RACING CHALLEN WELL SET FOR WIN

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29952, 13 October 1962, Page 4

RACING CHALLEN WELL SET FOR WIN

8.3 For Mile At Trentham

Challen has not been at all badly treated with 8.3 in the Wainui Handicap at Trentham today, and she could be Auckland’s first major winner at the Wellington Racing Club’s spring meeting.

She was one of the top-ranking three-year-olds two seasons ago, but had to be put aside after only two races last spring. At best she is a class performer, and it seems that she is close to her best after only one race this season.

Challen won the New Zealand Oaks, Desert Gold Stakes. Hawke’s Bay Guineas and two other races as a three-year-old. In addition she ran Stipulate to a nose in the Great Northern Derby and was closest to the brilliant Commanding when that colt won the Wellington Stakes, six furlongs, in Imin 9sec in January, 1961.

Challen started her five-year-old racing at Te Aroha on September 29. and ran fifth against the milers. She pleased her Takanini trainer, G. Smith, in her final gallop at Trentham on Thursday. The Wainui Handicap is the first leg of the on-course double today. Others fancied in this valuable mile race are Mr Blue and Moy. Moy was runner-up to Challen in the Desert Gold Stakes in 1960. and she has developed good form since. She has been tried as a stayer, but a mile is probably her best distance.

Waverley will be the South Island’s lone runner in the Heretaunga Handicap, second leg of the course double, but this Riccarton hack could make the grade.

He has been most consist-

ent in shorter races, and has shaped as if he needs a bit of ground. Hardest for Waverley to beat will probably be Galonzo, a consistent Alonzo gelding from Takanini. Galonzo has been placed in his two races this season, and has improved with each of them. He will be ridden by N. B. Holland. Hot Favourite Other mounts for Holland today include the two-year-old Gold Chait, which will probably be the hottest favourite on the programme. Gold Chat cost Mr L. R. Spring 1400gns at the national sales last January, but will earn £l3OO if he wins the Wellesley Stakes today. On September 29 this chestnut surprised even the most experienced racing men with the ease of his win over five furlongs at Te Aroha. He won by eight lengths, but was coasting a good way from the post. That win was worth £3lO, and he had earned £2OO earlier for a second to Fedele on a heavy track in the Avondale Stakes, so he will be an early bargain if he wins today. Velvet and Rondabelle are

others expected to run into places. The Wingatui •'trained Rondabelle drew No. 22, but has come in several places through scratchings and will start no wider than No. 16. There has been some slight thinning in the field for the Wellington Handicap, first leg of the T.A.B. double, but there have been no surprise withdrawals.

One of them, Senor, wend amiss late last week and could not run at Ellerslie.

Stipulate Fancied

Stipulate, My Contact, and Desert Chief are three likely to be deeply involved in the Wellington Handicap finish, and top weight of 9-1 might not keep Waipari out of it. K. Cullen was engaged yesterday to ride My Contact's stablemate, Yara, in the Shor's Handicap, second leg of the T.A.B. double. A. Johnson will ride Lucky Me, another lighit-weight. Everything points to a topweight’s victory in the Shorts Handicap. Fountainhead is a splendid weight-carrier when he comes to form, and it seems he is close to his best now. He has had two races since his spell, and he sprinted brilliantly in training at Trentham on Thursday.