RACING REVIEWED

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1516, 15 May 1919, Page 13

RACING REVIEWED

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

THE GREAT NORTHERN MEETING. The indications, taking first acceptances, for the two Great Northerns, as the big jumping races are called, and the Cornwall Handicap, and the large nominations for the other enticing events on the three days’ bill-ot-fare of the Auckland Racing Club are such that a highly successful meeting seems assured. There are almost certain to be a number of further defections before or by the time the final payments are due, but with about two-thirds of the original numbers engaged in the handicaps already declared, it looks practically certain that the fields will be very good for those races, and if the other races do not yield their Quota proportionately well it will be strange. The nominations for some of the events have never been much more largely exceeded at any time, and the aggregate cannot have been very much larger. A short while back people were beginning to wonder where the jumpers would come from, so few being at Ellerslie, but they almost invariably turn up. The dry season has been against schooling and- getting them qualified. Results so far are very promising under the circumstances. A bit of surprise was felt at some of the horses dropping out of both the jumping races, and there were certainly a few unexpected absentees, and some of the get-in-quick punters, who like a price they fear they may not get after the acceptances, are a bit sorry for themselves now. If they had waited a few days longer it would have been well. Prices have not shortened materially since the second payments were made. In some cases they have lengthened, perhaps because punters were standing off. The hard heads do not make up their minds hastily, and they will not take restricted odds. With 23 in the Great Northern Hurdle Race and 15 in the Great Northern Steeplechase the races should be open. With at least quite half the horses in the Great Northern Hurdles with fair chances, and nothing standing out and half a dozen probably hard to separate, and half a dozen or more of the ’chasers fancied, the prices should be fairly tempting. A good many backers and wouldbe backers are wanting the topweight, Waimai, more often than any other in the Steeplechase in combination with fancies in the Hurdle race, because he is a local horse and has performed well over the country and has proved a capable ’chaser under weight, and was in good form when he was seen out at Easter over the hurdles. There is an impression that of the four immediately below him in the list there is just a possibility of none of them opposing him. That would alter the complexion of matters not a little, as though Sleight of Hand has performed well over country, and Sir Fisher, Thrace and Master Lupin have not, any of these if produced to run would surely have friends on the day. Troublesome, Arlington (who ran a few decent races over country last season), and Tenacious (now with a handier weight than when he ran at Easter) have each at least ordinary chances. Yellow and Black, if nearly as good as he was thought last season, has a very liberal allowance from Waimai. Bore was a good enough jumper when here last year, but was musical or inclined that way. Tarero broke down so badly that it was thought that he might not race again, but his legs seem to have hardened up, and he may be produced and run a fair race. If Yankee Jack did some schooling over fences before he raced over the hurdles recently and since, he may prove a really tough one to shake off with his weight. Te Onga is hardly likely to be improving, but if he has a chance of winning a steeplechase he should have it now. He would not jump the old water jump if he could help it. If well satisfied that there is none behind the brush fence which has taken its place he might get over the course this year. Vacuum looks the sort that would run well with his weight, though a maiden over country. The 'Ellerslie fences are not difficult if horses are got accustomed to hill work, which makes a lot of difference to them. Grafton Tot, who has run

in the ’South Island, may be a useful mare this season. The way in which Sleight of Hand shaped over the hurdles at the Manawatu meeting last Thursday showed that he still swings along with his wonted dash, and he must not be ignored now, however much inclined some of us were to count him out. While his legs stand he may go on winning races. Those who supposed him unlikely to come back at the first time of asking, after his long term off, erred in good company, as at the meeting at Awapuni if he had many friends outside of those associated with him they got a straight-out price equal to what some of the pencillers have the hardihood to expect customers to take about the supposed best doubles. Take it or leave it is the attitude adopted. The topweight, Kauri King, has not raced over the battens for many months, but has had a few races on the flat and a little schooling occasionally, and he promises to strip pretty well. He looks the part of a topweight candidate. Art, we presume, is to come up and take his place. Euripos has come part of the way, and may race at Egmont and Wanganui. Sir Fisher’s owner is likely to send him, as he has 51b. less than he carried

into second place behind the dual Derby winner Bon Reve, who got in with 10.6 and was good enough to win next day over two miles with 11.6, or a stone more, beating Thrace (9.0), who was practically a greenhorn at the game. Sir Fisher is getting well, and Master Lupin has had a pretty good jumping preparation and is probably as fit now as ever he was.

