WESTLAND EVENT TO-MORROW

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25732, 18 February 1949, Page 4

WESTLAND EVENT TO-MORROW

RACING

MONEY LENDER AGAIN FAVOURED Money Lender, winner of the first division of the Hannan Memorial at the Greymouth meeting last Monday in easy fashion, may win the second division of the Hokitika Handicap on the opening day of the Westland meeting to-morrow. The Riccarton-trained four-year-old was handicapped at 7-7 for his first appearance in open company last Monday, but an apprentice allowance reduced hi.< weight to 7-2. He has been weighted at 8-2 for to-morrow’s race, but that is a luxurious impost for a horse which raced consistently well under big weights in hack events. Money Lender will'not meet Night Owl, winner of the other division of the Hannan Memorial at Omoto, and his strongest opponent appears to be the consistent Falconbridge. In receipt of 41b, Money-Lender should have little difficulty in accounting for the Foxbridge grey. With Grill. Renege, and Night Owl drawn together, the first division of the race appears to be the stronger, and the one most likely to produce a keen contest. Grill is top-weight with 9-0 and, although his fourth at Omoto was only a moderate effort, he may be improved by the race. Renege was second to Money Lender, five lengths away, on Monday, and she may ,be Night Owl’s strongest opponent. Both Renege and Night Owl are trained by L. Pratt, of Orari. The Summer Handicap will mark the first appearance of the brilliant Kincardine colt, Bambalina, in open company. Although he is to meet more capable gallopers. he will be a firm favourite. That he will be racing on his home course improves his chances. The Wingatui representative. Faites vos Jeux, winner of the open sprint at Omoto on Monday, may be next in demand. Theocritus, top-weight with 9-7, may also be well supported. The weather has been fine at Hokitika during the week and the track will be in good order. Horses in form are:— Noon.—Novice Stakes: Pym’s Pride, Cerisette-Jacquee bracket, Exchange. • 12.40 p.m.—February Trot: First Division, Almeta-War Glory bracket. Empire Girl; Second Division, Little Slam, Sailor's Globe. 1.20 p.m.—Thompson Hack Handicap: Finigin, Morning Watch, Salmarie. 2 p.m.—Hokitika Handicap: First Division, Night Owl, Renege; second Division, Money Lender, Falconbridge. 2.40 p.m.—Williams Hack Handicap: Open Sky, Cinerous, Valmeer. 3.20 p.m.—Borough Trot: First Division, Almeta. Little Slam; Second Division, Wrackdale, Victory Peal. 4 p.m.—Summer Handicap: Bambalina, Faites vos Jeux, Theocritus.

4.40 p.m.—Miners’ Hack Handicap: Open Sky, Newspaper, Post Graduate.