ASHBURTON CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 223, 20 September 1929, Page 13

ASHBURTON CLUB.

THE COUNTY MEETING. OPENING OF SOUTHERN SEASON PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW. (By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.") GHRISTCHDROH, this day. The spring meeting of the Ashburton County Racing Club will be held to-mor-row. For many years the club has furnished the opening fixture of the flat racing season in the South Island, so that the meeting is invested with special interest. For that reason it is very popular with owners and the public, as it provides the first opportunity for racing horses who are expected to play a prominent part in important events ! later in the season. Although a number of some of the best horses who were nominated have declined their engagements —their owners failing to appreciate the big weights so early In the season —good fields will be seen in most of the events, and there should be some very interesting sport. „ Longbeach Handicap. The three-year-old filly, Dutch Money, who heads the list in the ' Longbeacli Handicap, ran some good races last season, while she put up another attractive performance at the Grand National meeting last month. She is not a particularly fast beginner, but she is a brilliant galloper when she gets going. Phastar is a useful hack, while Acredity is a smart North Island three-year-old. Aladdin has shown speed in his work, but he will require time before he is at his best. Twang is an improving horse, while Punchestown displayed great pace in a race at the Grand National meeting. Dutch Money should be favourite, but Punchestown, trained on the course, may provide a gurpritie'. / Selma Trot. ' Logan Fraser has been fancied on more than one occasion on the same course and he is a likely sort to show tip prominently in the Selma Trot. Alexis is a speedy customer, who may improve. Lord Matchlight is a three-year-old discussed as a candidate for important races later on. Otaio Rose showed smart form at New Brighton a fortnight ago, and she looks like being dangerous to-morrow, with Logan Fraser to keep her busy. Trial Plate. In the Trial Plate Huntley is a smart galloper, liable to win a race before long, buf some of the three-year-olds may worry him hero. Among these Meprisant has been a consistent performer on the tracks lately. He has a great burst of speed, and he has done a lot of "work, but he will be handicapped by lack of race experience. Straightcourse showed fair form in his first start last season, and he should run well, as ho is a smart galloper. Desert Song has had the benefit of two races at Kiceai'ton this season, in each of which he was second to Leader, so he has much to recommend him. Pixie Gold and Miss Nightraid have been doing .good work lately. Desert Song is better seasoned than his rivals, however, and this will help him. Straightcourse and Meprisant may be the best of the others. Ashburton Handicap. Hoylake has had a few six-furlong gallops lately, but he may not be quite ready for a solid milo and a-quarter in the Ashburton Handicap. Chide has been working well for some time past, and he is well forward in his preparation, so he is certain to be dangerous. Prickles has had some racing which will assist her, and she should show up prominently. Chickwheat does not appeal. The three-year-old Night Lad looked in good order when he was at liiccarton in August, and as he Is reported to have done well since then, ho should be equal to a good performance. It is difficult, however, to get past Chide, whose recent track form has been attractive. Fairfield Hack. Haze has been galloping very freely in his recent work, and he will find the distance in the Fairfield Hack to his liking. Sea Raid has a good burst of speed, and lately she has given evidence of stamina. Sweet Refrain, on the other hand, is a nori-stayer. Amourette is an improving mare, likely to be useful this season. Wrigley has had some hard galloping with Rapier lately, and he is a likely sort to run out a mile. Of those lower down, Comique has speed, but she may not be ready for a mile race. Sea Raid and Wrigley make most appeal. Rakaia Trot. Nell de Beau showed good form when she won at Forbury Park last season, and she should be hard to beat for the Rakaia Trot. Dice has been working well at Addington, while Tahoe has speed enough to have a chance. Real Huon and Purser are smart three-year-olds, and though the latter disappointed at Addington last week he .looks well. Wrackler is a brilliant customer, but he may find it hard to concede the starts to improving horses in front. Nell de Beau and Real Huon may prove .the best. Farewell Handicap. Gay Sonnet is in good fettle, as a result of her racing last month, and she is likely to race well in the Farewell Handicap. Pink Coat—one of the best of last season's two-year-oldB —will attract a lot of attention. He is reported to be very forward, and he should run a good race in spite of his big weight. Count Cavour may not begin well enough. , Among the sprinters Night Lad has an earlier engagement, which probably will . claim his attention, but if he is reserved for the sprint he should show up. Buoyant is a useful sort. Caterpillar is a brilliant galloper, whose speed will ensure a good position early. Arch Arrow and Bulolo have both been working well. Flair has shown great speed in her recent track work. She won a race at Ashburton in May, and she has done so well lately that she must be seriously reckoned with. In view of her light weight she .will be hard to head off, while Pink Coat and Gay Sonnet may prove the most dangerous of her opponents. The following are the acceptances:— LONGBEACH HACK of llOsovs. Six furlongs. St. lb. St. lb. Dutch Money 10 3 Roy. Flower 9 1 Mas. Clarence 9 12 Bladon .... 9 0 Phastar ... 9 12 Aladdin ... 9 0 Page Boy .. 911 Twang .... 9 0 Acredity ... 9 5 Punchestown 9 0 Waihemo .. 9 1

SELMA TROT of HOsovs. One mile and a-hnl£. (Limit 3.45.) Moira Lt. Otaio Rose .. Lt. Russel Pointer Lt. Yds. blid. Logan Fraser Lt. .Tacky Logan . 12 Du Maurier . Lt. Devon Child . 36 Lydia Alexis . Lt. Wrackeen .... 10S Howdah .... Lt. John Noble ... 10S Lord Matchlight Lt. TRIAL PLATE of lOOsovs. Five furlongs. Tanc 8 10 Kindling ..80 Paliutanui . SlO Desert Song 8 0 Crunchem . 8 10 Bellbird ... 8 0 H-ntly 8 10 Pixie Gold . 8 0 Tariff 8 10 Sapient ... 8 0 Meprisant . 8 0 M. Nightraid 8 0 Stgt. Course 8 0 Ranelagh .. 8 0 Bay Queen . 8 0 Rosy Morn . 7 0 ASHBURTON HANDICAP of 200sovs. One mile and a-quarter. I Hoylake ... 811 Chickwheat 7 6 Chide S 5 Night Lad .75 Prickles ... 7 8 FAIRFIELD HACK of HOsovs. One mile. Haze ...... 9 0 Kate Kelly . 7 7 Sea Raid .. 8 7 Moy Hall .. 7 7 Swt. Refrain S 6 Gaybird ... 7 5 Amourette . 8 1 Comique ... 7 5 Topere .... 8 1 Quick Plunge 7 5 Wrigley ... 7 9 Ripdalc .... 7 5 Colonel Quex 7 9 Morian .... 7 5 RAKAIA TROT of HOsovs. One mile and a-quarter. (Limit 3.0.) Marv Locanda Lt. Yds. bhd. Locandaline . Lt. Mountain Ore 3K Sea Mist .... Lt. Real Huon .. 36 Nell Do Beau Lt. John Noble .. 36 Dice Lt. Purser 30 Bingen Maid . Lt. Wrackler .... 84 I Tahoe Lt. FAREWELL HANDICAP of 125SOVS. ! Six furlongs. Gav Sonnet 9 8 Caterpillar . 8 0 Pink Coat 9 6 Arch Arrow 711 Count Cavour S 11 Bulolo .... 7 7 Night Lad . 8 10 Flair 7 7 Buoyant ..SI