OPAKI RACES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 17, 14 October 1933, Page 11

OPAKI RACES

Masterton Meeting

FIELDS FOR TO-DAY

Form Review and Prospects

"The Watcher.”)

(By “

The spring meeting of the Masterton Racing Club will be held at Opaki to-day. Good'fields of handy size are engaged in all events, and as it is the last fixture prior to Wellington, where, several of today’s runners are engaged, the form will be particularly interesting. A number of fresh horses will be making their appearance in the two-year-old event, and also in the Maiden Stakes. The race track is in first-class order, and in connection with the Masterton track it is as well to remind racegoers that it has one of the longest straights in New Zealand. Non-stayers find it a severe task to hold their own on it.

The train leaving Lambton station at 7.50 a.m. will take Wellington patrons to the course in time for the first race, and a return special will leave after the racing. The first race is timed to start about noon, and the card for to-day is as follows :—

12.5 p.m.— NURSERY HANDICAP, of 55 sovs. Four

Five of the two-year-olds will be making their first appearance. Of the others there is none with outstanding form, ijnd it will be easily possible for one of the unknown quantities to prove the winner. A fourth to Golden Chance at Foxton, and a poor fourth, is the only weighing-irl any of them have done so far. Morbury was sixth in the Debutante Stakes at Wanganui, and she also had a race at Marton, so she should be more forward than her opponents. She will be bracketed with Contract, who finished in the rear of the field at Wanganui, and eighth at Foxton. Redeem was seventh _at Marton, and eighth at Wanganui. Tutor was seventh at Foxton, where Brown Betty finished practically on terms with her bracketed mate, Golden Chapce, in fourth place. It will thus be seen that the form is very moderate. Racing, however, should make for improvement in some of them. Favourites may be Tutor, Morbury, and Golden Chance.

Oscillation .. 8 8 Hunting Lady 8 8 > O£ the maidens the best form has been shown by Maypay and Rene Belle, but the latter has not raced since last Easter. Zetes showed promise at Foxton, and the long straight will suit him. A lot of the form is unknown, so a surprise may be in store, but likely sorts to carry the money are Maypay, Zetes, and Rene Belle.

rehcp.) .... 7 8 Might had a race at Foxton and should improve, and Normandy is iu good shape to make a forward showing. Lady Ronald ran a creditable third at Foxton and ought to run well. She is also engaged in the concluding event. Land Tax, at her best, is a good sprinter. She failed nt her last start, but is well placed here. Bettwyscoed was a winner over seven furlongs at Otaki and rin well again on the second day. Rhea might run well fresh. The best backed may be Land Tax, Bettwyscoed and Might. The issue may be much varied, as in addition to Lady Ronald’s second engagement both Land Tax and Bettwsycoed are in the Grandstand Hack. Handicap.

Brambletorn twice ran third at Otaki, and although well beaten he should improve. Retract cannot be considered on his recent form, but the going at Masterton may suit him better. Chopin will also have to improve. The favourite is almost certain to be Takakua, and on his recent form the support will be warranted. La Poupee is a possibility, and Thrasher also mav run well if started, but Lyrical’s chance does not look good. .Favourites may be Tflkakua and Chopin.

Passion Fruit looks like being the favourite in the hack mile, and his form suggests he will be hard to beat. At 9.3, however, he will not need any bad luck iu running, and he appears likely to be thoroughly tested by Epigram. Thrasher and Kalmuck. Thrasher is also in the principal event. The seven stone lot will have to improve on recent or previous showings. The best backed may be Epigram, Passion Fruit, and Kalmuck.

4.20 p.m.— GRANDSTAND HACK HANDICAP, of 70 sovs. Seven furlongs.

Copper King won the Foxton Handicap at his last start on July 29, and should run well hero. \\ ost Tor is a likely sort, and King Thomond also. Emotion ran a creditable race last start to finish third nt the Hawke’s Bay. Hunt meeting, and if started here either Land Tax or Bettwsycoed is likely to run well. The beet back-

Bazaine .... furlongs. 8 0 8 3 Brown Betty Tutor « 5 Confiscation . 8 0 Golden Chance 8 5 Peggy’s Joy . 8 0 Contract .... 8 ft Choral s 0 La Madelon.. 8 0 Redeem .... 7 12 Morbury 7 12

12.45 p.m.— HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP, of SO sovs. Ono mile. Chock Say .. 10 0. Flower 9 5 Forestry .... 10 4 Manulri .... 9 5 Swift and Sure 10 4 Lovecourt ..9 3 Walton Park 9 & Hazoor .... 9 0 Air Laddie ..99 Form in the Highweight points to the Hawke’s Bay Hunt winner Swift and Sure, although the rise of 131b. will assist his opponents. Forestry ran a creditable race at Foxton, and is liable to improve, and Walton Park may be placed in the same category. Chock Say raced at Foxton, but never got into the picture in the big field. She cannot be discarded here if in form, nor can Manuiri, though the latter has not raced for several months. Of the lighter weights the Otaki winner Hazoor appears the most likely. Most money maj go on Swift and Sure, Hazoor, and Forestry.

1.25 p.m.— MAIDEN STAKES, Of 55 8OVS. Six furlongs. Maypay .. 8 Lady Solway 8 8 Zetes ....... 8 8 Umpire .... 8 8 Millestra .. 8 8 Te Rang!Revival ... 8 8 tumau 8 8 Ma Cheri .. .. 8 8 Prince Rene Belle . 8 8 Umberto 8 8

2.5 p.m.— LANSDOWNE HACK HANDICAP, ot 70 sovs. Six furlongs. Might 9 4 7 3 Normandy . 9 1 Grand Blow . 7 2 Lady Ronald 8 3 White Squall 7 0 Land Tax ... 7 11 Movietone 7 0 BettwsycoCd Anita May .. 7 0 (incl. Sib.

2.50 p.m.— MASTERTON HANDICAP, Of 110 S0V8. One mile and a quarter. Brambletorn 8 6 La Ponpee .. 7 9 Retract .... 8 B Thrasher ... 7 0 Chopin ..... 8 3 Lyrical .... 7 0 Takakua ... 7 12

3.35 p.m.— LAWN HACK HANDICAP, Ot 70 SOV8. One mile. Passion Fruit 9 3 Shootist- .... 7 5 Thrasher ... 8 rt Lovecourt .. 7 3 Epigram ■Snowball ... 7 0 (incl 101b 7 U rhcp.) 8 4 Hedtop 7 0 Kalmuck ... 8 3 Kamuna .... 7 0

Copper King 9 2 Land Tax .. 7 11 West Tor Bettwsycoed incl. 81b. (Ind. lulb. rehcp.) 9 0 rbcp.) ... 7 10 King Thomond 8 3 Yvette 7 0 Palace 8 0 Jilin row .... 7 0 Emotion .... 7 12 Platter 7 0