DUNEDIN SPRING MEETING

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25916, 23 September 1949, Page 4

DUNEDIN SPRING MEETING

\RACING

PASTEL FAVOURED IN MCLEAN STAKES

MARYBURN FORM HORSE IN MAIN HANDICAP

Pastel, Betula, and Sharessa, give Riccarton stables three strong representatives in the McLean Stakes, the first race of the season lor South Island 4wo-year-olds, on the first day of the Dunedin Jockey Club's spring meeting at Wingatui to-morrow. In recent years Southland stables have been successful in this race, and the best of .the Invercargilltrained youngsters in to-morrow's race may be Purple Sage. Brutus, Dunkirk, Delayed, and White Robe appear to have i the best prospects of the Wingatui candidates. ! The McLean Stakes is run over four 1 furlongs, and luck in the draw, as well as in the running, plays an important part. Pastel has drawn the extreme outside barrier position. That handicap has proved too formidable for several smart gallopers in the past, but Mr M. J. Moodabe’s Pherozshah filly has left the imfiression that she is capable of winning n spite of her lack of luck in the draw. She is one of the most brilliant two-year-I olds seen at Riccarton for several years, . and she may show too much speed for ' her opponents. | Betula, a Foxbridge filly trained by F. D. Jones for Mr D. McFarlane, has also shown more than average speed in her gallops at Riccarton. Purple Sage, a half-sister by Royal Chief to All Alone and Spice, showed speed to finish third in the first division of the two-year-old parade at the Otago Hunt meeting on September 3, and she has since galloped attractively at Invercargill. Brutus and Dunkirk were prominent in the two-year-old parade at the Grand National meeting. At the Otago Hunt meeting they finished first find second in the first division of the parade. Brutus had done more work than most two-year-olds when he appeared at Riccarton, and some of the other youngsters have shown improvement in the last few l weeks. He is favoured with a good barrier • position and should be prominent. Dunkirk is also well drawn at the barrier, but he may be mastered by Brutus. White Robe could have improved on her fourth in the second division of the parade at the Otago Hunt meeting, and she has galloped impressively at Wingatui since. She is a bay filly by Sir Galloway from Pink Robe, and is raced by the Wingatui trainer, H. A. Anderton. Though he was backward, Delayed, a brown gelding by Defaulter from Lady Paigle, was first home by a clear margin in the second division of .the parade at the Otago Hunt meeting, and he should be more forward to-morrow. Lady Jahe, which races in the same colours fis Paste), was not taken south by the Riccarton trainer, J. S. Shaw. Sharessa is more favourably drawn than the other fancied Riccarton candidates. She won the second division in the parade for two-year-old fillies at the Grand National meeting, and she has shown more than average promise in her training tasks. Ranfurly Handicap The Ranfurly Handicap will mark the return to racing of Mr A. F. Speight’s grand handicap horse Signal Officer, which is top weight with 10-6. Although he comes to hand quickly it is hardly likely that the Salmagundi gelding will be far forward enough to beat this field. Mary burn, winner of the Ashburton Handicap last Saturday with 8-1, may be made favourite. The Martarma gelding won more easily than his narrow margin indicated last Saturday, and he should be improved by that race, his second after a long spell. Pageant, winner of the mile Tally-Ho Handicap at the Otago Hunt meeting, should also make a bold showing with 7-7. He mastered 11 furlongs twice in hack company at Wingatui in June. He may well be capable of leading throughout to-morrow. Western Front, winner of the Islington Handicap at the Grand National meeting, will also have a strong following. He finished strongly into third in the Tally-Ho Handicap at the Otago Hunt meeting after being well back in the middle stages. The longer journey should suit him. Fine Night, at his best, would be capable of winning in this company, but according to Dunedin reports he may need a race before he is ready to show his best form. However, the Nightly gelding has run some of his best races early in the season and he may surprise. Nullah finished second to Pageant at the Otago Hunt meeting, but faded into eighth place in the Ashburton Handicap last Saturday. He cannot be recommended on that effort. Night Owl ran a sound race to finish second in the Islington Handicap at Riccarton, and his sixth in the Ashburton Handicap last Saturday was a fair effort. If he can repeat one of his best performances he should take part in the finish. Eulogize was a winner on the West Coast circuit recently, and did well to finish close up fifth in the Spring Handicap, seven furlongs, at Ashburton. He has proved himself capable of mastering a distance. Some Sal has staying ability, but has been handicapped in large fields by ’ her smallness. If she secures a good run she may be placed. The Sprinters Lack of recent racing may prejudice the chances of some of the best-performed candidates for the Telegraph Handicap. Last year’s Auckland Cup winner, Frances, ’ the top-weight with 9-9, will be making her first appearance of the season as also will her bracketed mate. The Hob. Last season The Hob showed brilliant speed in his races, but several times he spoilt his chance by boring out. Duvaals has been racing consistently in strong company, and though he failed at the Otago Hunt meeting, he had little luck in the running. Faites vos Jeux has a brilliant turn of speed and showed more stamina than was expected of him when he battled on for fourth in the Tally-Ho Handicap at his last start. He often gives trouble at the barrier, but if he begins well he should make a bold bid. Sterling Lad is wearing well and is capable of surprising on a soft or heavy track. Jan has done no recent racing, but at her best Bhe is a smart galloper. She comes to hand quickly and may be ready to make a forward showing. Extra Flight lost form after winning a double at tne Dunedin winter meeting. She has been showing dash in her work at Riverton, and may atone for failures at Trentham and Riccarton. Sir Abbot has brilliant speed, but he will have to begin more smartly than he usually does to have a chance over this i distance. Western Winner has been a failure in I his two races over seven furlongs this : season, and he will favour the shorter ; distance. Of those further down in the weights. Attractive Air will be solidly supported for her first race in open company. The Airway four-year-old won two races at Riccarton last Easter, and she has been galloping well at Wingatui. The Riccarton-trained Trinidad, which

