ASHBURTON RACES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19114, 24 September 1927, Page 18

ASHBURTON RACES.

TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. The interest of racing folk throughout the South Island and in Canterbury particularly, •will be centred in the Spring Meeting 01 the Ashburton County Racing Club, to be held on the well-appointed Ashburton racecourse to-day. Up to Thursday the track was in hard condition but subsequent rain assisted to take the sting out of the ground and to ensure exceptionally favourable going. Suitable transport arrangements have been made from north and south of the rendezvous, and for the convenience of visitors from Christchurch and intermediate stations, a special train will leave the city at 10.10 a.m., arriving back at 6.48 p.m. The weather conditions give promise of a bright day, and a large assemblage of the public is confidently anticipated. The official card reveals good fields, both in numbers and quality, and with the appearance of seven New Zealand Cup candidates in the galloping events, an interesting day's racing should be provided. Trotting enthusiasts will be catered for by two events, the iirlds for which total no fewer than 'lB. The full programme will be carried out in the following order: 12.30—LONGBEACH HACK HANDICAP, of 110 sovs. 6f. Erin-go-Bragh 10 0 Armchair ..90 Moratorium 0 11 Latin Quarter !) 0 Proliliman . . n :i Fallow . . 9 0 Snxette . . i) 1 Spearman .. 9 0 Honey Peer 9 0 Diana's Lad iJ 0 Xo Response 9 0 Erin-go-ZSiagh won two races over five and six furlongs respectively at the latter end of last season, on the second occasion accounting for the Domain Handicap at the Dunedin Meeting from Sohottische and Koval Head. On these performances ho should hold the company safe in to-day's race with 10-0, and the only apparent opposition seems likely to be forthcoming from Moratorium, provided his unrehearsed gallop on a hard road at Leeston on Wednesday ha 3 done him no harm. Money Peer reads the best of the remainaer. I.IO—SELMA HANDICAP TROT (in saddle), of 110 sovs. 3.45 class. ljm. Firebrand . . scr Golden Author .. scr Brown Logan .. scr Expedient .. scr Rap . . scr August Pointer scr Donard .. scr Warepa .. scr Lifebuoy .. scr Nellie Dillon .. 6cr Quality .. scr Jean McElwyn .. scr Glenrowen .. scr Mary Locanda .. scr Ray Locanda . . scr Lady Matchlight scr Jackie Logan .. scr Welcome Monopole .. sc« Whispers scr lone .. scr Roger Lyon .. scr Homelight .. scr Dick Logan .. 24 Brentflrc .. scr Tennis _ .. .'56 Bingen Patch .. scr Colene Pointer .. 72 On her Wellington running, Jean Mc Elwyn is likely to find favour with the publi.;, and together with Monopole, Donard, and Quality should run well. I.SO—TRIAL PLATE, of 100 sovs. sf. First Division., Donne .. 810 Miss Trillion « 0 Greylinch .'. 810 Rotor ..8 0 Fallow .. 8 0 Amor .. 8 0 Glengassy ..8 o Membo .. 8 0 Streamer .. 8 0 Silver Arc . . 7 0 Sky Guest .. 8 0 Silver Paper 7 0 Streamer, Rotor, and Amor are doubtful starters in this race, and if the two divisions aro still necessary, the Chokeboro representative, Sky Guest, a two-year-old filly by Autumnus from Telescope, who will be making her first public appearance, may effect a:i auspicious opening of the season for the stable in fcho above field. Miss Trillion has shown speed over a few furlongs, but today's distance might prove beyond her. The iwo-year-old Silver Paper, the first of Silver Peak's progeny to sport silk, will also be making his debut beforo the public, and his performance will bo awaited with interest. Greyfinch, a, four-year-old filly by Greyspear from Miss Addra, was started three times last season without success, but she has shown good track form. Sky Guest, Greyfinch, and Silver Paper promiso to be most prominent in the final issue. Second Division. Trilford .. 810 Thurso ... 8 0 Diana's Lad 810 Red Jazz .. 7 0 Bolero .. 8 0 Degree ..70 Scoff .. 8 0 First Raid ..70 Amorist . . 8 0 Royal Flower 7 0 Glad Light ' 8 0 Provided the going is firm, Scoff, who Tan second to Wreath of Myrtle in the Maiden Stakes at the Chfistcliurch Hunt Meeting at the end of July, will carry tlie publicconfidence in this division, but thero will also be support for the Australian-bred Amorist, who will have a good opportunity of opening his winning Bolero's track form suggests possibilities for H. Emerson's candidate, bnt he may be found wanting over the concluding stages. This trio look the moßt likely to contest the division, and if the race be decided in one heat, they should figuro as the best of the whole field.

