EARLY DRESS-REHEARSALS FOR HOLIDAY MEETINGS: CAPACITY FIELDS AT OTAKI

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22816, 10 December 1948, Page 1 (Supplement)

EARLY DRESS-REHEARSALS FOR HOLIDAY MEETINGS : CAPACITY FIELDS AT OTAKI

Form Guide For Raees

(Herald Special Service.) will be three race meetings in the Dominion this week-end—at Otaki, where the horses engaged at the Manawatu Cup meeting will have their dress-rehearsals, at Te Awamutu, where the interest will be centred in the horses with engagements at the important Auckland summer fixture, and at Geraldine. In the South Island there will also be the New Brighton 'trots. There is every indication that the tracks tomorrow will be firm and fast, judging by the weather forecast for this week-end.*'

There will be many runners at the onc-day Otaki meeting, at which two races may have to be run in divisions, including the main event. TARARUA HIGHWEIGHT HOP. Shcilwyn has fair form on the flat and is reported to have suffered from no ill-effects of her fall at Woodville Rothnic races well in this class of race and is in the right order. Lord Manna won really brilliantly the other day at Woodville and looks likely to be well supported here; in fact, in some quarters he has been designated as the "star” idea of the day. Beau Bijou is another that has recent winning form, but he has not yet raced over this distance. On breeding and conformation he should stay. Ben C'hale may not win, but at the same time is the type that might upset calculations. while Gay Fellow, if lie would only produce what ho is really capable of would be as hard to beat as the next. Awaroa Stream has not raced recently, but in the past has proved a fast galloper. Royal Moutoa adds difficulty to the summing-up, while Palissv, who at one time was thought to be worth £SOOO. has boon a racing disappointment. On form, the winner docs not appear to be hidden among the nine-stoners, unless it is Bonanza. KUKU MAIDEN FLAT RACE This event wlil have to be run for in divisions. There is not a great deal of form offering in the First Division to help in the solving of this event. Chip, Announcer, Aratucky, Reflect, and the Greenmeadows-trained Rappel may carry most support. There is no more form offering in the Second Division and what there is may influence support towards Crussanc (second at Woodville last week), Aki Aki, Elbogcn and Aubrey. WAITOHU HACK HANDICAP Martinair lias not raced since failing early in the spring, but was a failsort last season. Opalescent has only raced three times this season for a first and two seconds —good form. Lady Myrtle is due for a “killing” any day, while Rival Star is passed over in favour of the improving Galway Bay. Saravan has had six failures this season so cannot be recommended. Airwyn lias not started since winning at Bulls, but is reported to be above the ordinary. Cheerful Night did not impress at Woodville. while those lower in the handicap make little or no appeal on form. *RAUKAWA HANDICAP

than he generally does to have won more races. Pictagain was second at Woodville. Nigara won at Marton at his first start, but last Saturday failed to get into the money. Maranoa at her only start at Woodville was second. 'Of the others, only Good Record of late has made anything like a showing, and he was fourth in a division last week. Princess Irene may do best of the remainder. OTAKI HACK HANDICAP Tranquil Gold won last Saturday, but has since lost the race on account of his apprentice claiming an allowance he was not entitled to. Unfortunately the handicapper has weighted him as a winner. Beau Bijou may prefer this event to the Highweight, and if so will carry the confidence of his backers again. Blue Seal did not show up at Woodville. There are a dozen or more other acceptors in this event, but. except for Cheerful Night’s Napier Park novice win there is very little form to help the racegoer. *HUIA HANDICAP MISS BAIRNSFATIIER, a good winner this season, may find seven furlongs a little too short; nevertheless her racing condition is hard to pass over. CASTLEBRAE looks a logical favourite. STONY BROKE, despite his recent two failures, cannot be taken too cheaply. WHITLEY may be. past his best. AIR BELLE, on her form, reads like one to interest patrons, although her chances would read belter if the distance was a furlong less. GARRY has won on this track. FULL OF FUN’prefers six and a soft track. CRESSIDA is also in the mile and a quarter race. CAEMELITA may want a race, but both VEINE d’OR and DEEP SEA have the right racing condition, and either is capable of winning. Of the lighter-weighted divisions, the promoted hack IIELENETTE may do the best.

IMPERIAL has been galloping impressively at Awapuni and must be one to lean towards over this, his favourite distance.

BARRAGE ran well enough in the C.J.C. Metropolitan to give him a show, too.

EMBROLITA ran poorly at Woodville the other day and to the writer looks as if he has trained-off.

ZEALANDER, if putting forward his best, would be one to include in a final summing-up. YASDA failed in his last start, but reports from his training quarter say he is galloping well enough to be very dangerous. He was doing the same before Woodville, where he was out of the money the first day. although he came home strongly. CLYDE BRIDGE has fair form this term.

INDIAN SONG has yet to win over a middle-distance, but scored at Feilding the other week. BEAU OR won so impressively at Woodville last week that he is difficult to pass by now. TENOR ROYAL may strike form any day. MERRY ROBIN last Saturday ran one of her periodical good efforts. UIVERVIEW, on his second in the C.J.C. Fendalton, would very nearly win, but he never performs in the north like he does on the Riccarton track. SECOND SEAL at Woodville the first day was in the money, but did not start seven days back. He deserves a win. CRESSIDA may be in need of a race.

DUNBAR goes a good mile and a quarter, but likes it soft. ANGELL might possess a lightweight’s chance. Of the seven-stoners, only the promoted hack MISSION, on form, would appeal. KUAO STAKES Hex-e we find only four with any visible form, and no doubt it will be this quartette that will interest enthusiasts. Pavia is a recent winner, afid would only need .to leave the barrier better

TE HOIIO HACK HANDICAP

Gay Fellow is also in the Highweight. Avenger won last Saturday like a good one. and if started may be a favourite. Matara seems to have trained off. Buchanan is well reported upon, and in some quarters is held in high regard. Sunshine Bay, an honest type, is never left out of a final summing-up in a race of this class. Lady's Man does not race consistently enough (o lie recommended but Katydid is one that may take part in the finish and appeals more than any of the remainder.