Logical Cup Favourite

Northern Advocate, 27 October 1949, Page 7

Logical Cup Favourite

<By Frank Wilson.) The Whangarei Cup has attracted a very even field. ■* The Bat heads the weights with 8.4. He has not raced since finishing near the rear of the field in the 10-furlong Spring Handicap on the second day at Ellerslie, in heavy going. He favours firmer ground and may do better on a good track. Martial Song, 7.13, has shown a liking for soft ground, but is a good stayer and can be relied on for a solid race.

He won over 1J miles at Thames on September 17, beating Huntore and Corineus. On that occasion he carried 7,11. He finished eighth in the Somers Memorial Handicap at Te Aroha, and has not raced since. He should make a bold showing. Paul and Silver Treasure have 7.11. Silver Treasure has not shown good form for some time.

Paul has been staying on in races of a shorter nature and should see the distance out. At his last attempt, he finished strongly for third in the Liverpool Handicap, one mile, at Ellerslie, on October 15. He has always raced well in easy going. He is also engaged in the IV&naia Handicap. Beaute, 7.10, ran unplaced at Ellerslie at her last start, but previously finished a sound second at Te Aroha. She races best a trifle “pretty,” and has again had time to freshen up. Having a handy weight, she could surprise.

FORMIDABLE TRIO Mignonette, Lady Finis and Beau Rosa have 7.9. Mignonette has been working nicely and as she has always raced well at Kensington, may prove a winner. Lady Finis has not raced since finishing second in the Mangaiti Hack Handicap with 9.1 at Te Aroha on

October 1. She has run sound races over this distance and, being small and nippy, is a type well suited to the track. She is now in the stable of C. M. Jillings, former well-known jockey, who is a young addition to the trainers’ ranks. Lady Finis has run seconds in both her races for him.

Beau Rosa will probably be the favourite. A repetition of the form he displayed in his last race, when he finished third to Ruling Master and Sylis in the Spring Handicap at Ellerslie, would give him success. Take-a-Lot and Kyrat are both capable gallopers, particularly in soft ground. With 7.7, they are at a handy mark. Neither has much recent fojmi, although Take-a-Lot finished third at Avondale in September over a mile. He was brought back with a broken bridle before the start of the mile on the second day at Ellerslie. Gay Coronach, 7.6, has not raced since October 1. Fresh up, she is a good galloper, but seems to go off rapidly. Her best form has been shown over shorter distances and the Manaia Handicap may suit better.

CONSISTENT AT KENSINGTON Saffron Walden, 7.4, has run some good races at Whangarei. He has raced three times over hurdles this season. His last win was on October 27, 1948 Marcher, Bouquet and Aylesbury, oh the minimum, complete the field. Marcher has made some progress since racing at Ellerslie, but has yet to show open-company form. Bouquet ran a useful fifth over a mile at Te Aroha, and has not started since. Aylesbury has not shown form recently. Beau Rosa will probably be the public fancy, with Paul, Mignonette, The Bat and Martial Song also assured of support. Take-a-Lot would appreciate easy going. The diminutive Lady Finis is most likely to upset.