SECOND DAY AT TRENTHAM

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25447, 19 March 1948, Page 4

SECOND DAY AT TRENTHAM

RACING

TO-MOROW’S PROSPECTS From Our Own Reporter WELLINGTON, March 18. The Wellington Racing Club’s autumn meeting will conclude at Trentham on Saturday. First day form looks likely to provide a good guide. Rain earlier in the week has improved the track considerably and heavy dews overnight have helped to prevent It from drying out too quickly. In the President’s Handicap, the principal event of the day, the top-weight, Signal Officer, races a stiff task with 9-12, a rise of 71b on the weight he mastered impressively in the Autumn Handicap last Saturday. In his present form and racing over his best distance, Signal Officer may well be equal to the task. Voltaic, which is closest to Signal Officer in the handicap, is a newcomer to this class of race and has to-be taken on trust over this distance. Up to a mile he has proved a good performer and a solid finisher. Indian Dawn's programme is doubtful, but if she is fit enough to run she may trouble Signal Officer. Desert Fox did not come up, to expectations last Saturday, but he would need to make only a little improvement to take part in the finish. Gay Stroller ran an indifferent race last Saturday and is capable of a better showing, though he does not appeal as a real stayer. Langue d’Or battled on into third place last Saturday, and with the improved going may make an even better showing. When in form this solid old stayer always has to be respected. Gay Fault was fairly close up in fifth place last Saturday, and now meets Signal Officer on 91b better terms. She is not without prospects. Catterick Bridge and Yasda finished sixth and eighth respectively last Saturday. The former looked likely for a short time but faded in the run home. Yasda may do better now thatathe going is not quite so firm. Barrage, Embrolita, Beau Raide. Fairhome, and Master Baron are fresh horses, and the first two hold the best prospects. Barrage runs on solidly but is lacking in class. Embrolita had two seconds over middle distances to his credit on the recent Taranaki circuit and mu§t be given a light-weight’s chance.

Suburban Handicap There are several newcomers among the sprinters in the Suburban Handicap. The top-weight, Frances, is also engaged in the Hutt Handicap, as are Ladyship and Fleetv/ood. On her showing in the Thompson Handicap, Frances has an undeniable chance in either race in spite of a rise in weight. Deprive looked as if a race would improve him last Saturday, and should be capable of a solid seven furlongs. Desert Girl has gone up 101 b for her Railway Handicap success, but will still have to be respected. The form of Theocritus and The Pagan last Saturday left something to be desired. Cltril is likely to show more improvement than any other runner in the Railway Handicap last week. She won at Trentham last January and is a better filly now. Fleetwood’s strong finish into third place in the Railway Handicap will bring him into favour, and he looks like taking a part in the finish. Of the- newcomers, the best prospects may be held by Ladyship. She won at Trentham last January, end being a three-year-old she should have improved. Zealander is capable of a solid seven furlongs. Shiraz and Dymondy have recently been placed, but Reorapa and Prince Revel have no recent form. Veine d’Or is a consistent filly and next to Fleetwood she may be the best of the lightweights.

The following may be favoured:— 11.10 a.m.—Ngaio Hurdles: Gunther, Grand Central, Vassilikos.

11.55 a.m.—N.Z. St. Leger Stakes: Kartikeya, Foxbay, Magnaform.

12.45 p.m.—Pacific Handicap: Buchanan, Lord Azure, Jaconet. |

1.35 p.m.—Champion Hack Handicap: Maryburn, Torrent, Earnbrldge.

2.25 p.m.—President’s Handicap: Signal Officer, Desert Fox, Indian Dawn.

3.15 p.m.—Belmont Hack Handicap: Diana Reynard, Bay Fort, Ronald Macdonald.

4.4 p.m.—Suburban Handicap: Cltril, Fleet wood, Desert Girl.

4.55 p.m.—Hutt Handicap: Frances, Wild Note, Revolte.