THE SUBURBAN HANDICAP

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26987, 12 March 1953, Page 4

THE SUBURBAN HANDICAP

WAKATU FAVOURED Wakatu, a three-year-old, has heavy work ahead of him to win the Suburban Handicap at Trentham on Saturday, but the brilliant Takanini-trained Gold Nit) colt should go close to justifying his position as favourite. The Suburban Handicap, seven furlongs, will be the second leg of the doqble. Wakatu decisively won the Railway Handicap under 8-10 last week, when Beaumarchais and Impress were the minor place-getters, followed closely by The Hob and the weakening Lord Fort. The distance of the Railway Handicap was six furlongs; so Wakatu will have 91b more and another furlong to master this time. Beaumarchais, up 31b for his placing last week, has raced very consistently this season. His record from 14 starts is three wins, two seconds, one third, and five fourths, but up to last Saturday he was not racing in the strongest sprint class. He has done most of his racing over six furlongs, and unless he is improving rapidly just now, he may not be able to win in this company. Impress was weakening in third place last week, but the race has probably improved him. He was successful over seven furlongs at the New Zealand Cup meeting, and the others may not find him easy to overhaul. The Hob came from well back for his fourth last Saturday. He is usually slow to work up to his best speed in big fields, and. this handicap he may not be able to overcome completely urfder his weight of Lord Fort’s Chance Lord Fort was sweating freely before he left the birdcage for the Railway Handicap, and his performance lacked its usual merit. Much will depend this week on the Broiefort gelding’s condition before the race. If he does not take much out of himself before the start he will be a formidable opponent for the best of the others. He has 8-11 and the No. 2 barrier position. Sports Post was one of the tail-enders in the Thompson Handicap last week, and it will be surprising if he shows enough improvement to run well injthis field. The Thompson Handicap running noints to better performances from Lucky Cast and Robinson. Lucky Cast ran third in the mile event after being near to the front from the start. He looked likely to hold on near the furlong, but first Hutton and then Wally French mastered him. Robinson, a winner at the Wanganui meeting, put in good work in the straight to finish ninth in the Thompson after beginning slowly. Goldseam. a fair sixth last week, may be the pick of the light-weights. • Prospects are Wakatu, Lucky Cast, and Impress.