RICCARTON HORSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 205, 29 August 1940, Page 20

RICCARTON HORSES.

THE THREE-YEAR-OLDS.

DORIA THE MOST FORWARD.

Doria Is the most forward of the Rieearton three-year-olds engaged in the Dunediu Guineas, and, judging by her sprint success at Riccnrton when she beat a good field in the Paparua Handicap, she should make a bold effort to give her Pigeon Bay ownerbreeder, Mr. E. Hay, his first success in the race. Doria has won well enough over sis furlongs to suggest that a mile will not trouble her.

Another outstanding horse in the field is Shikari, the Bulandshar —Capercailzie colt trained by H. and A. Cutts for Mr. G. R. Macdonald, who also has a good second string in Pleading. Special interest will be shown in the form of Shikari if he is set the task, as he was a two-year-old of great promise, and has been successful over seven furlongs. His winning run in the, Challenge Stakes at Riccarton last March, when he beat Duncannon by a head and ran the seven furlongs in the smart time of 1.25 4-5, was particularly good. If he continues to fain on satisfactorily he will be very hard to beat. Shikari has -started off sprinting again, and is getting through his. tasks nicely. At Wingati'i last February he gave Doria a start and a beating in the Champagne Stakes, but the filly had to concede 71b to Shikari. This time Doria will receive 51b, the weights being 8.10 for colts and geldings-and 8.5-"for allies. It will be an interesting clash, though all things being equal Shikari should once more prove the maeteri ;;

■Pjrtdlng has yet to show form approach ing that of the other pair, but the SolicitorGeneral colt is a good -free type of galloper who can be expected tor show his beet form when the tracks harden up.

Don't Forget, another Guineas candidate found seven furlongs too far for him iu the Longbeaeh Handicap on the final day of the Grand National meeting, and, while this was not altogether" unexpected, it was disappointing. The Myosotls gelding has a grand turn of speed at command, and should stay better later, but as a Guineas proposition he holds little appeal.

Wild Fox looks the most likely of the Clifford horses that were nominated. The Foxbrldge filly is coming to hand well, and. as most of the horses by "her sire have not made good until they were three-year-olds, she may have a good season. She is a halfsister to Wild Chase, and, though modelled on much lighter lines, has plenty of speed. In her few races last season Wild Fox was finishing on.

Bicearton horses have dominated the field for the race since its inception in 1913, and thrre seems little chance of the winner coming from any other centre, this year.