SPORTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 136, 10 June 1943, Page 6

SPORTING

MANAWATU STEEPLES

CLASS 'CHASERS ENGAGED

(By "Binocular.")

Even though the majority of the candidates for the Manawatu Steeplechase are of the hack and hunters' class, there is a very fair representation of the better-performed sorts, among them Gold Spot, winner of the Winter Steeples at Ellerslie with 11.10, Chat, winner of the G.N. Steeples on the same course with 10.1, The Cardinal, runner-up to Chat, Spendthrift, winner of the Great Western and Rivertori Steeples (this southerner -had 11.11 on the latter occasion), Hanover, the Wanganui Steeplechase winner, Bisquit, who won the Melville Hack and Hunters' Steeples very impressively at Te Rapa recently, and Abbey Lv, winner of the Greenlane Steeples on the second day at Ellerslie last Monday. It is a grand array of talent.

Club Contributes.—At a meeting yesterday of stewards of the Wellington Racing Club it was decided to subscribe £10,000 to the Third Liberty Loan.

Trentham Appointment.—Mr. A. V. O'Brien, Wellington, has been appointed judge's assistant for the July Meeting at Trentham. This position was originally filled by the late Mr. D. J. Guiney. Cup Candidates.—The majority of the horses that contested the Connolly Handicap at Marton last Saturday are engaged in the Manawatu Winter Cup, a £400 race. But there are several prospective runners who raced at Ellerslie recently, two winners, Alethea and Theolateral, being of the number. Northern stables will be represented by Air Port and Clipper, and judged on his effort at Te Rapa the former must be accorded a chance.

Back Again.—Bojoyna, who beat Rcyal Lancer in the Southland Cup in November, the latter then going on to win the N.Z. Cup whereas Boloyna failed badly, is down to return to racing at the Manawatu Meeting. This Paper Money gelding, a good winter performer, is engaged in the Rongotea Handicap, 7 furlongs, and will no doubt afterwards come on to Trentham.

, Lost Position.—After beginning particularly well, Hippodrome lost his position going down the back in the Connolly Handicap at the Wanganui Meeting. He had some ground to make up over the last three furlongs, but was fast gathering up the leaders in the straight. Another couple of strides and he would have won.

Good Efforts.—Amigo, Centrepoise, and Sly Fox were all at good prices in the Connolly Handicap at the Wanganui Meeting, and the first^named pair ran highly creditable races, being practically together just in behind the placed division.' Sly Fox showed a lot of speed in the early stages, but did not go on with it. The outing should be beneficial to all three.

Won Well.—Earlier in the term Pompit was very much in the "boom," but failures round the smalls led to his being at long odds for the Winter Oats at the Wanganui Meeting. The Pombal gelding was well served by P. Atkins, who got him away well and kept him up to his work, with the result that an overdue return came the way of his owner-trainer, the one-time hurdle horseman, C. P. Shield, of Hastings.

Great Run.—Unlucky in being badly left at the barrier in the open sprint at Marton, Autolite was trailing the field approaching the turn for home. In the straight the Autopay mare put in some telling work to get up for fourth. It was a great bid from a hopeless position.

Nice Type.—Phalaria, winner of the first division at Marton, is a boldlooking type who should go further in the game. He is by Phaleron Bay from the Arausio mare Aratulla, a halfsister to Foxiana, Hunting Lore, and Old Surrey, and races in the same interest, j

Failed.—Fox-brae, for the Empire Hack Handicap at Marton, was one of several troublesome members at the barrier. Finally, he got away quite well, but did not run on as expected. The only excuse that can be advanced is that the delay was upsetting to him.

At Good Price.—The Trentham representative Foxcatcher, did well to get up for fourth in the Empire Hack Handicap at Marton, for he had a lot of ground to make up. His backers were rather unlucky, for he was at long odds.

Promising.—Without threatening real danger, Siyana ran quite a sound race in the hack seven at Marton. This mare is well enough bred to go far, for she is by Bulandshar from Hathor, dam of Hest, Shu, and Hagen. Second Start.—After having to be content with eighth place at his first start at Marton, Ringcraft was accorded a change of riders for his second attempt later in the day. He was again a trifle slow to move, but assisted by a run along the rail he came home solidly for second in the hack sprint. Those who kept with him gained their reward.

Late Run.—Having her first start for some time, Broiveine came home particularly well for sixth in the Empire Hack Handicap at Marton. On that performance she should not take long to return to the winning list.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Interested."—C, S3 3s 6d; J.C., Si 9s and £1 17s 6d; S.S. (third), £1 6s.