WYNDHAM MEETING

Evening Star, Issue 25679, 31 December 1945, Page 3

WYNDHAM MEETING

AURORA AUSTRALIS IN FAVOUR (Special.) INVHRCAItGILL, Dec 31. The Wyndham Racing Club’s annual New Year’s Day fixture is regarded as one of tjie most popular of the holiday meetings, and'witii good-class fields engaged an interesting day’s racing is promised. There is a wealth of recent form as a guide for calculations, as many of the horses down to race tomorrow have appeared at the threeday Dunedin meeting. Aurora Australis, Eoxchase, and Great Coon are likely to be the favourites for the Wyndham Cup, with Lisheen, Lyndall, and St. Nattar most in demand'in the President's Handicap. In spite of the recent rain the track is in first-class order.

The Wyndham Cup field is a. goodclass one, and l the issue appears very open. The favourite will be Aurora Australis, who was responsible for two outstanding performances afc Wingatui. After winning the Grandstand Handicap over a mile the first day, she was unluckily beaten by Silver Sal in tile Dunedin Cup. She has been raised to 8.5 to-morrow, and in her present form Great Coon and Sing Sing will experience difficulty in conceding her weight. Great Coon has won in his last two appearances, and, although he has not yet won beyond ' a mile, the Nigger Minstrel gelding will be well suited by the Wyndham course. On paper he appears' to have little chance with Aurora Australis at the weights, blithe will certainly make a race of it. Sing Sing has not raced since the New Zealand Cup Meeting last month. She has been given a chance to freshen up, and, judging by the decisive manner in which she won over a mile and aquarter at Winton, she must he taken into account. Joygiver has failed in recent starts, but on a firmer track the Man’s Pal gelding will be better suited. Pride of Mossburn’s third on Saturday shows that lie has not lost his good form of earlier in the season, while he will be bracketed with Te Anau Lady, who was one of the outstanding hacks raced at Wingatui. She was a winner on Saturday, and twice second to Western Front in her two previous starts, while Western Front’s open handicap success in his latest outing further enhanced the merit of Te Anau Lady’s placings. Te Anau Lady is a good-class „three-year-old, and in this field she will, hold her own. Good Cast has had three ' hard races at Wingatui, but Night Robe will have to be seriously considered. He finished fifth in the Dunedin Gup when his rider was unable to do him justice, and if he races up to that form he may upset calculations in this field. Foxchase was a good second to Great Coon in tbe Stewards’ Handicap over a mile at Wingatui; and the longer journey will play right into his hands. The turning track may not suit him, however, as he is inclined to get too far out of the running in the early stages. Those at the tail of the handicap do not appeal, and Salad 1 may prove the best of them, as she has raced solidly for a win and two placings at the Dunedin meeting. Aurora Australis, Foxehase, Great Coon may be most in demand. Lisheen may complete the Hazlett double in the President’s Handicap. After dead-heating with Grand Forest the first day at Wingatui he finished third to St." Nattar and Sterling Lad on the second day, in going that was against him. ‘He now meets St. Nattar on 81b better terms and at this difference should more than hold him safely. John Gay will be, right at home and it would create little suprise to see him return to winning form. Lyndall was unlucky the first day of Dunedin, but did not show up on Saturday. Powys will be better suited by six furlongs than he has been over seven, and a beginner of his ability is always a possibility on the Wyndham track. Green Note and Fleet Street have not shown any form for some time, and Ring Chief is much too unreliable. Loch Derg has failed in recent starts, and Crinkle would be more at home under heavy conditions. The favourites may be: Lisheen, Lyndall, John Gay. HORSES IN FORM. The following horses are in form : Trial Handicap.—Bayreuth, Wild Cry, Absentee. Diggers’ Trot Handicap.—Loyal Boy, Bill Axworthy, Caudray. Members’ Memorial Handicap.— Sunny Course, Patmos, Rhine Lord. New Year Handicap.—Te Anau Lady, Merry Lancer. Victory Trot Handicap.—Battle On, Mandrake-Volo Bond bracket, Logan Key.

Visitors’ High-weight Handicap.— Maharajah, Siegform, Sailor’s Pal.