AT WINGATUI TO-MORROW

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25608, 24 September 1948, Page 4

AT WINGATUI TO-MORROW

RACING

SALMON SPEAR MAY WIN HANDICAP

ROBINFAYE APPEALS IN MCLEAN STAKES

The Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring meeting will be held at Wingatui to-morrow. Good sized fields are engaged in most events, but the open class events have not drawn fields as strong in quality as is expected of- a metropolitan meeting. None of the better class handicap horses from Riccarton is engaged and most of the better class southerners engaged are in need of a race.

An indifferent lot of handicappers is down to contest the Ranfurly Handicap, the principal event of the day. The topweight, Salmon Spear, is easily the best class horse in the field. He is making his first appearance for the season, having been off the scene since last December but he was equal to winning this event first up with 8-4 last year, when he beat Signal Officer, although on that occasion the latter was not ridden to the best advantage. Throughout his career, Salmon Spear has been a very consistent performer and as he has been working well at Invercargill; and has not a good lot to beat he looks like repeating last year’s success to-morrow, when he has only 41b more to carry. Aganev and the Riccarton candidates, Graeme and Banshee, may provide the principal opposition. All three are more seasoned than Salmon Spear and had the benefit of a race over a mile and a quarter at Ashburton .last Saturday. Aganev is not always reliable, but she finished well last Saturday after not being able to get a clear run at a critical stage of the race. She won over a mile and three furlongs at Wingatui at the spring meeting last year. Graeme has raced well in provincial handicaps in recent months without gaining a winning turn. He is generally handy at the finish when the track ds not too firm. Banshee presents a problem. She finished well enough last Saturday, but she apparently has a marked dislike to being hemmed in on the rails and her chances will depend on the ability of her rider to keep her suitably placed in the running. Should he be able to do so she may take part in the finish. Of the remainder of the field Duvaals is being tested over the distance for the first time and his form over sprint courses did not seem to indicate that he will shine as a stayer. Hansel had a narrow win over a mile at the Otago Hunt meeting and has won over a mile and three furlongs previously. but he represents very moderate handicap class. Brockie, Tweedside, and ’Robert have shown no form for some time, and Royal Sal has yet to make the grade in open company, even though some of her hack form was encouraging. First Two-year-old Race

The McLean Stakes, the first two-year-old race of the season in the South Island, always creates a good deal of interest and this year will be no exception. With a field of 23, the majority can be expected to lose all chance at the start or in the early rush for positions. Riccarton stables have provided nine runners and the most forward of them appear to be Robinfaye, Boost, and Bosun. Of the three Boost has drawn best at the barrier, but the other two are both very smart beginners, particularly Robinfaye. Swayup and Lady Moyra are two other local candidates that have shown speed. Of the southern youngsters Gold Ring and Flying Trixie have shown themselves to be smart youngsters, but the latter has drawn one of the outside positions at the barrier. Indiana showed speed in the parade at Riccarton last month and is a Washdyke candidate that is not without prospects. Three good class performers, Frances, Excellency, and Wantwood, head the field in the Telegraph Handicap. Frances and Excellency are both likely to be in need of further racing. The same may apply to Wantwood, but if a full apprentice allowance is claimed for him his weight will be reduced to 8-9, a luxurious weight for a horse of his class, and in such circumstances he may prpve hard to beat. Sterling Lad is well on in years, but still has to be respected on a heavy track. Deep Harmony won the race last year. He is an unreliable performer, but capable of winning if he does his best. Connaught was narrowly beaten into third ftlace over seven furlongs at Ashburton ast Saturday and may be prominent again, although she has generally done better over seven furlongs than six. Trident, Golden Amber, Musselman, and The Hob are three-year-olds that all showed smart two-year-old form. The Hob may fare best as he is a particularly smart beginner. Golden Amber is brilliant, but is inclined to dwell at the barrier. Musselman and Trident are both likely to fare better over longer journeys. Ned Kelly has an alternative engagement in the hack sprint. Stagestruck, which ran second in this event last year, is a possibility if he gets away well, but as often as not he fails to do The October Handicap is to all intents and purposes an open welter. After his good showing when he finished strongly into fourth place in the Spring Handicap at Ashburton last Saturday Maryburn will be strongly favoured. He was off his feed after .he raced at. Ashburton, but his trainer had a similar experience before he won at Trentham last March, Another Riccarton candidate in Balkis must be given a good chance after her fourth placing in the John Grigg Stakes. Sal’s Pal and Sir Garnish may need further racing though Sir Garnish may make a bold showing while fresh. Fine Night is capable of a solid mile, but seldom seems to produce his best. Loyal Lady won the race first up last season and on a firm track will again have to be respected. Winning Cheer has no recent form and Bren Gun may need racing. Romantic will appreciate the drop in weights and can be depended on to run a useful race. Betting will be win-and-place, and the following may be favoured:— 10.30 a.m.—Spring Hurdles: Grand Coulee, Vanity King, Foreign Ways. 11.15 a.m.—Trial Handicap: First division—Sir Abbot, Sequoia. Second division —Kosher, Scuttle.

12.5 p.m.—Kaikorai Hack Handicap Super, Ned Kelly, St. Bruno.

12.50 p.m.—Telegraph Handicap: The Hob, Connaught, Deep Harmony.

1.35 p.m.—Ranfurly Handicap: Salmon Spear, Aganev. Graeme.

2.30 p.m.—McLean Stakes: Robinfaye, Boost, Bosun.

3.5 p.m.—October Handicap: Maryburn, Balkis, Romantic.

3.55 p.m.—Clarendon Hack Handicap Helio, Volomai, Arctotis,