Good- Fields are Engaged at Awapuni To-day

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 67, 20 March 1936, Page 4

Good- Fields are Engaged at Awapuni To-day

Trentham Form Should Prove a Reliable

Guide

First Race Starts at.l2-15 p.m.

Tlie'Manawatu Racing Club’s autumn 1 meeting opens at Awapuni today and everything points to a successful fixture. The weather, at the time of writing, is gloriously fine, and it is likely to remain so for the meeting. The roomy course was never in better condition, and as the fields, except in the Awapuni Cup, are excellent, the racing is sure to attract widespread interest.

Following last month’s storm it was suggested the meeting should bo held at Trentham. The members, however, decided that the interests of the racing people of the Manawatu and surrounding districts would he best served if tbe meeting were held at Awapuni. The work of cleaning up the storm damage was speeded up and an amazing transformation quickly achieved. The roof of the main grandstand is still out in the swamp, but fine weather was all that was required to overcome that difficulty, and to-day’s racing will be witnessed under ideal conditions.

The admission charges to the lawn have been reduced and a very big attendance can be expected.

The betting will, be . single pool, and there will be two dividends when the numbers allotted to horses on the totalisator exceed four.' Review of the Fields

The opening ■ event will be the Karere Hurdles, which will- be decided over a mile and a-half. There are . 11 acceptors and an excellent contest is assured. There are two or three horses that are new to the game, but Diamond, Gold Cure, Kaola, Invictus, Gaswyn and Widden are experienced. Aga Khan, who was once a good performer in middle-distance events, is an interesting acceptor, and if ho can jump he has been schooling well —he will havo pace enough for the other part ot the game. Diamond may be all the better for the race, but he is a good jumper and he should give a good account of himself. Gold Cure is well seasoned and his .form, at Bulls must suggest him as one of the fancied candidates. Kaola, from .Waverley, is reported to be well and to have gone on the right -way sinco his win at Opunake. There is a chance of a surprise, but tkero is likely to be a keen - demand forGold Cure, Kaola, and Diamond. There are 18 acceptors for tho Autumn Plate, and . the luck of the draw should not make a great deal of difference, as the horses will have a straight run of over three, furlongs before turning out of tho back stretch. Alloa, second, .to : Le Grand in the. Totara Maiden at, Trentham,. Battle Pomp, Cloudy Bay, Donegal, Garter Red, Golden Anne, International, Martial Lady, Mozeltovo, Otaki. and . Sib vanus,-have, been placed on. occasions, and any one of them might upset the pool to-day. Recent form, however, suggests that the favourite will be Alloa, Battle Pomp or Silvanus, . Next is the Princo of Wales Handicap, due to start at , about 1.35 p.m. This will be fought out over nine furlongs. Wellington form points to Spiral and Big Dook. Spiral won the President Is. Handicap over, a mile and ja-.quarter,,on .the concluding day, Argentic and. Korero being, in the places. On the second day, Big Dook won the Eongotai Handicap with 8.2 in the saddle, Variant and Fracas being in the places. These were good • performances.. Davistock is a good sort,when right, and he is reported to be very well. The same may be said ofEthiop, who has been consistently good since Christmas, while Arctic King, a really good sort when ready, should have been much improved by the racing he has had. Of the others, Pladie, One Whetu (who is sure to be tough), Grateful and Passion Flower, can be depended upon to keep the topweights moving. It should be a good betting race with a number of well-backed runners, but most support may be ac-' corded Big Dook, Spiral and Davistock. The fourth race on the programme is the Woodhey Handicap, which has attracted an acceptance of 16. The course will be over six furlongs and there will be no "tarrying by the wayside.” Solaria, Contact, Hias, Corowa, La Crown and Sansfoy figure at tho head of the handicap, and with six like, that engaged it will be a true-run race. Further down are Brown Pearl, Silver Wings and Whyte Melville, and tho betting is sure to be well spread. When tho machine has closed, however, it may be found that the punters have gone most solidly for Ilias, Solaria and Contact. Two two-yoar-oid event, the Cloverlea Nursery, will start about 2.55 p.m., and it will be a flutter over five furlongs. Quite a good field is engaged, and the winner will be required to record smart time. Notium has pride of place and ho will have plenty of friends despite the steadier of 9.3. Moquetto has been rather a disappointment lately, but with 8.2 the daughter of Limond and Motley cannot be .left out of calculations. Candico (Nigger Minstrel—Tea Tattle) ’ beat Mandamus at Napier, but it was in heavy going. Candico, however, may do even better on the top of the ground, and she must be given a chance to-day. Sardius, another from Hastings, was beaten into second place by Karl, who went on to win at Trentham, on the opening day of the Napier meeting, and he did not start on the second. The above-mentioned jubenilcs 'appear to have best credentials and the betting may point to , Candico, Notium and Saxdius. With Silver Ring out, the Awapuni Cup field’ has been reduced to three— Sonior,‘Entail and Greek Shepherd. En-: tail and Greek Shepherd met in the St. Leger Stakes, and after Greek Shepherd had .made the -pace for over

