AT WASHDYKE TO-MORRROW

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25554, 23 July 1948, Page 4

AT WASHDYKE TO-MORRROW

RACING

DOUBLE LIGHT MAY WIN STEEPLES

ALAMODE APPEALS IN HANDICAP The South Canterbury Hunt Club’s meeting at Washdyke to-morrow serves as a useful preliminary lor horses engaged at the Grand National meeting, and the form in all classes of events will be keenly watched. Strong fields are engaged in ail events, and the club appears likely to have a very successful meeting. After rain on Wednesday and early Thursday morning, the track is likely to be slightly holding. Before the rain fell, the track had been drier than usual at this time of the year. The main jumping attraction of the day will be the Pareora Steeplechase, in which the principal interest will centre on the reappearance of the Grand National candidate, Double Light. He has not raced since he won a treble at Riverton at Easter, blit if he does not prove capable of disposing of those opposing him tomorrow he would not appear to have much chance of offering serious opposition to high-class performers such as Brookby Song and Master Meruit. Double Light made an excellent impression at Riverton, and he is likely to prove a class above the opposition to-morrow. The principal opposition may be provided by his stablemate, Ballyaggan, First Out, Siglow, Grand Forest, and Snowline. Though he does not possess much pace, Ballyaggan is a safe jumper. First Out won at Wingatui last month, but he failed to reproduce that form at Waimate last Saturday, where he was beaten into third place. He jumps well enough, and if he is improved with his race last Saturday may not be far away at the finish. Siglow ran third in the Wingatui and the Dunedin Steeplechases at Wingatui last month, and should be prominent in this company. He does not stay too well, but that failing does not apply only to him. Grand Forest misjudged a fence at the end of a round in the Matai Steeplechase at Trentham last Saturday. He has only a limited experience as a steeplechaser, and may fare better in this company. He lost a winning chance when he ran down the last fence at Ashburton last month. Snowline made a good start as a steeplechaser when he won at his first appearance at Waimate. He meets a stronger field here, but may again dispute the issue. San Quentin and Debater may prove the best of the others. San Quentin was twice runrier-up to Lisheen at’ Washdyke in May, but he had to be let up after he injured himself while schooling at Wingatui. He fell in the Waimate Hunt Cup last Saturday, but that can hardly be held against him. Debater was in third place behind San Quentin on each occasion last May. He failed in his two starts at Wingatui last month, and has not raced since. Debater lacks pace, but invariably finishes on well. Winter Cup Candidates In the- Claremont Handicap eight Winter Cup candidates are engaged, the most prominent being the top-weight; Frances. She has not raced since she won the Thompson and Hutt Handicaps at Trentham last March and may need the race to bring her to her best, but it has to be remembered that she is a class above her opponents. Alamode was narrowly beaten by Renege in the Morven Handicap at Waimate last Saturday and is likely to show further improvement with the race. At his best he is a good class performer, but after being off the scene for some time has taken time to strike form. His turn may not. be far off. Lord Elgin’s prospects depend on the state of the going. It does not suit him if it is too shifty or greasy. Lord Elgin is in good order and was prominent for a good part of the journey in the Maronan Handicap at Ashburton last month. If he gets a firm enough footing he may take part in the finish. Graeme will have to be respected, as he has been racing more consistently of late. He Tailed in the Parliamentary Handicap at Trentham through no fault of his own, but had run several useful races before that, Bath Slipper has not shown any form since she won at Riverton at Easter, and Verdant has not proved reliable. Hakim is making a fresh start. He is at his best under winter conditions. Connaught’s only glimpse of form recently was in the open sprint at Oamaru last month, when she ran third behind Theocritus and Haughty Dick. Earlier she had surprised by beating Lexia over a mile at Ashburton. Her best efforts have bson on firmer going than she is likely to strike to-morrow.

