SPRING MEETING AT WINGATUI

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26538, 28 September 1951, Page 4

SPRING MEETING AT WINGATUI

WHITTAKER MAY WIN HANDICAP

FINANCE HAS PROSPECTS

Finance will carry several pounds overweight to have the services of K. Nuttall in the Grandstand Handicap, the first leg of the totalisator double, on the second day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring meeting tomorrow. Finance’s weight is 7st 41b, which includes a re-handicap of 41b for his very easy win last Monday in the Geraldine Cup, in which he was ridden by Nuttall. Finance's weight in the Geraldine Cup was Bst 31b, and Nuttall rode him at three-quarters of a pound overweight. Nuttall will probably be able to ride a little lighter to-morrow, but it is hardly likely that the Finis five-year-old will carry less than Bst. Finance has run his best races for Nuttall, and in spite of the extra weight he will carry, he should thoroughly test his best-performed opponents to-morrow. Brutus and Whittaker, first and third in a very close finish to the Ranfurly Handicap last Saturday, will again be engaged to-morrow. Brutus has been raised 91b to Bst 121 b for his success, and at the difference of half a stone in the weights Whittaker may finish in front of Mr G. J. Barton’s four-year-old. Of the others which raced at Wingatui last week. Night Owl is expected to do best. The Nightly gelding finished fourth in the Ranfurly Handicap, two lengths behind Whittaker, but he would have to show some improvement on that effort to win to-morrow. Newcomers Salmon Spear, St. Bruno, Spice, Waicoe, Roving Robin, Milton, and Night Rider, did not run in the Ranfurly Handicap last Saturday, . Salmon Spear, one of the best handicap horses in Southland in recent years, is top weight with 9-10. He has raced twice this season without advancing his good record, but he should how be ready to run one of his best races. Although he will concede from 121 b to 401 b to the others, he has class enough to make a sound showing. St. Bruno, a winner at the Birchwood Hunt meeting, failed on a firm track over a mile and a quarter at Ashburton. Unless the track is soft to-morrow, his chances will not be favoured. Waicoe led all the way to win the principal event at the Eastern Southland meeting. Roving Robin finished second, and Spice was unplaced. Spice usually gets into race-winning condition quickly, and she may be the most likely improved of that lot. Waicoe should also be hard to beat if he is allowed to make his own rules out in front, but he will find the class stronger than at Gore.

The Sprinters Cherry Prince, Diablo, and Ned Kelly are the early favourites for the Federal Handicap. All of them raced well last Saturday. Cherry Prince led all the way to win the mile welter, the October Handicap, rather comfortably; and the consistent Diablo and the Defaulter seven-year-old, Ned Kelly filled the minor places in the open sprint, the Telegraph Handicap, of six furlongs. Jamell, with all his weight of 9-13, is capable of winning if he is at his best, but he had a set-back a few weeks ago and was unable to race at the Eastern Southland Hunt meeting. Gold King is another class sprinter when in form. He has been galloping well at Wingatui, and has improved considerably since he raced at Riccarton, where he disappointed. Next to Cherry Prince, Delayed and The Tongs appeal most of the light-weights. The Two-Year-Olds Nickola wll be at cramped odds In the Juvenile Handicap. The McLean Stakes winner has bright prospects of gaining the second win of what should be a most successful career. The Foxbridge colt was little troubled to win last Saturday, when he began quickly and led all the way. Mulberry and Atlantic Queen, which followed Nickola home in the McLean Stakes, may again fill the minor places. Selections are:— 11 a.m.—Wakari Hurdles: Prefect, Benevolus. Sylvan. 11.45 a.m.—Juvenile Handicap: Nickela, Mulberry. Atlantic Queen. 12.30 p.m.—Novice Handicap: Fecket, Master Bobs, Gold Tip. 1.15 pm.—Grandstand Handicap: Whittaker, Finance, Brutus.

2 p.m.—Milbum Handicap: Cloudy View Banquet, Royal Mall.

2.45 p.m.—Dunedin Guineas: Rustler, Field Chief, Sinistei. 3.35 p.m.—Federal Handicap: Cherry Prince, Diablo, Gold King. 4.26 p.m.—Salisbury Handicap: Sarada, Greetings, Master Mariner. TRACK WORK AT WINGATUI BRILLIANT TRIAL BY ROYAL VOYAGE "The Press” Special Service DUNEDIN, September 27. The Guineas candidate, Royal Voyage, which disappointed in the sprint on the first day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting, had a brilliant seven-furlong trial at Wlngatui this morning. The majority of the trials were on the course proper, about 30 feet from the rails.

Royal Voyage (M. R. Soper) was always going better than Silver King (R. L. Murray) - in a sprint over seven furlongs. Royal Voyage came away in the final furlong to be two lengths and a half in front. The pair ran the first furlong in 12 4-ssec. and reached the half mile in 49sec. The entire journey took Imin 31 2-ssec—a smart effort.

