Trentham Candidates Starred At Washdyke

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 October 1948, Page 7

Trentham Candidates Starred At Washdyke

[SPECIAL TO STAR]

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

Main interest in the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s spring fixture on Saturday was centred on the performances of horses booked to race at Trentham next Saturday, and the successes of five of them, Detain, by Coral Arc, Flying Sovereign, Citril, and The Grate, drew attention to their prospects on the trip. Detain made a marked improvement in his jumping in the Otaio Hack Hurdles when allowed to show his superior pace from the outset, and except for running down the last fence, he gave a very encouraging display to record his first win over the battens. He has been given plenty of time to make good as a hurdler, and on the minimum at Trentham, as against 9.7 on Saturday, he has to be kept in view. Blanket, also an acceptor for Trentham, repeated his Wingatui behaviour by standing on the mark until the field was almost a furlongon its way, and although he completed the course and had some schooling, he was a long way back at the finish. It is doubtful if the risk of making the trip with him will be taken.

Three Failures

Frances, Julius Caesar, and Musselman, engaged in the Wainui Handicap, all failed in the Flying Handicap. Frances was never prominent, but Julius Caesar, although well back early, executed some telling work over the concluding stages to finish close up to the fourth horse Erinborough. He was not in much demand, and the race can be expected to do him a lot of good. Musselman was also somewhat neglected on the machine. He was always about the middle of the field. Musselman shaped well on the second day of the Dunedin meeting when the ground was very heavy, and his prospects at Trentham can be assessed accordingly. Flying Sovereign indicated her chance in the Desert Gold Stakes by her convincing win over six furlongs in the Taiko Hack Handicap. She was always handy in behind the two leaders, and when straightened up for home, she soon drew to the front. This Airway filly has improved to a marked degree in the last month, and must be considered a dangerous candidate in the Desert Gold Stakes. Finigin, who is engaged in the Rimutaka Hack Handicap, gave a disappointing display in the same race, but Primitive, carrying the Greenwood colours, attracted notice by finishing fast into fourth place, a length from the third horse, after being one of the rear division to the home turn. A high opinion is held of this Defaulter filly, especially from a staying point of view.

Not His True Form Kartikeya’s failure to be at all prominent in the Teschemaker Handicap was a severe blow to his host of supporters. He carried £1937 on the win machine as against £643 on the second choice and winner Coral Arc. He soon drifted to the rear with Indian Dawn, and although he improved a little rounding the home turn, he ,was still several lengths from the leaders turning for home. It was then expected he would make one of his customary challenges on the outside, but he was taken towards the inner and v was not again sighted. This was certainly not Kartikeya’s true form, and he can be expected to shape better at Trentham. Coral Arc, winner of the race, was having his first race in open company, and his success was very impressive. He closely followed Avonbridge and Clyde Bridge into the straight, but the run home had not long been in progress before he streaked past them to carry on to have the easiest win of the day. Coral Arc, who is a thick-set four-year-old colt by Coronach, and has been patiently prepared by J. C. Tomkinson for his Dunedin owner, Mr A. N. Smith. Coral Arc bids fair to reach much greater heights during the season, and in the meantime, will carry plenty of South Island support in the Wellington Handicap. A Speedy Sprinter Citril pointed to her prospects amongst the sprinters at Trentham by her win in the Flying Handicap in the fast time of 1.12. She appeared to be in for a decisive win until a few strides from the post when she took advantage of her rider easing up on her, and she had to be kicked up to her work to hold off Connaught. Citril would derive much benefit from the race, and should at least pay her way on the northern trip. Top Deck, who finished in third place to Citril and Connaught, led through the middle stages to the straight entrance, and he too would

be all the better for the race. He was eliminated from the Shorts Handicap on Saturday, but may make the trip for the later days. This Top Row colt, first attracted attention by beating Magical as a two-year-old, and he is likely to hold his own in the best of company. . The Grate, in spite of recent failures, was confidently supported to win the concluding event, over a mile and 35 yards, and had a clearcut win. She headed the leaders Sorry and Beaugency early in the run home, and had the issue in hand a furlong from the post. This Salmagundi Trivet mare, was bred and is owned and trained by D. P. Wilson, who should have a successful trip north with Super, The Grate, and Frances.

Riders for Trentham Riccarton riders’ engagements at Trentham next Saturday include:—C. T. Wilson: Signal Officer, Citril, Flying Sovereign, Agnes Pearl. A. J. Stokes. Maryburn, Bosun, Corofin or Primitive. L. J'. Ellis: Golden Amber,.Royal Tan, Sweet Nymph, Ballochbuie, Trinidad. M. J. McClintock: Balkis. C. McDonald: Kartikeya, Robinfaye. K. Nuttall: Indian Dawn, Julius Caesar, Helio, Garry. K. Thomson: Glad Fox. N. Crombie: Caronia, Fortune’s Smile. K. Hickey: Pride of Mossburn. D. F. Coombe will ride Coral Arc. Mated with Josedale Grattan The winner of the 1942 and 1943 New Zealand Cup Handicaps, Haughty, which recently foaled a colt to the 1945 New Zealand Cup Handicap winner, Gold Bar, has been mated with Josedale Grattan, which won the cup m 1941 for Messrs Pezaro and Bridgens.

Barrier Reef The promising five-year-old trotter, Barrier Reef, which was educated and trained for his early races by E. Todd (Wyndham), was transferred to the care of the Halswell trainer, H. J. Smith, after racing in the Bayfield Handicap at Forbury Park on Saturday. Sent out second favourite for the Bayfield Handicap, Barrier Reef never appeared as a possibility after breaking at the start.

New Zealand Derby Stakes After the final forfeit, the following horses remain in the New Zealand Derby Stakes to be decided on the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s cup meeting on November 6:—Josedale Dictator — Whispering Grass c, Direct Chief, Star Rosa, Gold Bar—Renown’s Last g, Colinette, Trevor de Oro —Madora. f. Merrymaker, Vigilant, Zantileer, Scottish Nurse, Sir Leonard, Chamfer, Brilliant Globe—Lady Ham c, World Charter, ’ Prince Regent, Aerogard, Springfield Globe —Lilian Bond c, Spring Fashion, Peter Smiths—Del Reo c, Peter Smith—Princess Beverjley c, Peter Smith—Our Princess f, Perpetua, Honest Truth, Bronze Gold, Lucky Jack —Amulet c, Josedale Dictator —Native Huon c, Jack Potts—Lady Finance c, .Springfield Globe—Lady Antrim c, josedale Grattan —Del Potts ■ c,. Our Bexley, Josedale Grattan—Modem Lady f, Sea Pirate, U. Scott—Two Crosses c. Forthcoming Fixtures Racing October 16.—Auckland. October 16.—Geraldine. October 16, 23, 25.—Wellington. October 23.—Banks Peninsular. October 23—Rotorua-Bay of Plenty. October 23, 25—Gore. October 25.—North Canterbury. October 25.—Waikato. October 25.—Poverty Bay. October 25.—Waverley. October 29, 30.—Whangarei. October 30.—Rangitikei. Trotting October 16. —Wanganui. October 16.—Forbury Park, October 23.—Greymouth. October 23.—Auckland. October 25.—Greymouth. October 25.—Auckland. October 25.—Oamaru. October 30. Invercargill. October 30.—Thames. October 30.—N.Z. Metropolitan.