RACING.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17284, 21 December 1927, Page 2

RACING.

GOSSIP FBOM ALL PARTS,

(By "Martian.")

Monday will usher in the holiday 'racing fixtures. There will he a heavy programme in both Islands.

It is reported from Christchurch that Martarma may be piloted in the Great Northern Derby contest by the Riccarton horseman P. E. Jones.

Pouri, New Moon and Rangikapua are members of J. F. Tutchen's team accepted for on the opening day of the Manawatu Club's Summer meeting. These horses are likely to race at Marton before they return home.

The Ngaruawahia Racing Club's annual fixture is set down for Saturday, January 21. Nominations for all events will close with the secretary (Mr A. B. Jones) on Friday, January 6, at 5 p.m.

Potoanui is to race over hurdles on Boxing Day at Awapunl. With 9.13 the To Aroha candidate should handle himself with credit over the mile and three quarters. The Potoa gelding is a good fencer while he has the pace to have a handy position in the running from the outset.

Quincoma appears to have lost much of his dash. The Quin Abbey —Tc Coma gelding ran a very poor race with the small field in the Paterangi Handicap at the Waipa meeting. He will require to improve a good deal on that showing to have reasonable prospects during the holiday carnivals.

Town Bird has gone on to New Plymouth. The Archicstown —Lady Birdwood gelding will be a starter in the Tikorangi Hack Stakes on Monday. The distance is five furlongs and as all the candidates are weighted at 8.0 Town Bird should keep the opposition busy. The To Aroha candidate is a good beginner, a factor which will be very much in his favour on the southern circuit.

Flying Juliet had a double engagement at the "Waipa meeting where she was started in the Kihildhi Handicap, of seven furlongs and the Flying Handicap ,of a furlong briefer. On neither occasion was she going like a winner and it is obvious that the ■black daughter of Romeo and Penella has not reached concert pitch as yet. She has gone on to Ellcrslie where she wiU be racing during the coming carnival.

Awarcrc's class is hardly good enough to cause his Railway Handicap prospects to be viewed in a rosy hue. The. Swift Flight—Sibford gelding is in good trim, however, and it may be possible to place him with useful effect at a later stage of the meeting. Awarere ran a good race in the KihiMhi Handicap on his home course on Saturday, hut he went under by a neck after forcing the pace practically throughout the seven furlongs.

Red Comet has made a successful entry into the ranks of hurdlers this season and the Matamata owned jumper is to be given the opportunity during the Auckland Carnival to further distinguish himself. The Day Corned—Erubia gelding is a good stayer, while he has a useful turn of speed, two factors of value when the batten events at headquarters are under review.

Nancy Lee did not show up in her engagement among the sprinters at Te Awamutu. The Lucullus— Flagship marc has been very consistent this season and not a great deal of notice need be taken of this display by the To Aroha candidate. Nancy _ Lee stands her ground in the Railway Handicap, but her chief prospect lies in a heavy track being experienced. If such a happening should occur Nancy Leo would be one to handle the going.

Wenday had to be content with fourth place in the Paterangi Handicap but the effort of the Day Comet—- " Wenonah mare deserved better results in this item of Saturday's card at Te Awamutu. She was racing in a handy position at the turn when her young pilot drew his whip with the consequence that his mount carried wide. This loss of ground at a critical stage of the journey could not be made up. It was an opportunity that went begging.

Lysander has firmed in the market for the Railway Handicap. The Absurd —pennon colt is a really brilliant customer when at' his best and there are indications that he is near the peak condition. Lysander only requires a reasonable get away to be with the best of them at the close of the six furlongs.

Gala Day ran a useful race in the Gup at Te Awamutu in which event he followed Desert Glow and King Lu home. The Quin Abbey—Bell Crispin gelding is galloping very reliably this season and has been on the winning list on a couple of. occasions. Gala Day will be participating in events at Ellerslie during ChristmasNew Year and can bo looked to, to shape with credit.

Among the attractive performances at the Waipa meeting-were Matinee's victory in the Kihikihi Handicap and his second in the Ohaupo Handicap, the closing event of the card, for which he was raised 131bs. The Day Comet —Itistori horse was at one time owned locally and trained at Te Rapa but he was always a difficult sort to keep right. Among his successes was the Great Northern Guineas of 1922. Matinee has been looated on the East Coast for -the past couple of seasons. He is in great order just now and looks likely to increase his record before returning home.

DeEgMmeni was near the front for about a nrile in the Te Awamutu Cup but he dropped back a shade over the concluding stages and passed the finishing post in sixth place. The Auckland Cup engagement of the Catmint horse is to be kept and he left Frankton to-day for the scene of action. Although most people will be inolined to rank Delightmont as incapable of seeing the two miles right out it has to be allowed that he will only have 7.0 to carry and his third In the Mltchelson Gup, of one mile and a hall, has to be given some consideration. Prior to leaving Te Hana for Auckland Denghtment readily accounted for Transformer in a mile and a quarter gallop but the time was slow With a week's work into him sinoo his race a* Te Awamutu, Dclightment will be to much better trim hf Monday so-fiw as, aOftdlfioii is concerned, ; *

Anyone who supports Battlement in the 1 Auckland Cup will do so without anything in the way of two-mile form to recommend them. The Martian — Polymnia gelding has been expected often but he has failed to come up to requirements. Those who know his track work best claim that Battlement is capable if he could only be got to act up to his best in a race. On Monday he may be found.in the mood, but it is safe to forecast that he will be among the very long priced candidates in the field.

