SOUTH ISLAND TEAM

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 95, 16 January 1943, Page 6

SOUTH ISLAND TEAM

Prospects Discussed Dominion Special Service. OHiR IST CHURCH, January 15. South Island stables will be strongly represented in tomorrow's programme at Trentham. Practically all of the horses were raced over the holiday period, and their form, fresh in the minds of racegoers, should act as a useful guide. r iN'ightglass ran consistently at Awapuni and Marton without winning, and she must be given a good chance over a mile and three furlongs in the Trentham Highweight. She has previously shown signs of mastering a -middle distance, and the roomy course will suit her. John Gay ran second to I'tir Coat over six furlongs at .both Wingatui and Waikouaiti, and such a good beginner has to be considered over five furlongs m the Wellington Stakes. First In’s name appears in the list, 'but she is not likely to be in much demand. Good Scout, Lady Premier, Rebel Lady and- Stourbridge appear in the Apprentices’ Plate, and of these Good Scout and Stourbridge make most appeal. The former had to be eased Up after racing at Awapuni, but the rest would do him good after some hard racing over middle distances. Stourbridge was taken to Dunedin but did not race owing to a slight mishap. He made a quick recovery, and has only to reproduce some of his Cup week form to be dangerous. Rebel -Lady had two wins on the West Coast, and may surprise. , , -Some smart two-year-olds will be seen in the Fitzherbcrt Handicap, but Hurry Home has not yet shown form good enough to justify such a trip. 'Royal Lancer, The Joker, Arctic Dawn and Eulogist make a useful quartet for the Wellington Cup. The first-named is in his best possible form, and 9.3 will not Stop him. The Joker -has (been disappointing since winning the Metropolitan Handicap. but is liable to spring up again especially _pver two miles. Arctic Dawn is on the improve, and with a featherweight on his back, he will be in evidence at some stage of the race. .Eulogist is also a lightweight possibility, lint the journey, as in tlie New Zealand Cup, will find a weakness in him. . iPrince Dolomite, Cheap Lodging, Sal and Ladv Nuffield, will do battle for the south in the Ruapehu Hack Handicap, and all are entitled to some consideration. Sal was solidly supported to win at Wingatui last week, but was beaten into third place. This form was disappointing, and she is capable of better. Lady Nuffield, a halfsister by Paper Money to Lord Nuffield, has jeopardized her chances of late by slow beginnings, and she therefore has to be taken on trust. Fur Coat, Scottisli Dale, Dinah Dhu and Mauretania appear in tlie Telegraph Handicap, and of these Fur Coat is likely to be one of the favourites. He lias become very solid, and is certain to be prominent throughout. Scottish Dale raced badly at Wingatui, but the track may not have suited her. She is in her best order, and tlie prospects of such a ’brilliant galloper on tlie straight six at Trentham cannot lie lightly dismissed. Dinah Dim's inclusion in the field was no doubt prompted by her third placing in tlie .Stewards’ Handicap, and bv her win in the Douro Cup last year. Mauretania is bridging a wide gap between Greymoutli and Trentham form, and her trip looks in the nature of an ambitious undertaking, -but she is nevertheless a smart sprinter. Tutere, Dominate, Botany and Grey Night are in the Anniversary Handicap. Tutere’s bubble -burst badly at Ellerslie, and it may 'lie that he has gone right off. Dominate,'too, has raced pooHy tills season, and will have ft, show marked improvement. Botany executed a sterling performance in running Royal Lancer to a narrow margin over the mile Hazlett Gold Cup at Wingatui, and lint for boring to the middle of tlie track, against the winner’s position' on tlie fence, throughout the run home, he may have reversed the positions. He certainly makes most appeal of tlie southerners . Grey Night failed to win a race in three attempts at Greymouth.