If he is given time to settle down early Winning Cheer may not be far away at the finish. He finished on particularly well over seven furlongs to finish second in his two starts at Wingatui last month, but failed to run on at Waimate last Saturday when handily placed at the straight entrance. Renege fought out a hard finish with Alamode in the Morven Handicap at Waimate last Saturday after sharing the pacemaking and may race well again. She has previously done well on easy tracks. Tweedside may be improved with his race last Saturday, though a mile in this company appears too short for him. Magnaform’s recent form has been only fair..Slegtone finished on to beat Winning Cheer for third in the Morven Handicap at Waimate last Saturday, that being her first minor placing in open company. Bright News and Diameter have failed in their attempts in open company to date. Avonbridge is a useful galloper when in the mood, but in the past that has not been very often. Royal Sal is making her first attempt in open company and has not raced for several months. Erinborough. Dinky Di, Dash o’ Dink, and Solver make no appeal. Riding Engagements Riding engagements are as follows: L. J. Ellis, All’s Fair, Diameter; A. J. Stokes, Magnaform, Pageantry; H. W. Hibberd, Deficiency, All Pockets; c. T. Wilson, Lilli Marlene, Young John; N. Crombie, Lord Elgin, Mr Micawber, Mr Buzz, Orfiega; C. McDonald, Regal Lily, Show Boy; R. W. Shaw, Royal Flash, Detract; D. J. Thistoll, Graeme; B. H. Brodie, Royal Saleve; B. S. Wilson, Legal Right, Hughsotis; K. Nuttall, Scuttle; G. G. Hampton, Leeston; A. N. Didham, Hakim, All Alone; M. J. McClintock, Big Top, Periwig, Master Mishna; W. E. Hardman, Newel Post; A. J Murray, Home Again, Prince Cavalier; P. C. Hill, Erinborough; M. G. Murray, Minion; R. Hawes, First Out; A. M. Ellis, Glen Cona; D. Dawson, Fort Silver, Wee Mac, Colonel Smart. Betting will be win and place, and the following may be favoured:— 11 a.m.—Hadlow Hurdles: Fort Silver, Big Top, Foreign Ways. 11.45 a.m.—Gleniti Stakes: Royal Saleve, Scuttle, Saieda. 12.25 p.m.—Teschemaker Steeplechase: Tin Hat, Troytown, Warfield. 1.10 p.m.—Claremont Handicap: Alamode, Graeme, Lord l£lgin. 1.50 p.m.—Pareora Steeplechase: Double Light, First Out, Snowline. 2.35 p.m.—Levels Hack Handicap: All’s Fair, Leeston, Night Owl 3.20 p.m.—Washdyke Trot Handicap: Sandy Logan, Bonny Gold, Desire. 4.5 p.m.—Pentlow Hack Handicap: Young John, Flying Fort, Sword Dancer. BROOKBY SONG AT RICCARTON VISITING HORSES ARRIVE A number of the North Island horses engaged at the Hunt Club and the Grand National meetings have arrived at Ric- < carton, notably Brookby Song and Corineus, and their presence will give an added interest to the track work next week. The other arrivals include Town Echo, Da Vinci, Town Survey, Ballinabuoy, Morocco, and Skywriter. Brookby Song came through his gruelling race in the Wellington Steeplechase in fine style, likewise Corineus, which was exercised on the sand yesterday morning. Town Echo, which raced on the first day only at Trentham, also looks well. The Wingatui trainer, H. A. Anderson, left Arabian Night and Tring at Riccarton on his return from Trentham. Arabian Night seems quite sound after his Trentham efforts.

A. E. Didham has left Special Flight, Boolamskee, Foxchase, Batal, Young Bob, and Triumphal in charge of A. I. Powell. All except Young Bob raced at Trentham. Young Bob could not be raced because of an injury to a foot, but has now recovered. Two other members of the team, Amorlad and Night Fighter, were also casualties at Trentham. Amorlad, which injured a stifle while schooling, has made slow progress and has gone back to Wingatui. He may be sent home until next year. Night Fighter is still at Trentham recovering® from the extensive wound to nis near side hindquarter received when he struck the tray of the starter’s truck before the start of the Corunna Hack Hurdles on the second day. It is thought that it may be another fortnight before he is able to travel. A. E. Didham may bring some additional members of - his team to Riccarton after the South Canterbury Hunt meeting on Saturday. The Riverton trainer, H. McD. Shannon’s pair. Super Flight and Extra Flight have .also arrived at Riccarton. Neither look any the worse for their racing at Trentham. Super Flight improved with each start at Trentham and must enter into considerations for the Winter Cup. In Steady Work F. D. Jones has Maryburn doing pacework again, and he bears a robust anpearaace and appears none the worse for

his setback a few months ago. His injured hind leg is cleaning up steadily, and it will not be long before he is given more serious tasks. There seems no reason why he should not reach the heights that he appeared likely to after his impressive form in hack company,