EARLY OPENING AT MANAWATU

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 151, 23 December 1938, Page 13

EARLY OPENING AT MANAWATU

(By "Rangatira.")

The Manawatu Racing Club's Sum mer Meeting has always been one of the most popular race gatherings during the season in the Dominion, and it is in particular the rendezvous 6f enthusiasts from all parts of the southern end of the North Island. Wellington patronage may not be quite so numerous, on Cup Day this yea? because of the date, but there will be large representation on Monday and Tuesday, when the meeting will be concluded.

Though there was a welcome change in the Weather midweek, the outlook for the holidays in this essential factor is not yet too certaih. There is, however, reasonable promise of a fine day for the opening. The recent rain his kept the track green and easy, and it is probable that the going tomorrow will still be yielding, though it might become firm before the meeting concludes. The course and grounds at Awapuni form one of the show places of the Dominion's racing arenas. They are always at their best for Christmas, with gardens and shelter trees everywhere and appointments equal to the best in the land outside the leading city clubs. The betting will be under the singlepool system. For Wellington patrons desiring to travel by rail, a special train leaves Wellington Station each day for the course at 8.25 a.m. There is also the ordinary 8.30 a.m. train, arriving at Awapuni Junction at 11.55 a.m. and connecting with train for the bourse. The return train leaves a$ 5.30 p.m., arriving in Wellington at BAI p.m. THE MANAWATt CUP. The feature event on tomorrow's card is the Manawatu Cup, which now has a history approaching the halfcentury mark. There are 15 acceptors for the race this year, and it is probable that all will take their place now that Argentic is definitely on the scene. In a field of this size luck may play a part in the result, especially should there be the muddling early pace that has so often characterised the-race: but the odds are still In favour of the better-form horses, as the roomy course affords plenty of Opportunities over the closing stages for all except those who nave to come wide round with their claims. The ruling favourite for the Cup since the appearance of the weights

has been Play.On, a young horse whd Has scored impressive victories in his . • last.-.two starts and who at the end of each of his faces has been going like a horse who should not be the least troubled with an additional quarter ■Of a mile. Play, On, judged by the •.criterion of form, must be very, hard to, beat Among those who will be in ready request to beat Play On are the three-year-old Peerless, the topweight Wild Chase, King Rey, Brazen King, Happy Landing, The Bigot, and Corroboree. Peerless's connections are very hopeful, And the stable has another possible string in Galteemore, who should strip one of the fittest horses in the field. Wild Chase is' well handicap- . ped on past form, particularly when his successes over the distance are recalled, and att easy track would enhance his prospects. Corroboree is a worthy recruit from hack ranks who reads best Of the lighter weights. The Bigot and also Siegmund would be under a disadvantage if the track is at all soft. EVEN SPRINT ISSUE. The Fitzherbert Handicap, in which the sprinters will measure forces, offers another issue In which choice may take a wide range. The favourite is likely to be the Chokebore mare. Counterblast, who has shown some good form since her resumption after a lengthy spell, Laughing Lass, the winner twelve months ago under lib more than she has this year, has done well in her work since finishing second first Up for the season at Feild' ing. Russian Ballet, as winner of the Wanganui Guineas, is a three^earold of class, and Royal Star 11, Black Thread, Rakahan^a, Lucullus Lad, Race Call, and Majority are others in recent form. Improvers in the field include Durtgarvan and Lady Ina, while AureuS and Florencs Mills have the brilliance to be troublesome off the bottom marks". The Grandstand Handicap, another open event with a higher scale of weights, has attracted the best claw It ever has'done. This is a race that should suit Jazz Boy, who has be.en -second in each of the three races he -. has had beyond a sprint course and who was beaten at Woodville recently Only by Happy Lahding and Gay Son respectively. Lady Montana is artother who is due for a win after several mihbr plaelngs, and Awapuni Is a track that she should like. Others who have the form to race well are Gay Chou, Ned Cuttle, Rabble, Te Hai, Rustem, Dainty Sue, Night Hawk, and Accomplice, with the last-named prcib--7 ably beat of the recent recruits from the hatik grade, An interesting runner will be the three-year-old Amigo, who tailed on his trip to Australia in the spring, but who is said to have done well since his return to the Dominion. TWO HACK ITEMS. The distance hacks will ;be catered for by the Tararua Handicap, which . has attracted a strong field. Despite; "his recent failure at Feilding, which followed an unlucky second to Rustem at Levin, Royal Choice may be sent out the elect of investors, and on his home track he will be one of the hard ones to beat. Earl Colossus and Rarotonga were winners of similar events at Feilding, and Flyihg Comedy showed such anticipated improvement on the final day at Woodville th*it she marked hersetf as due for an early success L&dy Rosette is a southern visitor who won the distance hack event recently at Hororata. Others who would require to show email improvement to be in the .finish are Eurotas, Sunbeam, and Kindly, while Colfort, Tom-Tom, Thrasos, and Hinerawe are also not without chances, The favourite for the Gillies Handiem In which the hack sprinters figure, win undoubtedly be the Lord Quex colt Sternchase, who won his race on the final day, at Waikato recently by seven or eight lengths. Among his more likely opponents are Phalanrt (who won a double on the course last autumn and is returning to form). Trebor, Sigurd, Kathbella, Sudan, and PUnarua. Trebor would be at a dis* advantage If the track were «?oft. Sudan's second favouritism for the WanganuJ Guineas at her last start will assure her a good measure of support. Hagen and Golden Ridge appear to have their full share of weight. There is a field of 25 for the Nursery Handicap, so that, if most of the acceptors parade, the element of luck

