WINGATUI TRACK IMPROVES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27988, 7 June 1956, Page 4

WINGATUI TRACK IMPROVES

COPPERFIELD OUT OF HANDICAP

"The Press’ Special Service DUNEDIN, June 6.

There was an improvement in the track at Wingatui this morning, and a continuation of fine weather should make the going reasonably firm for the last day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter meeting on Saturday.

Copperfield has been balloted out of the Queen Elizabeth Handicap, the principal flat race, and the first leg of the double. However, the Royal Chief gelding will .compete in this event in preference to the Empire Handicap, the second leg, if a scratching in the Queen Elizabeth Handicap allows him to re-enter the field. After being placed in his last five races —he won at the Riverton Easter meeting —Copperfield missed his engagements on the first two days of the Wingatui meeting. Ben Ledi, the only other horse balloted out of the Queen Elizabeth Handicap, vzill probably start in the Tainui Handicap, in which B. J. Anderton has an engagement to ride him. Our Cofin (G. D. Lee), a candidate foi the JutYfr’Hurdles on Saturday, was not as impressive as his stablemate. Slick Deale; (B. V. Cairns), in the early stages of their school over five hurdles at Wingatui thi*morning, , but the Columcille gelding improved as he warmed up, and was galloping the better at the finish. Slick Deale: almost fell after landing over the last jump, when his front feet slipped. Royal Display (G. D. Lee) gave a safe display over three hurdles, and Ambrose (J. Lamb) was sent twice over the double brush.

Doubtful starters on the last day of the meeting include: Opposite (Domain Handicap), Sivite (Dunedin Steeplechase), and Dart Away (Tainui Handicap). Opposite was sore when he pulled up this morning. When Danger Point fell near the five furlongs in the Otago Hurdle Handicap on Monday his rider. R. O. Cairns, broke an arm. Cairns expects the arm to be out of plaster in a fortnight, and hopes to be able to ride again before the Grand National meeting.

H. J. Ford, the rider of Exchequer in the Otago Hurdles, will ride Exodus in the June Hurdles on Saturday, and Bruce Gordon will ride Exchequer.