AUTUMN MEETING AT TRENTHAM

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25127, 7 March 1947, Page 4

AUTUMN MEETING AT TRENTHAM

RACING

LANGUE D’OR MAY TAKE HANDICAP INDIAN DAWN’S PROSPECTS IN ST. LEGER ' f With the tracks remaining firm at Irentham, the fields for the opening day of the Wellington Racing Club's autumn meeting at Trentham to-morrow may oe reduced by further scratchings. Sprinklers have been used extensively on the and that ma y improve the going slightly. It is probable that only 11 runners will contest the Autumn Handicap in which Bruce faces one of the stiffest tasks of his career. With 9-11, he has to carry 111 b more than weight-for-age. After his performances at Trentham in January when he won the Dominion Handicap with 8-11. the Wellington Cup with 8-13, and ran second to Beau Le Havre at weight-for-age in the Trentham Stakes, he will again be one of the favourites, even though he has a tremendous burden for a horse of his size. With Langue d’Or, Arco, and Broiefield engaged, the Awapuni trainer, C. J. Thomson, has a strong hand in the

race. Langue d’Or won the race last year with 8-6, and comes in this year with the same weight. This season he has shown that he retains much of his ability by running second in the New Zealand Cup and fourth in the Wellington Cup. He had his first race since last January over a mile and three furlongs at Masterton last Saturday, and at the finish was running on strongly. Broiefield and Arco, which will be bracketed, have the same weight, 8-4. Broiefield has raced consistently throughout the season, and after his success last Saturday he must be given a good chance of success. Arco had some good form to his credit in the latter part of last season, but has not shown winning form this season. Last Saturday Royal Victor had his first race since he ran unplaced in the last New Zealand Cup. While his condition lasted he raced well, and the race should have improved him. He may not yet be at -his best. Dink’s Own ran third to Bruce m the Dominion Handicap at Trentham in January, but does not appeal in the company. Carnforth won at Woodville a fortnignV ago and finished third to Broiefield at Masterton last Saturday. He stays on well, but the class may be too good for him. Nightfoe has won three races against • weak opposition recently, but his form offers little' recommendation. Gay Stroller is apparently to start in the Thomp- 1 son Handicap. Flying Ace has run some useful races on country courses, but the best light-weight prospect may be Sakuntala. She stays well and is probably a better filly now than she was in January, when she ran third in the Gloaming Stakes and fourth in the Summer Handicap. With a smaller field and- the services of H. N. Wiggins, she may keep the top-weights busy at the finish. The

remaining runner, Montosorrie, is definitely out of her class in tills field. Langue d’Or appeals as the horse most likely to beat Bruce. The Broiefield-Arco bracket will also be strongly favoured. The field for the New Zealand St. Leger is stronger numerically than usual, but few of the runners have any pretensions to class. The outstanding runner is Indian Dawn, winner of the Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham and the Midsummer Handicap at Riccarton. She won the latter race in good time. Her strongest opponent will be Desert Fox, which won two high-weight handicaps over a 1 mile and three furlongs on the course last January. He needs a strong rider, and takes time to work up his speed; but he stays well, and the distance should suit him. Perfect Peace is also a likely placegetter. At her last start she was narrowly beaten by Camiorth over a mile and a quarter at Woodville. Perfect Peace stays well, and is a sister to Western Front, last year’s winner of the St. Leger. Howe is to start in this race in preference to the Thompson Handicap. He has been suffering from muscle sorenees, and is rather tied up in his action. Even at his best he is not a genuine staver. The others have no form to re-

commend them. , The Thompson Handicap bears a particularly open appearance. Majesty is an outstanding miler in his own province; but with 9-3 he has a weight that has defeated good class older horses in former years. Auckland horses have a poor record at Trentham, and Majesty will have to prove himself an exceptional colt to win. Imperial races solidly, but may find some of the lighter weighted division difficult. Red Pickle has so far failed to win in open company away from Wingatui, but he is such a brilliant galloper that he has only to reproduce his present form to have an excellent chancd of winning. He is a splendid beginner, and able to secure a position early, which is much in his favour. The three-year-olds, Sage King, Opulent, and Voltaic, will come in for strong support. Sage King has a handy weight, but faces a big task attempting a race of this class at his first start in open company. Over the distance he is one of the best threc-year-old handicappers about. Opulent raced consistently at the January meeting, winning the Thorndon Handicap and being placed at his other two starts. These two appeal more than Voltaic over a mile, even though he won the Metropolitan Handicap, of seven furlongs, at the January meeting. Brown Derby is also above the average, and is the right type of horse for this class of race. Gay Stroller occasionally runs an excellent race, and Great Coon is sure to give his usual honest performance. The final issue may be between Red Pickle, Sage King,

