AWAPUNI'S OPENING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 114, 15 May 1940, Page 13

AWAPUNI'S OPENING

WINTER RACING

STRONG ARRAY OF TALENT

The Manawatu Racing Club's Winter Meeting, which cpens at" Awapuni tomorrow and will be concluded on Saturday, has attracted, a splendid allround acceptance list, and patrons should be assured of some thrilling tussles. No fewer than 120. acceptors were received for the eight-event programme, and the number must constitute a near record for this period of the year. The' track' received a thorough soaking towards the end of last week, but has dried up considerably in the intervening days, and the going should be reasonably good.

The Manaws' Glub took over the winter permit of the Dannevirke Racing Club two years ago, and it is the intention of the former body to establish hurdle and cross-country racing in tl : district. ' Stakes have.been increased considerably, and naturally.a stronger class of competitor has been attracted. It is hoped that the future will bring even better success than in the past, for the Manawatu officials have in mind the laying down of a proper steeplechase course, especially for this class of competition. The Rangitira Hurdles Includes some well-performed jumping material, and a good deal of interest will centre in the showing of Charade in view of her brilliant form in this department last season. She is by no means overburdened with 11.13, for she represents real class. Curie and Soho are very capable hurdlers, but it is possible that they will be all the better for a race, and a better prospect may be Kaiwaka, who created a very good impression at Hawera. Hunting Lore's clean fencing will take him a long way, and the best of the others may be El Meynell,' Blue Tiger, and Ruling Star.. . ■

The Manawatu Winter Cup field is headed by. Classform, and although she has the steadier of 9.8 she is a real good stayer and can handle soft going. Quadroon and Dv Maurier both gave promising showings at Otaki, as did Tidewaiter, who may be the actual favourite, as he drops from 9.0 to the handy weight of 8.4. Homily and Mataroa are equal to surprising, and the best of the remainder may be Aurora's. Star.. .-.'•■

There is a wide range of recent form to select from in the Rongotea Handicap, where. Sleeveless, who will be racing on her Home track, makes strong appeal. She failed at Otaki, but she did not. experience any the best of passages and should soon improve. Rakahanga has been racing well of late, and Red Cat was in the money at Hawera. Gay' Chou and Alunga require consideration, while two interesting newcomers are Francis Drake and Grand Sport. Gold Ballad should hold the balance safe.

Betting will be on the single-pool system, and the following may be fancied:— ' . .

Rarigitane Plate.—Loyal Queen, Kincora.r

Akitio Hack and Hunters' Steeples. —Chat, Begorrah. Ruahine Handicap.—Military Maid, Sceptre. Rangitira Hurdles.—Kaiwaka or El Meynell, Charade.

Manawatu Winter Cup.—Tidewaiter, Classform.

Mangawhata Handicap, Charles, Ruatiti.

— Young

Rongbtea Handicap.—Sleeveless, Red Cat. .;■:

Ruakawa Handicap.—Sir Musket, Authoress. The acceptances are:— 11.30 RANGITANE PLATE, £125; 6 furlongs Amyas Leigh .. 8 10 Valiant Lady . 8 10 Augment .... 8 10 Vin Rouge' . 8 10 Boniden 8 10 Curtail 8 0 Cherry Hunter 8 10 Cay Jean .... S 0 China Clipper . 8 10 Golden Hind .. 8 0 Karly Tide ... 8 10 Greek Diana .. 8* 0 Great Fair ... 8 10 Humour ... 8 0 Gold Bridge ... 8 10 Inform 8 0 Klncora 8 10 Khurja 8 0 Loyal Queen . 8 10 Rnma Iti .... 8 0 Little Margot . 8 10 Silver Shekel . 8 0 Oraiti 8 10 Tractometer .. 8 0 Pillory 8 10 12.5 AKITIO HACK AND HUNTERS' STEEPLES £125; '2^4. "miles. Chat i... 10 0 Master Hector . 9 6 Begorrah ..... 10 8 Riiaform 9 5 .Red Sun ..... 10 5 Harbour Bar . 9 0 Jewish Lad ..... 10 1 Mick the Miller 9 0 Lady Dozie Boy ... 9 0 Callaghan 9 9 Sir Rodney ... 9 0 12.40 RUAHINE HANDICAP, £150; 6 furlongs. Proclamation . 9 8 St. Grace .... 7 13 Sceptre ..... 9 1 Eubatrld ... 7 13 Military Maid V 8 11 Patahi 7 11 Heroic Maid . 8 9 Buccaneer ... 7 11 Judgment ... 8 4 Rama Iti .... 7 11 Shining Hours 8 3 Parlato .... 7 11 . Vadanoo ..... 8 3 1.25 RANGITIRA HURDLE HANDICAP, £250; 1% miles. Charade ... 11 13 Ruling Star .. 9 10 Curie 11 0 Aurora's Love 9 10 Soho 10 13 El Meynell .. 9 9 Dungarvan ..10 3 War Lap .... 9 7 Kaiwaka ... 9 12 Blue Tiger ... 9 5 Hunting Lore . 9 12 Bisquit .....' 9 5 2.5 JUANAWATU WINTER CUP. £300; VA miles. Classform ... 9 8 Mataroa ... 7 13 Du.Maurier .. 9 1 Old Surrey ,. 7 11 Quadroon ... 9 0 Colonel Bogey . 7 7 Tidewalter ..8 4 Aurora's Star . 7 7 Homily ..... 8 3 Brazil 7 7 2.45 MANGAWHATA HANDICAP, £175; 1 mile and 1 furlong. Ruatlti 9 7 Stella Lux ... 7 11 Young Charles 8 10 Caution ... 7 11 Arabic 8 4 Kehua ..... 7 11 Thrasos .... 8 0 Kohika 7 11 Colibri 8 0 Renascor ... 7 11 Titter ; 7 13 Trilitha „.. 7 11 Dunmanway . 7 11 Don Quex ... 7 11 Phil 7 11 Fauvette .... 7 11 Chore Amle . 7 11 Lacan ..... 7 11 3.25 RONGOTEA HANDICAP, £200; 6 furlongs. Alunga 9 4 Screen Star .. 7 12 Rakahanga ..93 Grand Sport . 7 11 Francis Drake 9 3 Lord Cavendish 7 11 Sleeveless .. 8 7 Gold Chase . 7 7 Gay Chou ... 8 6 Gold Ballad . 7 7 Sporting Gift . 8.. .1 Hunting Royal 7 7 Red Cat ..... 80 4.5 RUAKAWA HANDICAP, £175; 7 furlongs. Authoress .. 9 7 Debretts .... 8 0 Colibri 8 9 Rakanui 8 0 Thrasos 8 7 Great Quex ..8 0 Indian Sun ... 8 7 Golden Counter .... 8 7 Enterprise 8 0 Moradabad >. 8 4 Last Acre ... 8 0 Colincamps .* 8 4 Tide ...... 8 0 St. Grace . . * 8 3 Master Sohvay 8 0 High Peer .... 8 0 Sir Musket . 8 0