ALL THE TALK WILL BE TE AROHA!

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1935, Page 10

ALL THE TALK WILL BE TE AROHA!

HOT SPRINGS CLUB HAS ‘HOT’ FIELDS FORM GALORE FOR BERRIES’ CUP A LTHOUGH there appears more blue sky in the racing world than was the case a season or so back, even in these improved, finantial times a £5OO stake attached to a Cup race away from the metropolitan courses at Ellerslie, Trentham and Riccaton is a luxury for owners and trainers. No wonder the Herries Memorial Cup, the highlight on to-morrow’s card at Te Aroha, attracted excellent nominations, and has drawn a fine acceptance. Considering that he won the Takapuna Jockey Club Handicap at his last start with 9.9, and ran the mile and a-quarter m 2m. 6 3-55., Kiltowyn appeared reasonably handicapped in the Herries Memorial Cup, and his non-acceptance would come as a surprise to early speculators. ■ On account of her projected Australian trip Cuddle s defection was to be ‘anticipated. It was also asking-a tremendous task of the Hawkes Bay mare to compete at Dunedin and then race at Te Aroha within a few days. The Hawera performer Aga Khan now figures at the top of the handicap, and he is making the trip north. Aga Khan’s form this season has been too unreliable to allow of his being considered with any great confidence. Still, he ran a fine race in the Wanganui Cup a month ago and is due for another early prominent showing. ’. HERE’S A FAST YOUNG LADY I

After being a leading juvenile last season, Gay Blonde has undoubtedly herself to be the outstanding three-year-old of either sex up to the present time this season. Prior to the Great Northern Derby at Ellerslie it was suggested that Gay Blonde lacked class staying ability, but her convincing victory over Kelly Synagogue and Sporting Blood left no room to question her staying powers. Gay Blonde should go very well in the Waihou sprint, but if her connections elect to try for the lucrative Herries Memorial stake the Gay Shield filly promises to be a prime fancy. , . Prince Colossus was solid when trained at New Plymouth and it appearsi as if he has made improvement since being trained at Cambridge. The Princes best nerfonhance recently was when he defeated at Ellerslie a field which included Red Manfred, Gold Trail, Solarium and Gay Marigold in the Grandstand Handicap. He also won the Rotorua- Cup in effortless style,, and is certainly a form candidate for Te Aroha honours. " The Kilbrcney three-year-old Kelly will be meeting Gay Blonde on better tarJthafi when the filly beat him by a length in the Great Northern Derby. Kelly is held in high repute in the North, and he appears to have justified the good opinion held of him. . . I - Mungatoon will be racing on his home track, but his form during the past few months has not been good. A lightweight for attention is the Taranaki “hope” Fersen. The Verbius three-year-old won the Taranaki Cup in a manner which suggested he would be a prospect for some of the Dominion’s important middle-distance handicaps. Fer Sen went on to Hawera, appeared in fine racing trim, and had a good run in the Egmont Cup. However, for the first occasion since he has been racing in New Zealand he failed to produce his telling finishing run. Being trained by the veteran “Oney” Cox, Fersen is in most experienced hands, and it is not likely that Mrs. Graham’s candidate would have been sent North unless a good showing was confidently expected from him. Knight of Australia may be the better for racing, but he is suited by the roomy Te Aroha course, and was in the picture .last year. Caliente has been a sound performer this season, and he was second to Kiltowyn in the Takapuna Handicap. King Musk is an outstanding hack performer, but his mission looks more likely to be the Champion Hack Cup. Aiguille came back to the winning list at his last start at Trentham. Sinking Fund appears to have taken to middledistances, and after running second to Prince Colossus in the Rotorua Cup he reversed placings on the concluding day. In his last five starts King’s Archer has finished in a place on four, occasions, but Royal Artist seemfc to have lost . his one-time good form. TEN CANDIDATES POSSESS PROSPECTS. With the outlining of the candidates’ recent form it is obvious .that reasonable prospects are held by at least 10 of the Herries Memorial candidates. In a problem for bettors the favourite division may comprise— • ' - i ' GAY BLONDE (if started) KELLY " * PRINCE' COLOSSUS 1 ‘ ' ! FERSEN.