RICCARTON JUMPERS AT WINGATUI

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26123, 27 May 1950, Page 4

RICCARTON JUMPERS AT WINGATUI

RACING

The Riccarton jumpers, Roman Son and Periwig, have already arrived at Wingatui in preparation for the Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter meeting, which will, open next Saturday. At Wingatui on Thursday, Roman Son was too good for the inexperienced Eve Acre in a run over nine fences. However, Eve Acre gave a good showing for a novice. Roman Son will attempt to win the Otago Steeplechase for the second time next Saturday. He won the race in 1946. He is a safe jumper but is now in the veteran stage. The track was dead after heavy rain on Tuesday, but it improved during the morning. Periwig went much better than Pages Raid over seven furlongs, recording lmin 37 4-ssec, the first four in 54 l-ssec. Pages Raid did not gallop freely, and his future seems in doubt. Roving Robin created a good impression by the manner in which he was running on at the end of six furlongs, which took lmin 20 2-ssec, the last three in 40sec. Improved by his race at Washdyke last Saturday, Western Front was shading Grand Pal at the end of nine furlongs on the sand. He .ran the last five furlongs in lmin 7 3-ssec, and the last four in 51 l-ssec. Desert Trek was travelling better than Good Form at the end of five furlongs in lmin 9 2-ssec, the last four in 56sec. Desert Trek is in good order for his attempt to win the Otago Hurdles for the second time. Ara Chief showed improvement to beat Vain Lad over six furlongs in lmin 23sec, the first three in 40 2-ssec. Ara Chief will run in the Tahuna Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase on the first day. If he races satisfactorily he will start in the Duke of Gloucester Cup on the second day. Shank's Pony jumped the sod wall and the double brush twice, giving an improved display. Myme, which appears to be losing her wayward habits, took four flights of the schooling hurdles in fine style. Sailor Girl in Favour The Riccarton hurdler, Sailor Girl, will probably be favourite for the Victoria Hurdles on the third day of the Waikato Racing Club’s winter meeting to-day. The Siegfried mare ran a sound race in the Seddon Hurdles last Saturday, her bold challenge carrying Jier into second place a neck behind the winner, Tifox. The course will be heavy at Te Rapa to-day. Sailor Girl revelled in the conditions for training on Thursday. She finished several lengths clear of her stablemate. Colonel Smart, at the end of a round, the last six furlongs of which took lmin 31 4-ssec. Soneri’s Half-brother Rusa, a half-brother to the good race mare. Soneri, which died recently, scored his first win when he outclassed the opposition in the Second Trial Stakes at Foxton last Saturday. He began well from the inside, was always with the leaders, and drew away in the straight to win by three lengths without apparent effort. By Tiderace, he is big framed and has plenty of scope for development. He is raced by his breeder. Mr C. Cunningham. Lower Hutt, who also bred and raced Soneri. Gaiety Impressive One of the features of training at Te Rapa on Thursday was Gaiety’s flawless display of jumping in a round of the steeplechase course, nine fences in all. She finished full of running, and on her exhibition she must have bright prospects in the King Country Steeplechase to-day. For Wingatui Prefect had to be eased in his training after he decisively won the Winchmore Hack Hurdles on the second dav of the Ashburton meeting, but he will be fit to race at the Dunedin winter meeting. The Royal Chief four-year-old is one of the most promising young hurdlers at Riccarton. and he should be a good winner in that role for Mr G. Lang, who also races Royal Tan.