GREAT EASTER HANDICAP

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25148, 1 April 1947, Page 4

GREAT EASTER HANDICAP

FIELD SMALLER THAN USUAL

VOLTAIC MAY BE EARLY FAVOURITE

The acceptance for the Great Easter Handicap Is rather disappointing numerically, the field being much smaller than usual; but with Bruce, Red Pickle, Lexia, Voltaic. Derene, Brown Derby, and Privilege remaining, there is the material to provide a first-class contest. With 9-9 to carry a field of onlv 12 will be of great assistance to Bruce. The gallant little Royal Chief gelding is a handy sort in a field, and with only 12i z runners on a roomy course like Riccarton, L. J. Ellis will be able to save every inch of ground. Distance racing will have taken the edge off Bruce's early speed; but if he is within striking distance at the top of the straight few of the sprinters will be able to withstand his finishing run, with all his weight. With the services of W J. Broughton, Voltaic is the logical favourite. His second to Sage King in the Thompson Handicap and his win in the Suburban Handicap at Trentham stamped him as a high-class three-year-old. He has shown continued improvement this season, and the others will have no easy task to beat him. Lexia put up a brilliant performance when she won the Jockey Club Handicap at Riccarton on November 30, running the. mile m the smart time of Imin 38 2-ssec. Her last start was in the Craven Plate, of seven furlongs, at Riccarton on February 1, when she finished very strongly from behind to win in Imin 25sec. Lexia has won her races from out in front and from behind. She has crept up in the weights, but she will still give a good account of herself. Since she won the Members’ Handicap at Riccarton so brilliantly Derene has disappointed on Metropolitan courses. She fell from grace after her failures at Trentham; but her brilliance still cannot be denied. Her weakness seems to be that she does not fight on if challenged early in the run home after she has been racing out in front. Red Pickle is regarded by many as a Wingatui specialist. He failed badly in the Thompson Handicap: Xbut there is a possibility that his preparation for the race was hardly sufficient. There was something amiss when a horse that had won over seven furlongs at Wingatui in Imin 25 2-ssec a fortnight previously should be stopping at the end of six furlongs. as happened in the Thompson Handicap. He is a better galloper than that. Brown Derby gained his. first success m open compnay when he won the Longbum Handicap at Awaouni on Saturaay. He is a good galloper: but at tne weights. Voltaic would, on Trentham runnirtjs have the edge on him. Privilege has performed well in classic races this season, and now that the tracks are easier the best may be seen of her. She is a canable snrinter. and is not without prospects. *

Whitley has a good record on turning tracks; but has consistently failed on metropolitan courses. Palomino has not competed against this class before, and Revolte will be making his first ance in open company. ‘ Chellow Dene has won a number of races on the West Coast, but, like Cipher, seems scarcely up to the class required. Although Voltaic is likely to be a strong early favourite, the support for Bruce. Lexia. and Brown Derby may be fairly even. First Return for Owner When he was successful in the Walr tangi Hack Handicap at Waimate on Saturday, Wild Note scored his first win for his owner-trainer, J. Mitchell, of Waimate since he was purchased from -McDonald last June for 2000gns. was having his first race since last October and gave the opposition no chance. He is an acceptor in the Papanui Hack Handicao at Riccarton next Monday Maiden Winner at Waimate Coxswain the winner of the Trial Plate at WaimatF on Saturday, had failed a number of times in similar company previously. He is a four-year-old gelding by Straight Course from Roman Lake by Sarchedon (a sire that stood in Australia) from Lake Uru by Sunny Lake from Arai-te-Uru by Birkenhead. Coxswain has always shown a good turn oi speed, but has not always finished well. He may not go very far, as long straights seem to find him out. Coxswain is trained at Riccarton by M. J. Wadley, who has won several races this year with not a very strong team.

Improvement Questionable Detain is considered to have shown some improvement since he went south to be trained; but some of the improvement he has shown may be due to the weaker company he has been meeting. He is engaged in the Autumn Plate at Riccarton next Monday, and the field he meets ’cannot be considered a strong one either. At his last start Detain beat a very mediocre field in the Lowburn Hack Handicap of one mile at the Cromwell meeting on March 7. ( A Successful Venture

Master Fox opened his account when he easily beat a hot favourite in Bhtne Spirit in the Cloverlea Nursery Handicap at Awapuni on Saturday. He is a ba} gelding by Brer Fox (which, with limiteu opportunities, continues to get winners! from Miss Eureka by Surveyor from Desert Fox by Diacquenod from Cross Fire by Camp Fire from Sylvan Dale by Sylvia Park. Master Fox is likely to be a better three-year-old than a two-year-old. His dam. Miss Eureka, is a sister to a good class handicapper in Royevrus. which won nine races and £4745 in stakes his successes including the A.R.C. Mitchelson Cup, Summer Cup, and Alison Cup, and the Te Awamutu Cup. There have been a number of useful winners In this family, including the New Zealand St. Leger winner Volume, which was a brother to Sylvan Dale. Master Fox is the fourth of the six yearlings purchased by J. S. Shaw for Mr H. M Waddington at the 1946 national sales. The other winners are Demonic, Lady Vile, and Prince Coronach, all of which louß like being useful next season. The best winner among the four was sold a few months after he was purchased; but Mr Waddington’s venture into racing can still be regarded as very successful. Few owners have six yearlings purchased for them that produce four winners in their first season. To Race On Second Day

Verdant was not accepted for in the Great Easter Handicap, but F. Trilford will have him on hand for the second day. Forage is the only member of the Washdyke trainer’s team that will be racing on the first day. but in addition to Verdant he will have Botany and Layman racing on the second and third days. Botany will contest the Christchurch Handicap on the second day, the higher minimum of 7-11 making it possible to secure a stronger rider. Later in the season. Botany may be seen out as a hurdler, having already been given some education over hurdles. Layman is also destined for a jumping career. He is a four-year-old gelding by Sky Pilot from Slumber, by Valkyrian from Lady Wakeful, by Lord Warden from Consuta, by Sarto. Layman is bred on the right lines for a jumper. To Ride Red Pickle R. J. Mackie will ride Red Pickle in his engagements at Riccarton at Easter. A southern report is that Mackie will bring the two-year-old gelding. Duvaals, to the meeting. Auckland Rehandicaps The following rehandicaps have been declared for the Auckland Racing Club’s Easter meeting at Ellerslie:—Eden »andicap. Jeep 121 b to 10-6; Welcome Guest, 21b to 7-12.—(P.A.) South Canterbury J.C. Nominations for the South Canterbury Jockey Club close to-morrow (Wednesday). April 2, at 9 p.m. —Advt.