THE TURF VELVET SUPPER WILL HAVE TRACK TO SUIT HIM AT OMOTO

Grey River Argus, 28 June 1947, Page 7

THE TURF VELVET SUPPER WILL HAVE TRACK TO SUIT HIM AT OMOTO

VERDANT GLADSTONE HANDICAP PROSPECT

The enterprise of the Greymouth Jockey Club in holding a winter meeting, the first for some years, should be well rewarded. Fields promise to be good throughout the day, provision having to be made for divisions in both trotting events. On Thursday morning the course was on the soft side, but under the influence of a drying wind throughout the day, it had improved vastly by evening, and there is every prospect of a good track for to-day.

Eight have paid up in the Grandstand Handicap, principal event on the card. Lost Art who will carry No. 1 saddle-cloth, proved by his recent win in the Otago Hurdles that he is very well. An adept in winter ground he was a good third in the Timaru Cup run over eleven furlongwhen carrying 7.7. His conquerors were Authentic 8.4 and Belle Leonne 7.11. Perhaps his best performance was a hollow victory in the J. F. Buchanan Memorial last October when weighted on the minimum, the ground on that occasion being very heavy. Next on the list is Velvet Slipper. The Westport-trained gelding has had only one win this season, that in the Reefton Handicap of 14 miles last March.. At his last start he was a good fifth in the King George Handicap on the last day at Dunedin. Among those behind him on that occasion were Great Coon, Sea Power, Joy Rosa and Brockie The Paper Slipper gelding appreciates the sting out of the ground, and with conditions in his favour tomorrow he should make a good showing. On the same mark are Periwig and Sir Tague. The latter is preferred over a ten-furlong journey. He has been galloping well in his recent track work, and he would only have to regain the form he showed on the Coast Christmas circuit to have an excellent chance of capturing the major prize. Here Hine has done nothing of late to suggest more than an outside chance, while of the remainder, Nightchild, a mood.v sort reads best. No doubt Lost Art will be the elect of backers, but he will have to be at his best to hold off Velvet Slipper and Sir rp ague. Although he will have the steadier of 10.6 to carry,' Verdant should prove one of the hardest to beat in the Gladstone Handicap, run over seven furlongs. He seems to be coming back to form, and when at his best is a class horse and up to weight Legal Rose can always be depended upon to run a good race at Omoto. She is capable of brilliant speed in any kind of ground. Burberry is improving with every race and is just about ready to show his best. If Periwig is reserved for this race, he appeals as a good place prospect. He has been second in each of his last three attempts. Bali has not raced for some time. At one stage he could sprint with the best. The locally-trained Dash o’ Dink looks well, and it is in his favour that he goes well when fresh. In what should prove an interesting contest, Verdant Legal Rose and. Periwig appeal. It is anticipated the carded field will face the starter in the Winter Hurdles. Lord Broiefort in addition to being an experienced fencer has his share of speed on the flat, and but for ill-luck would have a better record. Native Song, half brother, by Hunting Song, to the champion Kindergarten, has not raced much during the last three seasons, though he showed at Ashburton last Saturday that he retains a lot of his old dash and jumping ability. At one stage he was at the top of the handicaps among the best hurdlers racing. Last Saturday’s run would work a big improvement in his condition, and he is not without a jumper’s chance. John Gay, whose first appearance it will be in a hurdle race, has abundant pace on the flat, but much will depend on how he jumps. Dinky Di is a spectacular fencer, and will set a fast pace from the outset. Great Legend has impressed good judges. in his schooling efforts, taking every fence in his ajtride. A win for his owner, Mrs I. E. Coffey would be extremely popular locally. Best of those on the minimum may be Turf Topic, who shows a lot of promise for a novice. In ail probability Lord Broiefort will be favourite, with Great Legend and Native Song also coming in for support.

The win and place totalisators will be in operation, and the following runners may show up in their respective engagements: —

Winter Hurdles: Lord Broiefort, Great Legend, Native Song. June Handicap Trot: Ist. Div.Henry of Navarre, Sandy Drive; 2nd. Div.—Ann Volo, Scotch Drift. Kaimata Hack: Royal Flash, Wee Mac, Valmeer.

Grandstand Handicap: Velvet Slipper, Lost Art, Sir Tague. Barrytown Hack: Early Night, Tikakoura, Turf Topic. Gladstone Handicap: Verdant, Legal Rose, Periwig. Cobden Handicap Trot: Ist. Div. — Henry of Navarre, Margaret Logan; 2nd. Div.—Scotch Drift, Ann Volo.

12.0: Winter Hurdles; one mile and three-quarters: Lord Broiefort 9.10, Native Song 9.8, Dinky Di, Great Legend 9.2, Fire Chase, Ration, Turf Topic 9.0.

