A STRONG HAND

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

A STRONG HAND

v SOUTHS TEAM FOR EPSOM

(Special from "IrvingtOM.") CHRISTCHURCU, December 23

; More than half the horses engaged in , the Auckland Trotting Cup next Tuesday are either trained in Canterbury '■ or were trained in this centre before 1 they found new owners in the Auckland district. Bexley Girl, Fernbrook ' Lass, Fine Art, Horse Power, ' Navy Blue, Noble Prince, Our War, Toorak, 1 and Waipahi all did their early racing :in Canterbury, and of these Bexley 1 Girl, Fernbrook Lass, Navy Blue, [ Noble Prince, and Our War have been located in the Auckland province for some time. With the exception of Noble Prince all of them have improved considerably on their marks , since going north. Horse Power, now a four-year-old, is no stranger to Epsom, as he won his first race as a two-year-old on the track,' but next Tuesday will mark the first appearance there of Fine Art. Toorak, and Waipahi. Following his outstanding form in the past few weeks, Fine Art is sure to be a strong first favourite. On .the first day of the New Zealand Cup Meeting he won the Empire Handicap, a two-mile race, easily after leading all the way to record 4min 21 lessee, and he won two races over a mile and a quarter on the concluding days. He followed up this form by winning over a mile and a half at the.Forbury Park Meeting. In each of these races he showed great ability, racing Solidly and returning outstanding perform* ances. He is now regarded as one of the best horses in his class, On numerous occasions in the past he showed an inclination to break at both the start and during the running of a race, and he was far from solid. It is worth noting that all his ,best performances have be.en given on' clay footing, and it will »c interesting to. see whether he extends his good record how that he is going back to a grass track. His general behaviour of late, however, indicates that he is a greatly^-improved horse, and a repetition of his best will find him difficult to beat at' Epsom. v ON THE IMPROVE. Horse Power's form this season has not been greatly attractive, but with only three starts since the opening « this term, his opportunities have bee* limited. On two occasions at least h« ■ was unlucky- to be beaten, and his Auckland Cup prospects must be regarded as bright. In winning the juvenile crown last season he proved himself a fine stayer and a good racehorse. He will be handled by S. A. Edwards over the Auckland Clubs Meeting, and he will need little luck in the running to be prominent. He has raced well on grass and knows the track. •■ - It would be hard to find a pacer of greater consistency than Toorak. Although it is over twelve months since he last won a race, he has compiled a fine record of placed performances, and it has been only bad luck that has kept him from regaining the winning list. He is a most dependable performer, who is sure to give a solid account of himself, He can be relied upon to go off smartly and race kindly in any position his driver asks him to take, while he is also a good stayer and sprinter. When he left here it was undecided who would drive him at Epsom, but it is probable that he will be handled by his trainer, V*. Leaning. Waipahi's reputation has been built more on speed than stamina. He has displayed fine form over distances ranging up to a mile and a half. If •ne can be tucked in behind the lead-, ers and reserved for the v run home he should go a useful two miles, but the distance will be plenty far enough for him, and he may be seen to greater advantage over shorter journeys at thwhen etNa'vy Blue left Canterbury she appeared to have nearly reached her limit, but she has .won several races in the Auckland district'to be included in this company, and it is passible that she has improved. She is a mare who thrives on racing and work. A fast pacer, Noble Prince was not a two-miler equal to the local Blandard When he went north, and his form since has not suggested that he holds more than an outsider's chance here, but Bexley Girl has made rapid advancement under F. J. Smith and her November performances at Addmgton point to her being equal to the company she will meet on Tuesday. It is some time since Fernbrook Lass raced in Canterbury, but she is at least useful. As Fine Alt, Horse Power, Toorak, and Waipahl are still owned and trained here,, their performances will hold most interest for Canterbury followers, and their Auckland Cup prospects are held m that order. IN MINOR EVENTS. Of the local horses claiming engagements in the minor events, Gentleman Joe is sure to make a good impression. He figures in both trotters' and pacers1 classes. He does not occupy a handy mark amohg the slow-class trotters, but at his best he will be dangerous, and he is also one of the best improvers in sight ss a hoppled performer. However, he would probably do a great deal better if he was given an opportunity to develop his full powers in either department, but even though he has been asked to mix his gaits he has the ability to pay his way at Epsom. ■ ■ Connenora has shown good form up to a mile and a half, ana she is on .a good mark to pay her way. J, Young's pair, Icevus and Harlequin, should prove profitable propositions. Recent racing has shown Icevus in a good light and he appears to be a'pacyr with a future over distances less than two miles. „ . , Although he has disappointed several times of late, Sentiment is not without prospects. He figures in the intermediate classes and ne has the

speed to hold his own here. Mohican and Gay Lady are also likely improvers, and Royal Grattan and Whitstone have shown form to justify support for them in their correct company. , Probably the brightest improver from the local ranks for Epsom *s Precious Metal. He was a winner In his last start and gave the impression that he will go on to much better company than he will meet at Auckland. He has plenty of speed and stays on well. It is a long time since Canterbury sent as many horses to Auckland, and the quality of the local contingent should help to make the racing most interesting, as well as ensuring a certain amount of the stake money coming south.

For the first time for many years J. T. Paul has no representative in the Rowe Trotting Handicap at Epsom, a race he won twice with Waikaha and twice with Great Admiral. Paul has* been engaged to drive Mute in this year's event.

With the exception of the Howe Handicap, the Hamilton trainer M. Stewart has a candidate in every event at Epsom on the first day of the Summer Meeting. His representative^ are Shirley's Pal, Harlow, Civic, Navy Blue, Chaise. Tommy McElwyn, and True Trust.

Acora did not meet with the best of luck at the start in her outing at Hutt Park last month, and if taken to Clar* ville she should hot return emptyhanded. . . .