SECOND DAY OF CUP MEETING

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25970, 25 November 1949, Page 5

SECOND DAY OF CUP MEETING

RACING

ChurchiU Stakes Will Be Great Attraction DERBY AND CUP WINNERS THE FAVOURITES Although there are 10 acceptors for the Churchill Stakes on the second day of the New Zealand Cup meeting at Riccarton to-morrow, the honours of the race may be disputed by two horses, Excellency, brilliant winner of the Cup last Saturday, and Beaumaris, which impressively won the New Zealand Derby. Under the conditions of the race, the three-year-old, Beaumaris, receives a stone from Excellency, and last Saturday it had the. additional advantage of winning without taking great toll, of its vitality, whereas Excellency had to make an extraordinary effort to win the two-mile handicap. Support for these two fine gallopers may be fairly even, and their meeting makes, the Churchill Stakes one of the outstanding attractions on an interesting programme. The New Zealand Oaks will provide the first staying, test for the season for the three-year-old fillies, and favouritism for the race may be disputed by Sweet Spray, the Stewards’ Handicap winner on the first day, and Super Snipe, an unlucky second in the Riccarton Handicap. The. Metropolitan Handicap has many times proved a rich consolation for good horses that have failed in the New Zealand Cup. Twelve horses which contested the Cup last week have, engagements in the £2500 handicap, which is run over a mile and a half, and there are four newcomers to give the race additional interest.

Excellency has made a good recovery from the lameness with which she was affected after winning the cup last Saturday and her usual jockey. W. F. Ellis, reported early in the week that she was “brand new.” Not much has been asked of her in her training tasks this week but she shows no ill-effects of her hard race last Saturday. Few gallopers can match the Salmagundi mare for brilliance—she made her mark in the best company as a sprinter,—and however the race is run her class should bring her to the fore. Beaumaris will be well supported to win his third successive race. He had an easy win in track record time in the New Zealand Derby and a performance just as encouraging as a trial for a race of this nature was his win in the Harcourt Stakes at Trentham last month. The Harcourt Stakes is run over a mile and three furlongs and Beaumaris won convincingly in 2min 17|sec, a quarter of a second outside the track record. Beaumaris may bel best suited by a strong pace throughout. He perhaps would not match Excellency for brilliance if the race were to develop into a sprint over the final stages. Conclusion and Terminus have little to recommend their chance in a race of this class. Conclusion is making a

fresh start after a rapid climb from the hack ranks last season and he will hardly be ready to show his best form.

Terminus has a lot of speed but he has not raced solidly since entering open company. He is a free goer and may set a strong pace. Frances has shown no form so far this season and holds no appeal. Bhutan showed ability to finish second to Beaumaris in the Derby after falling to keep a straight course when under pressure. He is a capable galloper but it is hardly likely that he will master Beaumaris on this occasion. He may not run unless the field thins out.

Golden Spa has the Jockey Club Handicap as an alternative engagement and that will probably be the race chosen for him. His Nibs did not repeat his Trentham form in the Stewards’ Handicap last Saturday. His programme has been left open with the Jockey Club Handicap as an alternative, but he may be tried in the Stakes. The Laird lost his chance when he got his tongue over the bit with over five furlongs to run in the New Zealand Derby. On recent performances he should be safely held by the three-year-olds, Beaumaris and Bhutan.

Liebestraum’s Chance More often than not the winner of the Metropolitan Handicap comes from the top half of the handicap, and on nine occasions the winner has carried 9-0 or more. The hardy Signal Officer is the only acceptor for to-morrow’s Metropolitan weighted over 9-0. He has 9-7 to carry for his attempt to win the race for the third time. At his best, the Salmagundi eight-year-old was the best weight-carrier over this distance in New Zealand, and, though he lacks the recent form of several of the o’ther candidates in this race, his chance cannot be dismissed lightly. He has freshened up since his trip to Trentham, and, with C. T. Wilson, who understands him so thoroughly, in the saddle, he may get into the finish with one of his characteristic finishing runs

that have made him a great favourite on previous visits to Riccarton.

New Zealand Cup form, however, points to the prospects of Liebestraum, Renowned, and Maryburn, and Southland form to those of the light-weight, Billy Mac. Liebestraum ran a grand race for second in the cup, and he was unlucky meeting a galloper of Excellency’s class. The Beau Vite gelding is not an impressive track galloper, but he has raced in genuine fashion this season and has fulfilled the promise he showed as a three-year-old. He was the Derby winner of his year, but had a §eries of set-backs afterwards.

