GOLD MISSION’S WINS

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1935, Page 10

GOLD MISSION’S WINS

REVIEW OF THE FORM SLIPPERY’S FAILURES FERSEN FINISHES SOLIDLY RAZOR HAS BAD LUCK

(By

“Hurry On.”)

Though both the open flat races at New Plymouth last week were well contested and provided fine finishes the form was not particularly illuminative for future events, as the going at Marton and Wanganui is sure to be far better and firmer. Nevertheless the racing all the horses had last week should be of material benefit to them and they should strip fit and well for their next start. After the Stratford Handicap it is certain that either Gold Mission is really good mare or Slippery is a long way below the Slippery of 12 months ago. On the first day Gold Mission appeared a trifle lucky to win but that race improved her considerably and she beat her rival fairly and squarely on Saturday, though the margin was only a head. As Slippery has always had a reputation as a heavy track performer no excuses can be offered for him on account of the heavy going. Gold Mission, on the other hand, though she is quite at home in the wet, is equally as good on top of the ground. Last season she won seven races, beginning with a win in the Opnnake Scurry on the second day of the combined hunts gathering, and she has certainly opened the current season in a most auspicious fashion. FAILURE OF REFRESHER WEAKNESS AT FINISH On the strength of his good track work Refresher was regarded as almost a “racecourse certainty” in the Waihau Handicap on Thursday, and 'the public had no hesitation in sending him out a good favourite on both machines. He hopped out smartly and was soon showing the way with Gold Cure. The pair turned for home together and the favourite’s supporters were on good terms with themselves when he assumed command a furlong from the post, but shortly afterwards he was in trouble and could not hold off Gold Mission and Slippery. It was a disappointing effort, but it may be unwise to condemn him too soon. He is getting, on in years and his form last autumn at. Hawera, Wanganui and Otaki suggested that he requires a race to properly tune him up, and the second day at Wanganui may see him do better. FERSEN’S GOOD SHOWING PROMISING FOR SEASON The distance of the Waihau Handicap did not favour Fersen, and the merry pace' set by Refresher and Gold Cure down, the back soon had him tailing the field. Over the final stages he. came along in good style and was finishing very strongly in fifth place. So well was he travelling that a few regarded him as being a good place-bet in the Stratford Handicap on Saturday, but his trainer, O. Cox, was unwilling to risk him on the heavy track and the scratching pen was pui .through, hip .name, ■ - Fersen wintered exceptionally well and is now a more solid looking customer in every way. ’ He looks an improved horse who should be capable of playing a pro-' minent part in.the decision of the big distance handicaps this season. There is every probability ’ that he will be prepared for the New Zealand Cup at Riccarton in November. TAHURANGI’S SUCCESS' ' HIS. BRIGHT. PROSPECTS Tahurangi carried out his task like a tradesman in the Whenuakura Hack Handicap on Thursday after having none of the luck of the start. He had to be sent along down the back to secuie a position at the far turn but then in the straight he finished too solidly for his opponents. On Saturday he made a gallant attempt under his 9.10 on a sodden track but the task was too great, though, he finished a good fourth.' He is carrying a. lot more condition than formerly, and .though another win will probably put him out of hacks under the new conditions, he should not be hard to place where he could pay his way in open company. MIDDLE-DISTANCE WIN SPORTING SONG STAYS Like most of the-progeny of his sire Hunting Song, Sporting Song is at home on a heavy track and ran two splendid races at the meeting. On the opening day he ran Tahurangi to half a length in the Whenuakura Hack Handicap, and on Saturday never looked like being beaten in the Waihi Handicap. He was taken to the front from the rise of the barrier, and though the lightweight Blue Tiger kept him busy, along the back, Sporting Song was always going comfortably and drew away in the straight to score very decisively. Sporting Song stayed out the mile and half a furlong in great style, suggesting that a mile and a-quarter journey is not likely to inconvenience him in the near future. H. Dulieu is deserving of much credit for Sporting Song’s success as in spite of many failures last spring he never lost faith in the black, whose three wins in the last three months are justifying this confidence. OWNERS’ SPORTSMANSHIP SILK SOX’S TWO STARTS His track work suggested that Silk Sox would be equal to paying expenses, and this was proved correct, as in three starts the big black won one race and filled third position twice. He paid a great price when he won the Necklace; on performances he should have been at odds on. „ .. His owners showed a fine sporting spirit in starting him a second time on Saturday, when under the heavy track conditions no-one would have blamed them for withdrawing him. His presence in the event certainly added to the interest and helped the totalisator turnover. POPULAR VICTORY KAOLA’S HURDLES WIN While the Taranaki tracks were almost waterlogged last month the Wavei ley course was in good order and Stan Cleaver was taking advantage of this to put

