WAIKATO RACES

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 47, 19 November 1936, Page 17

WAIKATO RACES

The Principal Handicaps

PROSPECTS FOR SATURDAY

Dominion Special Service. Auckland, November IS. Excellent acceptances have been re-ceived-for the opening of the Waikato Racing Club’s spring .meeting at Te Rapa on Saturday and fine weather is all that should be required to ensure a very successful gathering. Many of the best horses in training in Auckland are engaged, besides others whose best form has not yet been disclosed, and there should he some interesting contests if the conditions are favourable. The win and place system of betting Will be. in operation and there should be sufficient runners to provide three place dividends in each race. . A good field of 13 is engaged in the Waikato Cup, which bears an open aspect. Jonathan is topweight with 9.6. which would not be prohibitive for him if he could only repeat his best. So far this season lie has failed to reveal his former dash, but the racing he has had has wrought improvement in his condition and he may win at any time. Mazir has been racing consistently well and should have a good chance if produced fit. He is a strong horse who carries weight in good style and with 8.13 has only 61b. more than when he won the Dargaville Cup at Avondale last month. Scotland is another very consistent performer, although he has now reached a mark where he will not find it easy. His 8.12 is 91b. more than he successfully carried in the King Edward Handicap at Ellerslie recently. Chances of King Rey. The Gisborne representative, Big Dook, has some very creditable performances to hig credit, but he will require to be right at the top of his form to succeed with 8.12 in this field. Enge does not appear to be as good as when he was winning last season and there may be no disposition to favour his chance, although be would he worthy of

serious consideration if at his best. Last year’s winner, King Roy, is a good performer when attuned, but he has no recent form. With 8.8 he has 4/b. less than when he won 12 months ago ami a repetition of his best would make nun very dangerous. King Rey is seen to advantage when the sting is out of the ground. ... The hardy Sinking Fund is always lively to win. and Grateful displayed signs <>f returning to form when bo linisbeil third to Fersen and Ruaform tn ‘be Waverley Cup last month. On that occasion Grateful was considered unlucky, and. as he has previously won on the Te Rapa course, he should be worn serious consideration. Mungatoon’s third at Cambridge on Labour Day was Ins first glimpse of form for some tiine ano he may soon improve upon it. He has previously won at Te Rapa and may take considerable beating. Dark Shadow has been working pleasingly and should be dangerous with his light weight, as he should now be ready to run a sound mile and a quarter. He should beat most ot those near'the minimum, although H<n-o-wbenua, Tradesman and Wait and See ■ire all capable of performing well, lhe state of the going and the work of the candidates during the next few (pB-l may have an influence on the final summing up. Some who may be in demand are Mazir, Mungatoon, Dark Shadow and Jonathan. The Sprint Contest. The topweights in the Cambridge Handicap. Namakia and Galilee, are both trained by A. Cook. They are line sprinters, but, in view of the fact that she han recent form to her credit and also has a pull of 91b. in the weights the preference may be for Galilee. At Ellerslie last month Galilee carried aud was third to Mungacre, 7.12, and Solaria, 7.11, in the Shorts Handicap, beaten by a head and half a head. A similar effort should make her very difficult to beat on Saturday. Impasto has no recent form and Royal Appellant has been racing over longer distances. However, his efforts over a mile at Ellerslie last season demonstrated that he was not lacking in brilliance and he should run a. good six furlongs, especially on the long straight at Le Rapa. , Royal Dance should not be out ot it with 8.9 and the consistent. Adalene may be expected to run her usual honest race. Star Artist won the Avoca Handicap at the Dargaville meeting at Avondale at her last start, defeating Triune and Mangukaha, and, as she i« still handily placed with 8.0, she must: he considered. The three-year-old Golden Sheila has been only lightly raced this season, but she made a line showing in the Great Northern Guineas, even though she missed a place. r l he host has not been seen of this smart filly and she may take a lot of beating. Mangukaha is a possibility, especially if the track happens to be soft, and the best of the others may be Gay Seton and Wahine Reihi. A repetition of his best would make Gay Seton very difficult to beat with the minimum. It should be a good betting race and some who may be in demand are Golden Sheila, Star Artist and Galilee.