MINOR EVENTS AT TRENTHAM

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25226, 3 July 1947, Page 4

MINOR EVENTS AT TRENTHAM

RACING

CONFLICT OF FORM Although there are a few candidates that stand out in each case, surprises in the hack events at Trentham are even more likely than in the open races. As is usual at Trentham. there is a strong conflict of form with horses from so many centres engaged, and it is not unusual for consistent performers at the minor meetings to fail to measure up on a metropolitan course, while on the other hand lesser known but improving horses have a habit of asserting themselves. Hack Steeples Thinning Out

With Lunaria, Sphere, and Awaroa Stream not taking their places in the field a maximum of 12 hack steeplechasers will contest the Mariri Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase at Trentham on Saturday. Lunaria’s defection leaves Royal Writ as top-weight in the field, a position he has little claim to. It will be his first start over country. As a hurdler he has been only moderately successful and will have to show some improvement on his hurdle form to go far as a steeplechaser. Lanoma, with 10-10 to carry. 21b less than Royal Writ, appeals as the form horse of the field. He won a double at the recent Manawatu meeting, both races being over two miles and three furlongs. On the first occasion, when carrying 9-0. he led all the way to beat Northfield by five lengths when receiving 301 b from his rival, while on the second day he carried 9-12 and won by half a furlong from Light Tea and Plato Boy —both in the field on Saturday—Northfield having dislodged his rider at the second last fence. Lanoma’s form has since been made to look a good deal better as Northfield won the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase carrying 10-0 at his next start. Lanoma is a good jumper and it will take a brilliant horse to go out in front with him. Runaway, which may be the best prospect among the South Island candidates, receives 31b from Lanoma. Runaway has contested only three steeplechase races, both at Wingatui, being pulled up after a mishap at his first start and giving a good display to win the Roslyn Hack Steeples of two miles and a quarter at his second. At his third start he ran second to Filibeg in the Dunedin Steeplechase run over the same distance, after being up with the leaders all the way. Runaway is a clean, fast jumper and may be one that will be able to tackle Lanoma early in the race Ellerton Hall appears favourably treated With 10-6. He made his first appearance for the season at Hastings last Saturday when he contested the June Steeplechase, in which he fell. However, he won at his last two starts last winter, beating Northfield at level weights at the Manawatu winter meeting and beating Golden Tide in the Manawatu Hunt Cup with ®-12. In each case the remainder of the field were not of much account, but his performances are sufficient recommendation in a hack field.

Royal Scholar has contested two steeplechases this winter and at his last start was runner-up to Kilmanagh in the Adamson Steeplechase at the Egmont meeting on May 10. He was also placed In two events last spring. Ruling Moment will be making his first appearance in a steeplechase, but has shown great promise in his schooling efforts. Six second placings over hurdles this season have placed him almost a stone above the minimum, so he has his share of weight for a novice. He is a brilliant hurdler and has a good turn of speed on the flat. He may gain more advantage from good jumping in steeplechasing that he does in hurdling, while he may also stay on better with the slower pace. Master Peter is another novice by Master Colossus, the sire of Master Meruit.

The Riccarton candidate. Master Play, is an interesting contestant, but may be at a disadvantage in not having had a race beforehand. He is a good jumper and showed great promise last spring when he ran third in the Hunt Cup at Riccarton and second in the Otago Hunt Club Cup. He contested those races on a light preparation so may do well on Saturday, even though it is his first appearance this winter. On their showings at Manawatu last month Light Tea and Plato Boy have slender chances. Miss Cynthia has yet to race over country, while Soho Park, which has been placed over hurdles, will also be having his first race over country. On the day it is likely that Lanoma, Ellerton Hall, and Runaway will be the favourites •with Master Play and Royal Scholar the only ones of the remainder receiving any consideration.

Sole Riccarton Representative Riccarton will have only one representartive. Precipitate, in the Woburn Hack Handicap, and even allowing for improvement on his runniing at the Ashburton meeting it will be surprising if he finishes in the money. The other South Island candidate, Bobby Dazzler, trained by J. A. Wilson at Mosgiel, may be a far better prospect. He has only one success to his credit to date, a division of a Trial Handicap at Invercargill, but he lookfc a good enough galloper to be above the average hack. He wLI meet stronger opposition than he has had to dite. The equal top-weights, Relampago and Gay John, were both winners at their last starts, as also was Neville. These three may dispute the favouritism. The consistent performer, Tommy Gun, a three-year-old by the former Riccartontrained horse, Trench Fight, and Ella Shields, which was runner-up to Sir Warrior in the Final Hack Handicap at Hastings last Saturday, may also come in for support. A big three-year-old filly by Broiefort, EUa Shields showed a lot of promise earlier in the season and has won two races in her seven starts to date. This may prove a well-contested event. Hack Hurdlers’ Mixed Qualifications The field in the Vittoria Hack Hurdles cannot be considered a strong one, and If he can reproduce his form in heavy going the Wingatui candidate, Desert Trek, should have a good chance of success. The manner in which Desert Trek outclassed Amorlad and Lisheen, the minor placegetters in the Otago Hurdles, suggestsed that he is a bit above the average hack hurdler. Three of the field, Batal, Hippodrome. and Cramond Bay, have proved much beter class than the average hurdler on the flat, particularly Hippodrome, and if they show any jumping ability at all the others would not be in the race. Batal won a division of the Matangi Hurdles at the Waikato winter meeting, but did not impress when schooled at Trentham on Tuesday morning. He may do better in a race. Hippodrome has had one start over hurdles but did not show up. Paganini had two starts at Hastings, but did not show up, and apparently needs a strong rider. In his only start over hurdles at the Rangitikei meeting a fortnight ago, he jumped greenly, but he is the type of horse to make a useful hurdler. Vassilikos ran third among the hack hurdlers at Ellerslie last month and filled a similar position behind The Crofter at Hastings last Saturday, while Pedantic’s form on local courses is well known. If he produces his best he W'ill have good prospects, and he is capable of improving on his third to The Raker and Ruling Moment at Ashburton. Master Ring and Foxland are winners over hurdles this year. The former, a brother to Master Meruit, is regarded as having a good future. In heavy going it is probable that the preference will be for those runners that have already proved their jumping ability. Good Local" Hack Candidate In Copper Coin, Riccarton has a candidate that may have the best prospects of success on the day among the local contingent. A three-year-old filly by Leighon from Pennywise, a half-sister to the Stewards’ Handicap winner, Not Out, Copper Coin has registered three wins in her eight starts this season, and was unlucky in another. Her strongest opposition is likely to come from the very promising Royal Chief gelding. Concrete, which won his first race at the Manawatu meeting last month. Although still inclined to be a little green in his races, he is a bold galloper with ability above the average. Consistency has been a feature of Erin’s Pal’s racing, the Man’s Pal gelding having registered seven consecutive second placings before winping at his last start. Lalla Meer and Even Light were also winners at their last appearance, and both can handle heavy going. A better prospect than this pair may be The Denbigh, a winner over a mile and a quarter at Hasting at his last start, which was only his second appearance after a spell. Mr Pym and Blackwater are also recent winners, while Siegtone, Mercian Lad, and Newel Post have recent placed performances to their credit. However, all of them may find Copper Coin and Concrete hard to head off. South Canterbury Hunt

Nominations for all events for the South Canterbury Hunt Club’s steeplechase meeting on July 19 at Washdyke, close with the secretary on Monday, July 7, at 9 p.m. Advt.