SPORTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 138, 13 June 1942, Page 8

SPORTING

MANAWATU FIELDS

STRONG ARRAY OF TALENT

(By "Binocular.")

With the development of Awapuni as a training centre, more particularly with some stables housing a: number of jumpers, the need for. greater facilities resulted in the .Manawatu Racing Club making provision for fchasers; Trees on. the southern" and; eastern borders were .cut down so as to widen the course proper, -which permitted i of. the erection of x several permanent fences for; cross-country performers. The steeplechase events at Awapuni became a much- better • test than before and it is now customary for trainers from afield to take the opportunity of giving their charges racing at Awapuni before 'coming on to Trentham for the' Wellington Winter Meeting. This programme, was upset last season by the abandonment of the Wellington Winter gathering, but the itinerary should go through successfully this year. Not Really Strong.—lt was rather surprising to find only ten horses nominated for Hhe Manawatu Steeplechase on the opening, day next Saturday, but at the time of writing four winners over country in the current term were included, Enjoyment. Foxiana, Chat,'and Ruling Star. There is a further ti^o who were, down to compete at .Hastings today, and it is not impossible' that the band of winners will haye been carried further by the time this note appears. Better Support.—Whereas the Manawatu Steeplechase is run over a distance of, three miles and carries a stake of £350, the.Awapuni Steeplechase on the second day is half a mile shorter* with the stake less by £75. Contrary to expectations the latter event has attracted just double the number of entries, and. the inclusion of Hessketoon, Brandon Hall, Cherry Plum, etc., adds materially to the calibre of the talent engaged. Classy Field.—The Manawatu Winter Cup, to be run at Awapuni next Saturday, has attracted the majority of the best handicappers around this circuit, including Lambourn, Yogi, Amigo, Noble Fox, Old Bill, Centretfoise, Classform. Minority, The Monarch, Aurora's Star-, etc. Visiting northerners include Erndale, Sir Cameron, Full Hand, Vitement, and ;Expellant, while the South Island will be represented by Atreus and Beau Ciel. It is a classy field. Wellington Nominations.—Nominations fore all events at the Wellington Winter Meeting, to be held at Trentham on July 4 and 11 close on Monday, at 5 p.m..■ '' ■ •- :■ ' '■'■ ' .-!.•■'■■■ ■• ■ Brief Career.—Big things were expected o£ Golden Eagle, a son of Fairway from the Swynford mare Golden Silence (descended from the famous Pretty Polly) when he came to the Dominion, but he died a few months after his arrival. There will be a few of his get to race, and the name Silent Tor has been claimed for a chestnut filly from Saxony, the dam of Saint Tor and Saxon Tot. Promising.—Although he has not succeeded in winning a race this season, the Gynerium—Lady Bentinck juvenile Transcend ran ,a very creditable third at the Avondale Meeting, Earlier in his career Transcend showed promise at * Trentham, but the expected win has been a long time com- ! ing. Another Term.—The crack Sydney I apprentice J. Thompson recently com-, pleted his indentured term with the Raridwick trainer F. Daltpn. As he cannot secure a jockey's licence until he is 21, Thompson has signed up fpr a furtliar'terin. Doing Well.—Even* though his first win came in humble company-at Kumara as a three-year-old,. Rockery has drawn'attention this,season by fol-lowing-up a win oh the flat on the same course by scoring as a hurdler and asa hack steeplechaser in atrongfer company, away from his home circuit. He is a product, of the Pommern. horse Dolomite from the Arausiomare.Rhea, who was bred by Mr.J. D. Ormondin Hawke's Bay. During 'her career Rhea won -only one race, < a Trial1 Plate at Pahiatua back in 1033 when ridden by Keith Vditre, but her son has proved definitely superior.