DISTANCE NOT BEYOND REGAL PRAISE IN CUP TEST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22584, 12 March 1948, Page 1 (Supplement)

DISTANCE NOT BEYOND REGAL PRAISE IN CUP TEST

(Herald Special Service.) .INHERE will be large fields in the majority of the races at The Oliincmuri Racing Club’s'race meeting tomorrow.

The Ohinemuri Cup has been increased from a mile and a quarter to a mile and five furlongs, which means that it is the second-longest handicap race in the Auckland Province and should be interesting to watch as the track at Paeroa is not very big, being only 71 furlongs in circumference so possibly may not suit all types of gallopers. On the programme is a steeplechase. The fences are not v.ery big, but they have to be jumped proficiently, while the hard going is not exactly suitable to races of this class. ★OHINEMURI CUP

BALGOVVAN, 9.8, heads the list and having scored in a two-mile race can be said to be equal to the distance, but may find his impost the hardest part of this contract. REGAL PRAISE, 8.11, has won as far as a mile and three-quarters and, bred as she is, the distance is not beyond her. Last week-end she came strongly at the end of a mile and a half so she looks as if the public will select her as a good choice again. There is a fair drop in weight from No. 2 to No. 3 on the card. BROWN DUKE, second last week, has 7.8. in in comparison to Regal Praise meets her on only 21b better terms for that head defeat. As a rule a handieapper sees fit to make a difference of more than 21b for a win and this slight margin is difficult to explain as Regal Praise outstayed Brown Duke over last week's shorter course.

SWANEE, 7.4, has a recent placing to her credit. SILVER LIGHTING, 7-4, ol late is not showing his sprint form. FRANCIS MOND, 7.0, since running second a few weeks back has failed. BATTLE ROYAL, 7.0, stays on well and for that reason might surprise over this 13-furlong course. BRIGHT FOX HUNTING DINK and BROOKBY SONG are not recommended. ★ST. PATRICK’S HANDICAP The St. Patrick’s Handicap is the open sprint race of the day with the consistent CONTANGO on top of the list at 9.0. BONNY PAY has been racing so prominently that he might start a favourite, but GWEN VAALS third, at Franklin a week ago. is one of the form candidates. BEAUTE failed last week, but is said to have improved with the race. OLD SCOT, last Saturday’s surprise winner, has gone up a stone, but the company is hardly as good and as he meets Gwen Vaals on 81b worse terms it looks as if the latter may turn the tables as at Pukekohe she was only half a head and a head away third. TIGER TAN may be on the up-grade while the promoted hack BRONZE PAY will appreciate the big drop in the handicap. FORMATA and PELIAS may do best of the others.

HACK HURDLES There is much of a muchness between the first half-dozen or so in the mile and five furlongs Hack Hurdles, in which that one-time good flat performer Necnan is top weight. Nepeta recently ran second to Kilcommon, but at Franklin was down the straight at the finish so looks as if he is going to be no more consistent than on the flat Sir Bian is improving with experience. He was made favourite at Te Aroha. but infused little pep into his effort. Race Chum is said to be schooling pleasingly, while Bold Tide, Modern View and Raneira possess a little hurdle place form so for that reason are expected to do a little better than those below in the weights, of which Cartilage may surprise. THE REST OF THE RACES There are a lot engaged in the Novice Stakes, which will have to be run in divisions and in which there is not a great deal of form offering to help in a summing-up. The Mackaytown Handicap is for two-year-olds. If started, JOLLY LASS might be a choice on both machines, with her most formidable opponents BEAUFIGHTER, HIGH POWER and LADY CARMEL, but outside these there are no fewer than 20 others, of which EXPONENT possesses the best credentials. Hazara, first and third, heads the list in the mile and a quarter hack event so that on last week’s performances appeals. Master Ballatcr has not raced since winning surprisingly the mile hack race at Waikato on February 21. Silver Secret looks the best of the others, of which Dukedom, Driving Creek, Dominie, Jon Rosa and Eardale might be said to have lightweight place chances. The steeplechase is headed by the 1945 Great Northern winner Our Nation who has been in work for some few months but not raced. Kilcommon appeals on race condition, while Diamond King and Etaro also have been in training a little longer than most of the othersThe six-furlong Komata Hack Handicap also may have to be run in divisions. In a final summing-up most credence will be given to those who have raced prominently of late. (Continued on Page 2)