SPLENDID FIELDS FOR TOMORROW'S CONTESTS

The Christmas and New Year holiday racing carnival in the Dominion will be making an earlier start this year than has been the rule in recent yeara* as the Manawatu Racing Club's Summer Meeting will be opened at Awapuni tomorrow, when the Manawatu Cup will be decided for the first occasion on a day other than Boxing Day., With the splendid fields that have been secured and a holiday for each of the three days, the club is looking forward to one of the most successful meetings that it has ever held.

in the draw and start will be an important consideration. Baran is the obvious favourite, and after his good form at Riccarton he is rather lucky not to be further removed from Globe Trotter than he is. His acceptance Is evidence that he has made a good recovery from the injuries he suffered on his trip back from the south, but he might yet be just a shade backWard after his break from work. Globe Trotter, Sleeveless, and Van* tnond are recent winners, and Sleeveless and Varimond will form a triple bracket along with Sunola. Duncannon made a very promising showing when running second to Sleeveless at Woodville. and Vascones, Serenata, Katesbridge, Greek Queen, arid Loyal Queen' are Others who have encouraged in their form to date. The likeliest improver amdng the rest may be the high-priced Beau Vite, who is now returning to the i promise he gave in his early preparation. The smallest field of the day is that listed for the Tokomaru Highweight Handicap. The favourite for this race may be one of the top pair, Erebus or Nereus, but Royal Record is an improved horse who is likely to extend them, and Porotiti and Lustral would also be good prospects if found, m the right mood. Boatsong is probably the best of those lower down. The Maiden Plate, like the Nursery Handicap, has drawn a large acceptance, and the element of luck may be an important factor towards success. On form Yours Truly, Little Dorrit, Chere Amie, Drachma, Mimicry, and White Rajah look possibly the Ukeli est group, but Colonel Bogey's private reputation and promising deout at Woodville may elevate him to & tayoufed post if he draws at all well. Brazil, Daregain, Floral Robe, and Telamon are others capable of good performances. Little pomt ana Chere Amie have been victims Of recent mishaps, but their acceptance suggests that they are again all tight. FORM AND CARD. The following horses promise to go out with good support:— Maiden Plate: Yours Truly and Little Dorrit or Chere Amie. Tokomaru Highweight Handicap: Nereus and Royal Record. Tararua Hack Handicap: Royal Choice and Lady Rosette. Manawatu Cup: Play On and PeerIgss ■ Nursery Handicap: Globe Trotter and Baran. - „. . ■ Gillies Hack Handicap: Stern chase an Fitzherbert Handicap:: Counterblast and Royal Star 11. .' T . _ / ■:■. a Grandstand Handicap: Jazfc Boy and Lady Montana or Accomplice, . The card is as follows:— 12.(5 ' ■ '•• ".