a mile and a-half of the journey, Entail closed on him ond won by half a head. It was held that Greek Shepherd should have won, and the fact that he carried off the honours in the Autumn Handicap, over 11 furlongs, on the second day, suggests that Entail will have his work cut out to win to-' day. The unknown quantity is Senior, who could hot have shown his true form at Wellington, where he- was beaten out of a place in the race won by Greek Shepherd, who was giving him weight. The favourite is likely to be Greek Shepherd There are 10 acceptors for the Johnston Memorial,' and Diatomous is topweight with 8.12. Mr Maurice MU, lar’s horse has yet to strike form and Diatomous will have to be taken on trust to-day. Land Tax has had a bit of a let up whieh she should be all the better for, but. Haut Monde, Limulus, Lordly Knight and Lavina have shown recent form. Bodylino looks well and has been working well, and the samo applies to Gold Mission, if Taranaki reports are correct. Severe has yet to reproduce her form of last season. Form suggests Limulus, Haut Monde and Lordly Knight as the logical favourites. The day will conclude with th§ Te Matai Handicap over 9 furlongs, which has drawn another big .field. Recent winners are Dungarvan, Red Sand (who scored decisively at Bulls), Soho, and Muggins, but racing will have improved Royal Banquet and Colenso. It will bo a good betting race, with the favourites probably Red Sand, Dungarvan and Royal Banquet, SCRATCHINGS POSTED Up to 7 o’clock last evening only three scratchings had been posted at the Racing Club’s offices. They were Silver Ring, Chile (all engagements), and Whetuma (all engagements). A report from Hastings suggested that Passion Flower is an unlikely starter, RIDING ENGAGEMENTS ■ The following riding engagements have been announced for to-day:— S. Anderson: Corowa, Alloa, G. Tattersall: War Lap, Mirth, Bodyline. . L. H. Jones: De Trop., W. J. Broughton: Senior, Haut Monde, Dungarvan, St. Clara, Black Friar and Elta Tere. A. McDonald: Gold Cure. B. Kowhai: Invictus. 1 C. McGovern; Royal Record. L. J. Ellis: Greek Shepherd, Silvanus. G. Humphries: Entail, Spiral, Moquette. ; • 'L. Clifford:-Windsorcen. j The names of jockeys will be shown in black letters on the semaphore and the names of apprentices in red.

THE LATE ROY REED ‘ There are few people who knew Roy Reed bettor than the New .Plymouth trainer, R. Johnspn, and he was visibly affected when interviewed on Wednesday morning (writes "BurryOn”). <‘l have known Roy ever since he was a child/’ he said, “and I think that I remember rightly when I say that I gave him his first two winning rides. , - ' "Right back in February, 1915, on the first day of the Taranaki Jockey Club’s autumn meeting, Roy rdde Ngapoto to victory for me in the Okato Hack Handicap, and repeated his success in the Kawau Hack Handicap on the second day. He was only a wee youngster of 13 or 14 then, apprenticed to Jack Cameron, who was afterwards a well-known judge. His father bofore him, George Reed, was a good horseman, and 1 remember years ago at Hawera he and I figured in a deadheat in a mile race. He was on Dingo and I rode Ngatahomu.” ‘ 1 Johnson proceeded to state that right from the time that Reed commenced his career as a jockey he had done most of his important riding, and be paid a glowing tribute to his ability. "He was the best and the straightest rider that I havo had any dealing with,” ho said, "and his judgment was wonderful. He could always give reliable information after a race, and could sum up the capabilities of a horse with uncanny accuracy. He was a great horseman and a fine man.” Mark of Respect As a mark of respect to the late Roy Reed, whoso funeral took place at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, the Wei lington Racing Club’s olfice was closed for an hour between 2 and 3 p.m. FROM VARIOUS SOURCES International, who is engaged in the Autumn Plate to-day, surprised track watchers earlier in the week by finishing half a length in front of Notium over half a mile in 52£sec: It was International’s best effort to date, despite the fact that Notium did not go as well as usual. Silvanus, who figures in the same event, covered five furlongs in 1.6 4-5. It was a smart effort likely to bring Silvanus into favour for to-day. AWAPUNI JOCKEY FOR AUSTRALIA Thomas Howard, until recently employed in the McDonald stables, Awapuni, left last evening in charge of Saltspray and Santos, trained by Mr C. Boyle. From Auckland Thomas will proceed to Melbourne • for the Easter racing season, but will later return to the Dominion with his charges and continue his association with their preparation in the north. STAKES FOR JUMPERS. In stakes the largest amount won by any trainer in jumping races in England last year was £7443, by Major N. Furlong, but his seven wins with four horses included the Grand National, He was succeeded by J. R. Anthony, with 12 winners of 22 races, and £6497; I.- J. Andrews, 18 winners, 39 wins, £6189; and J. M. Gosden, 16 winners, 46 wins, £4827. J. S. Wright was first in number of wins, with 48, by 18 horses. His total in stakes was only £3468. That averages slightly over £72 a race, which gives an idea of the number of small prizes for which jumpers compete in England. As a rule, jumping stables there have to look to the betting market to make ends meet. NOT FAVOURED BY FORTUNE. K. Voitre had-a remarkable winning run in important races last year, but luck was against.,.diim at the recent V.R.C. Autumn .Meeting. He rode in 14 races, and did not score a win. It is probable Voitre is riding as well as at any previous time, but his mounts were not quite good enough.—Sydney Referee. RACING FIXTURES

