UNLIKELY STARTER

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 105, 31 October 1939, Page 13

UNLIKELY STARTER

BEAULIVRE IN W*F,A. RACE

After Beaulivre's first close call in his racing this season in the Harcourt Stakes at Trentham last week, when he had to feel the whip to hold off a challenge from Beaupartir, some were of opinion that at a mile and a half the older horse might prove his master, and therefore interest was turned to what appeared a likely meeting in the Canterbury Cup, over that distance', on ihe tmrc: day of the New Zealand Cup Meeting next week. However, it is now most improbable that Beaulivre will be saddled up for the Canterbury Cup. Beaulivre's owner, Mr. E. C. Harnett, mentioned at the weekend that plans to race the colt in the Stewards' Handicap on Saturday and the Derby on Monday were settled priQr to the recent Wellington Meeting, and with two such races it would be asking rather much to step him out again on the Wednesday. Greatly as he would like to see. Beaulivre face Beaupartir again, he does not. hold ■ out much prospect- of such a meeting next week. Perhaps the opportunity will come at Ellerslie at Christmas, though not over 1& "miles, as there is no w.f.a. race of that distance on the Auckland card.

Beaulivre usually does well after his, races, but it has always to be remembered that he is out of a Paper Money mare, and the Paper Money blood does not as a rule stand up to excessive racing. Beaulivre has so far been studiously placed and this practice is to be maintained. Mr. Harnett is not afraid of the colt's being beaten, as witness his taking on the Stewards' Handicap under a weight that has not yet been carried to success by a three-year-old in the race, but he places the interests of the colt before all other considerations. -

Many owners have had a tendency, particularly in. recent years, to race good horses to a standstill while they are in winning form. Mr. Harnett is showing commendable wisdom in not joining that throng. He does not say that Beaulivre will not run in the Canterbury Cup, but. only that it is most unlikely that he will do so.