Paraoa was never as good as he is now. Jumping hurdles and racing a bit on the flat has made a solid sort of horse of him, and when the end of the two miles and a-half is reached it will not be by horses that have done only half a preparation, as some people imagine these races can be won on. Whiro has been racing up to recently and should be pretty well, but the question may be asked: will he get the full distance well. Ditto was never so well as at Avondale, and with nearly 2st. more ran a good race over two miles, and she must be given a chance. Golden Grafton may stay well and show a deal of improvement, but we would expect horses like Master Lupin and Paraoa to give him the weights they have been asked to do even if it were on the flat. Crown Pearl has never stood a solid winding up since being made a jumper of, and a shorter distance would be more in his line. Old Te Onga, through the mistakes and unpreparedness of others, managed to squeeze into third place last year, but it was a poor third, though he had 101 b. more than he has now. He was third the year before with 10.9, ten lengths away from Gladful (10.2) and St. Elmn (9.3%), both fairly good flat horses previously, and was

second with 10.7 to El Gallo (10.13), who won it the previous year with 9.0 up. Te Onga was not a starter, but in 1914 he won with 9.0 from Barbwire (9.3) and Ruffy (9.2), and a number of good horses carrying substantial imposts. Vacuum has not had so light an impost for some time, and being a good jumper with fair pace and a pretty good stayer would have at least a rough chance if he could be landed at the post well. Cynic is well enough treated with 9.2, and if he would only try might have a fair show, but he does not like racing at all now, apparently, and with obstacles en route may dislike the business coming on less. Colonel Soult comes from a splendid line for jumping, but the old fellow has not had a preparation if he were likely to shine in his increasing age. It seems like a bit of flattery to leave horses like Gunwale, Keystone, Kinkora and Royal Park in the race, but each may be capable later on of winning races. Yellow and Black is viewed more as a ’chaser than a hurdler, though bred well enough for any game and a young horse. Old Munster will hardly see such a journey out, but Lochella is promising and has run some decent races in the South Island. If the form of southern hurdlers is

below that of the north, some of the times registered in the south are deceptive upon which to base judgment. We shall have some further form before the day to guide us, and horses will be arriving soon, though most of them will not be at Ellerslie until after Wanganui. FIRST DAY. GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE RACE of 1500sovs. Two miles and a-half.

SECOND DAY. GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE of 1500 soys. About three miles and a-half.

