A STRONG HAND

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 150, 22 December 1945, Page 10

A STRONG HAND

VISITORS AT TARANAKI (Special to "The Post.") >

AUCKLAND, This Day

Several ' Auckland trainers and jockeys will patronise outside racing centres during the holiday meetings, the great majority of them once again making for the Taranaki,and Stratford fixtures.

M. Stack, of Paeroa, will, however, travel to Awapuni for. the Manawatu Meeting with a team of three —Gaymeer. Playfellow, arid General Menteith. The last-mentioned pair carry the colours of Mr«. G. Courtney, who "achieved a remarkable' run of success several years ago with Gay Blonde. Gay Sheila, and Gay Sheik,Gaymeer. is a useful sort of horse who runs good races without being in the same class as his dam, Gay Sheila, but he is liable to win one of the . shorter open races at Awapuni Playfellow is an improving hack, and he too may collect a stake before he returns home. General Menteith has not shown any form as yet, but was prominent to the distance in his division of the Waipa Plate.

The list of Auckland horses accepted for.at New Plymouth on Boxing Day numbers only about half of the quota from this centre in preceding years In the Rahotu Hurdles, the best of the northern trio may be Hunting Mac and Water Flight. Trustful, after her fine second to Royal Scot at Te Rapa, stands out in the Huatoki Plate, and Gay Fault and Jocelyn Ann are lesser lights with some speed. Gay Fault may do better over a longer journey on the second day. „ No form has yet been shown by Irish Poet and Maida Vale, who are engaged in the Juvenile,'but their work must have improved to warrant the trip being made. No fewer than eight Auckland hacks are in the Tikorangi Handicap, and the likeliest may be Polotown (prominent for most.of the way at Te Awamutu when making her first appearance as a three-year-old), Persisto, and Observatory. Polotown should go close to winning.

Seafire, a close fourth at his last start, appears to be returning to form, and he is a northern hope for the Atiawa Hack, while Hunting Park is a place proposition. Greek Chief, from Hawera, is also in this event, and after his fine third at /Te Awamutu last week should go well.

Sousa is- capable of leading all the way in the Christmas Handicap, with the Grey Salute-Jollyfox bracket a useful second string for Aucklanders. Prince Revel, who.will be ridden by the stable apprentice V. Anderson, will be hard to beat in the Flying Handicap, and Our Joy may be second best. Firm Lass is returning to form and should be worth following in her hack engagements on the circuit.