FORM AT GORE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27491, 27 October 1954, Page 4

FORM AT GORE

DINNER CHAT FIT FOR N.Z. CUP "The Press" Special Service INVERCARGILL. October 26. Several horses with engagements at the New Zealand Cup meeting at Riccarton were produced during the two days of the Gore Racing Club's meeting at the weekend. The form of several would not justify a trip north, but Dinner Chat, Mighty Dollar, Red Admiral, King Simper and Nuclear all raced well enough to suggest that they will play leading parts at Riccarton. Of the others, Kasr-el-Nil, Patris. Mijiji, and Wait-a-Bit did best of the cup meeting candidates. Dinner Chat was greatly superior to the others. At her only appearance at the meeting, she raced on a heavy track on Monday, and this was considered to be against her. However, the Chatsworth mare made short work of the opposition. After racing clear with two furlongs to run, she won as she liked. Dinner Chat was an outstanding hack graduate last season, when her stamina was fully displayed. She has had little recent racing, but has had a judicious preparation by her owner-trainer, F. W. Ellis, who has trained earlier New Zealand Cup winners in Royal Lancer and Excellency. With 7-0 in the Cup race, Dinner Chat will be a strong light-weight prospect. Marjo, Wait-a-Bit and Kuriwao Belle would certainly have little chance with Dinner Chat, if Gore form is accurate. Mighty Dollar’s Class Of the Stewards’ Handicap candidates. Mighty Dollar was in a class of his own. On the first day of the Gore meeting, when ridden by a light-weight, J. Didham, Mighty Dollar finished better than anything for a close fourth, after being last into the straight. On Monday, with L. W. Hare up, Mighty Dollar had a good trail to the straight entrance, outdistanced the field, and won under a firm hold. It was one of the most decisive open sprint, successes recorded for some time. Mijiji, a top-class two-year-old last season, had little or no chance against Mighty Dollar over the final furlong. Mijiji, which was having his first start since he recovered from a cold, raced more kindly than earlier this season. He was well placed all the way, and beat the others as easily as Mighty Dollar beat him. The Super colt is certain to be sharpened by the race. Red Admiral, which beat the hack sprinters each day of the Gore meeting, will be running out his hack nominations at Riccarton. His two Gore successes brought his winning stakes to £lO5O, and thus elevated him to open company. The Peak Halyard four-year-old carried his 9-6 with little trouble, after being one of the pacemakers throughout on a heavy track. There is good reason to rate Red Admiral highly; and the time he is

produced against an open sprint field, he will take beating. Trained at Wingatui by A. E. Didham, he is owned by Mrs D. Didham. Marjo’s Showing Marjo-s two second placings, behind Wait-a-Bit on the first day of the Gore meeting, and Dinner Chat on Monday, showed that he has recovered to his best form, and he was racing on ground which did not suit him. Wait-a-Bit, a runaway winner on the first day, failed badly on Monday, under a higher scale of weights. Six two-year-olds sprinted three furlongs at Gore on Monday. The Defaulter filly, Can’t Fault, easily beat the others, and ran the distance in 38sec on the heavy track. Can’t Fault was well clear at the post, and was always galloping comfortably. She has yet to race, but she will be an interesting runner in the two-year-old events at the New Zealand Cup meeting. Whangarei Rehandicap Snowflash has been rehandicapped to 9-9 in the Hunua Hurdles at the Whangarei Racing Club’s meeting on Friday.— (PjL)