AUCKLAND EASTER HANDICAP

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 103, 12 April 1933, Page 3

AUCKLAND EASTER HANDICAP

REVIEW OF FIELD. This race was first run in the year 1874 and was then won by Batter, owned by the late Jlr James Watt (later of Hawke’s Bay) over two miles and during the eleven years it was run over this distance was twice won by horses from this district, viz., Jlr Alan JlcLean’s Louie as a three-year-old carrying 7.5 with W. Brown in the saddle. Captain (afterwards Sir) W. R. Russell won with his three-year-old filly Leonora (W. Clifford). For the next five years the distance was reduced to a mile and threequarters, and then, from 1890 to 1897, to a mile and a half. While at that distance Hawke’s Bay won with Cyxusca, 6.12, owned by Mr (afterwards Sir) Geo. Hunter and ridden by Geo. Colello. in 1898 the A.R.C. further reduced the distance to a mile and it has remained so ever since. Eight Auckland Easters have since gone to the credit of Hawke’s Bay trained horses, viz., Hon. J. D. Ormond’s Mobility, 6.7 (J. Parramore); E. J. Watt’s Aborigine, 7.13 (C. Jenkins); E. J. Watt’s Ventura, 8.13 (L. Wilson); A .B. Williams’s Chortle. 9.7 (S. J. Reid); G. D. Beatsou’s Parisian Diamond, 7.11 (H. Gray); A. B. Williams’s Grotesque, 8.1 (A. G. Dixon), and T. Fraser’s Hunting Cry, 9.3 (F. Foster). This season the Bay claims but one representative. Gold Trail, and when her party left Hastings yesterday morning it had not been decided finally whether she would contest the Easter Handicap or the G.N. Oaks. Her work before going away, however, pointed to the mile race being the most likely. The most outstanding performances in the A.R.C. Easter are to the credit of Nonette and Advance, as both won as three-year-olds carrying the respective weights 9.11 and 9.9. Great as Silver Scorn is, either of these weights would to-day find her taxed to her utmost, and not favourite on the machine either.

The following is a brief summary of those engaged in Saturday’s contest. Ever since the appearance of the weights the handicapper has been adversely criticised for awarding Golden Wings 9.9 but surely on his form he has earned every pound of this aud, with nine-year-old Paganelli with only 31b. less, these critics have surely gone astray. Golden Wings has proved himself this season the best of our sprinters, and only recently won the challenge Stakes at Wellington, running the seven furlongs under 9.5 in a tick over 1.24. Since then he has beaten our best at Awapuni. As a three-year-old last season he won the Auckland Guineas, one mile, beating Bronze Eagle and Croupier into second and third places, in 1.37}. In that race he carried 8.10, or 121 b. above w.f.a. Now, with another year on to him and at 91b. above w.f.a., it is difficult to see how he could possibly receive any lower weight than the present. On the manner in which he has won recently he must be one of the field to be very seriously considered. Paganelli has shown himself this season to be only a little removed from his best, so he, too, will enter calculations, although his age must tell a little in the finish. Lady Quex last season, with 41b. more on her back, ran second to Great Star, but her recent form on the other coast points to her being on the down grade. Sunny Sky should now be somewhere near the form she displayed fast winter and with 8.5 should be one to be very seriously considered if her track form is good. Jfanawhenua was backed both days at Whangarei, but was beaten into third place over six furlongs. Should it be at all on the wet side on Saturday, however, the Jlaori owned and trained gelding will run a great race. Even if the going is firm he has, at his best, credentials good enough to win even in this select company. Gold Trail before leaving here in her last two gallops went exceptionally well. Although not quite free from that dry cough, she will, if started, go very close to collecting first money. Refresher has been scratched. Royal Artist may find the mile just a wee bit on the short side, but the race should do him good for his race on Easter Jlonday. Inflation since the summer, with the exception, of his second to Golden Wings at Wellington has not shown his best form, but. accepting the suggestion that he is back to his best, this three-year-old should with 8.0 be hard to beat. Eager Rose has won over middle distances, but not in the best of company. L’Allegro will be remembered as beating Silver Scorn last Boxing Day in the Christmas Handicap, one mile, and on that race he must with 7.12 be pondered over. Lordly Knight is a brilliant galloper and on breeding should find a mile well within his powers. Flying Prince won the other day in fair company, but he is not exactly reliable. Aiguille is a good miler and his last Wellington form was suggestive of winning a better class race. But here the opposition is of the very best and, though not strongly recommended, he cannot be disregarded. Chief Cook is a light-weight possibility. Aga Khan won at Awapuni over nine furlongs, so he can be relied upon to go a good mile. Rita’s Light has no form for a race of this description, but the other pair at the bottom of the handicap, Prolyxo and Sea Ruler, have won well this season and on the handicap will bo given a chance. The following may be the favourite selection: Gold Trail, L’Allegro, Golden Wings, and Sunny Sky.