STRONG FIELDS CARDED FOR CUP & FLYING AT HASTINGS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22613, 16 April 1948, Page 1 (Supplement)

STRONG FIELDS CARDED FOR CUP & FLYING AT HASTINGS

r jPHAT best of g-oorl things just beaten in the 1,1-mile Awapuni Gold Cup last Saturday, King’s Ransom, heads the list in tomorrow's Hawke’s Bay Cup, of 1 mile 3 fur.

042 KING’S RANSOM (21), 9.8, has drawn wide out, but with a straight run of about three furlongs this is not such a big disadvantage as it anight seem. He should have won the other day. The track will be to his liking. 011 BARRAGE (9), 8.8, a winner at his last two efforts, cannot be disregarded, but he is now up in weight. 043 DESERT FOX (14). 8.8, is sure to be in demand. Twelve months ago he was nowhere in the Hawke’s Bay Cup and maybe he prefers the hard going. 100 SELAS (1), 8.8, at Awapuni last Saturday was disappointing, but that is nothing new for him. He has won on soft going; in fact, it might suit him better than firm. 033 LANGUE D'OK (5), 8.2, won this event last season with 9.3 so is down 151 b. now and as his form of late has been very fair he looks a hard horse to beat with the going more to his advantage than it has been this season. 11l SQUARE DINK (15), 7.13, in his last four races has been successful. He looks like being one of the best backed. 100 DARK ARROW (13), 7.12, has been most consistent of late so his chances must be respected. 320 ROYAL VICTOR (16), 7.9, on his last appearance at Hastings won and with a track to his liking is capable of winning again. 000 CATTERICK BRIDGE (17), 7.6, is a hard horse to recommend. 003 EMBROLITA (2), 7.6, is a very fit gelding and on his close third last week-end looks like being one to inquire after now. However, he is an unknown quantity on anything but firm going.

440 YASDA (18), 7.6, has disappointed in the past few months, although he has run some very fair races. COO LOYAL BIAN (19), 7.5, this term although winning once, has let his party down a few times. The easier going is sure to be to his liking. 300 THEIOLYN (4), 7.2, although defeated out of the money both days at Awapuni, is not being overlooked at the moment. 030 SECOND SEAL (6), 7.1, was second in the Hawera Cup, but since then has failed to race prominently. 100 GLAD FOX (11), 7.0, likes the track as it is, but looks out of his class. He will be bracketed with Catteriek Bridge. 100 JOE’S COBBER (7), 7.0, is also engaged in the last event. His form is improving and he looks dangerous if started at the weight. 010 PIMLICO (10), 7.0, is another lightweight that is not being discarded. He is the type that might take over the lead and stop there. GOO SILVER WEDDING (3), 7.0, in seven starts this season has not once weighed-in, but 12 months ago was second at Hastings in a hack race over 10 furlongs. 000 SINGING HILLS (12), 7.0, was unlucky both days at Nelson. She will be suited by the state of the going. 000 SPARKLING LADY (20), 7.0, has won twice on the Hastings track, each time surprising and leading all the way. She likes it soft, so is not without a place show. 000 SWIFT QUARRY (8), 7.0, two years ago was second to Arco in this race and then won three races in a row afterwards. He is down 281 b. in weight from the spring on account of loss of form, but last week at Awapuni after being well back early finished fifth. He indeed may upset calculations.

HAVELOCK FLYING HANDICAP,

DA VINCI (3), 9.8, has not raced since returning from Australia last December. Winner of the last four races he started in in New Zealand, he may want a race, but a class horse like this is never without chances. FINDON (8), 9.2, may do better later in the season after a race or two. BATTLE SURVEY (7), 8.12, despite absence of recent racing, can be relied upon to give a good account of himself now that Ihe sting is out of the going. FLEETWOOD (1), 8.11, is a winner of the last two races he contested. He is at the peak of his form and no matter which race he starts in may be one of the best backed. BONNY PAY (9), 8.9, this season has raced fairly consistently for one win and four placings. MERRY BING f 4). 8.6, has not raced since winning at Hastings last New Year. Maybe he would be all the better for a race, but no risks will be taken with him. MORNING DEW (14), 8.6, won at Opunakc, but failed to weigh-in in his one start over Easter when he was badly away.

MOROCCO (5), 8.2, was second in this race 12 months ago and won the second day. He has been a little unruly at the barrier in recent starts, but has been put through a disciplinary schooling course of late; whether that has been really successful still has to be proved. COT-CASE (10), 8.1, is not without winning chances. PETRE MAR (15), 8.0, is sure to run prominently on recent form. He was fourth over seven furlongs last Saturday. PLAYTOS (13), 7.12, will have a track to his liking, but may require a run not having raced since the spring. LANGSPIEL (12), 7.11, on her win the other day over seven furlongs should be one of the favourites now. TUSSOCK (11), 7.3, has just a very rough place show. BRONSTAU (16), 7.1, was a very promising three-year-old in the spring, but has not raced since. GENERAL VICTORY (6), 7.0, is another without recent racing. When he won over seven furlongs at Trentham last October the going was heavy. TRENCH METER (2), 7.0, is not a strong fancy. ,