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Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25662, 26 November 1948, Page 4

2.22 p.m.—

Ascot Lad was well placed, and appeared to be galloping strongly, before nis fall in the New Zealand Cup. He has a good form background—one that points to his making a bold showing. Kartikeya has mixed some really outstanding perfornlances with some moderate showings, but Royal Tan may improve on his fifth placing in the cup in which he was interfered with at a crucial stage. Coral Arc could not adapt himself to the conditions last Saturday, but if the going is reasonably good to-morrow he should be able to repeat the form which brought him into the limelight eaiiiej this season. Liebestraum also prefers a firm track, but he may be safely held at the weights by Coral Arc. Of the horses near or on the minimum, The Grate holds the brightest prospects. She beat a strong hack field easily over a mile at Ttentham, and at the Southland meeting made a strong run from the back to win an open race over a mile and a quarter. 3.7 p.m.—

Arctotis. found little difficulty in winning the high-weight event last Saturday, although he was not altogether happy in the going. He galloped impressively at Riccarton yesterday morning and will be strongly supported to-morrow. Wandering Minstrel outclassed a hack field over nine furlongs at the Banks Peninsula meeting, and just as easily accounted for the others in the High-weight Hack Handicap at Rangiora two d'ays later. Brenlock battled on for fourth in the Derby last Saturday after beirfg prominent throughout. Against weaker company and over a shorter distance, he may make a bold bid. String Band finished solidly for third behind Arctotis and Revivre on the first day and may be able to improve on that effort. Fluorescent Light did not race on the first day of the meeting, but he comes from Southland with a good reputation. At the Southland meeting on November 13 he won a hack six-furlong race with consummate ease, and he has given some indication of his ability to run over longer distances. 3.57 p.m.— JOCKEY CLUB HANDICAP, Of £l5OO. One mile.

Full Play, which ran away from his opponents in the Stewards’ Handicap, will be a ready-made favourite. He has shown winning form over a mile, and his early speed should enable him to take up a prominent position from the start. Winter Sweet, with better luck in the running, would have won the Riccarton Handicap last Saturday, and those near the top of the handicap will have to be at their best to give weight to the Hastings mare. Desert Girl finished solidly for third in the Stewards’ Handicap after being at the rear of the field in the early running, and the mile journey should not be beyond her powers. Demonic scored comfortably in the Wainui Handicap,’ of one mile, on the first day of the Wellington spring meeting, but he did not get the best of the running in the Stewards’ Handicap last Saturday. Frances is capable of running out a solid mile, and if she is produced at her best she may upset the favourites.

METROPOLITAN HANDICAP, Of £2500. One mile and a half. st. lb. st. lb. Ascot Lad (1) 8 8 Sal’s Pal (14) 7 6 Kartikeya (15) 8 7 Renowned (10) 7 5 Royal 'fan (7) 8 2 The Grate (4) 7 3 Barrage (6) 7 13 Banshee (11) 7 0 Coral Arc (2) 7 10 Colorado Liebestraum Maid (3) 7 0 (13) 7 7 Helio (9) 7 0 Silver Riverview (12) 7 0 Treasure (8) 7 fl Volomai (5) 7 0

OTAIO PLATE, Of £850. One mile and a half. st. lb. st. lb. Night Owl (16) 9 0 Fluorescent Arctotis (8) 8 4 Light (20) 7 6 Bobby Langham (3) 7 5 Dazzler (15) 8 2 Aidair (18) 7 3 Wandering Great Minstrel (11) 8 1 Chase (7) 7 3 Sword Robingay (9) 7 1 Dancer (6) 8 0 Highway (14) 7 1 Brenlock (1) 7 12 Brixton (5) 7 0 String Eulogize (4) 7 0 Band (10) 7 11 Pageant (17) 7 0 Balloch- Sir Abbot (12) 7 0 buie (19) 7 9 Speedy (13) 7 0 Terminate (2) 7 0

st. lb. st. lb. Frances (13) 9 0 Full Play (2) 8 1 Wantwood (12) 8 10 Julius Aggrava- Caesar (5) 8 0 tion (17) 8 7 Palomino (19) 7 12 Desert Girl (9) 8 7 Magical (15) 7 8 Lord Elgin (?) 8 6 Winter Derronic (11) 8 6 Sweet (7) 7 4 Red Pickle (6) 8 5 Ned Kelly (14) 7 2 Citril (16) 8 5 Erinborough Lexia (1) 8 4 (18) 7 0 Patmos (10) 8 4 Nightblush (4) 7 0 Clyde Revivre (8) 7 0 Bridge (20) 8 2