June Trot First Division. —Gold Nip, Lady Beverley, Young Neen, Patti Dale, Skyhook, Trixie Hall, Wynleaf, Great Artist, Pimpernel, Bonny Gold, Dusty Trail, Hardy Annual, Henry of Navarre, Loyal Bonista, Margaret Logan, Pampero, Peggy Gamble, Sandy Drive. Second Division. —Royal Mint, Knight Bar, My Hope, All Ashore, Ann Volo, Aristocrat, Artful, Bondage, Peter Potts, Derbyshire, Fire Fly, Frank’s Pride, Kimono Lass, May Volo, Paper Chase, Sandbird, Scotch Drift.

June Trot Brackets; Gold Nip, Royal Mint, and Lady Beverley; Knight Bar and Young Neen; My Hope and Patti Dale; All Ashore and Skyhook; Ann Volo and Trixie Hall; Arisocrat and Wynleaf; Artful and Great Artist; Bond-

age and Pimpernel; Bonny Gold and Peter Potts; Dusty frail and Derbyshire; Fire Fly and Hardy Annual.

1.30: Kaimata Hack Handicap, of six furlongs and a-half: Royal Flash 9.0, Mercia’s Mystery 8.12, Young John 8.10, Home Again 8.8, Coxswain, Lees-ton 8.6, Valmeer 8.3, Wee Mac 8.2, Lakhnau, Leigh Note, Merrijigs, Miss Mahatma, Rene Leighon, Wild Knock 8.0.

2.10: Grandstand Handicap, of one rpiie and a-quarter: Lost Art 8.8, Velvet Slipper 8.3, Periwig, Sir Tague 8.1, Here Hine 7.12, Big Top, Night Child 7.9, Hamish 7.7. 2.50: Barrytown Hack Handicap, of one mile: Queen’s General 9.6, Early Night 9.2, Royal Flash 8.12, Mercia’s Mystery 8.11, Tikakoura 8.8, Turf Topic 8.5, Coxswain 8.3, Valmeer, Wee Mac 8.2, Bannockburn, San Farian, 8.1, Dark Arrow, Fire Chase, Little Billy, Wild Knock 8.0. 3.40: Gladstone Handicap, of seven furlongs: Verdant 10.6, Legal Rose 9.0, Burberry 8.10, Velvet Slipper 8.5, High Ideal 8.4, Sir Tague 8.3, Periwig 8.2, Here Hine 8.1, Bali, Dash o’ Dink, Home Again, Lees-ton, Hamish, Taipo-iti 8.0.

Cobden Trot First Division. —Gold Nip, Lady Beverley, Young Neen,. Patti Dale, Skyhook, Trixie Hall, Wynleaf, Great Artist, Pimpernel, Bonny Gold, Dusty Trail, Hardy Annual, Henry of Navarre, Loyal Bonista, Margaret Logan, Pampero, Peggy Gamble, Sanely Drive.

Second Division. —Royal Mint, Knight Bar, My Hope, All Ashore, Ann Volo, Aristocrat, Artful, Bondage, Peter Potts, Derbyshire, Fire Fly, Frank’s Pride, Kimono Girl, Loyal Nedsa, May Volo, Paper Chase Sandbird, Scotch Drift. Cobden Trot Brackets:

Gold Nip, Royal Mint., and Lady Beverley; Knight Bar and Young Neen; My Hope and Patti Dale; All Ashore and Skyhoop; Ann Volo and Trixie Hall; Aristocrat and’ Wynleaf; Artful and Great Artist; Bondage and Pimpernel: Bonny Gold and Petter Potts; Dusty Trail and Derbyshire; Fire Fly and’ Hardy Annual. RIDERS AT OMOTO: H. W. Hibberd, H. Ford, D. Dawson, R. Hawes, R. S. Bradshaw, C. Stokes, J. Nicholson, and D. Thistoll will be among the visiting Canterbury horsemen at Omoto to-day. H. W. Hibberd has a number of engagements; D. Dawson will ride F. Trilford’s representatives, Lord Broiefort (hurdles), Lost Art and Verdant; J. Nicholson will r. : ;e Great Legend; R. Hawes, Native Song;' H. Ford will ride Dark Arrow, and J. Campbell, the local apprentice, will be on Dash o’ Dink in the Gladstone Handicap. Unlikely runners in the hurdle event are Turf Topic and Ration, and Nightchild in the Grandstand Handicap.

