AUCKLAND HORSES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 110, 12 May 1938, Page 4

AUCKLAND HORSES

FORM AT PUKEKOHE NOTES AND COMMENTS (Special to “Chronicle.”) AUCKLAND, May 11. Gay Rebel had his first race for some time when he was produced at Pukekohe last Saturday, and he stood up to it all right. He is a promising handicap performer and he will gel the conditions to his liking from no.-, on. Rua King, who revealed good form as a hurdler eighteen months ago, showed up for a while in the hurdle race last Saturday. It should not bv long before he is ready to give of his best. His best efforts over the sticks have been given on left-handed tracks, but he can go the other way just as well. The well-known horseman, T. Green, who made his hurdles riding debut at Tauranga six weeks ago, went one further last week, when he took the mount on My Money in the Steeplechase, at the Franklin meeting Both horses and rider were making their first attempt over the big fences, but they parted company at the, second obstacle, a post and rails. Green was not injured, but the horse careered round the inside of the track for some time, and may have to be spelled. It looked as if owner-trainer Mr. A. Rowan had an excellent chance cl pulling off the flat double at Pukekohe, with Cheval de Voice winning the main handicap and Tonnerre the favourite, on Avondale form, for the sprint. Tonnerre did not go quite so well as expected, for atter being right up at the home turn, he was beaten into third place. Cheval Gt Volee put up an impressive performance, leading throughout and then going away when asked the question in the straight. On the other hand, Tonnerre failed when it was expected he would run on. Incidentally the success of Cheval de Volee helped the Australian-bred sire Vaals along, lor two others of his progeny won the same afternoon, these being Dragon Moth and Barrister. A horse that revealed some brilliancy in the early part of her race was Mundane, yet she petered rigr.t out in the final quarter. Nevertheless, she got into some trouble when racing on the rails, when the outside horses ran past, and so it was not unexpected that she would be disinclined to go on with it. On her showing, however, it would not be surprising if Mundane were to capture a race before the season is brought to a close for she looks well, and has a lot of pace. Avondale form pointed to Cintrace having a second-to-none chance in the maiden event at Pukekohe, and when he led into the straight his backers began to work out their winnings. Unfortunately he then started to run wide and he was soon a beaten horse, his final effort being very disappointing. Perhaps the soft going hampered Cintraace, but even if he does not, win this winter, he ought to be in line for success as soon as the new season opens. Expensive Course 1 The Pukekohe course has been very expensive for some jockeys this season. Last March both Horne and Clifford were stood down for a couple of months for interference in races, Clifford later winning his appeal. Last Saturday there was some trouble in the straight when Vaalso came over on to Gay Streak, the judical committee holding that there was interference and suspending J. Mclnally for two months, and reversing the places of these two horses, who followed the winner, Barrister, to the post. After racing with such exasperating luck for many weeks, it was pleasing to see Barrister at last winning a race, and his effort suggested that if he could only overcome his slowness in the early part, he will be winning handicaps next season. Last Saturday he tailed the field, and it was not until a little over half a mile from home that he began to pass a horse or two, and his final rush was irresistible. Barrister was solidly backed ana his success was popular. With the big winter race meeting almost at hand, it was good to see the fields at Pukekohe fill up so well, even if the class was not quite so good as it might have been. Bearing in mind that the Cornwall Handicap is only four weeks away, special interest was taken in the showing of Valmint in the President’s Handicap last Saturday, and that he should finish fairly close up in fifth position ' was indicative of an early return to form. Valmint looked really well, although in need of a race, and with last week’s run into him he should be at his peak when produced in the Cornwall Handicap. He comes from a nbted family of mudlarks, several of whom have already won this race, and Valmint may follow in the family footste?'-*