AT TRENTHAM TO-MORROW

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25227, 4 July 1947, Page 4

AT TRENTHAM TO-MORROW

RACING

ABDICATE FAVOURED FOR STEEPLECHASE

PENSACOLA APPEALS IN WHYTE HANDICAP

The lack of an outstanding candidate in the Wellington Steeplechase, the principal attraction on the opening day of the Wellington Racing Club s winter meeting at Trentham to-morrow, is as marked as the excess of them in the Whyte Handicap, the principal flat race of the day. After exceptionally heavy rain at Trentham last week-end, the track cannot be other than

The defection of Brookby Song in the Wellington Steeplechase left Abdicate and Bright Fox the equal top-weights with 10-10. Since the acceptances Gay Fort and Whooray have been scratched and a field of 12 is the maximum that can now parade. The class represented is mixed and the form of the candidates varied. It is unusual to find two steeplechasers which are in their first season as such at the head of the handicaps for the Wellington Steeplechase, and that in itself is a fair indication of the class of the field. Both Abdicate and Bright Fox have had plenty of experience over hurdles, and it is Bright Fox's outstanding performances under big weights over hurdles that have earned him his present rating. His solitary appearance as a steeplechaser was in the Frankton Steeples at Te Rapa in May. when he pulled hard in front and jumped extravagantly. Many good steeplechasers nave acted in a similar manner in their early races over country, and further experience may be all that Bright Fox needs. Abdicate has earned his position in the handicaps by reason of three good performances in his four starts as a steeplechaser. His first start was in the Egmont Steeples in May, in which he fell. At his next start he won the Frankton Steeplechase, of two miles and a half, at Te Rapa, carrying 9-13, with a stayer's run, and followed up with a win in the Manawatu Steeplechase, of three miles, with 10-7, beating Gay Rouen (in receipt of 61b) by half a length. At his last start Northfield beat him by four lengths in the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase after the latter had slipped the field with four furlongs to run. Abdicate then carried 11-3 and Northfield 10-0. To-morrow Abdicate will carry 71b less, and meets Northfield on 61b better terms. Town Survey was an outstanding hurdler before he appeared as a steeplechaser, but has yet to be successful in that role. Although he apparently possesses the ability, his displays have been mixed, and it appears that he will need more than average luck on his side to threaten danger. Red Glare will appreciate his drop in the weights. Although a brilliant jumper, he rather lacks stamina, while the heavy going will not help him to see the journey out. Until he begins to tire he usually gives a brilliant display. On form, Surpeen holds about the best qualifications in the field. A sound jumper, he stays well, and for a horse that has been operated on for a wind affliction, he is something of an exception as a stayer. He has been a consistent performer this season and will be one of the most seasoned runners in the field. He started off by finishing third to Gay Fort and Brookby Song in the Waikato Steeples, and then ran fourth in the Frankton Steeplechase, won by Abdicate. At the Great Northern meeting he ran second to Prize Ring in the Hunt Club Hurdles on the first day, second to Brookby Song in the Great Northern Steeplechase on the second day, and won the Winter Steeplechase, of three miles, on the third day. At his last start on June 21, he won the W. G. Park Steeplechase at the Waipu meeting, leading over the last two furlongs. He can apparently handle soft going, and Abdicate will have no easy task to give him 71b and a beating. Arabian Night is one of the problem horses of the field. He was successful in the Southland and the South Canterbury Seteplechases last year, the latter race being his only real test as a steeplechaser. This season, with track conditions not to his liking, he has performed moderately in his three appearances. His best performance was in the Otago Steeplechase, in which he ran a creditable race to the last fence in spite of his rider having lost his irons, zu-abian IHght’s ability in heavy going is undoubted, and ■with the services of R. Heasley, who has a thorough understanding of him, he may provide a major surprise. Northfield may be the up and coming steeplechaser of the field. Riding tactics played a major part in his success in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase, but the fact is that he had the pace to slip the field and stayed on. His form among the hack steeplechasers before that had been good, and he looks certain to run prominently. His stablemate. Gay Rouen, won the June Steeplechase at Hastings last Saturday, and has raced consistently this season. A good, safe jumper, he is lacking in pace but he is the type likely to be running on w'hen the others are tiring, and he must be given a jumper’s chance. Good Armour is another first season steeplechaser and his two attempts to date suggest that he will make the grade. A good class hurdler two years ago, he won the Great Northern Hurdles and the Winter Hurdles at Trentham. He resumed racing in May after a long spell because of an injury. After a race on the flat and four starts over hurdles, including a forrth in the Great Northern Hurdles, he ran third to Surpeen and Paid in the Winter Steeplechase at Ellerslie. He filled a similar position behind Surpeen in the W. G. Park Steeplechase at the Waipa meeting. An adept in heavy going and a good stayer, he must be given more than an outside chance in spite of his comparative inexperience. Roman Ned won two hack steeplechases at the Great Northern meeting, finishing on strongly on each occasion. The merit of his performances is hard to assess as few of those he beat had any qualifications, but he may be an improver. Representative may be lacking in experience. When in the mood he has proved an extremely capable hurdler, ana with his undoubted staying ability he would only need to become a sound jumper to make a top class steeplechaser. Cuisinier, the remaining runner, has no qualifications for this class of race. Whyte Handicap Field

