SIR DINGLE BACK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 103, 3 May 1945, Page 10

SIR DINGLE BACK

TO RACE AT WHANGAREI

(Special to "The Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day. Handicaps for the Great Northerns and the Cornwall Handicap are due io make their appearance on Wednesday next. ~ The weights issued on Monday tor the Poverty Bay T.C. fixture at Te Aroha next week have been cancelled,, the due date for their appearance being postponed until after this weeks racing at Whangarei. Sir Leon has not raced for a couple of months, but he is under orders this week for Whangarei, where the hack sprint will be his mission. Earlier in the season this three-year-old revealed plenty of promise and his subsequent failures were put down to the fact that he did not do well. He has plenty of speed. Saffron Walden claims two engagements at Whangarei, over six furlongs and a mile. He may be able to go a middle distance, but he is not a big horse and the lower scale in the shorter event should suit him "better, even if the class is stronger. Sir Dingle had a race at the Avondale Meeting a month ago, his first for a long time, and with soft tracks in evidence he should not be long in showing up in his engagements. He is at his best under the prevailing conditions, and up to a mile and a quarter he may be good enough to win a handicap event. He is engaged in the mile at Whangarei. •

It will be interesting to see how Callinan fares in the open six furlongs at Whangarei. The Chatsworth filly W9n two races this season, but has failed so far, with limited opportunities; to bridge the gap to open company. When she won at Ellerslie at the end of January she impressed, and the sprint at Whangarei may see her stage a return to form, for the small field will suit her. .

The victory of Royal Musk at Te Rapa last Saturday was an indication of the weakness of the field in the Churchill Handicap, for it was only the second success of his career. His task might have been more difficult had not Neenah's rider tried to win so far from home. This pair may meet again in the principal handicap' event at Te Aroha next week and this contest may be more interesting, especially if the southern candidate, Broiefield, lines up. . A southern entrant for the Waimata Hurdles at Te Aroha is Moderate, who has previously won a hurdle race! in the north, at Te Rapa. If he starts it will be his introduction to racing the reverse way round and it will be a rehearsal for his Great Northern engagement. Hunto and Stock Exchange, the two outstanding hurdlers at the last Great Northern Meeting, are also in the Waimata Hurdles.

An entrant for the Great Northern Steeplechase is Red Falcon, who made history at Ellerslie two years ago by winning a, steeplechase after his rider had ]ost both irons half-way through

the contest. He has been nominated for the minor hurdle race at Te Aroha and if he comes through this all right he will fulfil his Ellerslie engagements. It remain;: to be seen if he will be seasoned enough for a tiring race like the Great Northern and he will be in better order for the Grand National two months later.

Betterman has yet to race over obstacles in his h6me province, although he revealed plenty of promise when taken south in the middle of the season. He has been entered for the Hack and Hunters' Hurdles at Te Aroha as well as the principal flat race, and whether he will contest the former event will depend upon the 'weight allotted him. He is in excellent order and will relish present track conditions.

The most impressive winner at Te Rapa last week was Brantome, whose success in the Cunningham Hurdles was achieved in the manner of a brilliant jumper. He has been nominated for the open hurdles at Te Aroha and this will-give a further line on his future prospects. He may be giyen another run at Te Rapa, and it will then be decided whether'he will take his place in the Great Northern.

Nepe;ta; scored convincingly in the open seven furlongs at Te Rapa and he is going to Be one of the favourites if he-takes on the .Electric Handicap at Te Aroha. Now that he has started winning in the open class he wijl probably go .on with it.. One of his opponents next week 'may be tire southern galloper Findon. ' ■■■