AT OAMARU

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25139, 21 March 1947, Page 4

AT OAMARU

RACING

AUTHENTIC MAY WIN AGAIN PALOMINO A SPRINT PROSPECT The Oamaru Jockey Club has received good acceptances 4or the opening day of its autumn meeting to-morrow, considering that the hard tracks are restraining the activities of a good number of horses at present. £ U ,P has attracted a field of eight; but Palomino may not be a starter, as she is also engaged in the Stewards Handicap. The top-weight, Double Cross, is likely to show an improvement on his effort at Motukarara on March 1, when he finished third to Authentic and in the Peninsula Handicap; and in this company may be hard to beat. He. goes well on a turning course, and in that respect has a slight advantage on Authentic, although a’ small held negatives some of that advantage. Double Cross has done well over a mile and a quarter this year, having had two firsts, three seconds, and a third in 10 attempts. Authentic showed an overdue return to form when he won the Peninsula Handicap at Motukarara, and with a 51b apprentice allowance to-morrow he will be hard to beat. The short straight is not altogether in his favour; but with a small field he should not have any difficulty in securing a run. Flying Hawk is in the veteran stage, and does not win odt of turn; but the course should suit him, and he may see to it that the pace is on from the outset. Siegform, a .Wingatui candidate, has run consistently m his recent starts, and is useful at the distance. If he has the services of A. N. Didham, who has ridden him in most of his races this season, he will have the benefit of a 51b allowance. Sumra’s form this season does not entitle her to much support. She beat Siegform at Vincent in January, but Siegform has shown improved form since then. Ever Ready recently won her way out of hack company and has made a lot of improvement this season. She will be having her first start in open company. Nightchild has failed to find her form in open company. When she does, she will be the best of light-weight prospects in races of this class. Authentic and Double Cross may be the favourites, with Siegform and Ever Ready likely to be well supported also.

A useful field of sprinters will parade in the Stewards’ Handicap, which is headed by Grill. Recently Grill has shown his best form over a mile, which points to the possibility of his having lost some of his earlier dash. On occasions he has shown some very - good form over seven furlongs. Whitley finished second to Derene in the Kinloch Handicap at Motukarara at his last start, without ever having a chance with the winner. He has a big increase in weight on this occasion, but an apprentice allowance may be claimed. On a turning course with a short straight, he has only to make his usual smart beginning to be hard to head off. John Gay dead-heated with Desert Girl at Wingatui at his last start, and his success was not out of turn. He has lost much of his former brilliance which made him a class above this field The improver of the field is Palomino, which has won at her last four starts. She has become very solid, and, though she is meeting stronger company on this occasion, she may win. Money Bird has some fair form to his credit, but would be better suited by easier tracks. Lord Dundonald, Divorced, and Air Lord do not appeal; but a likely light-weight prospect is Palm Bearer, which has not raced for some time. She will be bracketed with John Gay, and the bracket may be well supported. Riding engagements are as follows:—C. T. Wilson: Fonso, Double Cross, Palomino; A. M. Ellis: Wild Note, Open Cast, Wavelock, Ever Ready:- H. Ford: Flying Hawk, Topple, Grill, Miss Mercury; C. Stokes: All Quality; I. McClure: Pacific Star, Scotty McCabe; G. G. Hampton: Pandosto, Palm Bearer, Nightchild, Endora; H. W. Hibberd: Denary, Brigg Fair, Precipitate: R. E. Hawes: Indian Sign; K. Thomson: Falconbridge; P. Jones: Liquidate; A. J. Williams: Wildfire or Prince Dolomite. Revolte; R. G-. Brunnel, Authentic, Banshee, Lady Coolbane, Desert Victory. Horses that may be favoured are: — 11.45 a.m.—Trial Stakes: Perillus Belle, Erinborough, Fonso. 12.30 p.m.—Weston Trot Handicap: Colin Waters, Melton, Proprietor. 1.15 p.m.—Autumn High-weight Handicap: Antibes, Night Fighter, Sphere. 2 p.m.—Oamaru Cup: Authentic, Double Cross, Siegform. 2.45 p.m.—Windsor Hack Handicap: Pandemonium, Whakawatea. Precipitate. 3.30 p.m.—Redcastle Trot Handicap: Air Spray, Special Merit. Glenwellyn. 4.15 p.m.—Stewards’ Handicap: Palomino. Whitley. Palm Bearer. 5 p.m.—Parkside Hack Handicap: Revolte, Tenor Royal, Fort Silver.