REEFTON HANDICAP MAY GO TO WEE MAC

Grey River Argus, 4 September 1948, Page 6

REEFTON HANDICAP MAY GO TO WEE MAC

Trench Meter Likely in Maruia The Reef ton Jockey Club’s meeting to be held to-day should provide excellent racing, and judging from the excellent response from owners, the move to hold a meeting in the Spring is undoubtedly a wise one. It is doubtful if the course has ever been in better order than is the case at present. In the Junction Noyice Stakes, Lewis Pass Hack Handicap and Cronadun Hack Handicap, the acceptors being in excess of the safety number, provision has been made to run these events off in divisions. ■ „ ~ Wee Mac on the strength- of his good performance in the Jumper’s Flat on the opening way of the Grand National meeting, when he only went under by a short head to Corineus, may be the elect oi backers in the Reefton Handicap, principal event on the card. He has raced well on the turning courses, and should prove one of the hardest to beat. A winner at Waimate, Renege, has shown promise as a stayer, and she appears to have gone on the right way since Double Cross has been placed in much better company than he is asked to meet to-day. When trained at Riccarton, he showed ability above the average on the tracks, but did not produce it with the colours up. He would only have to give of his best to get in the money. Ten furlongs may be a shade far for Trench Meter, .which appears to be better placed in the Maruia Handicap. Having his first tilt at the open ranks, Shenandoah will have a big following. Staying would appear to be his forte, and his fine third to Mangatiti and Corineus at the Trentham Winter meeting would point to his having prospects in this class. Velvet Slipper has run some of his best races on the Reefton course, and is always liable to surprise. Dash o’ Dink has not shown any form for some time, and would appear to be held safe by Rival Chase, which won over seven furlongs at the Christchurch Hunt. He has not raced over a mile and aquarter, but is bred to stay. In what looks to be a very open race, the chances of Wee Mac, Shenandoah and Renege are favoured. All the hack races have drawn good fields. On the way she has been racing, Deficiency must be respected in whichever event she contests. Others likely to give a good account of themselves in this division are Young John, Sword Dancer, Leeston, Skyzami and Post Graduate. A big field will probably go to the post in the Junction Novice Stakes. It is a long time since such a strong maiden field has been carded on the West Coast, several of those engaged showing good form on Metropolitan tracks of late. Morning Watch and Cricket Field have been most consistent, while Te Tara, Blue Print. Regal Lily and Early Astir have all gone close to winning. Betting will be under the win and place system, and the following runners appeal:— Inangahua Hack: Young John, Sword Dancer, Newel Post. Ikamatua Trot: Piquant, Skyhook, Artful. Junction Novice Stakes: Morning Watch, Cricket Field, Blue Print. Reefton Handicap: Wee Mac, Shenandoah, Renege. Lewis Pass Hack: Deficiency, Leeston, ,Victory Night. Waiuta Trot: Piquant, Scotch Drift, Loyal Volo. Cronadun Hack: Skyzami, Sk 1 , High, Post Graduate. Maruia Handicap: Trench Meter, Flying Orders, Double Cross.

Inangahua Hack Handicap, of £135; one mile and 150 yards; Young John 9.3, Sword Dancer 8.6, 8.5, Leeston 8.3, Newel Post 8.1, Merrijigs, Sir Desmond, Victoria Range, Wandering Minstrel 7.7. Ikamatua Trot, of £145; 3.4 J class, one mile and a-half: Adelma, AmoGrattan, Aristocrat, Grattan Chief, Loyal Volo, Piquant. Skyhook, Wrackdale scr, Artful 24, Sandbird, Wynleaf 36, Motto 84. Junction Novice Stakes, of £120; five furlongs: Advent, Cardmaster. Cricket Field. Miss Colleen, Miss Loretta, Morning Watch, Regal Lily, Tetara 8.10, Bambalina, Blue Print, Gallant Bess, Minerva, Sleepy Song, Song Girl S.'j Ryeland, Waihora 7.5. Reefton Handicap, of £170; one mile and a-quarter: Renege 8.7, Double Cross 8,5, Wee Mac 8.1, Trench Meter 7.10 t -Shenandoah 7.7, Velvet Slipper 7.6, Dash o’ Dink, Rival Chase 7.5. Lewis Pass Hack Handicap, of £l4s; seven furlongs: Deficiency 9.5, Young John 9.0, Queen’s General 8.11, Sword Dancer 8.5, Leeston, Sitology 8.3, Newel Post 7.11, Victory Night 7.9, Atomic Star, Chatmoney, Early Astir, Lance Tor, Merrijigs, Sir Desmond 7.7.

Waiuta Trot, of £135, 3.20 class; one an da quarter miles. —Adelma, Amos Grattan, Aristocrat, Golden Pye, Grattan Chief, Loyal Volo, Phoebe s Pride, Piquant, Skyhook, Wrackdale scr, Artful, Sandbird, Wynleaf 24, Scotch Drift 48, Motto 60. Cronadun Hack Handicap, of £145; six furlongs and a-half: Deficiency 9.7, Dress Rehearsal 8.5, Post Graduate 8.4, Skyzami 7.13, Precipitate, Royal Flash 7.9, Maka Maka. Morning Watch, Sky High 7.8, Chatmoney, Evening Star, Leigh Note, Miss Colleen, Transfusionist, Riversdale 7.7. Maruia Handican, of £155; seven furlongs: Flying Orders 9.0, Chellow Dene 8.2. Double Cross, Renege 7.12, Trench Meter 7.6, Avonbridge Shenandoah, Early Night, Leeston 7.0.