AT GERALDINE

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24985, 20 September 1946, Page 4

AT GERALDINE

RACING

DOUBLE CROSS HAS GOOD CHANCE IN CUP

The Geraldine Racing Club, one off the oldest established clubs in Canterbury, will hold its first spring meeting at Orari racecourse to-morrow. The club is generally fortunate enough to secure good fields, to-morrow’s programme being well up to the average, and it will be necessary to run the Ohapi Trot in divisions. The track has been improved by the recent falls of ram and the going will now have the sting out off it. The principal race, the Geraldine Cup, has a long history, dating back to 1875, and the list of winners includes several horses that were notable performers in their day, among them Tasman and Vanguard, the winners of the first and second New Zealand Cups. At one time the race was a real staying test, being run over two miles and a half, but with the exception of one year, 1903, it has been run over its present distance of one mile and a quarter since 1894. With the growth of some of the metropolitan clubs, the race has declined from the position of importance that it once held, and probably the best horse to win it in recent years is Findon. Several horses have won the race twice, the last being the hardy Solmerinomare. Set Sail, which won in 1927 and 1928. The field for to-morrow’s race is a moderate class ope, and most of the runners are well past the stage where they are likely to make any further improvement. The top-weight, Amorlad, is the best class performer in the field, but his chances may be affected by his recent races over hurdles. He would soon dispose of this field if he were anywhere near his best. Honest Sal failed to hit out on the firm going at Ashburton last Saturday, an ? finished at the rear off the field. With track conditions more to her liking she can be expected to make an improved showing, but the turning track and a short straight will not be in her favour. Forage runs his best races out in front, which is an advantage on the track, but even in this field his form is hardly good enough. His only win in open company was in the Waimate Cup last season. Pedantic did not show up at Ashburton last Saturday, but was closer to the leaders at the finish than any part of the race, I!} ou . g £ even then he was w ®n back. High Ideal had a most strenuous time last season* having in all 32 starts. He entered C. J Walsh’s stable at Omoto after the Grand National meeting, and might have freshened up since then. He is a good track galloper, but his race record is not good. Burberry looks well, but he cannot be fancied over 10 furlongs. Double Cross was out in front until the last furlong jn the Ashburton Handicap last Saturday and finally finished fourth. With Lexia, he set a solid pace, and with Lexia and the horses that beat him not engaged, he appeals as the hardest candidate to beat. Desert Victory was slow away in the Penscroft Hack Handicap at Ashburton, but made up ground in the run home. In his previous start in open company he raq second to Honest Sal at Washdyke. On his day he is a useful galloper, but he mfl y be better over a little less ground. Authentic should be improved by his race at Ashburton, and would not have to improve much to take part in the finish. He will be best suited by a solid pace. The open sprinters' race, the Squatters’ Handicap, appears to be a benefit for the top-weight, Whitley. With a 31b apprentice allowance he will meet the rest of the field on very favourable terms. With a furlong less to run and a turning track, the others will have a difficult task to catch him, and he sems likely to repeat his last year’s success in the race. Silver Mask is having his first start for the season and does not appeal at the distance. Grand Forest ran one of his good races last Saturday, but he has not exactly been a model of consistency. John o’ London ran two excellent races on the first two days at the Grand National meeting, and was also not disgraced on the third day. He is a good beginner and races well in front, and though he previously did not race too generously, now finishes on solidly. Grill’s recent form has been far removed from his best, and he will probably be better suited by another funlong. Lady Fane showed a lot of speed as an early two-year-old, but did not tra l n J^ n - She was lacking in size then and did not look as if she would ever become very solid. If Derene goes to the post she will have prospects, particularly With the sting out of the ground. She is almost as brilliant as Whitley, but unfortunately she cannot be given a normal preparation. The following riding engagements have been made:—D. D. Stove, Patmos. Grill, Aldan, Authentic, Wildfire; D. J. Thistoll, Comic Paper, Tomahawk; W. Barr, Battle Chief; C. McDonald, Lord Robin, Spiora, Belfort; K. Nuttall, Gay Joy, Spring Water; H. Ford, Dark Arrow, Forage, Whitley: N. Crombie, Denim. Burberry, Royal Vestments: C. Stokes, Honest Sal, Philary; M. McClintock. John o’ London, Pedantic, Leeston; A. Stokes, High Ideal, Sal Gundi, Foreign Ways; G. G. Hampton, Avonbndge, Double Cross; B. J. Langford, Deficiency; R. Register. Foxspear; Q. Ferrall, Montello d’Oro; H. W. Hibberd. Big Top, Denary, Liquidate: R. Binnell, Palomino, Cloud Song; D. R. Mackie, Victory Betting will be on the win and place fancied- aDd fo^ow * ng horses may be 11.30. a.m.—Rangitata Hurdles: Court Dress, Foxspear, As Required. 12.10 P.m.—Ohapi Stakes: Baracha, Palomino, Boon Companion. thentic m —®° uMe Cross > Amorlad, Auth1.45 p.m.—Geraldine Trot Handicap:: First division, Rural Lady, Thelma Grattan, Blue Revue. Second division: Snowflake, Remlap, Lyceum. 2.40 p.m.—Raukapuka Hack Handicap: Patmos, Spiora, Denary. 3.20/P^n.—Squatters’ Handicap: Whitley. John o’ London, Montezuma. 4.5 p.m.—Orari Trot Handicap: Scholarship. Shadow Chimes, Special Effort. , 4.50 p.m.—Belfield Hack Handicap: Avonbridge, Botany, Belffort.