plenty of work into his hurdler Kaola. For this reason he was quietly confident that his charge would stay better than his opponents’ in the Hack and Hunters’ Hurdles on Saturday. This was correct, as Kaola’s rider, C. Thompson, after riding a patient race for a little over a mile moved his mount up smartly and kept the less seasoned. Lavington hard at it over the last two furlongs, and in a great finish just received the judge’s decision by a head. Thompson certainly made a splendid race but Owner-Trainer Cleaver must also be given credit for his share in the victory. He has displayed plenty of patience with Kaola, whose win was very popular. RAZOR’S BAD LUCK INJURY TO THE RIDER Twelve months ago the young Tikorangi sportsman, Mr. R. Foreman, won the Taranaki Hunt Cup with his good hunter Razor, and after tire fine race that son of Quarantine ran in the Taranaki, Egmont-Wanganui event on the openig day his, prospects of repeating his win on Saturday appeared to be particularly bright. Fencing in great style Razor occupied a prominent position until the last half mile, when he began to drift finishing a moderate fourth. His showing was puzzling but it transpired that his rider, F. E. Baker, injured his leg through slightly colliding with another runner early in the race and was unable to be of much assistance to his mount over the final stages. As at the best of times Razor is a lazy customer this naturally extinguished his chances. It was certainly unforfunate for Mr. Foreman, who had experienced a lot of trouble in getting his horse fit for the gathering. It is a pity that Razor is not really sound as he is a wonderful fencer with a fair tum of speed, and would always be a possibility even in good company, DISTRICT COMMITTEE MR. H. M. GOOD A MEMBER The appointment of Mr. H. M. Good, Stratford, as a member of the Taranaki District Committee in place of Mr. A. Coleman, who resigned owing to pressure of work, was notified at a meeting of the committee a'; New Plymouth last night. Messrs. L. A. Nolan (chairman), G. Fraser, A. Gray and W. D. Graham were present. An application for a trainer’s license was recommended. Reports concerning the recent combined hunt clubs’ meeting at New Plymouth were approved. HAWERA TRACK NOTES WANGANUI AND MARTON HORSES. SOME GOOD PERFORMANCES'. ( (By “Limited?’) With the new racing season fairly opened for Taranaki horses there is plenty of activity on the Hawera tracks. Horses are being prepared for Wanganui, Avondale,and Marton. A larger number than usual are listed for Wanganui, nearly all stables being represented. There was a full complement of horses .out yesterday. morning, being put. through tire various, phases of their preparations. The' morning, though fine, ’ was .bitterly ■ cold, with a fairly strong wind. ' “' ‘ ' Hawera’s two-year-old hope Notium was responsible for the best sprint of the morning, while good effortsxwere also accomplished by Golden Hair, Supreme Court and Arouse. ""The trial’ grass’was used for fast work and the inside plough was in excellent order .for the large amount of pace work performer. Notium (Cole) finished a shade in front of Carfex (Hawke) in a sprint from the three furlongs disc. Notium went well but Carfex kept’ him busy all the way in 38 4-ss. Supreme Court (Sheild) and Arouse (Cole) were companions over half a mile, the pair performing a useful work-out and finishing together with Supreme Court going the better at the finish in 5215. Supreme Court is coming to hand well and promises to run prominently at any time. Arouse is holding his condition better and performed well. . Ruri, Onewhetu and Oriel did steady pace work. Ruri is looking bright again and Onewhetu is fining down. Celeste (Cook) sprinted three furlongs, finishing strongly in 41 2-ss. Celeste will probably have his opening run of the season at Wanganui, but St. Clara !s considered harshly treated and is unlikely to be taken to Wanganui. Friesland, Brilliancy, Fersen and Lowenberg were given easy tasks.. Fersen looks as if he felt the effects of his two races in the heavy going. Lowenberg looks improved by his effort. Bantry (Chote) finished a length in front of Ingenuity (Sheild) at the end of half a mile traversed in 54 3-ss. Bantry looks improved by his run at New Plymouth. Golden Hair (Monkley) was given a sprint over three furlongs, which she accomplished in 40s. Golden Hair is looking in good order for future engagements. Panloff, Just Off, Alchemic and Soloist performed useful pace work. R. Brough’s Colossus—Just So filly and the Gay Shield—Persis colt were companions over three furlongs, the filly finishing well in front in 425. The filly has made steady progress and is to race as Waiongana. On her showing at Marton will depend her trip to Avondale. Careful. Bay Sand, Sylvanus, Topthorn, Hunting Lad, Lady Eka, Kia Ora, Ruaform, Autumn Leaf, Aga Khan, Diagano and Glenthorne were all allotted pace work. TAURAMAI NO WORSE MAY RACE AGAIN AT SYDNEY. By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. Sydney, Sept. 3. Tauramai (N.Z.) may have another race here. His lameness is no worse and it is understood he showed these symptoms before he left New Zealand. At a sale of racehorses Jutland was bought by Mr. J. Cook for 160 guineas.