BRILLIANT COLT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 280, 26 November 1936, Page 4

BRILLIANT COLT

FRANCIS DRAKE AT WOODVILLE JUVENILES AT WOODVILLE PALMERSTON, N, Nov. 25. Ml' Frank Armstrong’s brilliant colt Francis Drake has been acclaimed as the best two-year-old of the season, and his performances to date suggest that it will take an exceptionally good one to shift him from his position at the head of the list. There are one or two other two-year-olds from the Woodville centre, however, that are also likely to make a name for themselves before very long. One of the likely ones is Relative, a Posterity—Eulogy filly, and another is Geira, an Arausio —Huiarau filly, both being stablemates of Francis Drake. in H. E. Russell's stable is Brown Oak, a Lackham—Bon Marche gelding owned by the Palmerston North sportsman. Mr C. T. Keeble. Geira’s Smart Half Geira, with N. Cavaney in the saddle, was sprinted half a mile yesterday and she registered a very smart performance in cutting the distance out in 50sec. It was on the course propel and the trestles were 36ft out from the rails. Geira finished as straight as an arrow. She has done exceptionally well since Wellington. Her next race will be at the Woodville meeting, and it is intended that her Christmas racing w.ll be done at Awapuni. She races in the colours of Mr Frank Ormond. Brown Oak, according to H. E. Rus sell, is the best mover h> has eve; had in his stable. He is a beautifullyshaped youngster whom it would be hard to fault. With Russell away in Australia Brown Oak is not so forward as other two-year-olds, but Noel Voitre has him looking a picture and he should not take long to come to hand. He is to have his first race on the second day of the Woodville meeting. Three tv. o-y car-olds were given barrier practice by Martin Desmond They were Brown Oak (N. Voitre), Relative 'M. Gilmore). and Thala (N. Cavaney). Desmond took plenty of time with them and when he did raise the tapes Thala dwelt momentarily, but the other two went away smartly. Relative held a slight advantage over Brown Oak after two furlongs cut out m 27sec. Relative is owned by Mr G. M. Currie, and Thala (Araus.o —Curtsey) by Mr Frank Ormond. Francis Drake (Gilmore) was galloped with Aiwai (Cavaney) and their task was hall a mile on the course proper. They Hashed away together and were alongside each other all the way. The time was 51sec, and Francis Drake was coasting along smoothly at the finish. It was Aiwai's first gallop since Trent ham, and she had to work to keep with her companion user the last bit. Il was an attractive bit of work by a couple of lazy track workers, and Francis Drake appears to be even better than he was before his trip to Riccarton. His next start, will be in the Foal Stakes at Ellerslie. Jack Sullivan ieports that Son and Heir, another of Woodville's likely two-year-olds, was lame after easy exercise the other morning, and that he will not sport silk at Feilding. A full-sister to Kail is at present being looked after by B. Goodman. She is owned by C. McCullough, who races Flammarion. The Limond—Homage colt Courtcraft, for whom Mr W. H. Gaisford paid 1200 guineas at the last Trentham sales, is certainly an outsize in youngsters, for although he is still growing he already looks like a big three-year-old. If all goes well with this colt he should make a name for himself later on. He will not be asked to race until the autumn. Mr T. H. Lowry's colt Epping, by Hunting Song out of Fintry, daughter of Desert Gold, was gelded this week.