Few handicaps at any winter meeting in the country have ever drawn four performers of the calibre of Soneri, Beau le Havre, Howe, and Pensacola, all of. them classic or weight-for-age winners. In addition there is a strong representation of good class handicappers, and the field for the Whyte Handicap promises to be one of the best that have ever contested the race. The champion mare. Soneri, heads the handicap with 10-12, but after her sterling performance to win the York Handicap with 10-1 in Imin 38 2-ssec on a rain affected track at Ellerslie last month, she cannot be considered to be weighted out of the race. On that occasion Soneri was carrying 431 b above the minimum. In this race she is carrying 471 b above the minimum, but is only giving away a maximum of 441 b as the lowest-weighted horse left in the race after the ballot carries 7-10. With her ability to master weight, the task is not beyond her. Beau le Havre is not ready for the task of mastering 9-11, but if he were at his best Soneri would hardly be able to con- . cede him 151 b. Racing will improve him. Valley Boy has some solid performances under weight to his credit, and won a division of the Cornwall Handicap with 9-0, but with 9-10 was not sighted in the York Handicap won by Soneri. Findon represents good class, but with 9-8 may find his more seasoned opponents a tough proposition, even though he has won several races on a light preparation. Hot Pursuit is a useful miler at his best, as was indicated by his second with 8-13 to Sleepy Fox in the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie. The Wingatui candidate. Joygiver. is another capable miler and has raced consistently in his recent starts. However, he meets Howe at level weights, and good as he is, he may not be up to the three year old’s class. Howe, now a massive horse, proved himself one of the most consistent performers in the country, and in 15 starts to date this season has never finished further back than fourth at distances from six furlongs to one mile and a half. A mile is probably his best distance at this stage, and he is the likely favourite. In this class, the distance may be too short for Foxchase. Longsword and Young Trent, but Flying Tor, even though he had been off the scene for almost a year, showed by his second placing over seven furlongs at Hastings, on June 21, that he retains his ability, and the race will have improved him. The most likely candidate to dispute the favouritism with Howe is the Riccarton candidate. Pensacola. He did not beat much when he won the Maronan Handicap with 9-11 at Ashburton, but that race served to bring him as near to his former peak as he has been this season. Not only has he won the New Zealand Derby, but he has also won the Canterbury Cup and the Harcourt Stakes, at w'eight-for-age. With 9-1. he carries only . 11b more than weight-for-age. an almost luxurious weight in a handicap for a Hbrse of his class. The going will be to his liking, while his ability to begin well will be a decided advantage in such a big field. Another strong South Island candidate will be the brilliant Alamode. Although, he has not raced since he beat Lord El- 1 gin in the Dunedin Jockey Club Handicap at the Dunedin Cup meeting, he has been in steady work for a long time and cannot be ruled out because he is making his first appeamace for over six months. Psalm is another southern candidate that has to be considered, while the prospects of the North Island candidates Fortune’s Smile. Honora, Ramicourt. Citation, and High Order cannot be discounted. Positions at the barrier and the luck of the start may have a big influence on the running, but the chances of the class horsed in the field cannot be denied. The following horses may be favoured: 11 a.m.—Mariri Hack Steeplechase: Lanoma. Runaway. Ellerton Hall. 11.42 a.m.—Woburn Hack Handicap: Relampago. Neville, Gay John. 12.25 p.m.—Vittoria Hack Hurdles: Trek, Pedantic, Paganini. i

1.10 p.m.—Stewards’ Handicap: Lorna Leigh. Playtos. Tiger Tan. 1.55 p.m.—Wellington Steeplechase: Abdicate. Surpeen. Northfield. 2.41 p.m.—Trentham Hurdles: Shepherd’s Mate. Foxstar. Amorlad. 3.25 p.m.—Whyte Handicap: Pensacola, Howe, Alamode. 4.10 p.m.—Te Aro Hack Handicap: Concrete, Copper Coin, The Denbigh,