QUANTITY--WITH 13 RACES-- ORDER OF DAY AT FRANKLIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 2 May 1947, Page 3 (Supplement)

QUANTITY--WITH 13 RACES--ORDER OF DAY AT FRANKLIN

(Herald Special Service.) fields are the order for the one-day Franklin race meeting which will be held on the Pukekohe racecourse to-morrow. A good programme has been arranged. The acceptances are such that provision has been made to run five of the flat races in divisions so that it appears as if a drawn-out programme of 13 races will eventuate.

PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP The chief flat race of the day is the President’s Handicap, in which close on 30 have paid up. The top-weight, AIR PORT, 8.13, has not won on the flat for some time, and what is more is in need of racing. BALMACARA, 8.10, at the distance may go out very, nearly favourite. GAY LALLY, 8.8, might be past his best as in his last start he was left at the post and took no part in the race and in the attempt that prefaced that one weakened in the run home. TWEEDSMUIR, 8.0, is another that might be on the toboggan. LEIGH HARK, 8.0, is now due to come into his own again. BABROW, 7.10 has a fair amount of form on his side and what is more is fighting fit. OUR GOLD, 7.8. likes it hock deep and also might prefer a longer course than a mile and a quarter. PEGGY ’O, .7.8. is making her debut in open company and in her present racing condition is not without a fair chance of success.

RULING MASTER, 7.5. has been througli a course of hurdling, which may have proved beneficial, lie ran some fair races last winter in cpen company and on soft going. HUNTING RUA, 7.5,. on Rotorua form would be a possibility. , but he has failed since. RA ORA, 7.11 might surprise. Of the light-weights, BEDIVERE, BATTLE ROYAL (hard to follow), and COMMISSAR may do as well as any of the others.

PAERATA HANDICAP CONTAGO, 8.12, had good form early in the season but in the past he has always been a good winter performer. . , PARK ROYAL, 8.11. has recent form to recommend his chances on, while WHITE BLAZE, 8.7, although not consistent. always has to be taken into consideration. SUPERVAALS, 7.9, on his meritorious win in open sprint class at the last Auckland meeting may be the favourite here. , . There are many more engaged in this event, but the winner seems to be

in the first half of the acceptance list. Of the lightweights the most dangerous /. on form might be OLD SCOT, DESERT PATROL, TAKE-A-LOT, MALEE (in need of a race but good on winter going). IRISH POET and GRAND TOURIST. PAPAKURA STEEPLES The summing up of the steeplechasers will take a little working out. That old battler Rcttcrman, 10.11, is one that must always be considered in a race of this class. Jemmy Button, 9.11, is a recent hurdle winner so has the right racing condition. Roman Orator, 9.7, is schooling pleasingly, while Dinkum Pal, 9.3, was second over Ellerslie country at Easter, in which race Scale, 9.1. was third, so this pair have something to back up their chances on. The winner may be contained in the remainder, but there is none with much form to lead one to assume so. _ Yhe minor races Big fields are carded for all the minor races and only the Hurdles and the Harrisville Handicap have not drawn over the safety number. These minor events contain fields of very even quality and the solving of the problem does not seem very easy. FRANKLIN FANCIES (Herald Special Service.) Although the going is likely to be soft after heavy rain yesterday, the outlook is promising for the Franklin Racing Club's winter meeting at Pukckohe to-morrow. Very large fields are carded, and it is probable that four races will have to be divided. Two scratchings are required to obviate 'lie need for divisions in the President’s Handicap. Horses likely to be well supported include: Papakura Hack and Hunters’ Steeplcs.-Jemmy Button, Roman Orator, Dinkum Pal-Musical Raid bracket. Olaua Hack Handicap.—First Division: Balancer, Aylesbury, Supervision, Second Division: Swift Fox, Light Opera, Abbey Pay. Winnie Stakes.—-First Division: Robin Leigh, Woolooga, Paul Gregor. Second Division: Wonder Boy, Omar Kliyyam, Kind Regards. President’s Handicap.—Balmacara, Peggy O, Leigh Hark. Oncwhero Hurdles.—Spirillum, Ballinasloc, Stock Exchange. Harrisville Hack Handicap.—Silver Lighting, Chief Robin, Connie’s Birthday. Paerata Handicap.—First Division: Knight Templar, Old Scot, Park Royal. Second Division: Super Vaals, Contango, Rating. Pukekawa Hack Handicap.—First Division: Fiorin, Nancy Hanks. Second Division: Horonui, Broiealice.