WELLINGTON CUP

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25085, 17 January 1947, Page 4

WELLINGTON CUP

RACING

GOLDEN SOUVENIR FAVOURED PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW From Our Own Reporter WELLINGTON; Jan. 11. Although the track is not likely to be firm at Trentham on Saturday, when the second day of the Wellington Racing Club's meeting will be held, the going promises to be much better than on the first day. The Riccarton stablemates, Golden Souvenir and Bruce, promise to dominate the field in the Wellington Cup, and there seems no reason why Golden Souvenir should not repeat his success of last year. He has proved his ability to master big weights at the distance, and his superior stamina should see him through. Bruce has not been raced over the distance, but he has won all his races up to a mile and a half in a manner, suggesting that he would see out the extra four furlongs. Two other proven horses at the distance are Foxwyn and Langue d’Or. A hardened campaigner over two miles, Langue d’Or has only one real failure among his performances. That was in the last Auckland Cup. He is still so handily placed in the weights that he might be a stronger opponent to Golden Souvenir than either Bruce or Foxwyn. With a first and a second in the Auckland Cup to his credit, Foxwyn has strong claims. Hot Pursuit and Swift Quarry will have their supporters, but seem to be held safe by the southerners. Thornbridge was galloped on at Auckland and may not be at his peak again yet, and another Riccarton canddiate in Foxhaven has not regained last year’s form. On an easy track ,the best of the light-weights might be Hakim. In general, the staying form in the country is not impressive, and the placed horses seem likely to come from the top-weights.

A field of class sprinters will parade in the Telegraph Handicap. They are headed by the Auckland champion. Sleepy Fox, unrivalled as a weight-carrier, but it is questionable whether he will be able to give sprinters like Master Dash and Da Vinci a stone and more. With 8-9, Derene makes most appeal. There is no disputing her brillance and, should she get the best of the jump out, few will be capable of heading her. Da Vinci is a capable performer that has generally done well at Trentham and. in spite of his weight, seems likely to take part in the finish. Master Dash finished strongly in fifth place in the York Handicap last Saturday and seems to be back to his best. Peter Gazelle, Theocritus, and General Menteith are all speedy sorts, but the

class horses may have their measure. Riding engagements for the Wellington Cup are:—Golden Souvenir, C. T. Wilson; Foxwyn, R. B. Ireland; Bruce, W. J. Broughton; Signal Officer, H. J. Ford; Hot Pursuit, N. B. Holla rid; Catterick Bridge, J. A. McFarlane; Swift Quarry, W. J. Mudford; Young Trent, W. E. Carter; Hakim, K. R. Ford; Thombridge, H. N. Wiggins; Indian Gold, B. Boreham; Carnforth, J. P. Bowness. Horses bracketed on the totalisator are: Pencarrow Handicap: Beautiful and Czarina, Revolte and Fort Silver, Revivre and Follow Suit, Clyde Bridge and Diameter, Gay Joy and Cornish Note, Flying Faye and Platamon. Horses selected to run well are:— 11.10 a.m.—Te Marua High-weight Handicap: Battle Chief,'Desert Fox, Casilda. 11.55 a.m. —Desert Gold Stakes: Privilege, Indian Dawn, Perfect Peace. 12.40 p.m.—Pencarrow Handicap: King Tissa, Frances, Revolte-Fort Silver bracket. 1.30 p.m.—Fitzherbert Handicap: Lady Christine, Marilyn, Renowned. 2.20 p.m.—Wellington Cup: Golden Souvenir, Langue d’Or, Bruce. 3.10 p.m.—Ruapehu Handicap: Armont, Rosswood, Robingay. 4 p.m.—Telegraph Handicap: Derene, Da Vinci, Master Dash. 4.50 p.m.—Anniversary Handicap: Grill, Howe, Gay Stroller.