2.3P.—ASHBURTON HANDICAP, of 175 sovs. lira. Footfall (F. E. Jones) .. •• 10 6 Rapier (J. Campbell) •• " t A Royal Game (C. Emeraon) .. " 8 „ Cbickwlieat (A. Eastwood) • • "Z 2 Thornd&le (D. Cotton) .. •• 7 8 Corn Rigs •• •• •: •• " \ Margaret Birney (R. Coveny) •• 7 1 Beau Gcste (A. Messervey) .. •• 7 o Ophir (W. Brown) •• " Z 2 Courtly Rose (R. -Bealo) .. "in Flaming Ray (C. Eastwood) .. ..7 0 ■ -The principal event reveals a good-class field and the ultimate favourite ifl well concealed. The' two top-weight« are on the threshold of a strenuous New 1 Zealand Cup preparation and with-solid imposts to cariy, thev may find it difficult to pace it with their lighter-weighted opponents. EoyaJ Game, fresh irom his Dannevirke victory over a similar distance with 9-0 on ilia back, Jias been given every chance with to-day a weight, hut at the same time lie may experience trouble in conceding Cluokwheat 171b. Tho latter has been giving overy sntisfaetion in his track eesayß during the past ten days, and had two successes over ton furlongs to his credit last season. Thorndale mav be 'n want of a race, while Corn Rigs, although probably carrying the confidence of West Coasters, will And the_ company too select. Margaret Birney is an honest galloper, and with her light burden cannot be overlooked. There iB an lion to favour Beau Geste's chances with tho minimum, and if he has any pretence to being a likely Cup oandidate, the opportunity to bring his prospects into prominence awaits him to-day. Ho has had vert little racing and comparatively easy track tosks of late, but his victory over a mile at the Wellington Autumn Meeting and his close third to Taboo and Indian Sage m the Islington Handicap over ten furlongs at the. Grand National Meeting, will, be remembered by investors. Ophir has not had the necessary work to make him dangerous, while Courtly Rose and Flaming Ray, although likely to be conspicuous over the I early part of the journey, cannot be expeoted to dispute matters at the business end. The - oontest promises to be full of interest throughout, and when the final conclusions 1 are arrived at, it will probably be gathered that Chickwheat, Royal Game, and Beau Geste are at the head of calculations. 3.10 —FAIRFIELD HACK HANDICAP, of 110 bovs. lm. Cornstalk ..9 0 Wreath of Fairy Tidings 8 10 Myrtle 7 11 Satrap .. 8 4 Gay Bird.. 7 8 Jarretiere .. 8 1 Green Cloth 7 7 Ark Royal .. 8 1 Martian Spear 7 7 Royal Wink 8 1 Luminant .. 7 f. Beaming .. 8 0 Gay Tim .. 7 o Jlaster Money Bag .. 7 4 Clarence 7 13 Indications point to Cornstalk being the public choice lor the Fairfield Hack Handicap, as ho is in rare raoiflg trim at present and 9-0 should not stop him. Satrap will be produced in fine order and his form will give a useful indication of his prospects in future important engagements. Master Clarence haß given every satisfaction on the tracks, and if his accident on Thursday ! does not come against him, he should finish | in the money. This trio and Luminant, | half-sister by Thurnham to Many Kittle and | Shining Armour, appear the best poasibiliI ties, with the chances of Master Clarence | most favoured.

350—RAKAIA HANDICAP TROT (in-har-ness), of no sovs. 2.56 class. ljm. Vfiivrourt . • scr Maud Logan .. scr Wenlo • • scr Billy Whizz .. scr chimer • • B" Killinchy .. scr Locanda General scr Panto •. J 2 Vestas • • Bcr Helen .. 12 - Harvest Child .. scr Auditress .. 12 •planet .. Logan King .. 12 Epigram .. scr Dillon Gold .. 24 Dusky Pointer .•. scr Sungleam . . 24 Great Form .. scr Huon Denver .. -6 Kate Thorpe .. scr Provided Vestas is in a generous mood and goes awav smartly, the Addington-trawed three-year-old will be hard, to dispose of. In his absence, Harvest Child, Huon Denver, or Kate Thorpe may prevail. 4.3O—FAREWELL HANDICAP, of 125 sovs. 6f, <a/if Rail . 9 7 Kenmore .. 712 Moorland ..811 Gold Mint .. 711 Rascal .. 810 Ronaki .. 711 Sagittarius ..8 7 Silver Coot 7 7 Finora ..8 6 Lucy Locket 7 « Mime ..8 2 Erin-go-Bragh 7 Goosestep ..84 Happy Queen < < Corn Rigs ..81 Tlie concluding event will see a useful field paraded, including Set Sail, one of the southern "hopes" for the big two-mile race in November. She may not. however, be sufficiently forward to give- of her beet ana thft public will probably pin their faitli to Moorland, who on track work, apparently •has lost little of his briliance. Sagittarius has undoubted speed and B« # and Bonaki -will probably dispute favouritism with th# ased Finland gelding.