RACING Kumai Has Bright Chance At Wingatui

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30768, 4 June 1965, Page 4

RACING Kumai Has Bright Chance At Wingatui

The Dunedin Jockey club’s handicapper has given Kumai the brightest of chances to win a second Birthday Handicap at Wingatui on Saturday.

Those who saw and all who appreciated Kumai’s spectacular performances under big weights at Trentham last winter might be wondering if Kumai is in stiffer company in the Birthday Handicap than he was when he won the Parliamentary and the Winter Oats at the Wellington winter meeting.

By giving Kumai 9-12 or 21b less than he carried when he won the Winter Oats, the Dunedin handicapper could be making an act of faith in the superior qualities of the southern mudlarks.

Since his triumphant Trentham campaign' last July Kumai has won once, at Wyndham, besides running a gallant and. perhaps, an unlucky second in the New Zealand Cup. Saturday’s race will be his first at a middle distance this year, but a programme on the tracks and in shorter races should have fitted the champion mudlark for his second Birthday Handicap victory. Mr T. K. S. Sidey’s grey won this race a year ago under 9-6, then ran away with Provincial Handicap honours under 9-12 a week later. It is very doubtful if there is an up-and-coming open class performer in the south likely to threaten Kumai’s supremacy under winter conditions. Consistent

Golden Glen, the closest to I Kumai in the weights with 8-12, could not live with the Wingatui-trained grey a year ago, though he ran his usual solid races for thirds in the Birthday and Provincial Handicaps. Third top-weight, and a second runner for the powerful Winsloe stable, is Tundra, the Nelson Cup winner at her latest start. Tundra won the 11-furlong Nelson Cup in fairly fast time. Whether she is talented enough to give Kumai a beating over the same distance under more testing track conditions is another matter, and it poses one of the more intriguing problems of the race. Winning Form Other last-start winners in the field, and both from Southland, are Lorastan and Helena Maid. Lorastan won on the second day at Nelson, the distance being a mile and a quarter. Helena Maid won the main race over the same distance at the Winton meeting with a stayer’s run. There may be little to choose between them. The others are an even lot, with nothing in the way o* brilliance on their records. Myfilou won over a middle distance at Riverton, but not against the top class performers which had run on the first day and then departed in the hunt for bigger prizes at Riccarton. Like Court Belle, Myfilou was brought to Riccarton for the Great Autumn Handicap. Court Belle won; ninth was the best Myfilou could manage in the C.J.C. race. If there is an up and coming mudlark in the tail of the handicap it could be Belle El Nil. ' On breeding this four-year-old Bellborough mare should master the worst track conditions. She was a close fourth in the race won by Helena Maid at the Winton meeting. Sprint Fancy The Wingatui 'three-year-old Combination showed ability under winter condi-

tions in winning amongst his ’contemporaries at the last Grand National meeting. Then he won the Dunedin Guineas before his form fell away with the firming of the tracks. Since he raced at Nelson last month he has been going about his training work with marked zest, and the return to soft and heavy tracks should help him well along the road to his next win. That could come in the Winter Handicap, the second leg of the T.A.B. double. Combination will be giving weight only to Tutton, Canadiana, and Etoile Este, three of four Canterbury sprinters in the field. But on recent form Tutton and Candlana could be two of the strongest challengers. Both sprint well on winter tracks: both recorded seconds at their latest starts, Tutton behind San Rafael at Waimate, and Canadiana behind I the promising Tumble at Amberley. Two starts earlier Canadiana ran Morris Francis close over a mile at Riccarton. Cranbrook, an undistinguished third in the sprint at Waimate, t is topwfeight with 9.6. He won this race a year ago under 8.7, but will not be an overwhelming public fancy to make the grade again. The Wanderer and Gladaub, the first two in the sprint at the Winton meeting, are to meet again. Gladaub might be a bit stronger than the veteran at seven furlongs. Tampa and Sir Athol have done more middle-distance racing than sprinting in the last year or so, but their chances cannot be taken lightly at this distance at winter meetings. Tampa might be the hardest

| of all for Combination to ,beat |if the ground becomes very heavy. Gold View was having her first start since the spring when she finished sixth at Waimate.

i Her Wingatui record is a ! solid one. and she could safely be regarded as an im- ; prover in this field, and later at the meeting. Hot Foot won against a rather weak field of sprinters at Riverton, then came up with a good race over a middle distance for a fourth iin the Waimate Cup. The combination of 9.5 and [the distance may set a task [just too formidable for her [if the ground is heavy. ON-COURSE DOUBLE 11,15 a.m.— FIRST TRIAL STAKES,

