OTAKI MAORI RACES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 144, 3 June 1936, Page 2

OTAKI MAORI RACES

Moderate Fields Engaged RUNNERS REVIEWED (By “The Barb.”) To-morrow and Saturday this meeting will be held, but with a rather disappointing acceptance list. Hastings stables will be represented by Royal Banquet, Slippery, Stitchbird, Royal Bengal, Royal Solo and First Chapter, thj last-named on the second day only Although the fields arc on the small side the class engaged is of oven character Unit promises interesting contests. KI'KU MAIDEN. Of £6O; 6 furlongs. At this stage of the season maiden races outside the centres are always ol a very poor lot and tnis event is no exception. Golden Anne was third to Oratory and Clessamor at Egrnont last February, in a similar position at Hangitikei, and again last Saturday tu Helios and Garter Red. The rest of the field cannot boast of even as good performances. The betting may favour Golden Anne, Lavish and Wafehi. TARARUA STEEPLECHASE, Of £7O; 2( mile. Royal Banquet proved expensive to Hawke's Buy sports last Saturday at Foxton, when she fell, but they were a little unlucky. The chestnut was going very easily at the time when Tiger Bill crashed and Royal Banquet fell over him. The Hastings horse suffered no ill-effects from the spill and will be ready to go a good race to-morrow. The Ranger is sure to have improved with last Saturday’s run. Taura Lad may have been a little lucky to win at Foxton, but won easily after Royal Banquet and Tiger Bill toppled. Sir lionaid has no form. Favouritism may be disputed by Royal Banquet and Taura Lad.

WAITOHU HACK HANDICAP. Of £80; 6 furlongs.

A weak field. Vinco is not much good, yet he holds pride of place in the handicap. Y’oussipoif has one maiden to bis credit, the same applying to Garter Red. At one time Gladiutn was held in high esteem, but went off and has shown no improvement in the last eighteen months. Midacre’s wins are few ami fur between. Minnow whs third last week-end to Happy Hunting and De Trop, but Mister Quex has yet to break his duck. Three that may appeal are Vinco, Garter Red and Minnow.

UAUKAWA CUP HANDICAP Of £175; 11 mile.

Might is anything but consistent, but is up to this class when in his best mood despite his 8.11, Arctic King is only fair, never having acted up to the beginning of the season's promise. Hazoor must be hard, while Peter Jaekson, with recent racing, should now be in something like right condition. Gay Boy, who, after winning at Marton, failed to finish among the first four last Saturday, should do better this time. Slippery might, but his last three starts have resulted in disappointments. Lapel was a moderate fourth in the Foxton Cup, so needs to improve. Rose Vai in the 'same event was never really dangerous, but Hunting Lodge went a good race for second place and she races well always on the Otaki course. Glenvane appears to have lost caste, and Stitchbird is flying high after his poor showing in a moderate field of hacks last week-end. Most money may be invested on the chances of Arctic King, Hunting Lodge and Hazoor. OTAKI HACK HANDICAP. Of £80; 1 mile and 58 yards. Blue Boy, after an absence of eighteen months from racing, made his reappearance in the hack hurdler at Foxton to finish fourth. In the Otaki race the opposition is weak, but th# Gainscourt gelding, now in A. M. Wright’s stable may, want a little more racing. Chile will not lack for support. Stitchbird ran two good races nt Carterton, but failed badly at .Foxton, where the sandy track has upset many “pots,’’ so Stitchbird’s defeat may be overlooked to some extent Windward races best at this part of the season, so a return to the winning list is not unexpected. Ayresleigh and Script look like being the outsiders of this lot, of which the best backed may lie Chile, Windward and Stitchbird. HUIA HANDICAP. Of £100; 6 furlongs.

Beau Gitllaute is well overdue, but has not much to dispose of here, as is proved by him being allotted 8.10. Boomerang, a good hack, was second last Saturday at his first attempt tn open company. Miss Hushabye has not won a race this season. Lavington is not fancied, but should Bodyline run up to recent work then the Hastings owned gelding should make amends for many recent disappointments. Royal Bengal since coining hack into work han been racing a little more generously to run second and third in his lai-t two attempts. What will be better backed than Boomerang, Royal Bengal and Beau Gallante?

TE HORO hack HANDICAP, Of £80; 7 furlongs. I'inert is again engaged. State Bunk lias failed repeatedly this last quarter. Alaest.ro bus one win out of many starts to his credit, while Royal Solo having recovered from nn abscess in Hie mouth, should make amends for her <l< I'i'nt into third place nt Carterton. Tim remaining trio, Cloudy Bay I>l.-i ii-.-> King anil Minnow, are im more IFi.-iU lightweight iiossihililii-s. 1(p,.r.-orv may be looked for from Royal Solo. Revival ->r Vinco.