WELLINGTON NOVEMBER MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 107, 1 November 1940, Page 12

WELLINGTON NOVEMBER MEETING

(By "Ariki Toa.")

HORSES IN LIKELY FORM TOMORROW

Few phase's of the Turf have made such convincing strides in popularity as the light-harness. sport in Wellington, and present indications are that it will continue to maintain its metropolitan status. The stakes offered by the club are now among the best in the Dominion, and the class competing at the Park is the highest it is possible to secure from the intermediate xanks.

An added stimulus to patronage from owners and trainers was the fact that the club decided at the opening of the season to- present, trophies offered by. individual. members to the most successful trainer and driver. Up to the present only one meeting has been held, and-the following eight drivers have each won a race:—A. G. Farland, M. Stewart, F.. Holmes, P. P. Gallagher,] J. Bryce,. jun., R. H. Butterick, A. Holmes/and; F. G. Holmes, and the trainers'" list is the same with the ex-j ception that F. C. Dunlevy replaces J. Bryce, jun. The heavy rain that fell during the last weekend has had a beneficial! effect on the track, but with the break in the weather there is every indication of favourable conditions prevailing tomorrow. Unless the weather should unexpectedly change again, the track should be in splendid order. The usual road and rail facilities will be available to the Park. Special trains to the course will leave Wellington at 10.55 a.m. and 11.15 a.m., also ordinary trains (change at Woburn) at 11.48 a.m., 12.9 p.m., 12.22 p.m., and 12.41 p.m. The following is a review of the form: —

The feature event is the Royal Han,dicap, in which nine first-class intermediate pacers are down to compete. As the result of his splendid form over distances up to a mile and a half this year Stormtost will probably be installed favourite, and his prospects appear bright. He has taken a record of 3min 18sec over the journey, and as he now figures off the front of 3.25 class he would only require to race up to past showings to take a power of beating. Kilrea registered 3min 21sec to win at New Brighton, and her recent,consistency entitles her to serious consideration. Happy Locanda is more happily situated in the handicap than she has been for some time past, and she should be dangerous. Three Tens and Tinker are possibilities, especially the former, who is better than his latest displays would suggest. Zincali and Palomar are bracketed, while Mongolian was in the money on three occasions at Epsom last week. The second/ "leg," the Electric Handicap, has attracted practically the same field as in the Royal Handicap, the newcomers being Nell Grattan and Bayard. Sprint races are' invariably won from the front' of the handicap, and off this mark are speed merchants in Stormtost, Happy Locanda, Three Tens, and Kilrea. All have proved themselves over mile and a quarter journeys, and they should be in the thick of the fray from the outset. Further back Worthy Need, Mongolian, Nell Grattan, and Bayard are worthy of consideration. The opening event is the Petone Handicap, which in the past has often

The light-harness season will be advanced. a further stage when the Wellington Trotting Club's. November Meeting is staged at Hutt Park tomorrow. The meeting will mark the completion of four days' racing and trotting in Wellington, and quite a carnival spirit has invaded sporting circles. Good fields are listed for all events, and the form is likely to prove a valuable guide -towards the solving of near-at-hand issues. Excellent racing is promised throughout the day, with clashes between the best of the Noith and South Island contingents providing interesting contests.

provided an upset. At Easter Short Wave was responsible for three solid displays to win on the Hawera circuit, and as she showed a fair degree of solidity in her outings she should be hard to beat in this class. Danzie Guy possesses any amount of speed, but of late he has been jeopardising his chaiaces by breaking at the start, while Patti Nelson would only require to retain an even gait to be in the picture. Peter Harvester and Hamel Bey will be supported, but a better prospect may be Elite Eey, who is making steady headway and is a reasonably solid trotter. , - A satisfactory class of maiden talent [has been drawn for the Short Handi[cap in which the favourites may be First Call, Ben Travis, and Gold Flight. All three pacers have been in the money this season, and they should be improved by recent racing. Falaise was in the money at Greymouth, and Quite True is reported to have shown promise at Aldington. The best of the others may be Solicitor and Mickey Rooney. . , ■ , An innovation is the slow-class twomile event, the Borough Handicap, and the race presents a problem, for none of the candidates have shown any form over the longer journey. Neutrality, Single Star, Jack Sprat, and Kid Wolf are improvers on recent showings, especially Neutrality, who would gain a lot of benefit from his experience at Hutt Park last month. The best of the remainder may be Titus arid William Potts. The trotters have a second opportunity in the President's Handicap, and has previously proved the best guide in similar races at the Park, backers may be content to pin their faith m the displays of earlier in the day. There are no newcomers, and Expensive Lady and Elite Rey are the only ones to have won at two miles. Similar remarks apply to the Novice Handicap, in which the same field is engaged as that, of the Short Handicap, and here again the placed horses in their first start should provide the favourite. Scapa Flow is likely to set a strong pace in the Suburban Handicap, and,if reserved for this event she should take a lot of beating. She ran a very encouraging third over a mile and a half at Oamaru on Labour Day, and over the shorter distance her prospects appeal strongly. Jack Sprat, Mackscot, and Neutrality are capable pacers, and Single Star and Blue Diamond merit consideration.

FOJtM AND CARD. y Betting will be on the win-and-place system, and the following may be fancied:— -

Petone Handicap.—Short Wave, Elite Rey, Danzie Guy. , Short Handicap.—First Call, Gold Flight, Ben Travis. . Borough Handicap. — Neutrality, Single Star, i Jack Sprat. Royal Handicap.—Stormtost, Kilrea, Happy Locanda. President's Handicap.—Elite Rey, Short Wave, Danzie Guy. Novice Handicap.—Gold Flight, First Call, Ben Travis. Suburban Handicap.—Scapa Flow, Neutrality, Single Star. Electric Handicap.—Kilrea, Stormtost, Happy Locanda.