GOSSIP FROM ALL PARTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17076, 13 April 1927, Page 11

GOSSIP FROM ALL PARTS.

There are seven events on the programme at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Greekson is likely to make a return lo the ranks of the jumping brigade in the near future. He is entered for cross-country events at Te Rapa.

Although the fields nominated are not large in numbers, the cross-coun-try events for the coming meeting at Te Rapa are likely to be well contested.

Peter Maxwell, who has not sported silk for some time, is entered for jumping events near at hand. J. !• Tutchen still has charge of the latest winner of the Grand National Steeples.

Old Sea Dei’l, a winner of the Great Northern Hurdles and the Great Northern Steeples some seasons back, appears among the entries for events over the country at Te Rapa.

The spell that the To Awamututrained candidate, Desert Glow, entered on recently is likely to extend over some time. In tact, it "Will probably bo the spring before the Day Comet Lady- Winsome gelding again sports silk-

VERY MUCH IN FAVOUR. High Pitch won the Railway Handicap at Ellersiie on- Boxing Day in impressive style. The form displayed by the Sarchedon representative in the interval has not been prominent, but he has not done very much racing. There Is an impression that High Pitch will be in a position to give a good account of himself in the A.R.C. Easter Handicap. He has reached the scene in good fettle, and with 7.4 cannot be said to be harshly treated on the score of weight.

Curraghmore’s success in the McInnes Memorial Handicap at the recent Whangarci meeting was gained in a decisive manner. The Archiestown — Lady Gwendoline marc figures in the President’s Handicap, o' a similar distance (one mile and a quarter), at Ellersiie on Saturday, and may have to be considered at the minimum impost if the going is not too holding.

The Matamata-trained representative Valkon is to be raced at the Feilding meeling at Easter, and it would be no surprise to find him doing well there. This three-year-old descendant of the English sire Valkyrian, from Glazier, lias shown marked improvement this season. He was returned a winner at Te Arolia and at Matamata.

Lorna Doon, who has been off the scene for some little time, owing to contracting a cold, lias thrown off all effects of the ailment. The promising two-year-old, who will race in the colours of Mr R. T. Reid, of Hamilton, when next seen out, has been doing quite satisfactorily in her recent track essays at Te Aroha.

Limerick will contest the Australiai Jockey Club’s St. Lcger on Saturday. The New Zealand gelding, who lias gained a first and a second in two starts in Australia this season, is a strong fancy for the coming classic.

Paganelli is to keep his engagement in the Great Northern Champagne Stakes. At the recent Wellington meeting the Lord Qucx —Ringdove colt created an impression by the decisive manner in which he accounted for the useful field of juveniles lie met on the first day at 'Trcntliani, when he ran the five furlongs in very smart time. Paganelli lias been doing useful work at Te Rapa in the interval.

Kawa has had his engagement, continued for the Brighton Hurdles, dbe Quin Abbey gelding won in useful company when he made his latest appearance over the .hurdles at Ellcrslie in the New Year. When this member of J. F. Tutcl.cn’s team was seen out at the Obinemuri fixture last month he did not shape at all promisingly. After being in front for a time he drifted back to a rear position in the field over the last round. The going was very holding on that occasion, and this may not have suited Kawa. When he acts up to his best, Kawa can go a useful two miles, and his prospects on Saturday may turn out more favourably than, some anticipated.

Merry Damon, who had been a disappointment as a racing proposition in this province for some time, was not long in making some amends after his change of quarters to Rowley Hatch’s stables at Awapuni. At the recent Mastcrton fixture the Polydamon— Merry Roe gelding was first home. He will have opportunities during the Easter racing to give further proof of his galloping powers.

The fact that Royal Abbey has been off -the scene for some time will, to some extent, discount his prospects m the Brighton Hurdles. It may not do, however, to count the Waikato jumper out entirely for this reason. Royal Abbey is well up to his weight of 10.12 when at his best, and he has had a preparation in private. Whether that will be sufficient to successfully combat more seasoned batten performers remains to be seen.

Quincoma stands his ground in the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie. The Quin Abbey—Tecoma gelding lias shown very marked improvement of rece'nt months, and does best on a track that is on the holding side. He has run some useful mile races, and if such conditions should obtain, on Saturday the Pukekohe-trained candidate may have something prominent to say in the settlement of the issue.

Kawa and Rangitahi have been schooled the right-handed way round at Te Rapa for some time in view of their duty in the Brighton Hurdles. When the pace was on yesterday morning Kawa came to grief at the third hurdle. The horse hit the top of the fence very hard and gave his rider (R. E. Thompson,) a solid spill. Apart from this mistake Kawa had been jumping well each time he was out. Rangitahi has been getting through his tasks in good style and it will bo no surprise to find him giving a good account of himself in the near future.