Renowned, which held on gamely for third in the cup, after occupying a prominent position throughout, has a record little inferior to Liebestraum this season. Her chances would be heightened if there was less ”fire” in the track, but she has shown no ill-effects of her cup run. After being near the front from the early stages, Maryburn held on surprisingly well to take fourth place in the cup. Over the shorter distance his chance must be highly rated and his final gallop at Riccarton yesterday encouraged nis supporters. Gay Stroller had a convincing win in the main race at Feilding last Saturday as his main recommendation and, if he gallops generously he may upset the form candidates from last Saturday. Eriskay was going strongly at the false rail in the cup when she was checked. If she can escape trouble she will be prominent. She was fourth in this race two years ago, after finishing fifth in the cup on the first day.

Peridot’s form has been solid, and he may measure up to this class. Fine Night, has shown good form over this distance and he worked attractively at Riccarton yesterday. An interesting newcomer is Billy Mac, which had Excellency fully extended to win the Taramoa Handicap at the recent Southland meeting. Billy Mac was chopped back at the start, and, after being taken to the front, he held on gamely in a close finish. With 7-1, he appeals in this field. ‘ Sweet Spray Favour Sweet Spray will be w?U supported in her attempt to win the New Zealand Oaks, a race won by her Jifiter, Sweet Nymph, two years ago. She Lad a brilliant winning trial in the Stewards’ Handicap last Saturday, and the 1? furlongs .may not trouble her. If the race is not run at a true pace she will have the edge on her opponents, for nothing in the field would be able to match her for brilliance over the final stages. Super Snipe, a half-sister to ‘last season’s champion three-year-old, Tauloch, has been placed in her three races this season, and with better luck she might have won the Riccarton Handicap on the first day. Her only appearance at the Wellington spring meeting was in the Desert Gold Stakes, in which she beaten into second place by Dixie. Rising Tide at her last start easily won a nine-furlong hack race at Napier Park, and her form reads better than, most of the others. Golden Link has shown promise over middle distances, and she may have stamina enough to get a place. Jockey Club Handicap The Jockey Club Handicap has drawn a big field, and some of the most capable gallopers engaged have not had their tasks eased by the luck of the barrier draw. Of those well placed at the barrier, Magical holds most appeal. i.He has the ability to jump out smartly and occupy a good position- in the field, and that will be very much in his favour. Those tardy to move will have heavy work ahead of them to get back, into the race. 2 Pierre will carry 71b less than he did in the Riccarton Handicap last Saturday when the minimum weight was 7-7, 'and that weight off his back and a handy Carrier position may enable him to play a

