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ASHBURTON MEETING

REPRESENTATIVE FIELD

~ (By "Ariki Toa.")

More than average interest will centre in the Inter-State Handicap, to be fun at Ashburton on Saturday, for it will afford enthusiasts an opportunity of gaining a line on the respective chances of the Australians at Addington the following week, when the Inter-Dominion Championships come up for decision. The handicaps have been framed on New Zealand assessments, and the race will be run over a mile and a half. The Australian pacers engaged arc Joy's John, Dan's Son, and Lady Childewood, and of the trio the best prospect may be Lady Childewood. This mare has been in the Dominion for some weeks now, and in her track work-has been hitting out in taking style. A splendid type of pacer, she should be equal to running a sound race. Joy's John arrived from Melbourne only on Tuesday, and he will probably be all the better for a race. The northern trainer F. J. Smith will have Nervie's Last to carry his colours, and this horse has previously given southerners a taste of his qualities by covering the distance in 3min losec on one of his previous visits. A fine beginner, he should be in the firing line all the way. A STRONG HAND. The Canterbury trainer R. B. Berry holds a strong hand with Pansienne and Lucky Jack, and the bracket may start favourite. Both are brilliant pacers, and whether the pace is on all the way or not will not affect them. Perhaps the better prospect may be Lucky Jack, who is a smarter beginner than his stablemate. Renown's Best has gained several successes during the past cpuple of months, but she may find this class a shade beyond her. The Australian-bred pacer Speedy Boy, who will race in the colours ot the Dunedin sportsman Mr. G. J. Barton, has been shaping encouragingly-in his track work at Addington, and leaves the impression that he possesses a brilliant turn of speed. He is carrying more condition than when he first arrived, and is now a much fitter horse. His effort will attract plenty of attention for the reason that he is expected to show up in the championship the following week. Morello has displayed improved form during the past couple of months, and the distance should suit him admirably. He has gained three firsts and a second placing in his last six starts, and is more than a possibility. Plutus was responsible for some really fine performances in the early part of the season, but was turned out for a spell at the end of January, and this is his first start in the interim. It is possible that he will be all the better for a race. NOT RACED SINCE CHRISTMAS. Although De Soto has not faced the starter since before Christmas, he has been in steady work all the time and is reported to be in first-class condition. This horse is apt to feel the effects of the hard tracks, but there is no doubting his brilliancy, and he should add interest to the event. Willow Wave.may make a mistake at barrier release, but once on the, journey is equal to the best in the land. However, there is too much "if" about him. Indianapolis is set one of the most difficult tasks of his.career, and on paper he cannot have any chance of conceding 84 yards to some of those nearer the front of the handicap. In any case he appears to be past his best and may never again thrill the public with those devastating runs of his of former years.

The race is full of possibilities, but some that may be in demand are the Parisienne-Lucky Jack bracket, Speedy Boy, Lady Childewood, and Nervie's Last.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19380407.2.140.1

Bibliographic details

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 13

Word Count
626

ASHBURTON MEETING Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 13

ASHBURTON MEETING Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 13