F. J. SMITH'S PLANS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 80, 5 April 1938, Page 15

F. J. SMITH'S PLANS

TO MISS HAWERA

TEAM FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

(By "Ariki Toa.")

Unless present intentions are altered the northern trainer F. J. Smith will

patronise the Inter-Dominion Championships at Addington at Easter in preference to the Hawera Meeting. He has nominated a team of six for the Addington' carnival, and arrangements are being finalised for them to leave at the end of the^week. The stars of the team are Nervie's Last and King's Warrior, who are down to contest . the championship events. The former is a particularly capable pacer over distances up to a mile and a half, but it is doubtful if he possesses the stamina to hold his own over a longer journey. King's Warrior has performed brilliantly during the past couple of seasons, but of late has left the impression that he has just about reached his level, and his future is not bright. FOR HANDICAP EVENTS. Crocus, Ironside, Cavan Chief, and Wrackless may compete in the handicap events, but the prospects of the last-named, on /his format Awapuni on Saturday, look negative, and Smith may decide to leave him at home. Crocus has built up a good record this season, and her few defeats have been over distances of two miles, but she is a definite nonstayer.' , Up to a mile and a half there are few better horses in ' Auckland. Ironside has not raced for several months, but is reported to be training oh satisfactorily and to be putting a lot of heart into his training. The opposition at Addington will' test the Wrack gelding, but he is a capable pacer and should be equal to paying expenses. The class may be beyond Cayan Chief. ' Smith has not experienced his usual run-of success in the past few months, but, as he will admit himself, his team is the poorest he has controlled for the last six years or more. However, there are quite a few maiden performers going through the elementary stages of their preparation at Takanini, and several of them show fine promise. Red Spinner, Flying News,. and the two American importations, Cloverdale and Langdale, are shaping in encouraging style, and with a little experience they should bring the Takanini trainer back into the limelight again.