FLYING TOR MAY GET WINNING TURN AT HAWKE’S BAY

The Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s winter meeting will conclude at Hastings l to-day. The track will be heavy, and under the win and place system of betting, the following horses may have prospects: —

Pakowhai Hack Hurdles: The Crofter, Paganini, Imperial Crown. Frimley Trial: Ist. Div. —Loquendi, Black Isle; 2nd. Div. —Torch Bearer, Indian Song. Hawke’s Bay Hurdles: Duality, Khadim, Peria Prince. President’s Handicap: Flying Tor, Ganges, Precedency. June Steeplechase: Gay Rouen, Kilmanagh, Tip-Apa. Raukawa Hack Handicap: Magnus Lux, Master Gary, Chief Robin. Havelock Handicap: Playtos. Drambuie, General Saleve. Final Hack Handicap: Ganjah, Mabel Knight, Ella Shields.

11 a.m.: Pakowhai Hack Hurdles,. £300; 11 miles.—The Crofter 10.5, Vassilikos 10.4, Master Ring 10.0. Paganini 9.13, Sir Wina 9.12, Gunman 9.10, Shadow King 9.7, Peter Douglas 9.6, Regal Don 9.5, Denny’s Gift,' Tide Area, Betty Baffles, Kelmont. Gold Dip, Peter Brierly, Imperial Crown, Oriental Lady 9.0. 11.45 a.m.: Frimley Trial, of. £2OO, 6 furlongs.—Conceal, Clive Bay, The Limit, Robin Dell, Abbeydornie Spiteful Lad, Hikuwai, Huntoplay 8.10, Coronara, Triple Star, Irish Maid, Silver Mascot, Elskar, Indian Song, Black Isle, El Te Hag, Loquendi, Heretic 8.7, Beau Bijou, Master Grey, Neap Tide, Master Ballater, Gildechase, Toirua, Sandy Harrison 8.3, Xmas Gift, Good Music, Torch Bearer, Pascale, Winter Sweet, Pieck 8.0.

12.30 p.m.: Hawke’s Bay Hurdles, of £750, 1 mile 71 furlongs.—Sky Hawk 10.8, Khadim 10.1, Perla Prince 10.0, Whirlwind Star 9.10, Duality 9.6, Mary Lee 9.3, Grand Central, Foxland 9.0.

1.15 p.m.: President’s Handicap, of £6OO, 11 miles. —Flying Tor 9.7, Capronella 9.1, Dark Fash 8.7, United Nations, Precedency 8.6, Lowry Bay, Theoilyn 8.1, Ganges 8.0, Ruling Master, Lord Darnley 7.13, Becalm 7.12, Lady Delight, Royal Duce 7.10, Battle Royal, Omaio 7.9, Silver Rod, Nanaaki, Morehu Park,- Mallee, Ernbrae, Sparkling Lady, Prince Wanaka, Lambro, Casilda 7.7. 2 p.m : June Steeplechase, of £750, 23 miles. — Gay Rouen 10.8, Kilmanagh 10.7, Gold Spot 10.4, Ellerton Hall 9.6, Flylite 9.5, Tid Apa 9.3, Seropuri 9.2, Abbey Lu 9.1, Rondelle, Midiass 9.0.

2.40 p.rn.: Raukawa Hack, of £4OO, 11 miles. —Highform, Chief Robin 9.4, Griffin 9.3, Blackwater, Master Gary 8.13, Newel Post 8.12, Magnus Lux 8.11, Master Peter 8.4, Blue Moon, Tino Mohio, Penetrate 8.3, Arctic Circle 8.2, Astrope 8.1, Court Judge, Autofly, Highland View, Greek Port, Super Lake, Olivitt 8.0. 3.30 p.m.: Havelock Handicap, of £5OO, 7 furlongs—Yasda 10.1, Royal Heir 9.7, Drambuie 9.1, Lady Nahleen 8.12, Playtos 8.6, Lady Delight 8.5, General Saleve 8.3, Royal Duce 8.1, Gaymeer 8.1, Mabel Knight, Kin-

crop, Sahib 8.0. 4.15 p.m.: Final Hack, of £3OO, 7 furlongs.—Amuri, Mabel Knight 9.8, Highform 9.6, Flare Path 9.1, Ganjah 9.0, Indian Sky 8.13, Ulatis 8.10, Ella Shields 8.8, Mr Valiant 8.5, Abbey Duke 8.4, Il Corona, Find Out 8.3, Revivre, Sir Warrior, Yalta, Sheik of Araby 8.2, Hostility 8.1, Merciful, Lacklagh, Cape Malea, Bradley Green, Marcelona, Ranger Boy, Salient, Huntoplay 8.0. RACING NOTES By Galtee More PROSPECTS FOR OMOTO For a galloper to win twice in the one day is no mean feat, although it is quite a common occurrence in the trotting world. Royal Flash, a candidate for the Kaimata and ’ Barrytown Handicaps at Omoto on Saturday won a double on the same day at Opunake R.C. meeting. He won the Borough Stakes with S. Waddell aboard, by two lengths from Nuptial and a field of twenty. Saddled up in the concluding event the Farewell Handicap with W. L. Aitken the pilot he led from the start to finish. Lady Merit ridden by L. J. Clutterbuck, finished second, the unplaced favourite was Playtos, with F. C. Cleaver up. Royal Flash is a six-year-old bay gelding by Wheriko from Elizabeth, and provided he can handle the heavy conditions likely to prevail, he should prove very hard to catch over the turning course at Omoto. AN OPEN RACE The Winter Hurdles should prove a good drawcard for the Greymouth Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday. Included in the carded programme are some proved performers over the battens. Several of the candidates appear to have a good chance. An interesting runner is Native Song, the half-brother to Kindergarten and Golden Souvenier. He is by that great sire of jumpers, Hunting Song, and if he was anything like his true self it would only be a question of. what would finish in the minor places.

