CAPACITY FIELDS FOR ASHHURST MEETING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22850, 21 January 1949, Page 3 (Supplement)

CAPACITY FIELDS FOR ASHHURST MEETING

(Herald Special Service) DESPITE the fact that the Ashburton Pacing Club’s meeting tomorrow clashes with the opening day of the important Wellington meeting, capacity fields have been accepted, with in all events, while two will have to be run in divisions.

However, with the better class of horse not present, as well as the “big” speculator, the volume of betting at Awapuni will not be really great but, given a fine day, receipts should compare favourably with those in recent years. There is a possibility of a wet week-end, according to the latest report.

EMERGE occasionally puts on a good act —but not too often. TORRENT likes an easy track, but is also among the Wellington Cup acceptors. BALCAIRN ran .well at the last Manawatu meeting and, being bracketed with Imperial, makes it a strong combination on form. THE STORMOVIK was nowhere last week. LORD PHROSA on his second in the Pahiatua Cup, if he runs the same race again, might be in the money. SHIRAZ is not fancied at the distance. AVENGER, a promoted “hack,” is well commented upon and he may be a favourite in this event. There are seven more handicapped below Avenger, but none on recent form looks even a place hope. RAUMAI JUVENILE HCP. Thirteen figure in this event, but only Maranoa and Gleam have any form so there will not be a great deal of interest taken in the race off the course. There may be some fast gallopers among those who have not raced, but at the moment very little is known about them-

HACK HURDLES HANDICAP Trig Point won twice earlier in the season and although 11.1 is as much as he can cope with the opposition is not really strong. Specialist, with a couple of races on the fiat recently, should be in something like the right order to give his supporters a good run for their money and at the weights cannot help but appeal.. Sheilwyn, who may dispute favouritism with the Broiefort gelding, won at her last hurdle attempt. Gold Lad is just average, although he is in great racing condition at the moment, which is something in his favour, while Tudor Chief is sure to see that the pace is on all the way. General Lytup’s form of late is not very encouraging, and of the others the most dangerous may be Dickens, Voltage, 11 Corona and Nepeta, but the last-mentioned pair are also acceptors for the Wellington Highweight. NOVICE STAKES

This event will be run in two divisions and in both there are a lot of unknown acceptors- Waimate, Miss Broiefort, Battle Signal and Beauform may attract attention in the First Division, and in the second, fancies may be Aratucky, Belgrac, Leighbony, Bevel «Lad, Pippin and On Probation. On paper, the latter appears the stronger division of the two. KGMAKO HACK HANDICAP Sonia heads the list with 8.9, and on her form of late might be the popular choice. Clare’s Pal, on form, is passed over in favour of the Woodville winner, Silver Mascot. Determination if not at Trentham would be well backed here. Lady Oratory is hard to follow, and the next on the list, Airwyn, has been a little disappointing of late, although she was in the money at her last effort. Announcer, Sentimental, and Mr. Justice are all recent maiden winners and on that are included among the possibilities. * ASHHURST CUP IMPERIAL at 9.3 would be one of the. best backed if the Wellington meeting is not preferred. MESALLIANCE on a firm track would have his supporters, while if the going is easy then BEAU OR may be one of the best backedNGAKOTI ran poorly at the Pahiatua meeting. FAULTINA is useful and had good form earlier in the season.

*POHANGINA HANDICAP

CASTLEBRAE’S owner has not given out yet where the horse will race tomorrow, Awapuni or Trentham, but if the former is decided on he may be one of the best liked. GARRY requires an easy track. WHITLEY, a winner at Marton, is an early favourite. BRAMERTON has no recent form. I’ETRE MAR docs not appeal on Woodville form.

DESEADO, a promoted hack, will be an interesting runner and. one expected to make a forward show. PRINCE REVEL has no recent form. PITOITOI this season has shown nothing like her juvenile form of last season. SPECIALIST is also in the hurdles. Of the lighter-weighted division the two Hastings acceptors, TRENEERE and THE MISSIONER, arc possibilities.

GORGE HACK CUP Kentucky Star, who heads the list, at the New Year won a Highweight. Master Kip has been working well enough to suggest him being at his best, while Tudor Maid on her Woodville win enters the discussion. Offender is just moderate, the same applying to Master Crusoe. Sea Shanty is one that might surprise in this event, although she has yet to win a race. Carter Fell if the track is soft may bring off a surprise. Matara lias come down the best part of a stone in the handicaps "this last month so for that reason this time is given a chance. Hormond, second the other dry to Leyma, is being selected to go at least as well again. Sir Denzil and Closeburn are just lightweight possibilities and appeal perhaps a little more than those not already -mentioned. SIBERIA HACK HANDICAP Several of the horses in this race are also acceptors earlier in the day. “Speed merchants” in the. First Division are Follow Suit, Sonia, Coshona, Airwyn, Leighvvin, and the novice Brightness, who, however, has drawn fairly wide out. There is not a great deal to choose from in the Second Division. On account of his second last Saturday Brookland may be fancied, with the strongest opposition offering from Rokdale, Mr. Justice and Elbogen. The last-mentioned, who beat Viggimus at Awapuni, is a quiet hope.