ANNUAL SPRING RACING AT OTAKI.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 October 1931, Page 2

ANNUAL SPRING RACING AT OTAKI.

Quite a number of the horses engaged are having their first race after emerging from their Winter quarters and form may- prove unreliable. Speculators will find the problems set by the handicapper a trifle difficult, but always interesting. . The course is reported to be in .good order after the spell of fine weather.

Racing will commence at 11.45 a.m. and the programme is as follows: — KAPITI HACK HURDLES, of 90 sovs. One mile and a-half. 2 Warzone 10 9 * Hard Gold 10 6 1 Manuiri 9 9 0 Kaokaoroa 9 4 03 Coon Song 9 4 •30 Okapua 9 4 00 Autumn Dawn .. 9 0 • * Refleeto 9 0 * Doe . .. 9 0 * Gambler 9 0 * Modestrian 9 0 000 Gueress 9 0 3 Spanish Prince . . 9 0 Only four of those engaged in the opening event have recent placed form in jumping events, the most recent winner being Manuiri, who won at Napier Park. He has been re-handicapped 91b and Warzone who was second in the same race meets him on that much better terms and should reverse positions. Hard Gold is a good* fencer, but has not raced for some considerable time. Song’s third at Wanganui and his subsequent satisfactory schooling efforts will (bring him solid support and Okapua has a chance on Wanganui first day form. Gueress and Kaokaoroa will be best supported of the others.. In the light of recent form the safest pair appear to be Warzone. Coon Song. PUHI MAIDEN PLATE, of 75 sovs. 6 furlongs. FIRST DIVISION. * Bright 'Song. * Matiil Chimes. * Miss Energetic. D Pikete, 00 Yalrewa. * Tegucigalpa. * Geleste. ' * Goy. * Fairwind. * King Thomond. 00 St, Roger. 0 Alpinist. * Miladi. * Sanguine King.' * Lvrical.

There are only three runners in the first divison that have gained place money, Valrewa running two thirds'-at the last October meeting at Otaki; St. Eoger two seconds behind Golden Wairarapa New Year fixture; and Miladi who in her only start last season, when bracketted with Croupier, ran second to him in the Novice Stakes at Marlborough in May. There are two likely sorts engaged in Tegucigalpa and King Thomond, who are well forward. The absence of recent form makes it.a fairly difficult race to pick but in view of the performances of Croupier, Miladi’s only effort reads very satisfactory. It may be left to Miladi.

SECOND DIVISION. . * Kotahi Eka. * Pojesse. 0 Lady Makere. 000 Shootist. *• Zephyrus. * Royal Orense. 00 Autumn Dawn. * Guerestor. * Lackaday. * Poulwind. * Acorn. * Weather Step. 00 Chief Line. * The Mirror. If he could reproduce the form displayed'at the June fixture of the Otaki Club Shootist would be the prime fancy in his division. He ran, two very good races on that occasion but his subsequent efforts have been very diacourgaging, Zephyrus would be fancied if the race was longer, while others that have shown ,a glimpse of speed are Kotaki Eka. Acorn and Chef Line. If he was caught in the right mood on the day it would Ibe fairly easy for Shootist.

KATIHIKU HACK-HANDICAP, 0 f 90 sovs. Seven furlongs. ■ * Nightmare 9 4 - 3 Acmil . 8 6 * iSaltpot ........ 82 * Appledore 8 0 ■ * Easterly 7'12 00 Arrowzone 7 g * Eminent -. . ... . . 7 5 0 Movietone. ...... 7 3 00 Plakewhite . . ..... ;. 7 0 00 Flower 7 0.- \ * Joie de Val 7 0 * Pompadour . . .. . . 7 0 If form counts for anything,: Acmil ..should win this event. There-a.re how-

Good Acceptances for Opening Day. The Fields Analysed. Favoured with a goocLlist of acceptances the Otaki Maori Racing Club’s meeting which opens at Ota i - morrow, promises to be a«successful affair, viewpoint at least. Good sport is assured and fine weather is all that will be needed to draw a reasonably g attendance.

