ON ELLERSLIE TRACKS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 89, 16 April 1938, Page 6

ON ELLERSLIE TRACKS

THE FINAL GALLOPS

THURSDAY'S OPERATIONS

( Per Freaa Association. )

AUCKLAND, April 11.

Despite rain yesterday and heavy showers overnight the going at Ellerslie this morning tor tne nnal gallops was fairiy good, though inclined to cut out a little. Work took place on the course proper, 401 t. out irom the rails, and there was plenty ol interesting work. A feature of the trials was a brilliant half-mile by Golden Sheila, while Stretto went particularly well over seven furlongs, and Francis Drake gained additional admirers by a sound effort over a similar distance. Suleiman, Race Call and Icing also acquitted themselves attractively. Kilonsa opened proceedings by running seven furlongs in 1-35 3-5. She covered the final three in 40 4-ssec., and was running on at the end. Knight of Australia was timed to run the last live furlongs of his work in 1.8 2-5, Donnybelle coming home with him over the last four, which took 54 2-ssec.

Tosh and Hunting Blood reeled ofl halt a mile in 51 J-ssec. There was little between them at the linish auu Hunting Blood went well for one of his class.

Llangollen recorded 1.19 2-5 for six furlongs. She did her work well throughout.

Shy and Glenogil were associated over seven furlongs which occupied 1.34. They ran the first half mile m 51 4-ssec., and Shy was holding his companion safely. The Easter Handicap favourite, Stretto, put up an excellent trial over seven turlongs. She covered the first three in 38 b-ssec., four in 50 2-ssec., and the lull distance in 1.31 2-5. It was a very sound performance. Lady Meath went impressively while running six furlongs in 1.19, the last live taking 1.4 4-5. Master Musk did strong work, which he finished by running nis last seven furlongs in 1.40 2-5. He was showing distinct signs of soreness after the gallop. Noitaro shaped well over half a mile which he ran in 51 3-ssec. He had a bit in reserve at the finish.

Gay Rose, after taking 51 4-ssec. for her first half-mile, completed a mile in 1.47 4-5. She was not bustled at any part of it, and could have improved on her time. Jack Tar went seven furlongs, which took 1.35 4-5. This hack has been working well of late. Surella came home from the five furlongs post in 1.4 4-s—a smart effort. Suleiman and Race Call. However, the best effort over this distance was that of Suleiman and Race Call, the pair running the distance in 1.3 4-5. Suleiman appeared to be doing the better of the pair at the end. The outstanding effort over half a mile was recorded by Golden Sheila, who registered 49 2-bsec. She ran the first furlong in 12sec., and was doing her work well when she reached the post. This gallop is sure to bring her into favour for the Easter Handicap.

Wanganui Juveniles,

Rehearsal and Russian Ballet were allotted five furlongs, the latter finishing nearly half a dozen lengths in front in 1.4 1-5. They ran the first two in 24 4-ssec., and Russian Ballet drew away in the straight, though Rehearsal was not unduly hustled. The Handicap candidate, Francis Drake, pleased by the manner in which he traversed seven furlongs. He ran the first half-mile in 51 l-ssec. and the full distance in 1.31 4-5. He was wide out turning into the straight and he will oniy need to repeat his trial to be very hard to beat. Paso Robles shaded Master Briefly at the conclusion of a mile which took 1.45 4-5, the last four furlongs being covered in 52 2-ssec. It was a good gallop and both horses impressed. The three Oaks candidates, Icing, Wildflower and Aiwal were allotted a round which occupied 2.8 3-5. Wildflower and Icing finished clear of Aiwai, and Icing, who was on the outside, was responsible for a good effort. The two-year-olds, Surmount and Philcourt, compassed five furlongs in 1.6. Surmount finished several lengths in iront of his companion and could have improved on the time considerably. Valmint finished clear of Tray bit over six furlongs which ocupied 1.19 4-5. They ran the first three in 38 3-ssec., and Valmint was finishing on strongly. Bass led Kilberis over lour hurdles, giving a good exhibition. Kilberis continued on jumping two more. Taken all round his fencing was disappointing. The Steeplechasers.

A good schooling bout over a round of the steeplechase course was provided by Lucidus, Huskie, Valpeen, Count Rousillon, Forest Glow, Riotous, Bryce Street and Neil. They started off at the sodwall and Riotous, Forest Glow, Valpeen and Count Rousillon were prominent throughout, and when they finished up oved the double and the stonewall the last time there was very little between this quartet, with Huskie and Nell handy. Bryce Street and Lucidus were pulled on to the course proper after jumping the stone wall at the foot of the hill. Forest Glow and Riotous fenced attractively, while Valpeen and Count Rousillon also pleased. Bryce Street was not bustled and he was always going well. Royal Appellant was scratched for the Easter Handicap at 10.15 a.m., Ecstatic has also been withdrawn from the Champagne Stakes. Disturbed, Glen Abb, and Paddy the Rip have been scratched for all engagements.

WINTER PROGRAMMES

FOR THE JUMPING CIRCUIT

EGMONT AND WANGANUI

After the Waverley meeting next Saturday and the Dannevirke fixture at Woodville the following Friday and Saturday New Zealand racing will enter on the winter campaign. The fixture at Hawera provides a fine opening meeting for those who are partial to cross-country racing, as it is followed in successive weeks by the Wanganui, Manawatu and Waikato, Foxton. and Auckland, Napier Park and Oaki meetings.

Principal events for the 'chasers al

Hawera comprise the Egmont Steeplechase, of £3OO, about two and a-half miles, on the first day, and the Adamson Steeples (£225), two miles, on the second day. Flat races are well valued, too, with the Mcßae Cup carrying a stake of £3OO, while an added attraction for hacks is the £3OO Hack Plate over nine furlongs on the second day, including a trophy valued at £25 and a stop-watch for the trainer of the winner. Nominations will be taken up till 9 o’clock on Friday, April 22, by the secretary, Mr. A. K. Fyson. The Wanganui Jockey Club's winter meeting, to be held on May 12 and 14, has been generously endowed with stake-money, with increases in several important events to the tune of over £5OO. The two cross-country events are the Grandstand Steeplechase (£350) and the Wanganui Steeplechase (£550), the latter event on the second day, when there will also be the Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase (£200). On the opening day there will be the Century Hurdles (£400) and the Purua Hack Hurdles (£150), with the May Hurdles (£300) on the second day. The Connolly Handicap (£300) and the Empire Handicap (£250) are the principal flat events, with two open sprints of £2OO each. Hacks are well catered for, with the River Hack Handicap on the second day carrying a stake of £3OO. It is a well-balanced programme, and nominations for all events are to close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, with the secretary, Mr. S. R. McCallum.