and Opulent. The field in the Railway Handicap is not up to the usual Trentham standard, and there will probably be further defections, including the top-weight, Da Vinci. This season Da Vinci has proved himself an outstanding sprinter, and his absence will rob the race of much interest. Last year's winner, Gigli, may go close to repeating his success. He commenced racing only a fortnight ago, and on Saturday finished fourth in the open sprint at Masterton. With L. J. Ellis up he will be strongly supported, and has only to stand up to the hard going to be difficult to beat. Specialist will be favoured by the small field, and has never had a better chance of winning a good race. He put in a very strong finishing run in the straight when he finished third to Da Vinci and Peter Robinson on the last day of the January meeting, and if he repeated that effort he would win. Lord Theio has won at his last two starts, and is a likely place-getter. Peter Gazelle and Cot Case are fast sorts on their

day. The following horses may be prominent:— 11.15 a.m._Rimu High-weight Handicap: Master Raymond, Village Squire, Merger. 12 noon—Plunket Nursery Handicap; Kartikeya, Lady Christine, Lady Vite. 12.47 p.m.—New Zealand St. Leger Stakes: Indian Dawn, Desert Fox, Perfect Peace. 1.35 p.m.—Autumn Handicap: Langue d’Or, Bruce, Broiefield. 2.25 p.m.—Tinakori Hack Handicap: King’s Ransom, Revolte, Flare Path. 3.15 p.m.—Thompson Handicap; Rea Pickle, Sage King, Opulent. 4.5 p.m.—Railway Handicap: Specialist, Gigli. Lord Theio. 4.55 p.m.—Silverstream Hack Handicap: Sheilwyn, Gyration, Queen’s General.

FINAL TRIALS AT TRENTHAM

INDIAN DAWN WORKS WELL •* The Press " Special Service WELLINGTON, March 6. Useful gallops, rather than fast work, marked the final trials at Trentham. this morning, for the opening day of the Wellington Racing Club’s autumn meeting. The best half-mile was recorded by General Victory, and Indian Dawn and Blue Moon impressed over longer distances. Others which galloped well were Sea Fury, Niloch, Keening, and Colopier. The work was divided between the- outsirie of the course proper and the plough. Although the course proper has been watered extensively, it is very hard and would be benfited by rain. Majesty was not after time in a run over seven furlongs. He ran his first three in 39 4-ssec, but was then eased up and completed the full distance in Imin 36 l-ssec. Working alone, Desert Fox could have improved on the Imin 47 3-ssec It took him to run a mile, the last half in 54 l-ssec He was travelling easily throughout, and is in good order for the St. Leger Stakes. Again working well, Niloch led Adair and Lady Christine throughout five furlongs in Imin 3sec, the last half-mile in 49 l-ssec Niloch finished two lengths ahead of Adair, which was three lengths in front of Lady Christine. Lady Christine did not strike out on the hard going. King’s Ransom appeared to be going better than Flare Path at the conclusion of five furlongs in Imin 4 4-ssec. the last half-mile in 51sec. Both could have done much better. Kartikeya was not troubled to overtake Master Fox in the concluding stages of half a mile and win by two lengths in 50 l-ssec, the last three in 37. Travelling smoothly. Karachi was a length and ahalf ahead of Treasure Tee at the conclusion of five furlongs, the last four in 49 4-ssec. Indian Dawn showed that there was little the matter with her when she ran seven furlongs in Imin 31 l-ssec. She was picked up by Foxhaven at the halfmHe. and they came home from there in 49 l-ssec, the last three in 36 4-ssec. Showing improvement. Keening finished 10 lengths in front of Omaio and Master

Peter at the conclusion of seven furlongs in Imin 32 4-ssec, the last half-mile in 51sec. Leading throughout. Blue Moon gave a good performance to beat Nightfoe by three lengths, with Sakuntala two lengths further back, after running a mile in Imin 47 l-ssec, the last half in 54 l-ssec. Nightfoe was kept in restraint over the last two furlongs. A good turn of early speed enabled General Victory/ to get an advantage on Tara Hall and Desert Chant over half a mile. General Victory was two lengths clear of Tara Hall, with Desert Chant a further three lengths back, passing the post in 49sec, the last three in 37 l-ssec. Sheilwyn appeared to be travelling better than Iron Duke at the end of half a mile in 50 2~ssec. Kept together throughout the six furlongs, Red Pickle and Great Coon recorded Imin 17sec, the last half-mile in 50 2-ssec. Both are in excellent order for their engagements. Opulent ran six furlongs at slightly better than three-quarter pace. Bruce had Montosorrie as a companion over a round of pace work, speeding up over the final three furlongs, which were not timed. On the Plough Working early on the plough, Sea Fury shaded Master Robin over three furlongs in 33 3-ssec. Colopier was partnered by Lady Scholar over three furlongs in 35 l-ssec, the best of the morning over this distance. Howe was exercised and bears a bright appearance, but his action was scratchy. If he starts on Saturday, it will be in the St. Leger.