When Archibald decisively won the Brighton hurdles last season he was ridden by E. Stanway. For Saturday’s race Stamvay will pilot Gold Rain over the battens. There are racegoers who arc likely to read some significance into that fact. Gold Rain, who entered the hurdling game in the spring has done quite satisfactorily in his opening season. Of recent times the Tc Aroha trained candidate has improved quite a lot. He has a useful measure of pace, which is an advantage. It is doubtful, however, if Gold Rain is up to the quality of some of the opponents he will meet at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The Cambridge owned and trained jumper, Wedding March, has been left in the Brighton Hurdles and the Mangere Steeples on the opening day of the Auckland autumn meeting. So far Wedding March has not made an appearance in public over the steeplechase fences. He lias proved a capable hurdler during the twelve months or so he has been at this branch of stake earning and there seems no reason why he should not handle the big country well. Wedding March is likely to be well supported in whatever should be his mission at the week-end.

Peter Rosa is not going to be neglected when the Te Aroha trained hurdler goes out to contest the Brightton. The public will remember him by his most recent form on his home course where he won over the battens each day of the meeting there last month in decisive style. . Peter Rosa stays on well and can handle soft goimC

Oreum, the daughter of the brilliant Desert Gold, will be on hand to show her paces in the Easter Handicap at Ellersiie. Oreum, who is trained by F. Davis at Woodville, is capable of putting up very fast times in private but she has not always produced this form in her races, although she has won in attractive style on occasions. If Oreum would live up to her best credentials in Saturday’s big race she would keep the rest of the field moving.

Tea Bell, a former member of J. T. Jamieson’s team who was sold in the early part of the season to the Melbourne sportsman, Mr 11. Spry, lias won two races during the short time he has been located in Victoria. The first success of the ex-Auckland owned gelding was at Wcrribee while the second was gained at San down on. Saturday. Both were six furlong events. Palelight, who acted as runner-up to Tea Bell on Saturday was bred in New Zealand.

Pcgaway’s form of late has been impressive and racegoers arc not likely to overlook the fact if he is a starter in the President’s Handicap at Ellersiie on Saturday. ■ The ten furlongs of this event is a distance the Lucullus — Peggy Prydc gelding has been racing at in "his most recent engagements. He won (he Cup at Te Aroha while he ran Eden Hall to a length for the honours at Paeroa after meeting with a check in ihe very concluding stages of the chief distance event on that course.

A two year old gelding claiming the name of Kerry Dance is a member of 11. Eva’s team at Te Aroha. This youngster, who is likely to be raced in the near future, will carry the colours of the Auckland sportsman, Mr L. B. Harris, in whose interests the hurdler Irish Jig ran last season.

Gascony, who is likely to rule as favourite * for the Champagne Slakes at the Auckland Autumn meeting, lias reached the scene and is credited with being in first class order for his classic engagement at the week-end. The two year old descendant of King John and First Blow has raced with distinction on the northern circuit already this season and it will be a disappointment to. many if lie does not add further to his laurels when next saddled up.

Bright Knight will be found racing at the Feilding fixture. The Lord Multilid —Pretty Helen gelding was returned a winner in sprint company at Matamata, Franklin and Rangilikel meetings last month, his three latest successes being secured in capable style. After iiis Easter engagements his trainer, T. E. Wilson, will bring Bright Knight back to race on his home course at Tc llapa.

Flying Juliet is known chiefly as a sprinter. The Romeo —Penella filly gave her best promise to dale over a longer distance than seven furlongs when she filled second place behind Quincoma in the Paeroa Handicap of one mile on the concluding day of the Obinemuri meeting last month. The heavy going was not io her best liking on that occasion. Flying Juliet is to be a starter in the Great Northern Oaks at Ellersiie on Saturday and it will be interesting to see how she shapes in the classic event, which will be decided over twelve furlongs. Flying Juliet may stay on better than many people expect though she may hardly be ready to sec twelve furlongs right "out at this stage.

Kawini has ruled as one of the leading fancies for the Brighton Hurdles since the weights were announced. His form in important jumping events last year was very impressive as he acted as runner-up in the Great Northern Hurdles and the Great Northern Steeples, following these up with another second in the Grand National Steeples. There are some who hold that the two miles will not be sufficiently far for Kawini, but the Papatoetoc trained jumper has pace enough to hold on to the fast clip that is likely to be set from the start. II has been stated that Kawini has had a cold lately.

Phaola is likely to rule as one of the leading selections for the Great Northern Oaks. When the Catmint Ilyades filly was beaten into second place in the New Zealand Oaks contest at Riccarton in the spring it was generally acknowledged that she was not served with the best of luck on the journey. Prior to leaving for the scene of action Phaola was doing well on the trkeks at Tc Awamutu and she will he in good order to tackle her classic engagement on Saturday for which the Limond —Bronze filly, Lady Desmond, is being sorted out as her most dangerous opponent.