4 THE PRESS. FRIDAY, JUNE 4. 1965. 'RACING X- : • ■,-.,x ■ax.-c. -x-?.-.'.* .. r vm u Kumai Has Bright Chance At Wingatui ’■ $ Wtww^aBBiC<■ The Dunedin Jockey club’s handicapper has given Kumai the brightest of chances to win a second Birthday Handicap at Wingatui on Saturday. -..-.<*R iff iT mr ZV JK ~ w# ■ k -. .-W . i Those who saw and ail who appreciated of all for Combination to beat ' ft ' Kumai’s spectacular performances under big if the ground becomes very heavy. Gold View was having her weights at Trentham last winter might be v '*<ogMR^gBg^ vz< jF . . . ..,5?* wondering if Kumai is in stiffer company in first start since the spring the Birthday Handicap than he was when he when she finished sixth at ’ <’*■ won the Parliamentary and the Winter Oats at Waimate. Her Wingatui record is a vs&.X''** Z <£■*& *' the Wellington winter meeting. solid one. and she could CLASSIC FANCY.—Courtier, one of the early favourites for the £2000 New By giving Kumai 9-12 or 21b safely be regarded as an improver in this field, and later Zealand Sapling Stakes at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting tomorrow less than he carried when he Wingatui Picks at the meeting. TROTTING won the Winter Oats, the Dunedin handicapper could be making an act of faith in the superior qualities of the Hot Foot won against a rather weak field of sprinters at Riverton, then came up with a good race over a southern mudlarks. middle distance for a fourth Since his triumphant Trenin the Waimate Cup. T7" • 9 Z"N 1 1 hi • tham campaign last July 11.15 a.m.—Trial Stakes No. The combination of 9.5 and K 1KI4Y £3 Kumai has won once, at 1: Earl Howe, Final Melody. the distance may set a task I\ 1 ilv? s n jl ■ 1 ■ 1 _ r iviTiJJ’ Wvndham. besides running a Roeana. just too formidable for her JL w ■ ■ ■ k-7 L V & gallant and. perhaps, an unlucky second in the New Zealand Cup. Saturday’s race will be his first at a middle distance this vear. but a programme on the 11.50 a.m.—Tahuna Hack and Hunters’ Steeples: Runty, Dark Jester, Ravelston. if the ground is heavy. ON-COURSE DOUBLE Bonnie Form Runners 12.30 p.m.—Brighton Improvers’ Hack Handicap: Melhar, Foxchief, Etassem. 1.5 p.m.—Greenfield- Hurdles: 11.15 a.m.— FIRST TRIAL STAKES, £250; 61. tracks and in shorter races McGregor, Koral, Grand Prix. st. lb. 903 Arowood (1) 8 7 should have fitted the chain1.45 p.m.—Birthday Handicap: 3594 Believe (10) .. 8 7 King s Cord, in the Allenton, Handicap, and the Flying Bonnie—Set Sail bracket, in the Tinwald Handicap, will form a pion mudlark for his second Birthday Handicap victory. Mr T. K. S. Sidey’s grev Kumai, Tundra, Belle El Nil. 2.20 p.m.—Otago Steeplechase: Fine Chase, Tidal Rip. Blue Girl (15) ..87 0503 Earl Howe (3) ..87 3343 Final Melody (5) ..8 7 8 Howe’s Best (6) 8 7 popular combination for the on-course double on the first day of won this race a year ago 2.55 p.m.-—Trail Stakes No. 2: Soncerai, Beginner’s Wonder. 5050 Idaburn (8) ..8 7 the Ashburton Trotting Club’s winter meeting tomorrow. under 9-6, then ran away with Provincial Handicap honours Red Stole. 3.35 p.m.—Winter Handicap: Nuclear Neon (11) 8 7 0 Queen’s Speech (9) .. 8 7 King’s Cord, a member of J. H. Docherty’s to run. He could be a serious under 9-12 a week later. Combination, Canadiana, Tutton. Raro (14) S 7 Revlis King (16) ..87 Kaikoura team, has been a most consistent threat to the favourite ket on that run. Cindv. a member of braeIt is very doubtful if thhre is an up-and-coming open 4.15 p.m—St. Clair Intermediate Handicap: Carpenter. 5 Roeana <7) ..87 08 Wand (4) .87 trotter in recent months. He finished third D. J. Tinclass performer in the south Debater, Royal Burgh. 9068 Golden Supreme (12) 80 behind Raparee and Codex at Addington on Townley’s successful likely to threaten Kumai’s Starson (13) ..80 May 22 at his most recent start. In that race wald team, finished a useful supremacy under winter contions in winning amongst his contemporaries at the last Grand National meeting. 12.-30 p.m.— he looked a possible winner until he broke at the furlong. second to Chief View at the Kurow meeting last week. She. too. looks to be close ditions. Consistent BRIGHTON IMPROVERS* HANDICAP, £300: 7f. st lb King’s Cord stays well and he should not be troubled by a softish track. He is by Ripto winning form and could do well in this race. Dryden Smoke, Rainford Golden Glen, the closest to Kumai in the weights with 8-12, could not live with the Wingatui-trained grey a year ago, though he ran his usual solid races for thirds in the Birthday and Provincial HanThen he won the Dunedin Guineas before his form fell away with the firming of the 3*422 Melhar (2) ..90 3244 Crossway (1) ., 8 13 9735 Etassem (17) .. 