Royal Voyage has been galloping particularly well on the tracks during the last fortnight, but has failed to put the same dash into his work on race days. Field Chief (A. E. Dldham) was being restrained to keep with Survivor (R. Bain) at the end of six furlongs, the last five in Imin 9 3-ssec.

Liberty's Effort Liberty (J. D. Pankhurst) started two lengths behind Greetings (K. Nuttall) and Rustler (G. H. Styles), but finished half a length in front of them. The first half mile took 52 4-ssec, and the seven furlongs Imin 33 2-ssec. All three were galloping well at the post. As on Tuesday, Gold King (J. D. Pankhurst) was one of the best workers, running five furlongs in Imin 3 3-ssec, the first two in 23 4-ssec. His effort indicated that he is in excellent order. He should be hard to beat in the Federal Handicap, provided the track is not wet. Lucky Lynn (E. G. Low) shaded Countenance (A. J. Murray) at the end of six furlongs in Imin 20 2-ssec, the first three in 39sec. Smart Sprint The fastest half-mile was run by Gold Token (M. R. Soper), which was kept up to his work to finish on terms with Gypsy Way (J. A. Soper). Gypsy Way is not engaged on Saturday. They ran the distance in 52sec, the first furlong in 12 4-ssec.

Red Pickle (D. Hewitt) and White Robe (B. R. Thomson) ran the same distance in 52 2-ssec, the first furlong in 12sec. Brutus (J. D. Pankhurst) followed in 54sec. He looks well, after his winning run on the first day of the meeting, and should again be prominent. Cloudy View (W. D. Skelton) was not ridden out to record Imin 8 4-ssec for five furlongs, the first two in 27 l-ssec. She is a doubtful starter on Saturday. However, if she does run (she is in tlie Milburn Handicap, a race for apprentice riders), she will be ridden by R. J. Skelton.

Trial Against Rails In a trial against the rails, Lady Wanaka (W. D. Skelton) and Reformed (A. J. Murray) finished six lengths clear of Humdinger (E. G. Low) at the end of seven furlongs in Imin 26 4-ssec, the first two in 25 2-ssec. On the plough, Whittaker (G. H. Styles) beat Bon Chale (P. O’Connell) by three lengths over five furlongs, run in Imin 8 4-ssec, the first two in 25 2-ssec. Night Owl (W. D. Skelton) was going well at the end of six furlongs in Imin 19 3-ssec, the last half mile in 53 3-ssec. He looks improved by his race on the first day.

Jamell (R. Heasley) was on terms with Roving Robin (A. J. Murray) at the end of seven furlongs in Imin 35 2-ssec, the first two in better than 24sec. According to their trainers, Gleneagles and Spanish Chief will not fulfil their engagements. Gay Harmony is shin-sore, and is a doubtful starter.

WINGATUI RIDING ENGAGEMENTS

Riding engagements for the second day of the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting tomorrow include:— C. T. Wilson. Rustler, Gold Tip, Master Mariner, Spice; E. G. Rosewarne. Gleneagles; E, G. Low, Tane, Arable, Waicoe;

B. S. Finlayson. Wealthy, Winning Gem, Stormtide; H. W. Hibberd, Royal Voyage; K. Nuttall, Atlantic Queen, Greetings, Finance, Sinister, Gardez; R. J. Skelton, Cloudy View; L. W. Hare, Nickola, Liberty, Master Bobs; G. W. Wright, St. Bruno, Great Finis, Humdinger, Miss Marie; K. Wadley, Richard the Great; G. H. Styles, Royal China. Royal Swing, Whittaker; D. Hewitt, Irish Royalty, Kind Wish; W. D. Skelton, Virgo, Night Owl, Silver King, Lady Wanaka, Lucky Lynn, Red Pickle; D. M. Fraser, Sir Miladieux; D. F. Coombe, Royal Hawaiian; M. R. Soper, Roving Robin, Delayed; E. E. Hunt, Tiles; J. L. Cotton, Chief Mate; B. J. Anderton, White Robe, Prospector, Roval Mail; P. Fraser, Scuttle; W. F, Ellis, Jamell, Gold Token: I. Powell, Sylvan: J. A. Soper, Command; R. J. Bain, Teal; A. I. Powell, Mulberry, Snuggle; B. R. Thomson. Robin Redbreast, Puck; L. J. Ellis, Lord Fort, Cherry Prince; J. D. Pankhurst, Green Island, Square Dance, Concealment, Filleule, Night Rider, Gold King.

Hastings Scratchings.—Scratchings yesterday for the second day of the Hawke’s Bay meeting were:—Trial Handicap: Karlatis, 2.10 p.m. Stewards’ Handicap; Warspite, 12.35 p.m., and Reigning King, 2.20 p.m. Otane Hack Handicap; Cheerful Morn, 2.45 p.m. Final Hack Handicap: Cheerful Morn, 2.45 p.m.—(P.A.).

Entries for N.Z. Cup and Stewards Entries for the New Zealand Cup and Stewards will close at the Canterbury Jockey Club rooms at 5 p.m. to-day. Advt.