PROSPECTS FOR TODAY

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28158, 22 December 1956, Page 7

PROSPECTS FOR TODAY

AVONDALE CLUB

“The Press' Special Service AUCKLAND. Dec. 21

Interest wjjl be mainly in the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap candidates when they compete at the Avondale Jockey Club's summer meeting tomorrow. The cup horses are in the Coronation Handicap, the first leg of the double, and the Avondale Challenge Stakes.

Column will complete the racing part of his preparation in the open sprint, the Shorts Handicap, which will be the second leg. Yeman is prominent in discussions for the Auckland Cup, and he will come into strong favour if he is successful in the Coronation Handicap. Yeman has done everything asked of him in a most pleasing manner, and he seems to be right on the verge of winning form again. Yeman’s /strongest opponents tomorrow may be Hollywood, Black Amber, and Sombrero. All are being prepared for the Auckland Cup on Boxing Day, and their performances will be especially interesting.

The Taranaki mare. Royal Zorra. will be the favourite for the Shorts Handicap, in which she has 8-8, 11b more than she carried to a promising third over six furlongs at Paeroa last week. From all accounts she has done well in the meantime.

Fatehpur Sikri, Japonica, and Copernicus are Railway Handicap candidates which are most likely to test Royal Zorra. Fatehpur Sikri has speed, and she is favourably placed at the barrier with No. 5. Passive and Somerset Fair are expected to stage a grand race, over a mile and a quarter at weight-for-age. in the Avondale Challenge Stakes. Passive, which has not started since her easy victory in the New Zealand Oaks, has proved herself the best filly of her age this season, and Somerset Fair has had runaway wins at his latest starts in the Foxbridge Plate and the Queen Elizabeth II Plate.

Other notable acceptors for the race are Big Blow and Straight Lead. Cardigan has been scratched for this event. Another attraction will be the parade of Rising Fast. There has been rain during the week to freshen the ground, which promises to provide excellent going. Selections:— 11.15 a.m.—Kingsland High-weight: Black Wren. The McDonough, Fordson. Noon.—Kindergarten Handicap: Tawhiao. Somain, Gold Lane. 12.35 p.m.—Avondale Challenge Stakes: Passive, Somerset Fair. 1.25 p.m.—Coronation Handicap: Yeman. Hollywood, Black Amber. 2.25 p.m.—Grandstand Handicap: Gyron, Contact Victory. Great Scot. 3.15 p.m.—Shorts Handicap: Royal Zorra, Fatehpur Sikri, Japonica. 4 p.m.—Spring Handicap: Beaumine. Red Eagle, Summer Glow’. 4.50 p.m.—Empire Handicap: Rose Filou. Belle Time, May Day.

MANAWATU CLUB

“The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, December 21. The newest of the Dominion's two mile handicaps, the Manawatu Cup, will be run on the opening day of the Manawatu Racing Club's three-day summer meeting tomorrow. It is the first leg of the double. ' The second leg is the Fitzherbert Handicap. seven furlongs. There is a favourable forecast for fair w’eather and the track will be fast. Selections:— 11.15 a.m.— Tokomaru High-weight: Gold Path. Brent. Don’t Know. 11.55 a.m.—Juvenile Handicap: Mexico. Leinster. Regal Dignitary. 12.43 p.m.—Manawatu Cup: Highlander. Maauana, Finito. 1.23 p.m.—Eulogy Stakes: Fuel, Bridie, Juventas. 2.3 p.m.—Gillies Hack Handicap: Lacorn. Can-can. Arran. 2.45 p.m.—Fitzherbert Handicap: John Gilpin. King of Joy, Lucrative. 3.25 p.m.—Grandstand Handicap: Appeal Court, Oracle. Ticino. 4.10 p.m.—Tararua Hack Handicap: Mediterranean, Golden Luca, My Choice. Negative Swabs Advice has been received by the secretary of the Otaki Maori Racing Club that the swabs taken from Arawana and Niggle at the club's meeting on December 8, have proved negative.—(P.A.) WYNDHAM RACING CLUB ACCEPTANCES ACCEPTANCES for all events to be run on the Club's Programme on January 1. 1957, close with the undersigned on Thursday, December 27, 1956. at 3 p.m. sharp. A. A. WILSON, Secretary. Phones: Residence 1 Office 73 Wires: ’‘Wilson,” Wyndham. —Advt. Canterbury Park Trotting Club, Inc. Withdrawals for all events on the first day of the above Club's New Year meeting to be held on December 31, must be received by 12 noon on Thursday next, December 27. D. C. PARKER, Secretary. —Advt.