AWAPUNI FIRST DAY

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 149, 20 March 1931, Page 13

AWAPUNI FIRST DAY

Keen Racing Promised PRELIMINARY REVIEW

(By

“The Watcher.”)

The only disappointing feature of the acceptances for the opening of the Manuwatu Racing Club's autumn meeting at Awapuni on Saturday is the field for the Awapuni Gold Cup . What promised to be a keen and interesting contest has dwindled to five runners, the youngest of which is the five-year-old Nightmarch. It may still provide a good race, but more competition would have been welcome. In the Karere Hurdles form points decidedly to the topweights. Royal Acre, Full Mark, Elicit, and Disrank have all run well recently, and Fine Acre should be getting Into forward condition. Two who appeal are Elicit and Full Mark. The Autumn Plate, for two and three-year-olds, has not drawn a strong field. Coroner, Eminent, Pat's Boy, and Sailor's Love showed form at Trentham, and Wallaruh may make a showing. The two-year-olds Cyprus and Gay Court might go well with their pull of 131 b. in the weights. On form it looks like Eminent and Coroner. A Tough Problem. The Prince of Wales Handicap should be a good race, and it looks a hard proposition for backers. Toxeunia is improving, aud should go well, while Otairi on his form is entitled to earnest consideration. Full Feather does not appeal, but Royal Parade looks likely and was a winner on the course at his last start there. High Falutin’ ran a bad race at Trentham on Tuesday, but he may have needed a gallop. Chopin is a possibility on his recent winning form, but My Own will have to improve. She did, however, make a much better showing in the Autumn Handicap on Tuesday, being prominent throughout, and finishing sixth. She may be coming to her form again. Kahikatoa is in winning form, and must have a chance, but Pahu has not raced for some time, and may not be ready. Paitonu, Moutoa Treasury, Shrewd, and Ball Dress are all likely lightweights on their form, and so is Mount Shannon if he runs up to what ha can do. Riding is likely to have a good deal to do with success in this event, as the field is big and a paramount necessity is a good early position. A likely pair are Otairi and My Own. There is another tougn problem for backers in the Woodhey Handicap. Paratoo, Simba, Pythia, Glen Rossie, Kozau, and Winsome Hind all appeal on recent running, while Golden Shadow, Puriri Park, Orby's Choice, and Blacksmith also appeal. The top of the handicap looks the better cud, and a likely pair are Simba aud Pythia. Sires’ Produce Stakes. On form there is nothing really outstanding in the Sires’ Produce Stakes, unless it is La Poupee, who has not raced for some time. Chief Cook, Chief Jewel, Esteem, Golden Wings, Aspian, High Comedy, Cricket Bat, and Oratorian must all have chances. There is no Bronze Eagle to chase, and some of those beaten at Trentham may run better here. The way Chief Cook sticks on at the end of his races, and his two races at Danuevirke rather suggest that he might be the stable preference to La Poupee, who has not had a run since January, when she was in third place behind Ammon Ra and Aspian in the Wellington Stakes. On the other hand, La Poupce's form is superior. Aspian would have a chance if recovered from his soreness, and Esteem certainly did not show his true form last week. Cricket Bat is improving, and he runs on well, while both High Comedy and Oratorian are capable of showing up better than they did at the Wellington meeting. The extra furlong should suit Oratorian. Golden Wings got caught in the tapes in his only race here, so no line on his form was available, but in the same form as he was at Woodville he would be in the firing line. On form two who should be prominent are La Poupee aud High Comedy. Looks Like Nlghtmarch. Nightmarch dominates the position in the Awapuni Gold Cup. It is not likely that any of his opponents will fluke him, but Laughing Prince and Historic should give him a race, while Limerick aud Vertigern make it Interesting. In the Johnston Memorial Wellington form points to Autopay, True Shaft, aud Richfield. Consent, is a fresh horse likely to run well, and of the lightweights Just an Idea and Blue Paper will be fancied. It looks like Consent and Autopay. King March's race in the St. Leger draws attention to his prospects in the Te Matai Handicap, but Pewa should run well. Grand Jury has recently run well in open company, while there are l several of the lighter weights with form to be considered. A likely pair arc Pewa and King March. DATES NOT AVAILABLE Auckland Benefit Meeting By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, March 19. Advice has been received that the dates, April 27 and 20, applied for by the Auckland Trotting Club for a meeeting In aid of the earthquake relief fund cannot be granted. The meeting therefore has been cancelled. FIXTURES. March 21—Bay of Plenty J.C. Marell 21, ’23—Manawatu R.C. March 26—Opotiki J.C. March 28—Otautau R.C. March 28, 30—Westport J.C. April .I—Tuapeka County J.C. April 4, 6—Wairarapa R.C. April 4, 6 —Feilding J.C. April 4, 6—Auckland R.C. April 4, 6. 7—Riverton R.C. April 6—Beaumont R.C. April 6—Waipukurau J.C. April 6—Ku'mara R.C. April 6, 7—Canterbury J.C. April B—Westland R.C. April 10. 11—Greymouth J.C. April 11, 15—Avondale J.C. April 15—Rcefton J.C. April 18—Hawke's Bay J.C. (at Trentham). April 18, 20—Waikato R.C. April 23—Stratford R.C. April 30. May 2—Whangarci R.C. April 30, May 2—Nelson J.C.