FINAL TRACK WORK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 112, 14 May 1931, Page 4

FINAL TRACK WORK

PREPARATIONS FOR TO-DAY YESTERDAY’S OPERATIONS MOSTLY USEFUL TASKS. (By “KESTREL.-) I Most of the candidates for honours ; at the Wanganui meeting hail done their I final gallops prior to yesterday morning. 1 either on the local track since their ar l rival here or on their home tracks. . Thus jl. was that onlookers who attendi cd at the course yesterday morning with | hopes of seeing a real old-time display ion (he various tracks had to be eonte.H with viewing pace-work of the useful i rder. A couple of fast gallops were done, however, number one track being used, ami this proved in first-class order No doubt the lack of employment, was responsible for the size of the “gallery. ’ ’ Jhe before-breakfast brigade is a small one these days, Kowhatu and Auctioneer being the only one to put in «it> early appearance. They did half-pace work over a couple of circuits and struck out well. It appeared as if Kowhatu had not suffered any ill-effects as a result of his Hawera efforts, so his appearance in the Grandstand Steeple chase field seems assured. The racing at Wanganui will serve to show whether or not Auctioneer is going to make good over the battens. The breakfast interval over, Golden Shadow put in au appearance and was worked on the plough. This consistent performer has improved with recent racing and seems better and brighter than ever. The Woodville-trained Heather Mix ture gelding Mountain Heath was allowed to stride out freely in a circuit. He can carry weight and'looks a likelv customer in the Rata Hack Hurdles. Cashier, who appears to have done plenty of work since his win over the battens at Marton, was not asked to go faster than threequarter pace over a circuit. His trainer was in the saddle. A Grandstand Steeplechase candidate in High Heather was asked to stride along over a mile, hitting out freely and recording a little worse than J min. 36sec. for the last seven furlongs—nor bad for a 'chaser without company. Finishing together at the end of half a mile, Shrewd and Cuticle registered 51sec., being clocked tc do the first two in 25scc. The first-named ran two good races at Hawera last week, while his companion also looks and moves well. , Down to make her appearance in the Winter Oats, Tea Queen impressed by the way she struck out in covering five furlongs, in a shade over Iniin. ssee., taking 52sec. for the final four furlongs. She could have done better and it was a pleasing effort. Malayan, who is a bold galloper ami an impressive mover, did a circuit at a little better than threequarter pace. He looks to be in good fettle for his Empire Handicap engagement. Knollmere, who has come through his interrupted preparation well, moved freely in covering a circuit at a useful pace, L. G. Morris being in the saddle. Ho was finishing on at the end of seven furlongs at Marton and should have no trouble in covering extra distance. A mile was the task set two Century Hurdles candidates in Carinthia and Perle de Leon, and they were hitting out well to record a tick over Jmim 48 3-ssec, the first four taking 52 3-5 sec. Carinthia may do better with a race or two, the Lucullus gelding carrying a bit more avoirdupois than he usually exhibits, Tokahue gave Valma a start and a beating over four furlongs, which took them 52 l-ascc. Jt was just a useful effort. Zarene (L. G. Morris), who looks very much improved as a result of her race at Marton, strode along nicely at a little better than half-pace. Bennanee was not very impressive in his display over a couple of flights of hurdles, but he was on his own and there was no pace on. The Warden ran away from Courageous when they were sent a circuit over the battens, the locally-trained gelding jumping well at each 1 " of the three flights. A number of others did useful work, included being Nimble, Roval Songster, Kaokaoroa, Moerangi, Cali Again and Royal Benagl. SCRATCHED I Star Girl was scratched for her Rata Hack Hurdles engagement at S o’clock last night. MUSIC AT THE RACES GARRISON BAND PROGRAMME HALF A CENTURY AGO (By 4 • Kestrel"). Patrons of the Wanganui Jockey Club ’s meetings invariably look forward co the splendid programme of music presided each day by one of the fine bands of the »cily. These days the Garrison and the Queen Alexandra Band have alternate days at each of the fixtures, and on every occasion they have given unqualified satisfaction to visitors and city residents alike. This afternoon the Wanganui Garrison Band will provide a selected programme of popular musical items. It may not be generally known that the Wanganui Garrison Band has played at the Wanganui races for upwards of half a century, but it is a fact, nevertheless. The writer was handed, recently, a programme for the Wanganui Jockey Club’s steeplechase meeting of 1888, when it was held on Thursday, May 24. The announcement is therein made i hat “The Garrison Band will perform j the following programme on the lawn during the day: Contest march, “The Jolly Demons’’; Serenade to Lura; waltz, "Mikado’’; overture, “Tancredi”; ‘‘Houthern Beauties’’; overture, “ Symphoiiia contest quadrille, “The Wheel of Fortune’’; galop, “Tin-Tin.” It would bo interesting to know how many people will be present to-day who attended that meeting over forty years ago.