8 6 cord from Queen’s Brigade, both of which are Boy, Native Tryax. Strathaltracks. 1302 Wynsome (29) 8 5 members of families winter conditions. with fine records in lan and Winning Song are others entitled to consideration in an open field. The .T.A.B. double will be run on the Nicoli Handicap and the Stewards’ Handicap. Fair weather is forecast and the track will be soft. ON COURSE DOUBLE Since he raced at Nelson last month he has been going about his training work with marked zest, and the return to soft and heavy tracks should help him well along the road to his next win. That could come in the Winter Handicap, the second leg of the T.A.B. double. 5664 Great Howe <4) .84 0500 Highland Haggis (22) 8 4 0090 Kathleigh (2) .84 4247 The Guide (14) ..8 4 ASHBURTON PICKS Melissa and Waiau Toa, both on 36 yards, are two other capable trotters and they could be too solid for most of the horses on the limit dicaps. Third top-weight, and a second runner for the powerful Winsloe stable, is Tundra, the Nelson Cup winner at her latest start. 10 Alexandra (25) .. 8 1 6000 Bell Count (3) ..8 1 2788 Belshazzar (26) .. 8 1 7441 Gillie (5) ..8 1 6050 Bronze Duke (11) .. 8 0 9000 Bruin (24) .. 80 8500 Elvin Bay (21) ..8 0 6048 King Senna (15) ..8 0 A number of promising. 10.S5 a.m. Tundra won the 11-furlong Combination will be giving 4180 Marona (16) ..8 0 19.5J a.m.—Alleaton Hanbut as yet unreliable horses are on the front. Among the Nelson Cup in fairly fast weight only to Tutton,“ Cam 4004 Morrisy (18) 8 0 9573 Te Anau Lad (8) .80 Aicap: King's Cord, Melissa, It. It It It time. adiana, and Etoile Este, three Balloted out with right of reWalau Toa. 11.15 a.m.—Dromort Handleap: First division: Inglebest prospects in this group may be Global King, Boxella and Wayren. while the pick 7756 Beverley G.obe (11) 0038 Boxe’j’a (14) 0 Dispense (3) Empress Globe (4) Whether she is talented enough to give Kumai a beating over the same disof four Canterbury sprinters in the field. But on recent form Tutton entry: — 0000 Loyal Cherie (7) .. 8 0 8409 Proud Boy (28) ..8 0 5056 Blue Amber (12) 8 0 burn, Humphrey, Mary Dee. Second division: Eyreton, Compromise, Lusty Lad. of the remainder behind the limit could be Milford Nurse 0095 G.obal King (2) 0 Iron Maiden (6) 0000 Rhonda (9) It It It tance under more testing track conditions is another and Candlana could be two of the strongest challengers. Surf Call (6) ..8 0 4590 Soaring High (23) .. 8 0 000 Lezvea (9) .80 and Karen Brigade. 0000 Royal Charter (1) It matter and it poses one of Both sprint well on winter Brackets: Bruin and Elvin 12.29 p.m.—First Tinwald Handicap: Flying Bonnie, Fanlight, Cindy. Flying Bonnie gained her first win at the Kurow meet0 Scottish Piper (7) 0000 Tannachbrae (15) Tatsy Brigade (10) It It It. the more intriguing problems of the race. tracks: both recorded seconds at their latest starts, Tutton Bay, King Senna and Lesvea. Loyal Cherie and Marona, Mastiff and Morrissy, Proud Boy and ing last week when she raced 66 V’.’iia Caprena (12) It. behind San Rafael at WaiSoaring High. Surf Call and Te 12.55 p.m.—Second Tinwald Handicap: Sensational, Marty, Moneywise. away from a useful field to win by 12 lengths. If she repeats that run she will be 6464 Wayren (8) 3757 Convertor (3) 0070 Flying Nominee (5) 2193 King’s Cord (6) It 36 36 36 Winning Form Other last-start winners in mate, and Canadiana behind the promising Tumble at Amberley. Anau Lad. Scratched: Mosque (13), Mastiff (30), Corrie Gilpin (27).

T.A.B. DOUBLE 1.45 p.m.— BIRTHDAY HANDICAP £700; Ilf. st. b. 0054 Kumai (4) 9 12 2462 Golden Glen (10) s 12 3251 Tundra (9) 8 3 9401 Loraston (5) 8 1 7326 Summer Star (8) 8 1 8019 Myfiilou (3) 8 0 0121 Helena Maid (1) 7 12 0104 Belle El Nil (6) 7 / 0645 Candida (7) 7 0008 Captain Morgan (11) 7 7 0009 For Sure (12) ■7 7 4544 Mogambo (2) 7 7 3.35 p.m.-— WINTER HANDICAP. £500; 7f. st. lb. 1643 Cranbrook (4) 9 6 0472 Gladaub (2) 9 6 3514 Hot Foot (5) 9 5 8621 The Wanderer (8) 9 5 1529 Tampa (7) 9 0 8093 Sir Athol (9) 8 11 2716 Gold View (6) 8 8 7737 Combination (11) 8 7 402 Tutton (10) 8 ;) 8272 Canadiana (1) 8 2 4485 Etoile Este (3) > 8 0