- ■'<■ ,"'.• - '"'■■ MAIDEN PLATE, £130; ; fl furlongs. Brazil ...... 8 1 Wby WMetu .. 8 f Chera Amid .-. 8 1 Mittiory. .... 8-7 Colonel Bogey" S 7 N%ht-Srtiptlon ■ 8 I Drachma .... 8 t . Orjwal ....... 8 ? Duregahi .... Hr Red Chief .... S f Doctor .Defoe .. Ji .1 Richelieu Pearl 8 T Elettra ...... 8 ! Saigßef 8 7 Floral Hobs .. 8 T T&itOa ..*....» T Gold Chase ... 8 T Telamon .... 8 1 Golden Gatter 8 7 Tidal Gift ... 8 T Hyderabad .... 8 7 White ftajah .. » ? Little Dorrit .. 8 7 YoUrS TftllJ ..8 7 TOKOMARU HIGHWEIGHT HANDICAP, £150 J 1U miles, idrebus ...... io 11 Ambition ... 9 ♦ Nereus ..... 10 8 Boatsong .»»• » 0 Porotiti a.... 10 6 ftolling Some 9 0 Royal Record .10 3 Pound Sterling 9 0 Lustral .» M .» 910 1.40 TARARUA HANDICAP, £175 5 9 furlongs. Royal Choice . 8 18 Thrasos ...... J « Earl Colossus , BIS Sunbeam .... 711 Sluing Ttom-Toni ... f f Comedy 8 11 Maahanui .... T 1 Rarotonga ..8 7 Hinerawe .... I 7 Colfort 8 *8 Kindly 7 7 Lady Rosette .» 8 0 The Ring «... 7 7 Eurotas ...• 713 Bumble *.*» 1 1 seyfded .... 713 2,20 MANAWATU CUP, £700; 1% miles. Wlia Chase .. v o feerlees .... i » Argentic .... 810 Hunting Cat .. . r 7 King Res .... 8 6 The Bigot .... 7 5 brazen King .. 8 6 Conreyer ..... 7 2 Siegmund .... 713 Sunee ....... 7 ; Play On .... 712 Galteemore ..7 0 Baflpy Corroboree .. 7 0 Landing ? 8 Old Surrey .. 7 0 3.0 NURSERY HANDICAP, £2001 5 furlongs, Baran ...... 9 3 Nanda ...... 7 4 Globe Trotter . 8 0 Sorenatn .... 7 4 Varimond ..8 2 Bionzeshkr .. 7 4 Puneannon ..8 0 KateSßfidge . 7 4 Sleeveless .... 8 0 Loyal Queen*. 1 4 Vaseones .... 711 La Bru . .... 7 4 Kuka 7 9 Te Maajfl .... 7 4 Bronze might . 7 B Greek Queen . 7 4 Gay tfos .... 7 « Dainty Dell ..7 4 Gymnotus 7 9 Wedding EV6 ~74 Sir Crtißoe ..7 0 AlleZ ........ 7 4 Beau Vlte .... 7 8 Classform .... 7 0 Sunola ...t« 7 5 3.40 GILLIES HANDICAP, £l>0; 6 fUflOtigs. UageD 9 tt fteascnable ... 7 13 Golden Ridge . 8 12 Roy*' Jee Louli .... 8 0 PAgeAm 7 v Phalani 8 8 Gay Mura .. 7 10 Sterncnase ..8 6 Great E'light .. 710 Trebor 8 5 Viraslous .... 7 9 Sigurd ...... 8 B Diamond Kathbella .... 8 3 Cutt*r | 9 Sudan ...*.. 8 3 RoWfcfld .... 1 9 PunarUa 8 1 All Hlqod .... 7 7 4.20 , m'MERBEHT HANDICAP, UflBO; <J furlonga. Majority 8 5 Rakahanga .. J-12 LucullUß Lad . 8 10 Royal Star II . 7 11 ■Dungarvan ..8 7 [far* ........ 7 0 Laughing Notiuttt ...... 7 7 Lass 8 8 Joviality .... 7 5 Lmdy lha .... 8 2 Haughty Race Call .... 8 0 Winner 7 6 Counterblast .. 713 Aureus ...... 7 2 Black Thread , t 13 Florence Mills 7 2 Russian Ballet 7 13 5.5 GRANDSTAND HANDICAP, £250; 9 furlohgs. UftJ ChOU .... tf 11 I'si Hal ...... 7 13 Master Cyklon 9 2 Uoamlng .... 718 \&Z2 6oy ... 813 Cricket ...... 711 Ned Cuttle .. 8 18 RustCffi ..., 7 11 Amlfid , 8 8 Nigllt HftWk .. 711 f.ad.v Montana 8 1 Dainty Sue .. 711 Rabble* .... 8 8 Silver River .. 7 11 Debharo .... 8 2 Accomplice .. 711 NotlUM ...... 8 2 Good Sun .... 7 11 Meamea' ~,, 8 0 Mendelsohn .t 7 1)