SECOND DAY AT ASHBURTON

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25179, 9 May 1947, Page 4

SECOND DAY AT ASHBURTON

RACING

LEXIA A PROSPECT IN TINWALD HANDICAP LUNARIA MEETS WEAK FIELD Except in the jumping events, the Ashburton County Racing Club has good fields for the concluding day of its autumn meeting at Ashburton to-morrow. The club is unfortunate in the small response it has received in its effort to provide an early race for steeplechasers, and it seems that there may not be any appreciable increase in the number of jumpers offering until yet another season. The principal flat race, the • Tinwald Handicap, has drawn a good class field, and the appearance of six horses which did not race on the first day of the meeting gives an added interest to the race. Wantwood ran himself out in front in the Ashburton County Handicap last Saturday, but was still in front at the end of a mile. On that and on previous form he appeals as being a strong candidate to-morrow. He won over seven furlongs in Imin 25 l-ssec at Riverton at Easter, when carrying 8-11, and should not have any difficulty in running out the additional furlong. Gulf Stream shares top weight with Wantwood, but is not ready to show winning form yet, it being only his second race after more than a year’s spell. Lexia has some high-class form to her credit, but she had a lapse of form at Riccarton at Easter. She has freshened up in the meantime, and will have the others doing their best to head her off at the finish. Her win against a high-class field in the Jockey Club Handicap at the last New Zealand Cup meeting was ample proof of her capabilities over a mile. Wantwood was sixth in that race, and was in receipt of 4Jlb. Whitley will be troubled by the distance. He has won over seven furlongs at Ashburton, and in his last few races has been running on at the finish better than formerly, but the extra furlong looks too far for him in this field. The hardy Double Cross is likely to give his usual honest performance and will have to be respected. He is in good order and looks none the worse for his strenuous season. Joy Rosa will be making her first appearance since last November, but she is a useful sort and likely to show up over this distance. Grill is being started in preference to his stablemate, Frances. He has had only one minor placing in his recent starts, but a mile may suit him better than six and seven furlong journeys. He is a strong finisher on occasions, but his chances depend on how much ground .he gives in the early stages. Falconbridge led the chase after Wantwood for a few furlongs in the Ashburton County Handicap last Saturday, but weakened in the run home. He has won over a mile in high-weight company; but does not appeal on this occasion. ChellOw Dene finished very strongly to run Frances to a neck in the Flying Handicap last Saturday, and on that form would have a light-weight’s chance tomorrow. Deep Harmony sometimes has his own rules about racing. At his last appearance he was a fair third to Revoite and Double Cross in the Christchurch Handicap at Riccarton at Easter. If he could be persuaded to do his best all the way, he would have a lightweight’s chance. To secure the services of a strong light-weight, he will carry a few pounds overweight. Finalist was finishing on in fifth 1 place in the Flying Handicap last Saturday, and is an imEover. His chances would be enhanced a soft track. Wild Ribbon has speed but does not appeal in this company. In spite of his lack of experience, Lunaria stands out in the Alford Hack Steeplechase, in which Appeasement is the only runner with any degree of experience opposing h.m. In his schooling efforts Lunaria has impressed as one likely to make a good-class steeplechaser. He takes a good sight of his fences and is a fast, clean jumper. His experience in hurdle racing stands him in good Stead, while he has sufficient pace on the fiat to trouble the plodding types of jumpers. Appeasement won once over country last season, and will be a much better horse this season. Commemorate has confirmed the promise he showed last year, in his recent schooling efforts this year, but requires further racing. Gold Nugget and Trisune lack experience, and make no appeal. Both Pandemonium and Lady Welbeck will have a good opportunity of winning their way out hack company inthe mile and a quarter Chatmos Hack Handicap. Both will be suited by the long Straight, and have sllbwn ’iseful form over the distance. Pandemonium was a

little unlucky when she was forced wide on the turn in the Apprentices Hack Handicap last Saturday, but she finished gamely as usual. Lady Welbeck raced at Riccarton at Easter. She lacks pace, but generally finishes on well, and with the services of L. J. Ellis looks like having g strong chance

Cipher is running out his hack nominations, and considering the ease with Which he won last Saturday, appears nicely weighted at 9-2 in the* Fairfield Hack Handicap. Some of the others have been dropped in the weights, but they Will need all the concession given. Peculate, which has raced consistently of late, and Mestiza look -likely to offer the Strongest opposition, but if Cipher is able to make the running as he did last Sattirday, he will be hard to head off. Riding engagements have been made as follows:—L. J. Ellis, Lady Welbeck, Royal Kobe; C. McDonald, Whitley, Pandemonium. Cipher; A. C. Campbell, Mercia s Mystery ; O. Ferrall, The Crofter, Jolyon; W. Kitto, Big Top, Gold Nugget; N. Crombie, Ned Kelly; H. Ford, Gulf Stream; G. G. Hampton. Renege. Vulnerable; A. M Ellis, Little Billy, Prana; L McClure, Liquidate, Sword Dance, Wild Ribbon: R. W. Shaw, Ballochbuie, Penetrate, Turf Topic; R. G. Brun ell, Lakhnau; M. Walker, Paper Raid; M. Jones. Wandering Minstrel; P. Jones, Gold Medallion, Lail a Meer; J. Murray, Commemorate; C. T. Wilson, Double Cross, Hounsel, Citral; W. Leader, Trisune; N. Davison, Responsive, Saigon; K. Thomson. Battie Chief, Lunana; A. Stokes, Banshee, Deep Harmony, Stabilisation Night Blush; D. J. Thistoll, Mestixa, Old Faithful, Wild Knock; H. W. Hibberd. Peculate. Lexia; M. Ridgway. Finalist; A B. Stove, Roman Son; C. Stokes, Sorry, Joy Rosa. Great Chum; J. Nicolson, Appeasement. The following horse? may be favoured: 11.20 a.m.—Winchmore Hurdles Handicap: Big Top, Battle Chief. Noon—Lagmhor Stakes: Banshee, Citnl, Maka Mak a. 12.40 p.m.—Lauriston Trot Handicap: Wavfarer, Glen Devon, Commander Scott. 1*25 p.m.—Tinwald Handicap: Lexia, Wantwood, Double Cross. 2.5 p.m.—Chatmos Hack Handicap: Pandemonium, Lady Welbeck. Early Night. 2.45 p.m.—Alford Hack Steeplechase: Lunaria, Appeasement. 3.30 p.m.—Fairfield Hack Handicap: Cipher, Mestiza. Peculate. 4.15 p.m.—Melrose Trot Handicap. Incredible, Active Service, Razzle.