AUCKLAND HORSES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 87, 13 April 1938, Page 4

AUCKLAND HORSES

FORM AT WHANGAREI

PROSPECTS FOR EI.I.ERSLIE

(Special to “Chronicle") AUCKLAND, April 12. Illimani, who paid over half a century when he won the Hurdles at Whangarei on Saturday and also double figures for a place in a sevenhorse field, had finished fast into fourth place in a similar event the day before, although not much value was placed on that performance. The Illumination gelding scored well on Saturday.

There is every probability of H. Jury going to the Egmont fixture 2t Hawera (which opens the jumping season proper) early next month with his two gallopers, Kilonsa and Land Girl. The former is to compete at Ellerslie this week-end, while Land Girl ran two good races at Whangarei for a second and a third. The sprints at Hawera next month are to be run over seven furlongs instead of the usual six furlongs and this will be an advantage to Land Girl. Another second went down against Grateful's name in the big event on the opening day at Whangarei, Tybalt just shading him on the post. The latter was making the pace throughout, but Grateful appeared to have him beaten on the turn and then ran out from the rails, leaving Tybalt to come through while he was being straightened up and this made all the difference between winning and losing for Grateful; his turn cannot be far off. He was not paid up for Ellerslie so he may go to Feilding. Favourite for Easter? With Oratory and Smoke Screen missing from the Auckland Easter Handicap field, the chances of Stretto are now rated much more highly and she is certain to start a big favourite. Suleiman, who was not far behind her at the finish of the Thompson Handicap at Trentham last month, Golden Sheila, Round Up, Llangollen, Whirling and Francis Drake are among th*, most likely opponents for the topweight. Stretto is still in excellent form and it is going to take a good one to beat her.

While Kilberis was disappointing when reproduced in the hurdles at Tauranga last month, he was always in the picture when he took on the open mile last Friday at Whangarei and this indicated that he is a very fit horse. He has won previously over the sticks at Ellerslie and therefore he should be one of the decided possibilities in the Brighton Hurdles on Saturday next. A bright future is held by this gelding, who is an older half-brother to a fancied Easter Handicap candidate in Llangollen and he should capture one of the jumping plums of the winter if he remains sound.

Collision was produced in the hack mile at Whangarei on Saturday ana he ran a fair race without ever being a possibility. He looked well, but obviously in need of racing, and he is in nice condition to commence a serious preparation for coming important hurdle races. He is not engaged in this branch at Ellerslie next holiday week-end and he may not be seen out in the capacity of a hurdler until the concluding day of the Avondale fixture a fortnight hence. Lucidus Over “Country” The first and third scored by Lucidus in the hurdle races at Whangarei last week draws attention to his chances among the cross-country performers at Ellerslie this week-end. He is in the Mangere Steeplechase on Saturday and as he has thrived on his racing since he reappeared at Pukeokhe nearly six weeks ago he should be fit enough for the strenuous task next Saturday. Lucidus was placed in a steeplechase at Paeroa a month ago and that, plus last week’s fine hurdling efforts, will ensure hipi plenty of support at headquarters. Brazilian ran very green at Whangarei, but his effort in earning third place in the novice event on Saturday, accompanied by a solid place dividend, is only a forerunner of better things to come, although he will not be seen at his best until next season. He is engaged in the two-year-old event at headquarters on Saturday and in this race he will be coupled with his stablemate Milanion, who has also shown promise. These youngsters belong to an Auckland syndicate and race in the colours of the wellknown veterinary surgeon, Dr. W. C. Ring. A feature of the big nomination lists issued for the Avondale meeting, to be held on April 23 and 27, is the number of two-year-olds entered for the two handicap contests restricted to horses of this age. No fewer than 38 figure in the first day event and 31 for the second day, so this promises well for the fields in the province next season. All the youngsters engaged are trained within the Auckland district and among them is Hot Box, the smart Takanini colt who is expected to uphold the honoui of the province in next Saturday’s Champagne Stakes.