Llewellyn had his opening outings of the season at Whangarei recently. On the first day the big Lucullus—Donation gelding finished third in the hurdles. He was going particularly well on the second day when he got among the fallen horses in the bad mishap that occurred. Llewellyn is in the Brighton Hurdles with 10.0, but it is the impression of many of those close to the scene of training that he is not forward enough to succeed on Saturday.

Day Guard is among the most versatile horses who arc winning races up this way. The Ngaruawaliia candidate has taken out the honours this season at distances from six to ten furlongs. He is as hard as nails 1 , m fact the more he gets the better docs the Day Comet —Keep Watch gelding relish it. Day Guard appears in the Easter Handicap with 7.11. While tills writer would not be prepared iO hold him out as superior to many' of the opponents lie will meet in the big mile on Saturday, he is going to have supporters on the day. On a holding track he may prove a hard horse to beat. R. J. McTavish is to have the ride.

Reports from Ellerslie indicate that Cimabue, who lias’ been away from racing for some time, is not as forward in condition as some of the two year old oppnents lie will be called upu to measure strides with in the Great Northern Champagne Stakes. The bay son of Leighton and Delight was in capable form earlier ori in the season and when lie reaches his best again we can expect some further high class performances to go down to his credit. There will certainly be a lot of interest in Cimabuo’s next appearance with the colours up.

After the Takapuna summer meeting all W as not right with Tinoiti but the damage sustained at that period appears to have been thrown off. The fact that her engagement lias been continued in the Great Northern Oaks would, at anyratc, lend colour to such a conclusion. The Quin Abbey filly, who is one of R. J. Hannon's team, lias displayed a fair amount of promise in this, her first season of racing, and with average luck, will have n useful stake-earning tally to her credit before she finally leaves 1 lie turf. The fact that she has not had a race for some time will not be in Tlnoili’s favour when next saddled up.

THE GAME’S ILL-LUCK. Two noted Australian performers have gone off the scene, ternporarlly at least. The pair are Windbag and Spearfelt. Windbag’s recent leg trouble developed again after his race at Warwick Farm on Saturday. He has been withdrawn from the Sydney Cup and it is problematical whether he v/11l be able to fulfil his later weight - for - age engagements. Spearfelt strained a ligament so badly that not only have his A.J.C. autumn engagements been cancelled, but it Is questionable whether the Melbourne Cup winner of last season will be able to race again. Tho Australian turf Is, therefore, likely to permanently loso two noted performers, which will bo regretted by all sportsmen.

Macroom is only a handful but what there is in her make-up is quality, in., chestnut daughter of Archiestown--L&dy Gwendoline has been about twelve months in racing company. She lias run several good races and has been more than once in Lho money this season. Macroom would prohamy find some of the company superior to her in her classic engagament ot tne Great Northern Oaks, but there is plenty of time yet, to bring her staying powers to the maximum.

Jov King is a candidate freely mention when the A.R.C. Easter Handicap is under discussion. This representative of the Jefferd stable has every right to be favourably considered as lie can run out a mile in commanding fashion and with. 7.12 comes under the category of those handily weighted. Joy King now has 41bs the better of matters, compared with Reremoana to whom he was runner-up over eight furlongs in the Thompson Handicap company at Trentham a short, time back.

Mia Bella can be classed with the best of the provincial hurdlers when she is thoroughly wound up. The Tc Awamulu trained mare has several good performances to her credit. While she can be expected to run a prominent race in the Brighton Hurdles on Saturday 11.4 is a solid weight and Mia Bella will require to avoid any ill-luck if she is to prevail.

Prince Rufus is to contest the Mancici'c Steeplechase at Auckland. He has been over the northern country on previous occasions when bis displavs have been satisfactory. On the first day of the Ohinemuri fixture the King Rufus —The Boyne gelding beat all but Royal Form but on the second day lie did not do his work so well. There is nothing especially brilliant about Prince Rufus but he is a good jumper and it will be no surprise to find him in the firing line at the close of the two miles and a half on Saturday.

York Abbey docs not often tackle journeys beyond sprint distances. There "have been occasions, however, when this representative of the Hannon stable lias been stretched out beyond six furlongs. At the summer meeting at Ellersiie be went particularly well out near the front in a ten furlong engagement. If he gets into his stride early enough in the Easter Handicap York Abbey is likely to keep the opposition busy for a time at least with his light impost.

The victory secured by Amounis over Limerick and Windbag in the Chipping Norton Stakes at Warwick Farm (N.S.W.) on Saturday was a marked surprise. The fact that the crowd gave the winner a hostile reception indicates their feelings in the matter. On the preceding Saturday inounis had finished a bad last in the Raws on Stakes in which Limerick scored a victory over Windbag fitRnsehili. Amounis, who is a four year old gelding by Magpie—Loved One, lias been well supported for the Doncaster Handicap.