TRENTHAM SPRINTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 95, 19 October 1944, Page 10

TRENTHAM SPRINTS

FATE OF FAVOURITES

At the Spring Meeting of the Wellington Club last October patrons were fairly well on the mark where their selections of the favourite in the sprint events were involved. In the Shorts Handicap on the- opening day Flying Ace was preferred to Beau Vaals, but it was the Aucklander, who was the winner, with Sir Bradbury separating him from Flying Ace. Sir Bradbury ranked 9-8 in the betting, but was made favourite for the Awatea Handicap, seven furlongs, on the second day, and took the honours quite definitely from Whackie, with Flying Ace third once again. At the summer gathering in January John Gay won the Telegraph Handicap at long odds, the favourite, Sweet Biscuit, being the runner-up, with Palora third, but on the second day Sir Bradbury beat the strongerfavoured pair, Whackie and Beau Vaals, oyer the extra furlong of the Metropolitan Handicap. That performance was remembered when the March meeting came around, Sir Bradibury being made favourite for the Railway Handicap. However, he failed, Palora, who was second-elect, scoring from John Gay and Master Dash. At this stage the performance of Sir Bradbury rather suggested that he preferred seven-furlong events on the course proper instead of the straight six, taut he.refuted the contention in July when he won the Stewards' Handicap from Gulf Stream and Whackie, as fifth favourite. The records thus show that in the five sprint races at Trentham last season only one favourite fulfilled expectations, and many will be wondering what is in store for them on Saturday.

Repeated His Wfcu—Twelve months ago Treasurer won the Otaio Hurdles at the South Canterbury. Meeting, and came on to take the Glen' Hurdles at Trentham a week later. On Saturday The Vulture will have the opportunity of repeating history, for he took the honours at Washdyke last Saturday, and is engaged at Trentham in the hurdle race.

Within Limit.—The Wellington Racing Club originally announced that if the safety number was exceeded in the Wellesley Stakes -the two-year-old event would be run in divisions. There were 30 acceptors, but the defection of Irish Tor brings the field within the safety ; number, which is 29 at the five-furlong post.

Luck of Ballot.—When the acceptances were taken for the October Hack Handicap at the Wellington Meeting a ballot proved necessary. Three of those who survived have since been •withdrawn, but their places cannot be taken by three of the unlucky ones. It would seem as though a!reserve list should be prepared from which replacements could be made up to within a certain defined time prior to race day, if not the day itself.

Dam of Leybourne.—When referring to the breeding of Hine Ra, dam of Leybourne, the statement •was made that Hine Ra had been a failure on the Turf. This was incorrect, for she won three hack sprints as a three-year-old, and might well have carried her record further but for meeting with an injury during a race.. Her owner, Mr. H. Smith, of Wellington, has a two-year-old gelding by Broieform from, Hine Ra running in the paddock, but owing to his- being a late foal this member of the family has been gelded and will be given plenty of time.

Late Withdrawal.—The Broiefort filly Baladine received a kick in the birdcage after being saddled up for the juvenile event at Opaki and had to be withdrawn. Fortunately for her backers, the misfortune befell her before entering the starter's hands, and the investments were refunded.:

Family Speed.—Controller, a fullbrother to Pay Roll, showed that he possesses the family speed when he won the Nursery Handicap at Masterton after being in the picture all the way. A bigger type than was Pay Roll at the same age, Controller should go much further.

Hot Favourite.— The bracketed pair, Gigli and Provider, carried a quarter of the investments in the Nursery Handicap at Masterton, and the army of backers were lucky enough'to double their place-dividend. Gigli, who had started from No. 1 position, was always in the picture, whereas Provider did not come into prominence till the final furlong. Had the latter been better drawn he might well have run the winner much closer.-

Slow Away.—The high-priced Palissy had his first outing with the colours up in the Nursery Handicap at Masterton, but this good-looker did not /supply much of a line to his future prospects, for he was badly away. However, he made up some ground to be eighth, if some distance back.

. Sound Effort—Without ever looking dangerous, Iron Duke was putting in some good work in the closing stages «U he + ,F rur ;l cry Handicap to get up for fifth, thereby separating the bracketed pair, Reversion and Affinity. Iron Duke is a product of Ninth Duke from Roman Mascot, who is the dam also of Roman Duke, a winner in the north.

Bold Juvenile.— The RingmasterImposture colt Reversion looks like a good one in the making. He was always near the van in the Nursery Handicap at Masterton, but lack of racing condition told against" him He was very lull of life prior to the race and the outing should be of material assistance for the future.

*rT£ m? er? e£-~; rhe Greymouth trainer k. c. Johnston, has transferred to Riccarton. He has three horses in work, Rockery, Hamish, and a two-year-old filly by Leighon. ■•--■

Long Run.— After being towards the rear for the first seven furlongs in the Blairlogie Highweight at ©paki, Joseph Conrad ran round the field on the turn to be faced with the long run in Duality, on the other hand, was favoured by securing a run through on the rail and, under the circumstances, Joseph Conrad registered a highly attractive performance.

Dropped Out.—Transferred to the highweight company at Masterton, Pern found the early pace too much for him and dropped right out of the picture. It was then apparent that all was not well with him, and he was in a bad way for a time after the race He will not fulfil his engagements at Trentham.

Late Run.— The long straight at Opaki admirably suited Longsword, for it enabled him to come with a sustained run to win the Trial Plate going away. He is a solidly-built gelding by Lang Bian from Spionetta, and should develop into 'Something very useful.

Good-looker.— From the point of view of looks Hormuz attracted attention m the maiden event at Opaki, and the Foxbridge colt might have tested his victor to the full had he not gone lame after assuming charge from Foxella half-way home. Fortunately he had merely ricked himself, and there is every prospect of his fulfilling his engagements at the Wellington Meeting.

Lively Sort.— A firm favourite on the win-machine for the Opaki Trial Plate, Typhoon was reluctant to come into line at the barrier, -but went away quite satisfactorily; However, having been badly drawn at the barrier he was not able to work in till reaching the straight, when his rider followed the short way home only to find the way barred by those in front. Nevertheless, he was standing up the leaders too much ground at that stage to have been dangerous.

Looked Likely.— Lord Broiefort ran a very useful race among the maidens art Opaki. Entering upon the final furlong he was up with the leader only to weaken a trifle jmd be beaten into fourth, a head behind Saludos, who came home in good i-tyle. The rider of the latter was also under a handicap in that he lost an iron.

Showed Pace.--The Trentham representative Foxella showed early brilliance to race into the lead at the end of the first furlong, in" the maiden event at the Master ton Meeting but the early effort told. He has not had much racing this season, but should m improved by the outing.