NOMINATIONS. The following nominations have been received for events to be decided at the Auckland Racing Club’s wirrter meeting:— JERVOIS HANDICAP, seven furlongs.—Cambridge, St. Carl, Canzonet, Golden Petal, Slowcoach, Te Oro, General Stephen, Rangi Aroha, Omahu, Cynic, Step, Silver Lode, Elate, Alice Montrose, Don't, Backfire, General Advance, Penona, Idra, Woody Glen, Tamaroa, Independence, Te Miro, Scottish Knight, Hypothesis, Admiral Advance, Torchlight, Multiplane, Gatherer, Post Haste, Cadet, Hallow, Portman, Hinea™aru. Isingarch, Salvaless, Jocular, Monocrat, Glucian, Formalin, Lady Paula, Duchess Eudorus, Hessian, Husbandman s Queen, Comedy Prince Blue and Black, Penella, Llansannor, Miramar. FITZROY WELTER, one mile.—Miramar, Llansannor, Penella, Pierrot, Hessian, Comedy Prince, Lady Paula, Mary Bruce, Glucian, Sanacre, Cambridge, St. Carl, Golden Petal, Canzonet, Coronet gelding, Slowcoach, General Stephen, Rangi Aroha, Step, Silver Lode, Elate, Don’t, Persian Prince, General Advance, Idra, Woody Glen, Tamaroa, Independence, Te Miro, Scottish Knight, Mountain Gold, Hypothesis, Admiral Advance, Torchlight, Calm Abbey, Multivales’ Hallow, Hineamaru, SalRANFURLY WELTER, one mile.— Cambridge, Golden Petal, Canzonet,. General Stephen, Sea.sprite, Step, Rangi Aroha, Elate, Don’t, Persian Prince, General Advance, Woody Glen, Tamaroa, Independence, Te Miro, Scottish Knight, Mountain Gold, Admiral Advance, Gatherer, Cadet, Hallow, Hineamaru, Salvaless, Sanacre, Mary Bruce. Glucian, Pierrot, Miramar, Slowcoach. CARBINE PLATE; one mile.—-Mono-pole, Canzonet, Coronet gelding, Slowcoach, Te Oro, Declare, Omahu, Cynic, Silver Lode, Elate, Pablo, Alice Montrose, General Advance, Idra, Woody Glen, Independence, Ma Copper, Hypothesis, Te Miro, Torchlight, Benzine, Multiplane, Gatherer, Marble Star, Lady Paula, Formalin, Hineamaru, Husbandman’s Queen, Johnny Paul, Miramar. MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE, about two miles and a-half.—Ulster, Yankee Jack, Grafton Tot, Marconi, Titiro, Sir John, Speedwell Mac, Polthogue Tenacious, Yellow and White. TAMAKI STEEPLECHASE, about two miles and a-half.—Grafton Tot, Ulster, Aroha, Marconi, Titiro, Peneton Jacaranda, Sir John, Heather Boy, No Surrender, Bore, Speedwell Mac, Master Bijou, Polthogue, Maira, Yellow and White. MAIDEN HURDLES, one mile and three-quarters. — Monopole, New Zealand, Froxfield, Entente Cordiale, Lochella, Munster, Keystone, Colonel Soult, Mestee, Signature, Garryowen, Municipal, Aurore, Royal Park, Otara, Orpheum, Gunwale, Notability, Totara Jack, Reformation. ORAKEI HURDLES, one mile and three-quarters. — Monopole, New Zealand, Froxfield, Entente Cordiale, Cynic, Lochella, Keystone, Colonel Soult, Mestee, Signature, Benzine, Garryowen, Euripos, Municipal, Aurore, Royal Park, Otara, Orpheum, Swastika, Gunwale, Notability, Totara Jack, Dood, Johnny Paul, Reformation. HUNT CLUB HURDLES, two miles. —Aroha, Dunrobin, Oakley, Peneton, Jacaranda, Benzine, Hikurangi, No Surrender, La Blanche, Master Bijou, Grey Star, Swastika, Johnny Paul. HUNT CLUB CUP STEEPLECHASE, about three miles.—Aroha, Dunrobin, Oakleigh, Peneton, Jacaranda, Heather Boy, Hikurangi, No Surrender, Master Bijou, La Blanche, Grey Star, Swastika, Maira. REMUERA HURDLES, two miles.— Ditto, Tiniroto, Ulster, Froxfield, Master Lupin, Lochella. Munster, Paraoa. Te Onga, Mestee, Kinkora, Signature, Art, Garryowen, Euripos, Crown Pearl, Golden Grafton, Multicipal, Thrace, Sir Fisher, Whiro, Aurore, Royal Park, Kauri King, Orpheum, Gunwale, Reformation, Sleight of Hand. CAMPBELL HURDLES', two miles. —Ditto, Froxfield, Master Lupin, Munster, Lochella, Paraoa, Te Onga, Mestee, Kinkora, Art, Garryowen, Euripos, Crown Pearl, Golden Grafton, Multicipal, Thrace, Sir Fisher, Whiro, Aurore, Royal Park, Kauri King, Gunwale, Tenacious, British Arch, Sleight of Hand. JUMPERS’ FLAT, one mile and ahalf.—Entente Cordiale, Yankee Jack, Keystone, Signature, Art, Crown Pearl, Golden Grafton, Multicipal, Aurore, Whiro, Royal Park, Otara, Orpheum, Gunwale, Notability, Totara Jack, Reformation, Sleight of Hand. VISITORS’ HANDICAP, five furlongs.—Taiamai, Canzonet, Kilbeggan, Ring Lupin, Escaped, Seasprite, All Over, Carlysian, Gold Kip, Mottle Rose, Alice Montrose, Stilts, Arran, Mullingar, Mill o’ Gowrie, Rekanui, Mossman, Gatherer, Post Haste, Madam Ristori, Hallow. Torfreda, Ohinewairua, Gaycium. Jocular, Waiuta, Elyan, Husbandman’s Queen, Blue and Black, Parisian Diamond. MEMBERS’ HANDICAP, six furlongs.—Taiamai, Kilbeggan, Ring Lupin, Escaped. All Over, Carlysian, Gold Kip, Stilts, Simonides, Arran, Bedford, Mill o’ Gowrie, Rekanui, Post Haste, Paddington Green, Madam Ristori, Torfreda. Ohinewaarua, Parisian Diamond, Gayeium, Hippocap, Fabriquette, Waiuta, Tabasco, Hurry Up, Hallow.

st lb st lb Kauri King11 s Te Onga .. . 9 Art 11 5 Vacuum 9 2 Sleight of Cynic 9 2 Hand .... 10 13 Colonel Soult 9 •) Euripos .... 10 12 Yellow and Sir Fisher 10 11 Black .... 9 0 Thrace .... 10 10 Gunwale . . . 9 0 Master Lupin 10 10 Keystone . . 9 0 Paraoa .... 10 Y Munster . . . 9 0 Whiro 10 7 Loch el la . . . 9 0 Ditto 10 0 Kinkora . ... 9 0 Gold. Grafton 9 6 Royal Park 9 0 Crown Pearl 9 2 CORNWALL HANDICAP of 750sovs. One mile and a-quarter, st lb st lb Par. Diamond 10 12 Simonides . . 8 12 Bedford 9 12 Pad. Green 8 9 Killard .... 9 9 White Blaze 8 7 Mangamahoe 9 J Alteration . . 8 7 Mullingar . . 9 Housewife 8 2 Sir Ralph . . 9 i Lady Energy 8 0 8 12 Sanacre .. 8 0 All Talk . . . S 12

st lb st lb Wai ma i .... 12 7 Yellow and Sleight of Black .... 10 0 Hand .... 11 0 Bore 9 12 Sir Fisher . . 10 10 Tarero 9 12 Thrace 10 10 Yankee Jack 9 7 Master Lupin 10 10 Te Onga . . . 9 7 Troublesome 10 7 Vacuum 9 7 Arlington . . 10 3 Grafton Tot 9 7 Tenacious . . 10 3