TRENTHAM PROSPECTS

Evening Star, Issue 25995, 9 January 1947, Page 3

TRENTHAM PROSPECTS

RICCARTON'S STRONG HAND SHOULD BE IN THE MONEY (Special.) CHRISTCHURCH. January S. The team from Riccarton stables for the first day of the Wellington meeting is a strong one and, taking the results of recent racing in the South Island, it sllould give a profitable account of itself. The Hurdlers. Battle Chief and Ruling. Moment make a useful pair in the Linden Hurdles. The former has been improving throughout the season, and his display at Wingatui was very impressive. He has developed into a clean jumper and has more pace and staying ability than the average hurdler in action to-day. He has undoubtedly turned out to be the sale ring bargain of the year in the South Island. Ruling Moment has had several minor placiugs, due mostly to his fast jumping, hut has not had the stamina to complete his tasks successfully. While he has always shown marked smartness as ajumper, he made several mistakes in his second attempt at, Wingtatui. and was never really dangerous. Apprentices’ Handicap. Indian Dawn makes strong appeal in the Apprentices’ Handicap. Her two decisive wins over middle distances at Wingatui elevated her to open company, but she is still eligible to compete in hack class at Trentham. rihe is entitled to be first choice on Saturday. , _ , / Wellington Stakes. Battle Abbey, Kartikeya. and Renowned appear in the Wellington Stakes, but in all probability both Battle Abbey and Renowned will he reserved for the Juvenile Handicap. Battle Abbey won at his last-start, at Riccarton. and in the face of his sale to Australia at 2,000 gs he will he an interesting candidate. He will be up against some smart North, Island juveniles, and will he put to a more severe test than at Riccarton.

Renowned has filled out a good deal since last raced and may earn some money on the trip. Kartikeya was hot raced at the New Zealand Cup meeting, and will be at a disadvantage as far as being seasoned is concerned. Muritai Handicap. Lincoln Fair, Cipher, Beautiful, and Revolte will represent Riccarton in

the Muritai Handicap. The _ firstnamed has gone along steadily in the past few weeks and can be expected, to show some of the attractive form which enabled her to win her two first races early in the season.

Cipher, it will be remembered, was purchased as a yearling for 500 gs, and a few months later was sold for 85gs because of his waywardness. He has won two races for his new owner, and although he'still has to be raced in a hood and is inclined to run about in his races he has a turn of speed and can be expected to be one. of the leaders throughout the straight six furlongs at Trentham and the long run home should be in his favour. Beautiful has won twice recently. She has been a difficult filly to train because of her track manners, but these have not affected her on race days. She is also likely to be in the forefront from the early stages and promises' to take part in the finish.. In Revolte Trentham patrons will see a macliine-like mover. She won last season, but is not blessed with much size, and as this will be her second race only this term she may not be dangerous. Lincoln Fair makes the most appeal of the quartette. The Big Event. Bruce and Foxhaven are the only Ricearton representatives in the Dominion Handicap and their form should give some idea of their prospects in the Wellington Cup. Bruce was finishing on in his only race over seven furlongs at the Dunedin meeting and is certain to have benefited from the race. He is also in the York Handicap, but in view of his candidature for the Cup he will start over the longer journey. v Foxhaven has not raced up to expectation in recent weeks and in his races over the holidays appeared as if he was tiring of the game. On the other hand Foxhaven has always done well on the Trentham course and if the going at the meeting should be soft he may spring one of his periodical surprises. The Juveniles.

Helio, engaged in the Juvenile Handicap, has not yet raced up to the high opinion held of him, but. is being given plenty of time, and the Trentham trip is being taken more for educational purposes than with idea of winning with him. York Handicap. , Assuming that Bruce will be missing from the York Handicap, Derene and Al-Sirat will be left to do battle for Ric Carton. Derene once again showed her class by 1 her easy win at Oamaru and looked. exceptionally well when given an easy sprint yesterday. She is an outstanding beginner and this asset is specially valuable at Trentham. Al-Sirat has raced solidly of late but still takes time to settle down to his work and seven furlongs may not be far enough for him. His turn may come later at the meeting. Hack Mile. Rahine, Armont, and Robiugay comprise a promising trio in the Halswell Hack Haudicap, and all should be prominent. Rahine would have been in the money in the Hazlett Gold Cup at Wingatui but for boring out badly in front most of the way. A special bit was. used to counter her hard pulling and this was thought to be the cause of her boring tactics, which she had not previously displayed. Armont- won a. high-weight 'event' at Oamaru and Robingay, a winner at. Ricearton, was finishing on into second place behind Indian Dawn over a mile and' three furlongs at Wingatui. Both, however, would appear to be held safe by Rahine.