prominent part. He wai a good fourth last Saturday. Lovemorn is back to her best foim, at she showed when she ran third in the Riccarton Handicap last Saturday, and she should run out a solid mile. The best lightweight prospects may be Western Winner, which pleased in his final gallop yesterday, and Ballochmyle, ■ winner over this distance in the hack grade. Ballochmyle has drawn a wide barrier berth, but he appears to have the brilliance to overcome that handicap. Full Play was On his best behaviour on the tracks at Riccarton yesterday and, if he jumps away with the field, he will be hard to beat. Riding Engagements Riding engagements announced include: Middleton High-weight: Detain (D. Dawson), Bren Gun (E. P. Corboy), Diameter (G. G. Hampton), Count Bian (K. Nuttall), Bon Chale (R. Drinkwater), Redlo (A. J. Murray), Primitive (R. J. Hawes), Moonlit (S. A. Waddell), Mr Buzz (L. H. Barr), Radical (H. J. Ford), Royal Tower (B. R. Thomson), Screw Picket (D. R. Mackie). Churchill Stakes: Terminus (R. W. Shaw), Excellency (W. F. Ellis), Golden Amber (D. J. Thistoll), Beaumaris (L. J. Ellis), Bhutan (C. A. Bowry), Golden Spa, if started (W. J. Broughton). His Nibs (A. C. Messervy). Pioneer Handicap: Pastel (L. J. Ellis), Dunkirk (L. W. Hare), Brutus (C. McDonald), Dark Courage (K. Nuttall), Apex (W. J. Broughton), Sharessa (N. A. Crombie), Hazaarr (A. C. Messervy), Defender (D. M. Kerr), Command (A. N. Didham), Betula (D. F. Coombe), High Spirits (W. D. Skelton), Preface (M. R.. Jones), Robin’s Choice (E. G. Low). Seymour Handicap: Jolly Sailor (A. C. Messervy), Beau Soir (N. A. Crombie), Night Rider (G. W. Wright)? Robin’s Song (C. H. Mackie), Valid (C. C. Stokes), Goldstrike (L. W. Hare), Skyzami (G. W. Mein), Adios (A. J. Stokes), Assault (C. McDonald), Supreme Command (P. H. Jones), Love Letter (D. J. Thistoll), Golden Chips (E. G. Low), Autocrat (H. N. Wiggins), Resolute (L. J. Ellis), Lodestar (R. W. Gould), Reformed (A. N. Didham), Revelry (W. J. Broughton), Ryeland (M. R. Jones), Lady Guillotine (J. T. Anderson), Upshot (W. F. Ellis). New Zealand Oaks: Fyxen (R. W. Shaw) Glenkindie (C. McDonald), Golden Link (C. H. Mackie), Lady Gold Wyn (L. J. Ellis), Placidity (D. J. 'l’histoll), Robin-, faye (C. C. Stokes), Super Snipe (W. J. Broughton), Sweet Spray (K. Nuttall). Metropolitan Handicap: Signal Officer (C. T. Wilson), Liebestraum (A. C. Messervy), Gay Stroller (A. J. Stokes), Eriskay (W. F. Ellis), Renowned (K. Nuttall), Avenger (W. J. Broughton), Peridot (L. J. Ellis), Welcome Guest (C. McDonald), Sir Garnish (G. W. Wright), Fine Night (K. Hollamby), Maryburn (D. F. Coombe), Langham (W. D. Skelton), Speedy (A. N. Didham), Bobby Dazzler (E. G. Low). Otaio Plate: Bragden (C. T. Wilson), Valley Gold (M. R. Jones), Oscillate (W. F. Ellis), Goldstrike (L. W. Hare), Sweet Lorraine (E. G. Low), Show Boy (W. J. Broughton), Double Bid (N. A. Crombie), Highway (A. N. Didham). Jockey Club Handicap: False Step (C. H. Mackie), Magical (C. McDonald), Full Play (H. W. Hibberd), Lexia (P. H. Jones), Pierre (H. N. Wiggins), Duvaals (L. W. Hare), Lord Elgin (N. A. Crombie), Flying Sovereign (C. T. Wilson), Trafalgar Day (L. J. Ellis), Golden Spa (W. J. Broughton), Faithful Pal (J. T. Anderson), Revolte (A J. Stokes), Mr Micawber (W. F. Ellis), Crease (W. D. Skelton), Western Winner (E. G. Low), Infatuate : (D. M. Kerr). Arctotis (A. N. Didham), s Ballochmyle (D. F. Coombe), Lady Christine (M. R. Jones), Romantic (M. H. I Hillis).

The following may be favoured:— Middleton High-weight Handicap: Count Bian, Bren Gun, Detain. Churchill Stakes: Excellency, Beaumaris, Bhutan. | Pioneer Handicap: Pastel, Dark Courage, Brutus. Seymour Handicap: Goldstrike, Night Rider, Robin’s Song. New Zealand Oaks Stakes: Sweet Spray, Super Snipe, Rising Tide. Metropolitan Handicap: Liebestraum, Billy Mac, Maryburn. Otaio Plate: Valley Gold, Espalier, Goldstrike. Jockey Club Handicap: Magical, Ballochmyle, Pierre. The fields are:— 10.32 a.m.— MIDDLETON HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP, Of £5OO. One mile and a quarter.

PAGES RAID SCRATCHED Pages Raid was scratched for the Midiileton High-weight Handicap at Riccartion to-morrow at 3.45 p.m. yesterday. Answer to Correspondent "Temuka”: The totalisator handled £51,699 at Feilding last Saturday. ,

