SPORTING NOTES

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 4642, 20 May 1938, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

PROSPECTS FOR TE RAPA. (By Glentruin). Provincial sportsmen and local racing enthusiasts in particular, will be well catered for to-morrow, when the opening day of the Waikato Racing Club's Winter Meeting will be held at Te Rapa. Acceptances for all events are particularly good, with a sprinkling of the best class of hurdlers and 'chasers fielded in the three jumping events.

The large field of 31 was attracted in the Otorohanga Hack Handicap, and, as this number exceeds the safety limit, the race has been divided into two separate contests each carrying a stake of £2OO in addition to a sweepstake of £2. As is usual at Te Rapa, the win and place betting system will be in operation, and proceedings will open with the Melville Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase, which has drawn a field of ten useful 'chasers. Lucidus, the top weight, is racing and jumping well at present, but he has also an engagement in the Te Rapa Steeplechase. Should he start here, he would probably be favourite as the distance will be all in his favour. Kinkle has not raced much lately, but is a good fencer, and in his last start ran Lucidus to a nose decision at Pukekohe. London and Wykemist have no recent form and Cordon has failed since winning at Cambridge last Labour .Day My Money and Grantham will both have friends in the class. The favourites in the absence of Lucidus, may be Kinkle, Wykemist, Grantham.

The first division of the Otorohanga Hack Handicap, comes next and the top weight is Aero King, who lost form after winning well over this distance at the Takapuna meeting. Provided he has freshened up, Aero King should have a big say here. Paul Robeson won a double at Waipukurau, and is therefore entitled to respect, while form horses in Dragon Moth, Alyth, and British Nation will have heavy backing. Of the remainder, Hunting Blood and Bass appeal most. A likely trio may be Paul Hunting Blood, Aero King. A select field of 14 jumpers stand their ground in the Waikato Hurdes of 1% miles. Iddo will be meeting his strongest opposition to date, but on May Hurdles form, the Tractor gelding will not be disgraced. "Donegal and Silk Sox will need to improve considerably to win, but Celtic Lad, with Mcßae in the saddle, reads a distinct possibility. There is no doubt that the Little England horse can both jump and stay. Mia Acrea and Lady England are both improving horses, but the best of a good group of lightweights may be High Star and Innes Lad. Favoritism may be disputed by Celtic Lad, Mia Acrea, Iddo.

Eleven are carded for the President's Handicap of 1% miles, and there does not appear to be a "passenger" among the lot. King Rey, the top weight, invariably runs well at Te Rapa, and both Master Brierly and Gay Rose are in solid form. Wotan is too unreliable to follow, but the long straight may suit him, while Enge may still require a race to finish him off. Malagigi has the form to entitle him to favouritism, and what beats the Paladin gelding should win. Valamito and Cheval de Volee will both have strong backing, and the two on the minimum, Light Comedy and Prince Rangi, will not be neglected. In a very difficult problem, a preference is expressed for Malagigi, King Rey, Cheval de Volee. The big race of the day, the Te Rapa Steeplechase, is next, and the Hawera and Wanganui winner, Clarion Call, heads the list. This fine son of Hunting Song is easily the best 'chaser seen out so far this winter, and it is difficult to see him beaten here, with all his poundage. All Irish is a good jumper and his appearance will create interest, while Riotous and Forest Glow will carry support. Huskie finished strongly at Hawera and is a possibility here. This horse is well-seasoned and is expected to play a prominent part in the decision of the big jumping events at Ellerslie. Neil, though not fast, is a reliable fencer, but Lucidus if reserved for this race, should be in the picture all the way. Bryce Street should have prospects if he stands up. An exciting race should result, and three which may be prominent at the finish are Clarion Call, Huskie, All Irish. Melvanui heads the fkld in the Otorohanga Hack Handicap (second division), but the distance may be too short for the Te Monanui gelding. Du Maurier, Forest Acre, Viracious and Highland Queen have good recent form, and Friskland, which has not raced for some months, performed well earlier in the season and may be a good prospect from now on. Of the others, Maxown and Hesketoon appeal most. Form points to Friskland, Hesketoon, Maxown;

Twenty-three sprinters have accepted for the Stewards' Handicap, and with so many recent winners and place-fillers engaged, betting is likely to take a wide range. Three which should carry strong support are Te Monowai, Golden Sheila, Sweet Rose.

The day's sport will conclude at 4.20 p.m., with the Horotiu Handicap, of 1 mile. Gay Rebel, the top weight, had his first outing for some time at Pukekohe, and is bound to' be improved by that run. Gay Streak ran second to Barrister at the same meeting, and both of these horses should be prominent. Jack Tar and Loombination will carry support, but Gay Sister failed at Hawera, where Disturbed won well on the second day. Both Abbey Lass and Cometarium are improvers, and of the rest, the most likely appear to be Alyth (which has been working well on the tracks), Arawa Rose and Mai de Mer. Best backed may be Barrister, Abbey Lass, Mai de Mer.