WAIKATO RACES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 41, 18 February 1943, Page 7

WAIKATO RACES

SEALAW A PROSPECT

HOPES OF TAKANINI

Sealaw is again in the news, because of his renewed keenness in training, and he is now well in discussions as a Storey Memorial Handicap proposition. His form at Christmas fell a little below expectations, but there is every indication that he is rapidly approaching his best, so that he may be seen in a favourable light on Saturday. Takanini is particularly well represented in the Hamilton Hack Cup with the three-year-olds Royal Merit, Merry May and Tweedsmuir. Royal Merit is very fit, and what beats him should about win. Merry May's form has been good without her winning, and it may be her turn, but, with 8.12, she is set a stiff task for one of her inches. Tweedsmuir meets Royal Merit oft 111b better terms than in the Wynyard Plate, in which he was unplaced, while Royal Merit won. If in Old Form Proud Fox has been going along nicely, and, having benefited by a race at Ellerslie, he is provided with an opportunity of redeeming himself in the Puketaha Handicap. At his best, Proud Fox would have little difficulty in winning this event with the luxury impost of 7.4, but it is likely, however, that his stablemate, Representative, will carry most confidence. The latter has been working particularly well of late. There are fewer fitter horses at Takanini than W. Clifton's pair, Peter Gregor and Tellsom. The form of both at the Ellerslie meeting provides sufficient encouragement for confidence in their prospects in the Whatawhata Hack Handicap and President's Handicap respectively. The two-year-olds Yorkish and Meermint, both of which worked well together recently, are favoured candidates for the Juvenile Handicap, but they will meet plenty of opposition, especially from Subadar and Gaymeer. However, they are nicely placed in the handicap, and can be expected to give a good account of themselves. Taking to Hurdling Ascot Bloom's schooling efforts have encouraged his connections to give him an early try in this department of the game, and he has been nominated for the hurdles at the Franklin meeting. Water Vixen is again working along nicely. The Foxbridge mare injured a heel at Trentham, and since then has been more or less on the easy list. She will come to hand quickly. Kentish, a winner at Ellerslie, is working in greatly improved style. This gelding's lapse in the early part of the season was unaccountable, but to present appearances it appears that he will continue in winning vein. Sleepy Fox has been off colour lately, and his tasks have not been serious. A very speedy gelding, Christmas racing may have taken the edge off him, but he should not take long to freshen up again. Flying Drake and Eagle Hawk are both going along nicely, and are due to make their next appearance at the Franklin meeting. Eagle Hawk looks very well, and may fulfil earlier promise.

SUBADAR SHINES

BRILLIANT HALF-MILE FINAL TRIAL FOR TE RATA One of the best gallops done by him since he first made his appearance on a race track was .credited to Subadar at Ellerslie' this morning, and, in conse quence, he is likely to be sent out favourite for the Juvenile Handicap at the Waikato meeting at Te Rapa on Saturday. Galloping with Nizam, his blood fullbrother, Subadar had slightly the better of a five-furlong bout in 1.3, the final halfmile taking 495. After winning a double at the Christmas meeting, Subadar was taken to Trentham, but he went off colour on the trip, and this accounted for his failure in his only start there. However, he is now back to his best, and should be hard to beat in the juvenile race at the week-end. Corot, which ran third in the Rotorua Cup last Saturday, drew attention to his prospects in the Storey Memorial by the dash he put into a four furlongs flutter, which took Him 49 2-ss—the best of the morning over the distance. Another pleasing piece of training was the effort of Landveyor, a Storey Memorial candidate, in defeating Phaieron over seven furlongs in 1.29 2-5. The son of Surveyor has not won a race this term, but he was a real good middle distance performer last season, and, as there is reason to believe that he is again approaching his best, he is entitled to serious consideration in coming engagements. Kraal, which has been showing her best form this season, was sent a longer distance than usual, and she acquitted herself right royally. The Vaals mare commenced slowly for her mile task, but came over the concluding half in particularly smart style to record 49 3-ss, tile full distance taking 1.48. Other gallops were:— Three furlongs.—Tiger Tan, Lady Oraline and Lady Pal, 38s. Four furlongs.—Fox Queen and Gay Winkle, 50s; Katie Scarlett and Richelieu, 50s; Purple Vermeer, 50 2-ss; Gaymeer and Chat Money, 50 3-ss; British Victory, 51s; Wee Pay, 51 3-ss; Lancelot, 52 3-ss. Five furlongs.—Brome and Camilla, 1.3 1-5, last four, 49 4-ss; Bronzo, 1.5 3 5. Six furlongs.—British Talent, 1.19. Seven furlongs.—Lady Ex and Willow Wood, 1.30; Red Warden, 1.30 3-5; Lord Defoe, 1.33 1-5.

JOVIAL LASS PLEASES

(Special) HAMILTON, this day. There were no outstanding features in the training at Te Rapa this morning, but the Jovial Son filly, Jovial Lass, which finished in a place at Matamata last Saturday, beat Ballyneety and Wee Sal nicely in a gallop over four furlongs in 52 l-ss—the best over the distance. Farland recorded 53s and Foxwyn 53 l-ss. Laughing Fox finished in front of Air Port over a round in 2.7, a distance which Full Hand put behind in 2.4 1-5.