WESTPORT MEETING Good acceptances have been received for the first day of the Westport Jockey Club’s meeting to-morrow. Most of the horses engaged at the meeting completed strenuous programmes on the summer circuit, but have had time ter freshen up again. In the Westport Hack Handicap, Early Night is likely to be a strong favourite, with Foreign Ways and Te Wanaka also well supported. The form of most of the runners in the other races was well exposed at the earlier meetings. The following horses may be favoured: 11.30 a.m.—Buller Stakes: Renege, Fonscr, Minstrelie. 12.10 p.m.—Denniston Handicap Trot: Becky Loyal, Sowden Beck, Lady Goldworth. 12.50 p.m.—Roche Handicap: Deep Harmony, Legal Rose, Velvet Slipper. 1.30 p.m.—Westport Hack Handicap: Early Night, Foreign Ways, Te Wanaka. . 2.10 p.m.—Scanlon Hack Handicap: Front Page, Make Good, Cornish Note. 2.50 p.m.—Waimangaroa Handicap Trot. Becky Loyal, Dramatist, Dawn Patrol. 3.30 p.m.—Colvin Handicap: Vonettee, Here Hine, Sir Tague. 4.10 p.m.—Enright Hack Handicap: Foreign Ways, Juriste, Chaka.

CROMWELL PROSPECTS '* The Press ” Special Service INVERCARGILL, March 6. There is promise of fine weather and a fast track for the opening of the Cromwell Jockey Club’s annual meeting tomorrow. Fields are of fair strength with the majority of horses engaged twice during the day. Single pool betting will operate. Form horses include:— 12.30 p.m.—Goldfields High-weight Handicap: Percy-Kassai bracket, Detain, Ara Chief. 1.10 p.m.—Upper Clutha Trot: Minstrel Hall, Blind Fury, Sir Hall. 1.5 p.m.—Trial Handicap: Robot, First Out, Incitatus. 2.30 p.m.—Cromwell Handicap: Salad, Gold Lance. 3.10 p.m.—Mount Pisa Handicap: Soft Light. Regatta, Gold Spur. 3.50 p.m.—Kawarau Handicap Trot: Blind Fury, Minstrel Hall, Sir Hall. 4.30 p.m.—Lowbuin Hack Handicap: Kassai-Percy bracket, Red Prize, King’s Victory. The acceptances are :• GOLDFIELDS HIGH-WEIGHT, of £110; one mile.—Detain 9-13; Gnohill 9-10; Percy, Winning Cheer 9-1; Banco, Kassai, Ara Chief, Profiteer, Count Roger 9-0. UPPER CLUTHA TROT, of £110: 3min 37sec class; one mile and a half.—All Clear, Arawa Lad, Blind Furv, Interlace, Minstrel Hall, Pardon (TJ, Prairie Jack, Recast, Rosalind Hall, St. Phil’s, Tayside, Teviot Maid, Victory Dale scr; Desert Calumet. Grattan Lee 48. TRIAL HANDICAP, of £100; six furlongs.—Robot 8-11: First Out 8-10: Sandy’s Pride. Toohoo, White Face. Cover Drive, Wood Pit, Cold Feet, MinStrel Light. Marie Rita. Agility. Incitatus, Count Roger, Claras Night. Lady Hotspur, Welcome Light, Great Chase, French Glider CROMWELL HANDICAP, of £150: one mile.—Gold Lance 8-4; Salad 8-0; Black Light 7-11; Sailor’s Pal 7-9; Gnohill 7-0. MOUNT PISA HACK HANDICAP, of £110; six furlongs.—Gold Spur 9-0; Silverstream 8-12; Soft Light 8-7; Banco 7-10; Regatta, Robot, White Face, Marie Rita KAWARAU HANDICAP TROT, of £110; 2min 59sec class; one mile and a quarter. —Arawa Lad, Arrow Top, Blind Fury Duncraig. Lucky Dale, Minstrel Hall. Prairie Jack. Recast. Sir Hall. Tough Guy, Victory Dale scr; Dalziell 24; Desert Calumet. Grattan Lee 36: Ben Wvvis 84. LOWBURN HACK HANDICAP, of £120; one mile.—Red Prize 9-0; Detain 8-3: Silverstream 8-0; Winning Cheer, Percy First Out. Ara Chief, Banco. Robot, White Face, King’s Victory, Count Roger, Amicus. Kassai 7-0.