AUCKLAND FORM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 6

AUCKLAND FORM

HORSES FOR PUKEKOHE THE NORTHERN HURDLERS (Special to “Chronicle") AUCKLAND, April 28. Knight o£ Australia figures in both the open handicap and the hurdles events at the Franklin fixture at Pukekohe next week and it would no' surprise if he were found taking on the obstacle race. He is a good cut of a jumper. He has raced fairly well of late months, but it is obvious that he has lost some of his brilliance. As he is now nine years old, this is not surprising.

Francis Drake is reported to have gone into retirement for the season. As he was first three times and second once in his last four outings he has gone into the paddock with a fine record, evidence that his form earlier in the season was all wrong. Francis Drake met with a slight mishap while in Australia in the spring and this might have caused his lapse of form. Next season he may develop into oik of our best stayers. Hutana continues to race unluckily. His form at Avondale was quite good, his third the first day being registered as the result of a fine run from the back. It. would not be surprising to find this hack tackling longer events from this onwards, and if taken lo Hawera next week he should show up, as he appears partial to soft ground. Hutana should be the makings of a good jumper, although there is no sign yet of this departure. A promising hack is Bonnybeile, who had her first race at Avondale on Saturday. She got away well for a novice and revealed a lot of pace to be in the first three or four for over four furlongs, when she weakened. A fine type of galloper, Bonnybeile should soon be well up among the good hacks. She is by Vaals out of Archeno, a well-known performer in the north several seasons back.

About Pirate King A speedy hack not produced at Avondale was Pirate King, but he is among the numerous Aucklanders engaged at the Egmont fixture at Hawera. He revealed a glimpse of his best form when he raced at Matamata recently and if he strikes a track to his liking next week he should be very prominent. So far Pirate King’s form has been rather disappointing, for when he first came into prominence he showed so much brilliance that it was thought that he would not be long before he was holding his own with the open sprinters. However, he has not been raced a good deal this reason. Although he failed to show up among the maiden performers on the flat the first day at Avondale, Al! Irish looked very forward and gave the impression that he would be even better this winter than he was last, when he revealed fencing ability and stamina of no mean order. He may be found playing a big part in coining jumping events at Te Rapa next month and at Ellerslie in June, and if he makes the required progress he will probably go to Trentham and Riccarton. A likely sort to win a maiden race is Palmint, who showed up in his races at Whangarei and Avondale, when he lined up with the novices. However, as the season is now well advanced and chances for non-win-ners in their own particular class arc restricted, it may not be till next season that this six-year-old gelding makes good. By Paladin, there is hope for Palmint as a potential stayer, for at the two fixtures mentioned he was noticed running on at the finish.

Over Middle Distances

Golden Sheila had her first attempt over a middle distance in handicap company when she took on the Folc> Memorial the first day at Avondale and she was far from being disgraced, for she finished not far away from the place-fillers. She was ridden to the front from the barrier apparently to give her jockey a chance to slow the field up, but Francis Drake took her on and she dropped back, remaining in about fifth or sixth place to the finish. Next season Golden Sheila may be prominent in handicap events up to a mile and aquarter. The class seen out in recent hurdle races in the north has not been good, nor have there been too many runners, going on the numbers that lined up at Ellerslie and Avondale over the past few days. Of the younger school of jumpers Celtic Lad appeared to be easily the best, but the old brigade was able to uphold its reputation. Earlier in the autumn there was no dearth of hurdlers, but perhaps owners are now awaiting the coming winter fixtures at Hawera, Te Rapa and Ellerslie.

MR. STANDFAST WINNER

VICTORY AT THE CURBAGH Cabled advice has been received by Mr. M. H. Tims that the lirst starter by Mr. Standfast was a winner at The Curragh, Ireland, recently. Mr. Standfast, who is a half-brother, by Buchan, to Beau Pere, was recently imported to New Zealand by a syndicate headed by Mr. Tims, and his stud career in the Dominion will be followed with interest, especially alter the success that has been achieved by the progeny of Beau Pere.