PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25088, 21 January 1947, Page 4

PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW

WELLINGTON CLUB INTEREST IN GLOAMING STAKES * From Our Own Reporter WELLINGTON, January 20. Although not the principal event on the programme, the Gloaming Stakes is the most interesting event on the third day’s programme of the Wellington Racing Club’s meeting at Trentham on Wednesday. The race will settle the problem of three-year-old . supremacy, as both Royal Tan, the winner of the New Zealand Derby, and Beau le Havre, the winner of the Great Northern Derby, have accepted. In addition, Howe, the runnerup in both Derbies, and Sakuntala, the winner of the New Zealand Oaks, are in the field. At Riccarton„ Royal Tan easily beat Howe, which was considered to be below his best. Beau le Havre beat Howe even more easily at Ellerslie, and northern critics class him as a three-year-old well above the average. Howe has also put up some fine performances, but there is reason to suppose that his best distance Is short of a mile and a half. It is unlikely that Beau le Havre is a better stayer than Royal Tan, but he may be more brilliant, and that may turn events in his favour. Sakuntala won the New Zealand Oaks by staying on, but is probably well below the form of the Derby horses. She will also be at a disadvantage in not having raced since she won the Oaks. Beau le Havre, Royal Tan, and Howe may be favoured in that order.

Fresh horses in Bridge Acre, Kerry Lad, and Capronella make their appearance in the Wellington Racing Club Handicap. A repetition of her form in the Dunedin Cup would make Bridge Acre very hard to beat, as she has 21b less than, she had when second to Lord Elgin. Kferry Lad has won at his last three starts, his last success being in the Summer Cup, of a mile and a quarter, at Ellerslie. With another two furlongs and against stronger opposition, he will have a more difficult task. Even under 10-0, Golden Souvenir’s chances cannot be discounted, especially if the field thins out still further. Sig- > nal Officer’s form in the Metropolitan Handicap at Riccarton after his failurein the New Zealand Cup cannot be overlooked, and he must also be a possibility. An improver may be Merry Robin, which ran a sound race on the first day after covering extra ground. Langue d’Or may not be at his best so soon after the Wellington Cup, while Swift Quarry does not seem to be racing very generously. It is. probable that the winner will come from the top half of the handicap. The open sprinters have thinned out considerably, and there are only 10 acceptors in the Metropolitan Handicap. The top-weight, Leigh Barton, has also accepted in the January Handicap, and the state of the going will probably decide which race he starts in. He appears a good prospect in either race. On his first day’s form, the favourite is • likely to be Yasda, which should be improved by his race. Tideless pressed him '.closely over the final furlong, and she should again be prominent. After the way Theocritus fought out the finish of the Telegraph Handicap with Da Vinci, he will also enter considerations, although he may not be quite so good over seven furlongs. Other speedy light-weights are Voltaic ahd Awaroa Stream. . The following horses may be favoured : 11.10 a.m.—Mungaroa Hurdles: Amorlad, Battle Chief, Ruling Moment. 11.55 a.m.—Gloaming Stakes: Beau le Havre, Royal Tan, Howe. 12.40 p.m.—January Handicap: Leigh Barton, Opulent, Grill. 1.30 p.m.—Camp Handicap: Beau Raide, Pandemonium, Matawene. 2.20 p.m.—Wellington Racing Club Handicap: Bridge Acre, Signal Officer, Golden Souvenir. 3.10 p.m.—Nursery Handicap: Kartikeya, Deep Sea, Helio. 4 p.m.—Metropolitan Handicap: Yasda, Tideless, Theocritus. 4.50 p.m.—Douro Handicap: Sage King, Frances, Carmelita. ,