Form Horses at N.Z. Cup Meeting

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 281, 28 November 1945, Page 9

Form Horses at N.Z. Cup Meeting

BLUE TROUT’S GREAT SPEED. (Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, Nov. 26. There need be no excuse for any beaten horse in the New Zealand Cup. Golden Souvenir was too good on the day and would have won in almost any ordinary circumstances. He went to the front much sooner than his rider desired, but even that did not affect the result. He was pulling after entering the back stretch and Ellis decided not to light w'ith him and let him out a little. In a few furlongs he had slipped up behind the leaders and the next time he got his head he ran to tho lead. That was about three furlongs from home. These efforts to get to tho front made no difference to, his finishing powers and he was not extended. Golden Souvenir, owned by Mr. E. N. Fitzgerald, Gisborne, and trained by L. J. Ellis, Kiccarton, has developed into a very nice four-year-old and Saturday’s success should not bo his last.

Although Langue d’Or does not impress as a first class stayer he ran a fair race to be third. A better stayor might be Chung Chong, who finished really well. Chung Chong is a four-year-old by Lang Bian, is at a handy place in the weights and has scope foximprovement. Palm Bearer, winner of the Nursery Handicap at Riccarton, has demonstrated for some time that she is speedy, but many doubted if she would leave the barrier properly and refrained from backing her. L. J. Ellis handled her well and she had the race in hoi keeping a furlong from home. Shfe is by Coronach and has the speed her sire begets. Blue Simon is on the upgrade and it should not be long before he wins one. He has been galloping well at Trentham for some time and his forward running at Riccarton was anticipated. Real Chase looks a good hack. He won the Apprentices’ Handicap at Riccarton in line style and it will be surprising if he does not win more races. He was ridden by K. Hare, brother of L. Hare, who went to Australia to ride High Play arid Immediate. Blue Trout, winner the Welcome Stakes, is one of the fastest two-year-olds which has been trained at Riccarton for some years. Conditions favoured record making, as the going was fast and there was a strong wind blowing down the sprint courses, but all the same it generally takes a two-year-old well above the ordinary to break a New Zealand and Australian record. Blue Trout had shown speed in her track trials and those who had seen her work would not hear of Keening defeating her. Keening was too far from her at the time of his accident to have had any chance of catching her. Omit has greatly improved since he began racing and he was backed to beat Blue Trout. He ran second, but his pursuit of her in the straight was quite hopeless. However, he should wiu soon. Tuis ran up to her Otaki form when she contested the Stewards’ Handicap, but she had no chance whatever of catching Irish Note, who simply gave the North Island sprinters, who rilled the three minor places, a lesson in galloping. Like Blue Trout, Irish Note is trained by F. A. Roberts, Riccarton, and it is an unusual thing for the one trainer to lead in two record breakers in the one afternoon.

Sweet Biscuit had galloped well after arrival at Riccarton and was confidently expected to win the Stewards’, but she was never near the front. However, she was finishing on at the right end and might get a turn before the meeting is through.

Although Benbecula is a nice galloper, Caithness seemed unlucky in the Riccarton Handicap. While Benbecula was bowling along in front she had a lot of ground to make up, but she threw out a great challenge in the straight and at one stage appeared likely to win, but Benbecula had a little in reserve and won by half a length. On this showing Caithness might be expected to win shortly, but in the'past she has not proved easy to follow. Benbecula, who is a brilliant track worker, also seems sure to be heard of again. After arriving at Riccarton Alcyone galloped well, but she behaved very badly when at the barrier for the Riccarton Handicap and was hopelessly left. ORDER FOR ELECTRIC TOTE Mr. M. B. Bergin, of Foxton, trustee for the Napier Bark, Hawke’s Bay, Woodville, Masterton, Levin and Foxton Racing Clubs, has placed an order for the purchase of a portable electric totalisator to be owned and operated by these clubs. It is anticipated that .the machine will be available for use in the 1946 season, enabling them to offer patrons the most modern electric win-and-place facilities available and capable of handling a turnover of £250,000 a day. WORK AT AWAPUNI ENGAGEMENTS FOR RANGITIKEI Most of the fast work at Awapuni yesterday took place on the course proper and horses engaged at the Rangitikei meeting on Saturday were set useful tasks. The flags were about 40 feet out and the going was inclined to be greasy. The best trials over seven furlongs were those of Don Mac, and Bay Robe and Lady Spiral, while Dutch Mary was credited with the fastest time over rive. Gallops noted "were as under:— Over Seven Furlongs. Don Mac (D. Collins), 1.40 4-5, last three in 40 4-5. Bay Robe (W. J. Stevens) and Ladj Spiral (M. Andrews), 1.40 4-5. Gay liouen and Tid-apa, 1.43 2-5. Gala Song, 1.45 3-5. It is understood that Gala Song is an unlikely starter at Bulls. Poutu (Nicholls), 1.45 2-5. Rink (Ewan) and Solver (A. Bowness), 1.44 2-5. Over Five Furlongs. Flying Acc (J. Fagan), 1.45, steadily. Tula (R. Saunders) and Pallas Athene (Stevens), 1.14 1-5. Dutch Mary (Saunders), 1.9 4-5. Rampant (A. S. Ewan) and Imprint (A. Bowness), 1.12 3-5. Mesalliance (Ewan) and Next Best (A. Bowness), 1.15. Fen, 1.13. Over Six Furlongs. Duplicity (Collins) worked steadily over six in 1.24 3-5. Over Half a Mile. Glcnurqukart (Andrews) and Tintern (Saunders) sprinted half a mile in 57 1-5. Over Three Furlongs. Young Margaret (Saunders) slipped

over three furlongs in 40 1-5. Over a Mile. Our Tat and First King, 2.0 1-5. Scroll sprinted half a mile from the Beven furlong barrier to the three in 53. Theolateral, with Allan McDonald in the saddle, worked once round. RIDING ENGAGEMENTS Riding engagements for Rangitikei on Saturday have been announced as under:— V. J. Sellars': Kaitoa, Lucky Dip, Tahli. L * B. Borham: Saludos, Alethea. W. J. Stevens: Superium, Poutu, Arco. A. S. Ewan: Imprint, Solver. BACK AT AWAPUNI Langue d’Or, which finished in third place in the New Zealand Cup, has returned to Awapuni. RANGITIKEI SCRATCHING Financial has been scratched for his engagement at Bulls on Saturday owing to an injury to a hind leg. The leg is still swollen, but is under treatment.