Transformer Was taken to Ellcrslie to-day by the local trainer, W. Woods. On his showing in the Te Awamutu Cup the Thurnham ge-lding will require to improve markedly if he is to be in at the business end of the important journey he is to undertake on Boxing Day at headquarters. Gauged on his performances at Takapuna and the Waipa fixture Transformer cannot have much prospect on a two mile journey among the best of Dominion handicap horses. If he improves at ail Transformer is more likely to give his best showings in open handicaps on the later days of the meeting. He is capable enough if ho could only strike his best form.

Among the good fleld engaged in the Christmas Handicap at the Auckland meeting is Valkon. The Valkyrian gelding was last produced at the Takapuna meeting, where he finished fourth in the Alison Cup and was runner up to King Lu in the St. Andrew's Handicap on the second day. The Matamata trained galloper has gone on the right way in the interval and he will be produced in the form to handle the mile journey in capable style on Monday.

A good deal of interest was taken in the appearance of Te Kara in the principal handicap at the Waipa meeting, in view of his engagement in the Auckland Cup. The General Latour gelding was, as is usual, somewhat slow to find his feet but he made up a good deal of ground over the last two of the ten furlongs, being in fifth place at the finish. Te Kara has 8.7 in the big two mile race next Monday. The principal reason in favour of whatever claims he may have for Monday's event is that he is such a proved stayer and his weight is not prohibitive. Age is telling, however and he may find it difficult to hold on to the pace set in the carder stages of the two mile journey.

Paganelli had to forego his engagement in the sprint at Te Awamutu on Saturday as it was desired to give his injured leg every opportunity to right itself, in view of the important duty set down for him in the Railway Handicap at the Auckland meeting, for which he is one of the well favoured candidates. His trainer has had a very anxious time with Paganelli but there is every prospect that the horse will reach the post on Monday. The halt in his work, brief as it was, came at an inopportune time as a candidate for such an exacting test requires to be keyed up to the very maximum.

ALEXANDRA ACCEPTANCES. The following acceptances have been received for the Alexandra Racing Club's sixty-third annual (nontotalisator) meeting at Pirongia on Boxing Day:— HURDLES HANDICAP, 1J miles. Kawa, 10.11; Lady Spalpeen, 10.4; Tinokaha, 9.12; Prince Abbey, 9.5; Pepin, Bonny Canny, 9.2; Orbit, Yum Yum, Arch Lady, Little Nugget, King Fame, Bob, Star Comet, Kaitangi, Dark Moon, Paddy, 9.0 MAIDEN HANDICAP, 6 fur.

Westoria, Wairnarie, Waitua, To Kamonga, Golden Comet, Nation, 8.7; .lack Jumper, B.G; Comctary, 8.5; Hakanoa, Coma, Pickpocket, Rang! Town. Ranglkokiri, 8.0. ALEXANDRA CUP, 1£ miles. Rarangl, 9.6; Muscarl, 0.3; Prince Muscarl, 0.0; Owen, 8.12; Tlnokaha, Glen Canny, 8.10; Kawa, 8.4; Pepin, 8.3; Orbit, 8.1; Catolaw, Daylight, Star Comet, Town Arch, Ranglkokiri, 8.0. SHORTS HANDICAP, 5 fur. Muscarl, 9.4; Lord Abbey, 8.6; Coma, Daylight, Arch Lady, Hakanoa, Pickpooket, King Fame, Jack Jumper, Golden Comet. Dark Moon, 8.0. BEET MEMORIAL HACK, 7 fur. Rarangi. 9.7, Muscari, 0.3; Prince Abbey, 9.0; Glen Canny, 8.10; Kawa, 8.5; Orbit, 8.4; Pepin, 8.3; Bonny Canny, 8.2; King Fame, Daylight, Waitu, Hakanoa, Nation, Rangi Town, Star Comet, Town Arch, Cometary, 8.0. * FAREWELL HANDICAP, ' 6 fur. Rarangl, 9.7; Muscari, 9.4; Owen, 9.0; Lady Spalpeen, 8.11.; Lord Abbey. 8.5; Golden Comet, Dark Moon, Wairnarie, Daylight, Arch Lady, Hakanoa, Catclaw, Gometary, Jack Jumpc, Rangikokiri, Rangi Town, Coma, Kaitangi, Pickpocket, 8.0. TROTTING RACE. Flaming Light, Lady Lucetta, Zealous. Joy Ride, Charles Black—all trotters on limit mark, pacers 96yds bhd; Golden Downs, 120yds bhd; Cornelian, Lackie Wood, 192.