FOR TRENTHAM

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1945, Page 12

FOR TRENTHAM

NEENAH TO MAKE TRIP

(Special to "The Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day. Neenah is to fulfil his engagement in the Whyte Handicap ■at Trentham, although he will have to carry a solid impost after his runaway win under 9.5 in the York Handicap at Ellerslie. The matter of weight may furnish food for thought on the part of the gelding's connections, for the minimum weight in the Whyte Handicap is 7.7, as against 7.0 at Ellerslie. Rara Avis and Gayj ax are expected to go on to Trentham, after racing at Hastings today. They are just average performers, but it is in their favour that they can handle the worst of tracks. British Mint is a nominee for the main fiat races at the Wellington Meeting, and in view of his lack of recent form the programme may be a bit optimistic. The chestnut has not won since last winter, but he has had only a few races this season. The British King gelding . has had several lessons over the schooling hurdles, so he may be seen in this role later on. It is probable that this schooling may sharpen him up for his future flat engagements. Park Royal has been turned out for a spell and W. Clifton will not now have him at Trentham. The mainstay of this stable will probably be La Fillette, who continues to do well at Takanini in her preparation for Trentham. She has been very consistent singe the autumn, for in eight runs she has -won three times and has been third on two occasions. She is in her element under present conditions. A jumper at headquarters being kept up to her work in view of her Trentham engagements is Good Fun, who shaped very pleasingly in a school over several hurdles a couple of mornings ago. Her efforts against the best hurdlers in the country at Trentham will be interesting, -for she has revealed definite promise of being a jumper above the average. . The appearance of Hunto's name among the entries for the main hurdle races at the Wellington Meeting indicates that he is still standing up to the tasks allotted him. He was a doubtful case on the final day of the Great Northern Meeting, when he lost his jockey six furlongs from home. Present track conditions are all in favour of him going to the post at Trentham. ■ '

Last winter Royal Jay appeared to have the makings of a first-class performer over the big fences. However, he was returned to the smaller obstacles and has run some good races in the interim. At Trentham he has hurdle engagements only, so it may be some time yet before he is again tried as a 'chaser. ,

* A useful hack doing well in his ■Wellington preparation at Ellerslie is Colonel Dink. He is expected to develop good form, and while his record to date is just fair—he'has still to win —a bright future has been "predicted for him. He will have a chance to, show his best if taken to Trentham,' for heavy going will not discount his chances.

It is not known what Ramillies's mission will be at the Wellington Meeting, for he has been entered for both the Wellington Steeplechase and the open hurdle events. In the autumn the Thames-trained gelding won the Brighton Hurdles at Ellerslie, and a few weeks later he contested the Te Rapa Steeplechase, which he won narrowly from Dauber and Sir Percy, who went on to win the two big crosscountry events at the Great Northern Meeting. At Ellerslie Ramillies reverted back, to hurdling, but he defeated all but Good Armour in the Great Northern. He may be a good prospect if taken south.