March 20, 21— Manawatu R.C. March 21, 23—Bay of Plenty J.C, March 21, 23—Oamaru J.C. March 28—South Canterbury J.C-. March 28 —Birehwood Hunt C. March 31, April I—Pahiatua R.C. April 2, 4—Whangarei R.C, April 4—Hawke’s Bay J.C, April 4—Waimate R.C, April 4—Otautau R.C. April 4, 6 —Westport J.C. * April 11—Greymouth J.C. April 11 —Tuapoka County J.C, April 11, 13—Auckland R.C, April 11, 13—Feilding J.C. April 11, 13—Wairarapa R.C. April 11, 13, 14—Riverton R.C. April 13 —Beaumont R.C. April 13 —Waipukurau J.C. April 13 —Kumara R.C. April 13, 14 —Canterbury J.C. April 18 —Hawke’s Bay J.C. April 18 —Greymouth J.C. April 18, 20—Avondale J.C. April 22—Reefton J.C. April 29, 30 —Dannovirke R.C. (at Woodville). May 2, 4-—Nelson J.C May 7,9 —Egmont R.C. May 8, 9—Marlborough R.C. May 9 —Amberley R.C. May 14, 16—Wanganui J.C.

THE ACCEPTANCES. 12.15KAREKE HURDLES HANDICAP, £150; 13 miles. of Diamond 10 9 Gaswyn 9 3 l Gold Cure 10 8 Wldden 9 2 Kaola 9 12 Royal Record 9 0 Invictus 9 11 Bacchus 0 Aga Khan 9 8 Marsh 9 Glenvano 9 5 Indiscretion 9 0 12.55AUTUMN PLATE, of £100; maiden conditions'; 7 furlongs. Alloa 8 7 Maestro 8 7 Aotopeen 8 7 Martial Lady 8 7 Battle Pomp 8 7 Mozeltove 8 7 Cloudy Bay 8 7 Otakl 8 7 Donegal 8 7 Prevail 8 7 Eka Tere S 7 Princess la Forum 8 7 Jean 8 7 Garter Red 8 7 Silvanus 8 7 Golden Anne 8 7 Warehi 8 7 International 8 7 1.35P1UNCE OF WALES HANDICAP, of £200; 1 mile and a furlong. Spiral 9 1 Red Rufus 7 5 Big Dook 8 11 Onewhetu 7 3 Davistock 8 6 Grateful 7 1 Slippery 8 5 Passion Flower 7 1 Ethiop 8 ■ 3 Windsoreen 7 0 Arctic King 8 0 St. Clara 7 0 Pladie 7 11 Lord Moutoa 7 0 Gay Boy 7 9 2.15WOODHEY HANDICAP, of £125; hack cons.; min. wght. 7.5; 6 furlongs. Solaria 9 5 Silver Wings 7 10 8 6 Tail Light 7 9 8 4 War Lap 7 9 7 13 De Trop 7 6 La Crown 7 12 Golden Chest 7 6 Sansfoy 7 12 Fortene 7 6 Brown Pearl 7 10 The SandWhyte wlch Man 7 5 Melville 7 10 Joviality 7 5 2.55CLOVERLEA NURSERY HANDICAP, of £140; 2-yr.-olds; 6 furlongs. Notlum 9 3 Mazzini 7 0 Moquette 8 2 Waiongona 7 0 Candico 8 1 Black Friar 7 0 The Buzzer 7 10 Mirth 7 0 Sardius 7 4 3.35AWAPUNI CUP, of £350; li miles. 9 2 Greek 8 Senior 9 2 Shepherd 4 Entail 8 4 4.15J. M. JOHNSTON MEMORIAL IIAND1 CAP, of £175 6 furlongs. Diatomous 8 12 Severe 7 7 8 8 Gold Mission 7 7 Haut Monde 8 8 Lordly Knight 7 6 Limulus 8 0 L,avina 7 i Courtega 5.0TE MATAI 7 9 Bodyline 7 0 HANDICAP, of £150; hack cons.; min. wgt. 7.7; 1 mile and a furlong. Royal Banquet 9 9 Colenso ' 7 10 Dungarvan 9 6 The Image 7 a Red Sand 8 9 Whetuma 7 8 6 Muggins 7 7 Chile 8 6 Night ‘ Lass 7 78 6 Vonia Park 7. 7 8 2 W.aitohu 7 7 Blue Garter 8 1 Tiger Bill 7 7