Northern Angle On Main Race At Trentham

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 October 1948, Page 2 (Supplement)

Northern Angle On Main Race At Trentham

The Wellington Handicap, of £3500, run over a mile and a half at Trentham tomorrow is the centre of discussions on the Wellington meeting, but it will be remembered that this event has proved more often than not a trap for backers and has been notorious for the success of outsiders at long prices. Further, although Longsword won with 9.7 last year, it is worth noting says the Sports Post, that the majority of horses who have succeeded in the Wellington Handicap have been weighted at the lower end of the scale. The records show that only Royal Chief (9.7) and All Red )9.8) have, with Longsword, carried nine stone or over in the main springhandicap since 1909. In that year All Red, ridden by C. Jenkins, narrowly defeated Sir Tristram and Aberbrothock in a contest run in a gale. The distance then, was only one and a quarter miles.

Royal Chief’s Year

After the additional furlong was added it was 20 years before Royal Chief broke the run of “outs” of the topweights by winning with 9.7 in 1940. Following a successful campaign in Australia the previous season. the handsome son of Chief Ruler certainly established his claim to be one of the best horses to win the Wellington Handicap. He won very easily, coming from the tail of the field to beat Sly Fox by three lengths. He was successful in the weight-for-age Harcourt Stakes later at the meeting, and, after winning the Canterbury Cup and the C.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap, he retired. Longsword’s winning performance was also a worthy one, for he conceded his bracketed mate, Royal Tan, no less than 221 b and completely outstayed him. In spite of leg weaknesses, Longsword definitely proved himself one of the Dominion’s outstanding handicappers and a notable winner of the Wellington Handicap. Other good performances at the distance were those of Sunart (8.10) in 1921, Cricket Bat (8.11) in 1933, and Gladynev (8.13) in 1941. Though South Island horses figure prominently as winners of ether important handicaps at Trentham, the Wellington Handicap has not been a good race for them in the past and since 1920 only four, Cricket Bat, Argentic, Royal Chief, and Piccolo, have been successful. The biggest surprise result was that in 1937 when Shy (7.5) got up to beat the great mare, Cuddle (9.9), on the post, with Cerne Abbas third. Owned and trained by R. Lewis, and a stablemate of the famous Billy Boy, Shy paid over a third of a century. Best Stayers Engaged This year’s contest will furnish the usual North-South clash, with the 28 acceptors representing some of the best stayers in commission in the Dominion . Wearing the mantle of a champion is Signal Officer, who heads the field with 10.3, the highest weight ever awarded in the race. He is reported to be in great order at the present time and trainer J. McLennan makes no secret of the fact that he expects his charge to be on hand at the finish in spite of* his huge impost. . Hailing from Waikato is Valley Boy, whose ability is well known to Trentham racegoers. However, he is also engaged at the Auckland spring meeting .and at the present time conditions in the north may influence his connections to remain nearer home.

Runner-up last year, Royal Tan, has 111 b more on this occasion, but according to reports he is a better horse now than he was this period last season. Third in the Winter Cup, and later a winner over a mile and a quarter at the Grand National meeting in August, there is every reason for this contention. Rc-yal Tan has all the requirements of a big handicap winner, and his work at Riccarton in recent weeks has left nothing to be desired. Findon with his lack of racing, can hardly be considered over this distance, but Ballinagh came into the limelight at the Grand National meeting with a win and a second to his credit over nine furlongs and a mile and a quarter respectively. He appeals as one of the most promising young stayers in the country. Bronstar, in spite of set backs, won in courageous style over a mile and a quarter at Otaki, but there is a doubt whether he will run this distance out truly.

Claims of Kartikeya

A class four-year-old is hard to beat in the spring of the year, and Kartikeya. answers’ that description in every essential. Last season, after being the best of good things beaten in the New Zealand St Leger Stakes, he went on to an easy victory in the Great Autumn Handicap from Signal Officer, Detain, and-Desert Fox. The Riccarton four-year-old is bred on sound, staying lines, and is fully expected to play a prominent part in the decision of the big handicaps this term.

■ The Derby winner, Liebestraum. scored solidly in the mile and a quarter T. H. Lowry Memorial at Hastings last week, and he may be susceptible to further improvement. Distance should not worry him, and he finished brilliantly at Opaki last week. Indian Dawn is now nicely placed in the handicaps, and, although she failed on her last trip to Trentham in the winter, she has been , working well enough at Riccarton to suggest possibilities. Distinction was a winner at a mile at the Grand National meeting, and, although he looks a coming handicapper, he may not be quite seasoned enough at this stage to see out a mile and a half.

There are possibilities in the bottom half of the handicap and included in this category are Merry Robin, Renowned, and the recently promoted hack Coral Arc. However, on the day Kartikeya, Royal Tan, Ballinagh, and Liebestraum are expected to come in for most favour.

WELLINGTON RIDERS

Riding engagements' for Trentham are:—W. J. Broughton, Baccarat,

Champagne, Buchanan; G. R. Tattersail, Trafalgar Day, Imperial Pitoitoi, Deseado, Ballinagh/ His Lordship, Beau Bijou; W. L: Aitken, Lady Kindine, Waimanu, Barrage; V. J. Sellars, Yasda, Bronstar,'Litigate; C. A’. Bowry, La Modelie, Noble Knight, Blue Seal, Red Ruler; F. C. Cleaver, Vassilikos, Bhutan; N. L. Cavaney, Playtos, Phanion, Picta'gain; J. Harris, Emerge, Offender, Koala, Victory Night; J. Fagan, Mesalliance; G. Dulieu, Lord Holland; J." Moore, Torrent, Royal Shar. C. T. Wilson, Signal Officer, Citril, Flying Sovereign, Agnes Pearl; A. J. Stokes, Maryburn, Bosun, Corofin or Primitive; L. J. Ellis, Gdlden 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, Coral Arc.