THOROUGHBREDS

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3178, 17 May 1932, Page 5

THOROUGHBREDS

VISIT TO MR A. COOK'S STABLE. HORSES IN EXCELLENT FETTLE. The racing season for the 1931-32 year is nearing its end, and many of the successful horses aaie enjoying a spell preparatory to being taken in hand again for competition in the big handicaps next spring. A certain number are still being kept in work in the hope that they will credit their owners with some stake-money in the next three months. The Te Awamutu trainer, Mr Alex. Cook, is one who has practically a full stable, but several are not required to race for some time to come. Actually, he has only three with engagements at the forthcoming meeting at Te Rapa of the Waikato Racing Club, and one or two others that will be produced at the A.R.C. Great Northern meeting six weeks hence, all going well meantime. Those with engagements at Te Rapa are Leitrim, Chateau and Taurua, and all three are in nice fettle. Leitrim is to make his debut as a hurdler, and the way he has been shaping in schooling work indicates that he has distinct aptitude for this 'bujsiness. He will certainly be well backed by the investing public, and they seem sure to get a good run for their money, even though it will be Leitrim's first attempt and there will be a numerous field. Chateau has yet to win, but he has been in a place more than once, and his condition now warrants him -support. He is not a robust sort, though, and it may be that one or two opponents will have his measure in the run down the long straight at Te Rapa. Taurua has almost gained for himself a reputation of being unreliable. There is no doubt he can gallop fast, and is niot troubled by a middle distance; but there seems to be a doubt about his solidity. Maybe with increasing age he will respond to his trainer's painstaking care by getting a share of the stake money. Te Homai, which has already gained some fame as a jumper, is being prepared in anticipation of a win or two at the Great Northern meeting. He is by no means an attractive customer, but "handsome is as handsome does," and he may be able to confound hjs detractors. He has not been an easy horse to train, but he looks as good now as he is likely to be during the winter months. That he can jump is beyond question; it is just a matter of his being solid enough to cope with the opposition in the concluding stage of a race.

The Hunting Song gelding Soloist has not been kept in hard condition, for he was growing, and his connections wisely decided \to allow him time to develop properly. In seems good policy, too, for he is a nicelooking horse now, and when put into work in a few weeks' time should be a good proposition for handicap events in the spjling. One of the most commanding types in the Cook stable —in fact, anywhere —is the rising four-year-old Lucidus, by Illumination—Lady Biddy, and therefore full brother to the now defunct Biddy's Boy. Lucidus has shown great speed, but as he was growing he was another given an easy time of it. He is a big, massive fellow now, even bigger than the well-known Pegaway, and his connections should have a profitable time ahead with him. Sea Ruler, which has finished his racing as a two-year-old, has grown into a very attractive sort, though somewhat " on the leg," and he should be a very speedy ihree-year-old, capable of pacing it over short courses with the best. Another of the same age is the colt Banbury, by the English horse Scherzo from the imported mare Legality, and though he is not so attractive at present as Sea Ruler he is a nice type and one that should be capable of representing the stable next season with distinct credit. A recent addition to the stable is the hunter Just Nell, by Nassau from Flying Nell, and she is in really nice condition, though probably not hardened up. enough for immediate results.

But it is the youngsters that are the most interesting. Mr Cook has a trio being educated for racing in the spring. The most forward is a racy little filly by Diacquenod from Finelli, and therefore bred for exceptional speed. This filly looks the part, too and has already shown on the tracks that she knows how to pick up her feet fast. Quite a different type is the Australian-bred colt by imported High Art from Baby Doll, the latter dam ,'of winners in Tea Cosy, Royal Ruler, and Royal Baby. This fellow, as yet unnamed, is a thick-set, solidlooking customer that should be a good one next season, and even better in succeeding years. He has moulded into shape in recent weeks, and can gallop attractively. Very docile in the stall, he is keen and full of vim when ridden on the tracks, and has nice action when stretched out. The third youngster is a more backward sort by Gay Shield from Boynette, and thus a half-sister to the- Welcome Stakes winner Rippling Waters. This filly was not as well done before going into Mr Cook's stable as the other pair, but looks to be well endowed with the qualities that go to make winners. The next three months should see a decided chance in this filly, and maybe she will emulate the success of Rippling Waters. The only other inmate of the stable at present is Mr Cook's pacer Pegaway; this one is having an easy time of it before being keyed up for engagements next season. Running out in the well-grassed paddocks is a rising two-year-old that would have commanded a great deal of interest on the race track, for he is a half-brother (by Acre) to the flying Karapoti. However, bad luck came his way, and he is probably destined never to grace the tracks. He met with an accident that destroyed the sight of one eye, and the other is also affected. At present he just wanders about the paddocks, and his owner and trainer both hope that constitution and healing Nature will come to the aid of the trainer in restoring the sight. Let us hope so.