The public will probably rely on more recent form when in search of the winner and three that appeal most are Ruling Moment, Lord Broiefort, and Big Top. DUE FOR WINNING TURN

The veteran local trainer Mr F. Escott has his three-year-old black filly, San Farian by Medieval Knight from Miss Papa, doing useful work in view of racing at the week-end. On looks this filly has few equals and she may come right with age. Her last winning essay was in the Wilson Handicap at Waverley in November last, when she was ridden by P. Mosely. R.atene finished second, and the favourite Greek Art, was third, with some highly promising horses among the also starteds. At that time she was in O. Cox’s stable at Hawera. A repetition of* that performance would soon place her on the winning list again, and be a fitting reward to the work her wellknown. owner-trainer is putting into her. HIGH-CLASS PERFORMERS Mr F. Trilford, of Washdyke, has nominated Lost Art and Verdant for Omoto on Saturday. He also intends to race them on the last two days of the Wellington Racing Club’s winter meeting. Lost Art gave an exhibition of faultless jumping to win the Otago Hurdles at Wingatui last month and register his fifth win in six starts this season. Actually, Lost Art has an unbeaten record as a hurdler and is already being discussed as a Grand National prospect. He is a seven-year old gelding by Colossus from Nectar, who is a half-sister to the winners Lotto, Big Money and Bonnie Fair. Verdant has failed to win in the south since being purchased for a four-figure sum, but has run good races 1 and his turn should not be long delayed. A CREDIT TO ROYAL CHIEF

Concrete, purchased at a staled figure of 1500 guineas, won his first race in his new colours when he annexed the hack event at Awapuni last Saturday. There was a good deal of merit in the performance, too, because he conceded the leader, Neville, the best part of three lengths in the straight, but responded well to his rider’s urging to win narrowly, but decisively. Concrete is now trained by his part-owner, D. W. Debreceny, who has had a long association with horses, but who was actually enjoying his first training success. It is possible that Concrete will now be reserved for the forthcoming Wellington meeting, when he should have good prospects of picking up a stake or two over the three days of the fixture. LIKES SOFT TRACK Zealandei continues to thrive in his work at Trentham, and although he has not as yet been sent seriously against the watch he continues to make headway. As a two and three-year-old he registered some very pleasing performances, but as he was inclined to grossness it was decided to geld him, and he has only recently resumed after a spell. At the moment he carrying a little surplus condition, but a few more strong gallops should have him at the peak of his form for the Wellington meeting. TRENTHAM PROSPECT Robin’s Reward has not run one bad race this winter and there seems no doubt that staying is his forte. He was set a big question for a three-year-old in being asked to carry 9.9 in the heavy going at Awapuni last Saturday, but he stuck to his task in the gamest possible fashion, and there- was more merit in his fourth place than would appear at first glance. It is probable that Robin’s Reward will be kept in light work with a view to racing at Trentham next month, and it will be surprising if he does not take a good deal of beating in one of the major handicaps at the fixture. A race like the Whyte Handicap' would suit him admirably, even though another first-class three-year-old in Home is also being reserved for this event. A SAFE CONVEYANCE Glad Fox is sure to benefit considerably from his run in the open hurdle event at Awapuni last Saturday. He was up in the firing line for over a mile and a quarter, when his condition commenced to give out, and he dropped out of the picture.’ However, he is a class hurdler at his best, and there should be plenty of opportunities for the black Foxbridge gelding during the next month

or so. He is a very safe/fencer and is a fairly good stayer./ / ONE TO |VATCH Carmelita has resumed work at Otaki and she is in. splendid condition to undergo a preparation for new season’s racing. This inare won her way out of hack rankd when he carried the steadier of 9.3 to victory in Hawera and in subsequent start showed that she would not be difficult to place in the open grade by registering a couple of minor placing. Carmelita is an excellently-bred mare by Foxbridge. RICHARDS’ 100 WINNERS LONDON, June 26. The jockey, Gordon Richards, who had ridden 99 winners this season by yesterday reached his century in the second race at the Bath meeting today. He also commenced his second century when he rode another winner in the fourth race.