WAITAWA HANDICAP, of 120 sovs Six furlongs. * Laughing Prince .. 10 0 00 Cimabue 9 2 0 Great Charter .... 8 4 Oil Knollmere 8 3 01 Aston 8 1 2 Pitzquex 7 11 * Acora . . 7 9 0 Manifesto . . .. .' 7 9 * Portray 7 6 32 Tobacco Land .... 7 3 0 Trdjan Melody .. 7 2

The class engaged in the open six is very good and equal to that expected on metropolitan courses. Laughing Prince, in pride of place, may be hampered by the course, but his class will carry him "a long way. He may not be favourite but will be well supported. Cimabue is not improving with years and was the outsider of the field at Wanganui. Great Charter who ran fourth at Napier will need to be taken into consideration, while Knollmere will claim attention if allowed to take his place in this field. Aston is in winning form and Pitzquex is a distinct possibility in the light of recent form. Acora and Portray will have to be taken on trust while Tobaccoland reads a better proposition than Manifesto. Trojan Melody, at the bottom of the card, is going to be dangerous and his fourth in a close finish at Wanganui reads well.. It is a very open race in which class may lie beaten by Trojan Melody. Tobaccoland. TAUMANUKA HACK HANDICAP, of 90 sovs. One mile and 55 yards. 0 Tahoma ........ 9 9 30 Royal Black 9 8 230 Spearful 9 5 0 Merry Melody .. 810 * Johneen 8 8 0 Gran Chaco 8 3 * Auckland 8 0 000 Shootist . . .. . . 8,0 0 Thrasher .. . . . . .. 8 0 0 Piket© ...... .. 80 30 Okapua 8 0 There is no recent reliable form among the runners engaged in this event. Royal Black is perhaps entitled to first choice though his efforts have been -more or less disappointing in view of his brilliant track work. Tahoma is consistent when in form and Spearful is reliable-in this class. If produced in good. order the latter is sure to ,be in the .money. Merry -itfcr .

ever, one or two decent hacks, though lacking on the score of recent form, have good to their credit last season. Nightmare is easily the best of them and if anywwhere near his best will be hard to dispose of. pot’s recent mishap may not affect him and he has the speed to go with the field while Arrowzone has won in company a good deal richer than-this. He is an “in and out” sort but usually races well on Otaki course. Appledore and Eminent have best recommendations of the remainder. It looks like Arrowzone being the danger to^ . Aomil Nightmare. LING MEMORIAL STAKES, of 150 sovs. One mile and a-quarter. / 2 Merry D'amonn ..92 ‘ 03 Mahora 8 9 03 Panther .. .... 8 3 0 Ephialtes 8 0 * Palm > 7 6 000 Black Mint 7 2 0 Sight Draft 7 0 The small field of the day is that which has accepted for the principal race. It nevertheless' bears an open aspect and should furnish an interesting contest. Merry Damon in his only start in the present racing season ran second in Cessation at Wanganui but at Awapuni in July he won the Newbury Handicap. Mahora’s last race was at the Grand National fixture, where he ran third to Historic and Meprisant in the last race of the meeting. Panther was also placed at the fixture, but in a hurdle race. His chances in this race read fairly well. Ephialtes will have to be treated with respect, though he may not be in the form he was at last June fixture, while Palm has a chance on July form. If Sight Draft can see it out, he may be dangerous and he will be preferred to Black Mint. Speculators may sum up in favour of Merry Damon. Mahora. PAHIKO HACK HANDICAP, of 90 sovs. Six furlongs. * Leisure , 9 0 0 Golden Shadow . . 812 * Navaho 8 7 * Green Pdtch . . . . 8 3 * Projection 8 0 * Fiji 8 0 0 Acis 8 0 * Patearoa 7 9 . 00 Dick Whittington 7 7 * Beaconsfield .. .. 7 7 * Pass On . . 7 7 Only three of this field have raced this season and their chances of winning does not .look very bright. Appearances of the runners will count for a good deal in the Ibetting, but it can be taken for granted that Fiji will be well forward. Leisure is fairly consistent when she strikes form and Navaho and Green Patch win in their turn. Projection did not win during last season but was placed on many occasions. Coming from the successful Corry stables he will be fancied. Dick Whittington should do best of the others. The favoured pair may be Fiji Leisure.

lody,- Thrasher an Okapua have claims for support but speculators may look to Royal Black Spearful. KEEBIHI EOEEA HANDICAP, of 120 sovs. Seven furlongs. Oil Knollmere 9 9 * Count Palatine .. 9 3 * Maui • 9 0 * Playground 8 10 1 Moa Bird ...... 8 8 * Imateagirl ...... 8 4 * Duellona 8 2 030 Eoyal Game .. .. 8 0 * Eich Harvest .... 80 * Dainty Ways .... 8 0 * Full Mark 8 0 If reserved for the concluding race Knollmere will jbe at - a short price. On form however, there is nothing to beat him. Moa Bird is a recent winner whjle there are some good horses due to have their first outing of the season.* Count Palatine and Playground are a good pair that will be supported if at all forward, while there are possibilities in Maui, Imateagirl, Duellona and Dainty Ways. Eeoent form may be looked to to supply the recovery dividend and in that case the money will be for Knollmere . Moa Bird.