st. lb. st. lb. Detain (6) 11 0 Primitive (10) 9 5 Bren Gun Moonlit (2) 9 4 (14) 10 8 Chaffinch (8) 9 0 Diameter (3) 10 2 Mr Buzz (13) 9 0 Count Bian Radical (9) 9 0 (12) 9 9 Royal Tower Bon Chale (11) 9 0 (4) 9 8 Screw Picket Redlo (1) 9 5 (7) 9 0 To-Hoo (5) 9 0 Scratched: Pages Raid. Doubtful starter: Mr Buzz. 11.17 a.m.— CHURCHILL STAKES, Of £1500. One mile and a quarter. st. lb. st. lb. Conclusion Beaumaris (8) 7 12 (9) 9 0 Bhutan (4) 7 12 Terminus (2) 9 0 Golden Spa Excellency (6) 7 12 (10) 8 12 His Nibs (5) 7 12 Frances (1) 8 12 The Laird Golden Amber (7) 7 12 (3) 8 9 12.2 p.m.— PIONEER HANDICAP, Of £1100. Five furlongs. st. lb. st. Ib. Pastel (4) 8 12 Command (2) 7 6 Dunkirk (6) 8 8 Betula (13) 7 5 Brutus (10) 8 7 Puss in Boots Jark Courage (14) 7 3 (7) 8 4 High Spirits \pex (11) 8 2 (1) 7 1 ".haressa (5) 7 10 Preface (3) 7 1 Hazaan (9) 7 7 Robin’s Choice defender (8) 7 fl (12) 7 0 .12.47 p.m.— SEYMOUR HANDICAP, Of £600. One mile. St. lb. st. lb. Jolly Sailor Supreme (13) 9 2 Command (4) 7 12 Beau Soir Love Letter (16) 8 12 (26) 7 11 Open Sky (5) 8 11 Golden Chips (24) 7 11 Oronoko (19) 8 10 Indiana (7) 7 10 Night Rider Autocrat (20) 7 9 (12) 8 10 Resolute (IB) 7 9 Robin’s Song Angora .(21) 7 7 (8) 8 8 Lodestar (17) 7 7 Valid (25) 8 8 Reformed Goldstrike (15) 7 7 (11) 8 4 Revelry (3) 7 7 Skyzaml (1) 8 1 Royal Saga Lady Montrose (6) 7 7 (9) 8 1 Ryeland (2) 7 7 Adios (10 7 13 Lady GuilloAssault (22) 7 13 tine (23) 7 7 Upshot (14) 7 7 Unlikely starter: Oronoko. 1.32 p.m.— NEW ZEALAND OAKS STAKES, Of 31500. One mile and a half. st lb st lb Addition (6) 8 10 Placidity (3) 8 10 Foxmorn (9) 8 10 Rising Tide Fyxen (1) 8 10 (10) 8 10 Glenkindie Robinfaye (5) 8 10 (7) 8 10 Golden Link Super Snipe (8) 8 10 (12) 8 10 Lady Goldwyn (2) 8 10 Sweet Spray (4) 8 10 Nigra (11) 8 10 2.17 p.m.— METROPOLITAN HANDICAP. Of £2500. One mile and a half. st lb st lb Signal Sir Garnish Officer (15) 9 7 (12) 7 7 Liebestraum Fine Night (6) 8 8 (16) 7 6 Gay Stroller Maryburn (11) 8 5 (14) 7 5 Eriskay (1) 8 3 Langham (13) 7 4 Renowned Speedy (2) 7 3 (5) 8 1 Billy Mac Avenger (8) 7 11 (3) 7 1 Peridot (10) 7 11 Bobby Welcome Dazzler (4) 7 0 Guest (7) 7 9 Elofa (9) 7 0 3.2 p.m.— OTAIO PLATE, Of £850. One mile and a half. st lb st lb Espalier Show Boy (11) 8 6 (10) 7 11 Bragden (12) 8 5 Terminate Pacific (7) 7 10 Edition U) 8 4 Double Bid Valley Golor (5) 7 8 (13) 8 3 Profane (3) 7 5 Oscillate (15) 8 2 Highway (8) 7 5 Morning Sir Denzil Watch (4) 7 13 (2) 7 2 Goldstrike Beau Esprit (6) 7 12 (14) 7 0 Sweet Lorraine (9) 7 12 3.47 p.m.— JOCKEY CLUB HANDICAP, Of £1500. One mile. St lb St lb False Step Revolte (7) 7 9 (19) 9 2 All Alone Magical (2) 8 12 (24) 7 8 Full Play Magnaform (20) 8 11 (9) 7 5 Lexia (18) 8 9 Mr Micawber Pierre (5) 8 7 (11) 7 5 His Nibs Cipher (21) 7 4 r (16) 8 4 Crease (13) 7 3 Ouvaals (22) 8 2 Western Lord Elgin Winner (1) 7 3 (6) 8 2 Infatuate (8) 7 1 1 Flying SovArctotis (14) 7 1 | ereign (26) 8 1 Ballochmyle Trafalgar (23) 7 1 ' Day (25) 8 1 Eulogize (15) 7 0 Golden Spa Lady Chris(12) 8 0 tine (17) 7 0 Faithful Romantic Pal (4) 7 13 (10) 7 0 Lovemorn (3) 7 10