonee Valley (Compensation). Feb. 20, 23: Kensington R.C. Feb. 27: Ascot R.C. Mar. 2: Canterbury Park R.C. Mar. 2,6, 9: ViR.C. In England. Mar. 27: Lincolnshire Handicap. Mar. 28: Liverpool Spring Cup. Mar. 29: Grand National Steeples. Apr. 6: Newbury Spring Cup. Apr. 23: Great Metropolitan Stakes. Apr. 24: City and Suburban Handicap. May 1: Two Thousand Guineas. May 3: One Thousand Guineas. June 5: Derby Stakes. June 20: Ascot Gold Cup. TROTTING FIXTURES. Feb. 16, 20: Auckland T.C. Feb. 23: New Brighton T.C. Mar. 1,2: Invercargill T.C. Mar. 2: Wellington T.C. Mar. 9: Marlborough T.C. Mar. 9: Timaru T.C. Mar. 13: Wyndham T.C. Mar. 16: Cheviot T.C. Mar. 23: Wairarapa T.C. Mar. 23: Roxburgh T.C. Mar. 23: Auckland T.C. Mar. 30: Thames T.C. Mar. 30, Apr. 3: Manawatu T.C. Apr. 13: Wanganui T.C.