WANGANUI JUMPING EVENTS HAVE ATTRACTED FAIR CLASS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22655, 4 June 1948, Page 3 (Supplement)

WANGANUI JUMPING EVENTS HAVE ATTRACTED FAIR CLASS

(Herald Special Service.)

fJpHE Wanganui Jockey Club has received a very generous response from owners for the first day of its winter race meeting, which will be held on the Wanganui course on Saturday and Monday. With such large fields the prospects are excellent, and two of the seven events will have to be ran in divisions. The course at Wanganui never gets really heavy so that the ■going this week-end should be as good—if not better than—at other meetings being held on the same dates.

HACK & HUNTERS’ STEEPLES Twenty-one have paid up tor this event and there is a fair amount of form offering, too. High Morale, with 10.10, has as much as he can carry, while Tatara Lad 10.2, may be in need of a race as others engaged have better condition perhaps at the moment. Captain Jesse, a recent winner, has the right condition for a race like this. Imperial,Crown is a recent winner. as also are Vernon and Tortago so they enter the discussion with the right form.

ning. Winning Ticket is well overdue, while Flirtatious, Gay Flame, also in the hurdles, and Killarney Boy have raced well enough of late to give them a chance now. Newel Post is coming down in weight, a factor not to be overlooked. Of the others, Lady Oratory and Brolga may do as well as any, although Kippo may bring off a surprise. ★GRANDSTAND STEEPLES WHOORAY (9), 10.3, a recent hurdle winner and a qualified steeplechaser, reads as though he will be very hard to beat. NORTHFIELD (8), 10.2, won the H.B. Steeplechase last season, but has not raced in recent months. GAY ROUEN (1), 10.2, won at Hastings the second day last June, is reported to be forward now, although it has not raced of late. ROYAL SCHOLAR (3), 9.11, won recently at Egmont and is sure to be one of the best liked. MATAPAN (5), 9.11, 12 months ago at Wanganui won the Century Hurdles, but over country has no place form. HIGH MORALE (2). 9.10, would have, I think, a better chance here than in the earlier race with a stone less on his back. WIIIPHAND (7), cn last week’s form is not to be disregarded as he won well after a good exhibition of lepping. RING SCARF (0), 9.0, is, unfortunately, unsound. ROYAL SWARD (4), 9.0, has place hurdle form, but between the Hags has yet to show up. ★connolly handicap MESS ALLIAN CE (1). 9.1, without being disregarded, is not a strong recommendation as in the past 10 furlongs have been a little .onger than he liked. MOROTAI (16), 8.9, was very unlucky last Saturday and on her splendid "effort will have to be seriously considered now. PRECEDENCY (13), 8.6. drew the ‘‘devils number” last week and has the same barrier position again. He is rapidly developing his best form again.

Incident is an improver, but over this two-mile course the Hastings gelding Tc Aki should be very hard to beat. Foxland has raced consistently of late over hurdles, but as a ’chaser will have to be taken on trust. The winner may come from those weighted at 9.3 or under, but not on form. MAIDEN PLATE

In the First Division the best form is credited to Lord Croupier, Elofa, Myfox and Platamon, while good reports come from the other coast regarding the chances of General Hope, third in his last effort, which was at Waverley. In the Second Division those who on performances should race prominently are Ritz, Jovial Lad, Money Machine, Royal Robin, La Sellc, Waimate and Seawyn. ★CENTURY HURDLES PETER’S CHOICE (7), 11.7, in his two races at Waikato ran fair the first day, but was left at his second effort. He should be improved with the race. GLAD FOX (1), 10.9, needs only to reproduce his Wellington autumn form to give a good account of himself. BAY ROBE (9), 10.5, is a useful hurdler, but has not raced for some time over hurdles. BAXSOON (5), 10.1, has cleaned up nicely with his recent race and now looks a hard one. SPECIALIST (18), 10.0, has won twice and been third once in his three hurdle races to date, so followers of form may like him. GLEN URQUHART (12), 9.7, is smart, but the distance will lick him. GRAND CENTRAL (2), 9.7. is not without a fair show on form. ROYAL VICTOR (10), 9.0. encouraged with last week’s third and with that experience, may be harder this time. GAY FLAME (6), 9.1, on private reputation has already won this race. FIRST ACT (3), 9.0, was a winner a week ago, which pcints to him as a place possibility. FULL PITCH (4), 9.0, was third to Whooray and Foxland at Egmont last month. GENERAL SALEVE (8). 9.0, has yet to show up in a hurdle race.

EMERGE (8), 8.3, is not an easy one to keep tag on. but on his day would be hard. MERCIAN LAD (9), 8.2, mignt surprise, but is not a strong fancy. YANDRA (2), 7.12, also is not a strong - fancy. BRONSTAR (4), 8.2, if he could only be relied upon to commence somewhere on near terms with his opponents would be very hard to beat. The Wanganui track as a rule favours the contestant who can get away smartly and occupy a prominent position in the running.

SILVER PAL ( 17), 7.11, upsets calculations at times.

SPIRO (14), 9.0, this time last year won the open hurdles at Wanganui after Bay Robe’s rider had won but lost his skull cap at the last fence and failed to weigh-in correctly. Thus in this race are two horses who have won hurdle events, only to lose them on account of their riders having dropped their caps. PETER BRIERLV (11), 9.0, has not sufficient form to say he might win. RIVER HACK HANDICAP Mine Host is just an average hack and with 9 «) has his work cut out to succeed. Sparkling Scholar was a recent surprise winner. Maybe Loch Winnoch will not be at the same lucrative price she was last week when win-

SECOND SEAL (14), 7.9, was in the call all the way last week and then ran second, although having little chance with the winner. High Order. SAKUNTALA (11). 7.8, on form must be passed over. BAFFLES REX (6), 7.8, is a recent double “hack” winner at Egmont, which gives him a decided show.

MISTER BEAU (3), 7.7, on lonn reads like a dangerous lightweight. ALRIGHT (15), 7.7, appears to have “slipped”. BEAU JEWEL (7), 7.7, has just a rough place show. BALLINAGH (5), 7.7, would need to do better than he did last week, nevertheless he may beat the two ether lightweights.

★EMPIRE HANDICAP AGGRAVATION (3), 9.10, ran poorly when fancied at Egmont on May 8. However, his previous form this season has been very good and consistent. BATTLE SURVEY (12), 9.6, has won on this track, a factor in his favour. He may require another race, but his turn is not far off. DEPRIVE (6), 9.8, is running in a place very nearly every time and a win would be a just reward. KIA ORA KATOA 5), 9.3, as long as the opposition is not too “hot” has always a winning chance. OPULENT (13), 8.10, has won on the Wanganui track, but his Waikato showing would need to be improved on somewhat. GILD CHASE (11), 8.9, is back to sprinting, but on the pace he showed when winning twice at Egmont is given a show. MALLOW (4), 8.6, is too dilatory out of the tapes for much confidence to be placed in him, but he too, can gallop and has won on this track. Of the eight-stoners, FULL O’ FUN on her fourth last week may do best as the short straight may be in her favour

BOROUGH HACK HANDICAP

This event in all probability will be run in divisions. In the first the best form is- on the side of Pan Walla (9). but he has a big weight to carry in

10.13. Bian Rouge would only need a more experienced rider than generally pilots her to be very tough to beat. In the Second Division Blank Cheque may be a favourite but will have to stave off the likes of Sir Royal and Übbriaco to collect the major portion of the prize-money.