SPRING MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 234, 2 October 1940, Page 16

SPRING MEETING.

MITCHELSON CUP.

THE CHIEF EVENT.

PROSPECTS OF CLINCH,

The next important fixture in bhe province is the spring meeting of the Auckland Racing Glmb, to be held on Saturday and Monday, October 12 and 14, and the

issue of the weights for handicaps on the

first day by Mr. F. J. McMaiiemin will increase interest in the fixture. The chief event is the Mitchelson Cup, in which 29 are engaged.

Royevrus won the Mitohelson Owp last year with 7.10 and since then he was only beaten tby a .head in the Auckland Oup with 7.10. His ;best effort this season was in winning the PLuim.pton Handicap, one mije and a quarter, at Arondale, with 8.8, and with 61b more he is by no means out of it. Golden Sheila failed with 9.0 in the Arondale Cup, which was her first race since Kaster. and now lias 8.12. Her last micceee w;ik in the Alison Cup. one mile and a quarter at Ellerslie, with 9.0. Te Kawiti, Royal Appellant .and Beau RepaAre arc three New Zealand Gup candidates, and they have each 8.9. Te Kawiti won the Jellicoe Handicap, one mile, at Ellerslie in August, and tlie President's Handicap, nine furlongs, at Paeroa on Monday, carry-ing 8.9 on the latter occasion, while last season he scored inp to a mile arid a quarter. He ehould see out the distance on his breeding.

Royal Appellant failed bo get into the money in the Avondalle Oip, but lie Showed last season lie was not troubled by the distance when 'he won the A.R.C. Handicap, one mile and a half, from a good field. Beeoi Repaire was narrowly bea.ten in the Avondale Cup by Qinoh, to whom ihe was giving 161b. He took charge 'before the turn and fchere was onlj" half a head in it at the finish. Now Cli.nc<h is within 4lb of him and that s'hould help to even up matters. Proud Fox (8.6) won ■the Ralph Handicap, one unile and a quarter, at Ellerslie last season with 7.12 and has performed prominently in other events. He wae in the money at the Paku'ranga meeting over a sprint course and no notice can ibe taken of this effort at Paeroa on Saturday as he wae checked when the .barrier , rose. If started lie should go well, tot 'he is also in the Shorts Handicap. Lady Fmrst and Mazir are on the same mark. The former failed to stay out the distance in the Canterbury Oup ait Riccarton in Xovemiber and her last success -was in winning over a mile and a quarter at the Wairar'apa meeting at Eaeter. Mazir lias no recent form.

Clinch (8.5) won the Avondale Cup with 7.1 and with 8.3 took the Poland Cup, one mi'le and three fuirlongs, at Paeroa, staying on well in iboth evente. He should again be haivl to beat, for he finishes very solidly. Out Jean (8.3) won the Takapnroa Cup, one .mile and three furlongs, at FJllerslie last January, while at t/he recent Avondale fixture she was third in the Clip with 7.12 and second in the Phimpton Handicap with 8.2. These were iboth .mile and a quarter events. She is meeting Beau Repaire on lib better, Royevmue slb -better, and Clinch 131b terms. Our Jean is also in the sprint event, but if she contests the Cup ehe is not without jprospeote. Flood "Tide (8.2) eeerns to 'be improving aind was fourth in the Plumpton Handicap at Avondale. H* won the Mitchelson Oup in 1936 with 8.8.

Sly Fox (8.1) was fourth in the Avondale Oup with 8.2 and third in the Plumpton Handicap, of similar distance at the same meeting, with 8.3. He looks ae though he ie eibout at 'his .best again and his third in the last Auckland Oup will not be forgotten. Of tfhe others, Winsome Lu (7.7), Gamos (7.4) and Mmtlaw (7.1) appeal most. The last-naimed showed good form wp to a mile and a half last season, finishing a ffood third in the H. O. Nolan ■Handicap, run over that distance at Ellerslie, with 7.7. He was second to Clinoh in the Poland Cup, a furions shorter, at Paeroa on Saturday, a.ml will have to ,be considered. Sonne who may bo in demand -just now are Clinch, Beau Repaire, Te Kawiti, Royevrus. Our Jean. Sly" Fox, Proud Fox and Mintlaw.

Acceptances on Friday. Acceptances for the first day of the Auckland Racing Olub and final paymente ifor the G<reat Northerji Guineas and Welcome Stake* are due with the secretary, (Mr. W. S. Spence, at 5 .p-m. next Friday.