PROSPECTS FOR HUTT PARK

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27040, 15 May 1953, Page 4

PROSPECTS FOR HUTT PARK

MERVAL SHOULD WIN AGAIN COLONEL PETERSON IN i-'X" <' T : Merval will need Ohly to begin track expected. X n# 8 Al' one or tne speediest pecer* in ner class. Her win in the Fapaksdo Handicap at the Oanrnru meeting last Saturday was a brilliant effort She was last, about i2lengths from the leaders, racing to the halt, but she swooped round the field to take the lead inside the next furlong and a half. Merval was not Fequired to do her best in racing round the field and recording Imin 1 l-ssec for the last half mile, the opening two furlongs in 29 2-ssec. She is si member of L M. Sccon’s team at Rakaia. Macall te likely to offer the strongest opposition. Macall three-year-old half-brother by Dillon Hall to Culture, a good winner several seasons ago. He has not raced with the best of luck this season, but be won the Great Northern Trotting Derby. He should develop high-class winning form. He may find Merval too brilliant for him tomorrow, but be should be placed. Bronze Indian failed badly at Oamaru over one faille and a quarter last Saturday, but he should do better tomorrow. He will be having his first start since being trained by S. A. Edwards. He raced well on a heavy track at Forbury Park, and may have conditions to hi* liking tomorrow. Royal Hall won well at Greymouth last month, and, if he receives a favourable run, he should show up. Belair, a member of C. Hadfield s team; Stormy Ways, a brother to Foreign Lady; and Lucky Scholar are expected to race best of the others, but their prospects of beating Merval do not look very bright. Colonel Peterson’s Prospects Colonel Peterson, which has been extensively raced for only three placings from 21 starts this season, may win the mile and a quarter Otaki Handicap. Colonel Peterson raced well when he was beaten by a head by Lodestar in the Kowal Trot Handicap at Amberley last week. A repetition of that effort would make him hard to beat tomorrow. Colonel Peterson has been twice placed on previous trips to Hutt Park, and the track seems to suit him. The Pukekohe-trained Joshua, a member of H. Purdon’s team, has been four times placed in his last five appearances this season, and he may show up. The Josedale Grattan gelding was narrowly beaten by the promising Cherokee at Awapuni recently. His chance* tomorrow will be enhanced if the track is e *Siiver Wood, an impressive maiden graduate at Oamaru last Saturday, will have bright prospects. He is usually most reliable and, now that he has struck form, is likely to add to his record. Beautiful Dreamer won well at the Manawatu meeting recently, and she may show up. Laura Hall's form has been nothing to enthuse over recently, but she may have improved under the guidance of J. B. Pringle. Right Away and Loraine make most appeal of the others in a very open field. Black Wings will not start.

Useful fields of improving trotters are engaged in the Petone Handicap and the Stewards’ Handicap. Royal Charge, which has had three wins and one placing from her five most recent starts, will be handily placed on 36 yards in the Petone Handicap. She will probably appreciate the soft track, a* she is not sound. Royal Charge, which was bred by Mr C. L. Rhodes, has always shown more than average ability, but her career ha* been restricted. She should race well at both appearances tomorrow. Fingal’s Cave, a speedy but unreliable Desmond’s Pride mare, has more ability than moat other* in her class, and she may gain an Overdue win. She has proved her ability on all types of track. Kowhai should show up in the Petone Handicap, but the longer distance in the other race may be beyond her. The Quite Sure mare should develop stamina with age. The consistent Belcar is overdue for a win, and the half-brother to Gold Horizon is certain to be one of the favourites in both the trotters' races. Elaborator has been placed at three successive starts, and he may surprise off the front. Stymie and Major Scott will concede big starts, but both have fair ability, and may show up. However, Royal Charge and Fingal’s Cave Should do best in both races. Sprint Race

If Merval is started again in the Flying Handicap she should not be troubled to win. Even if she win* earlier in the day her additional handicap should npt prove too much for her. Macall may again offer most opposition, and it is likely that he win do better over the shorter distance. Stormy Way* is usually most reliable at the start and thi« should be an advantage on the Hutt Park track. Royal Hall and Bronze Indian are both capable sprinters in bad ground, and they will be entitled to support Barney Dillon may surprise. He failed at Oamaru last week, and apparently needs a good trail in hi* race*. Given a favourable run tomorrow, he may be prominent.

„The Maiden Handicap and the Autumn Handicap have drawn similar fields, and most support will probably be given to d Artagnan, Kllpper and Coronita. d Artagnan showed speed in hia race at Oamaru, after being alow away. He finished a good second to Centennial Globe on a sloppy track at Greymouth last month. He should,win tomorrow. Kllpper, a half-sister lo Greet -Wonder, finished third to Sage Girl and Red Hackle at Amberley last Saturday and. on the strength of that placing, she should be well supported. Coronita has always shown fair ability. If she begins smartly she should show up. Florican, Lexeter and Rhapsody are expected to do best of the others. Right Away, a brother to Lady Averill and. Attraction, is selected to win the Miramar Handicap. He has not shown any form in recent weeks, but he 1m- £ I J?. sses « ltt®ly stayer. Being by Dillon Hall, he should be able to cope with a heavy track. Silver Wood and Colonel Peterson are also expected to run the two miles out solidly. Others which should race well Include Green Label and Beautiful Dreamer.

The double will be run on the John Sharpe Memorial Handicap and the Otaki Selections are:— 11 a.m.—Petone Handicap: Royal Charge, Fingal's Cave, Kowhai. 11.45 a.m.—Miramar Handicap: Right Away, Silver Wood, Colonel Peterson. 12.30 p.m.—Maiden Handicap : - d’Artagnan, Klipper, Coronita-Albion Lass bracket.

1.15 p.m.—John Sharpe Memorial Handicap: Merval, Macall, Bronze Indian. 2 p.m.—Stewards’ Handicap: Fingal's Cave, Royal Charge, Belcar. 2.45 p.m.—Otaki Handicap: Colonel Peterson, Joshua, Silver Wood.

3.30 p.m.—Autumn Handicap: KUpper, d’Artagnan, Lexeter. 4.15 p.m.—Flying Handicap: Merval, Macall, Stormy Ways.