Otago Candidates Hold Strong Hand in Hurdles at Trentham

Evening Star, Issue 26154, 16 July 1947, Page 7

Otago Candidates Hold Strong Hand in Hurdles at Trentham

Good Armour, the Wellington Steeplechase winner, will be attempting .to win a difficult double if he is started in the Winter Hurdles at on Saturday. Should he succeed, he will also b’e completing a double in the Winter Hurdles, as he won the race two years ago after a great- battle with Arabian Night. ' A highlight of the history of the Winter Hurdles is . the unusual feat of Nukumai, who, in 1927, followed his successes in the Whyte and Parliamentary Handicaps, on the first two days of the meeting, with a brilliant win in the Winter Hurdles. Nukumai performed many other notable feats, but his treble success at Trentham is a performance which is not likely to be equalled. The field for the Winter Hurdles on Saturday is not an outstanding one, but several of the candidates have some good form behind them, y and it should be an interesting contest.

The shorter hurdle races on the first two days of the meeting have not always proved a reliable guide for the two and a-quarter mile journey, while the inclusion of fresh horses always poses a problem for the punters. Amorlad, who was successful on the first day in his only appearance at the meeting, and Bay Robe, the winner of the Lambton Hurdles last Saturday, wore botli impressive in'their winning efforts, and they are certain to be among the most discussed candidates in the Winter -Hurdles. Foxstar and Desert Treik, who have been placed twice, are the only other candidates likely to attract strong support because of their ■ hurdle form at the meeting. Prefers Firm Track..

Being a big upstanding horse and a bold galloper, who has previously won under big imposts, Prize Ring will not be neglected because of his weight, 11.8. He last raced over hurdles in June at Ellerslie, where he followed his success in- the Hunt Club Hurdles with a third and a win in the open events on the concluding days. He did not carry less than list in any of the races, and was running on strongly at the end of two miles, the distance of each of the three races. A heavy track will count against him on Saturday, but should the going be reasonably firm be will be a formidable candidate.

After being a disappointment on the first day, Bay Robe was . kept closer to the leaders in his race last Saturday, and he gave a much better performance to win well from Foxstar. He has been penalised 61b for that success, making his weight 11.0, and he does not appeal so Btrongly over the longer journey, although he must be considered as a place prospect. Should the going become heavier he will be well suited. The Monarch boast of any outstanding form this season, and he had to be eased recently after stifling a fence at the Hawke’s Bay 7 meeting. A-sound stayer and a rare mudlark, he would have better prospects if the track became really heavy. Amorlad Impressive! Amorlad was much more impressive in his success than Bay Robe, and the handicapper has increased his weight ,to lQ.llj with a penalty of 9lb, against Bay Robe’s 61b. It is in the YVingatui gelding’s favour that,’he can stay, if ridden in behind, and tradk conditions will not trouble-him. He gave his best display of jumping to date in the Trentham Hurdles, and, as was not surprising, he outpaced his rivals in the run from the last hurdle after being kept behind the leaders to that stage. If ridden a similar race on Saturday, Amorlad would again be hard to beat." Good Armour is rather a difficult horse to assess. Two years ago he won the Great Northern-Winter Hurdles double and almost completed the treble in the National at Riccarton. Since re-

appearing this winter his only success was in the Wellington Steeplechase, but form over country is not often- a reliable guide to prospects over the smaller obstacles Perhaps the best guide to his ability would be the Great Northern Hurdles, in which he finished strongly into fourth place. He should be all the better for the racing he has had, and he appeals as-having a stayer’s chance. 'Doubtful Starter. Royal Writ is also a difficult horse to assess. His form over country may prove misleading 'now that be is being switched back to hurdling, while on the other hand his latest successes may be taken as an indication, that he is a vastly-improved horse. If judged on his hurdle .form, which should prove the most reliable, he can be counted out, and the other southern candidates should all beat him home. Royal Writ is not a certain starter a'nd if he does not go to the post R. Heasley will probably take the mount on Prize Ring, Representative has not been impressive this season, but he is a good stayer who shows odd flashes of form. Foxstar does riot appear to be very brilliant, but he is consistent, his last six starts over hurdles having resulted in two wins, two seconds, and two thirds. One of his best performances was iii the Great Northern Hurdles, in which ho was third with 9.6 on his back. He now has 10.1 to carry and he should not be very far away at the finish.

Voltaire is not very reliable and Mary Lee should be a better proposition. With the track to suit her last Saturday. Mary Lee was expected to shape well, but she was not a possibility at any stage. The lapse may oifly be temporary and she is capable of a much better performance tfiia week.' Good Light-weight. Desert Trek may prove the best of the light-weights and he is entitled to support on the place machine. He was far more impressive than Amorlad and [Royal Writ at the Dunedin June meeting and their subsequent from suggests that Desert Trek has not been seen at bis best at Trentham. A good stayer with a light weight, he should not be outclassed and-it would not occasion surprise if he proved the best of the South .Island horses. Glad Fox has not struck form this winter and Batal is not consistent enough to call for support. Whirlwind Star is improving with racing and being a good stayer he should soon improve on the third placings registered in his last three starts. On paper horses, from Otago hold a particularly strong hand, and at this early stage the best prospects appear to be Amorlad, Good Armour, Desert Trek, and Foxstar, and Prize Ring will enter calculations if the track dries out in the next few days.