was third in the John Grigg Stakes last Saturday after being slow away, is capable of a good showing under the handv weight of 7-3. Brackets are:— Trial Handicap: Mime and Nellabee Nalla's Pride and Paper Folly, Raineri and Red Winner, Radical and Salmagaro, Sir Dragon and Sir Miladieux, Tawny, and Cranreuch. Telegraph Handicap: Frances and The Hob. McLean Stakes: Reminiscent and Full Tilt. i Riding engagements include:— L. J. Ellis, Purple Sage, Terminus, Indiana, Cast High; C. F. King. Maryburn, I Betula, Radical, Trinidad; M. R Jones Sequoia. Original, Golden Air, Eulogize-’ ' D. J. Thistoll. Marut; C. C. Stokes, Flving Fort. Duvaals: P. H. Jones. Bob’s Daugh--1 l ei L ; A ~ J - St °kes, Te Kooti, Jolyon, Albert .John, Crease; N. A. Crombie, Helio, Aberi dare, Western Winner; W. D. Skelton Sharessa; R. Drinkwater, Turf Topic; R. , J. Hawes, Diameter; J. T. Anderson; Magl naform, Royal Scrip, Military Chief- R W I Snaw. Beaumaris, Detention. Pastel-’ R - w’ Gould, Fine Night, Haughty Lyric. Jamell; L. H. Barr, Moonlit; C. McDonald, Preifect; D. Amey, Valiant Prince; A. N Did"arn4,Speedy > Attractive Air, Delayed; B. i_i ho 2} son ’ Master Galloway, Diablo | Bobby Dazzler; J. B. Mennell, Sir Mila-’ aieux, Dinnyhazer: J. Dooley, Way Home I Western Winner. Reformed: B. J Mears Desert Trek; J. Bremner. Paper View; l’ W. Hare, Gold Song, Dunkirk. Faites vos f E t? JJint Royal Sal. Weldrest: L. Smith, Redlo. Zorro; M. G. Murray Siegform; R. Hollamby, Air Ace. The following may be favoured Dla ’ Ifee^lndSm™ 31 Handica P’ 3 Pice. PreScrip 0 P ’ m— War Game - T e Kooti, Royal 115 pm.—Telegraph Handicap: Duvaals, Attractive Air, Faites vos Jeux. ?- m^ Ran J u i?y Handicap: Maryburn, Western Front, Pageant. Purp s le P Sa^ MCLean Stakes: Pastel - Brutus, tv/t 3^ s P- 111 — October Handicap: Terminus, Magnaform. Beaumaris. • 4.25 p.m.—Marut, Dad’s Pal, Show Boy.