RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20239, 26 April 1929, Page 17

RACING.

THE WAIKATO MEETING.

FIRST DAY'S ACCEPTANCES.

LARGE FIELDS ENGAGED. The Waikato Racing Club's Autumn Meeting opens to-morrow and matters shape most promisingly for a record gathering at To Rapa in the event of fine weather prevailing. The " acceptances received for the eight events which Itorrn tho programme aro all round of a highly satisfactory character, and a series of splendid contests should result. The leading event of the programme, the Storey Memorial Cup, has attracted an acceptance of 14, with Aussie at the head of the list. Eighteen horses figuro in the President's Handicap, the principal sprint event, and for this race Benzora holds the placo of honour. The Juvenile Handicap finds ?0 youngsters engaged, and the two-year-old raco is sure to command a lot of interest. Altogether, everything points to the Waikato having a splendid meeting at To Rapa. The following is tho list of acceptances received for the various events: —

Special train arrangements at excursion fares, from various points, are announced for both days of the Waikato Racing Club's meeting.

CANDIDATES DISCUSSED. BY ARCHER. Consistency has been a feature of the latest efforts of Vivo and her performances over hurdles at Awapuni, where she notched a win and a second, stamped her ns a very useful jumper. At her last start Vivo carried 10.i and ran a very close second to Elicit over a mile and three-quarters in the fast time of ,1m 12 2-ss. Should she repeat that form, she is likely to be very troublesome with the same weight in the Prankton Hurdles. Early in the season Ripon Abbey won several short-distance hurdle events in quick succession arid there is no doubt that he i 3 capable of going very fast up to a mile and three-quarters over hurdles. The big fellow has failed in his latest outings, but he will be lacing in a class and over distances that will be to his liking at this meeting and will only need to strip well to be prominent in the running of the Franklon Hurdles. Two falls and a second is the record of Komak in his last three starts and hia uncertainty in hia fencing is not inspiring. Nevertheless Komak is one of the most promising young hurdlers seen out at recent meetings and only requires to gain greater proficiency in his jumping to prove a good winner. Ho will bo racing on his homo track at thi3 meeting and that may bo in his favour. If he fences correctly, he is sure to mako his presenco felt in the hurdle events. Luck has not favoured Gala Day since lie notched a win and a second at To Aroha and he was hampered when he ran third in the Kairnnga Hurdles at Awapuni through hia rider losing an iron. On figures he has none the best of it in the Prankton Hurdleß through Vivo, who beat him in hia last start and now meets him on lib. better terms. Still Gala Day is likely to improve on anything he has yet accomplished over hurdles and can bo expected to give a good account of himself at the meeting. Horses handily weighted in the Frankt.on Hurdles that are all capable of running a fast milo and a-half over hurdles are Ned Kelly and Highflown, and their presenco in tho field will ensuro the raco being solidly run. They should both go well and perhaps tho ono to mako the best showing may bo Highflown, who ruined excellent prospects at hia last start by falling at tho second-to-last fenco when racing in front with the winner. When Royal Finance ran-fourth at Avondalo recently she made a surprisingly good showing considering that she had not been doing well shortly before tho meeting and was not herself. Sho has had *. chance to freshen up in tho meantime and should atrip a better lilly at this meeting, «o that

improvement in lier form is likely. At her. boat she would be particularly difficult to beat in the class she will have to meet in the Juvenile Handicap. So far Praetor lias failed to win, but he has not had many opportunities and is an improving youngster likely to open his winning account at any time now. After being badly drawn at tho post and showing a lino burst of speed, lie was narrowly beaten over sis furlongs at Ellerslie at his last start and therefore has some form to his credit. Should he display the same dash in the Juvenile Handicap, what beats him should win. He has done nicely lately and should strip very well.

For a youngster that was not so forward as most of hia opponents, Taurua was responsible. for it pleasing effort in finishing a close fifth in the Onslow Stakes at Ellerslie. Nest time out he did not do so well, but there is no doubt that ho is a colt of good promise and ho should have possibilities in the juvenile class at this meeting. Possibly the six-furlong event on tho sescond clay may be moro to his liking than the five furlongs to-morrow.

Several defeats have lately gone down against Flying Juliet, but she has invariably ran good races and it may be her turn again soon. Her form throughout the season has been consistently good, and, as she has come down a little in the weights as a result of her recent unplaced performances, she may prove dangerous in the Storey Memorial Cup. At her best she will run a very solid mile and a-quarter with 8.2. Since winning the Ohinemuri Gold Cup last month ?Loyal Doulton has failed to show any form and was well beaten in her engagements at Ellerslie and Avondale. She has a nice handy weight in 8.2 in the Storey Memorial Cup and would only have to reproduce her best to take a good deal of betting. She has had time to freshen up in the past fortnight and may race better than recent form suggests.

The manner in which Corinax has 'thrived on his work and racing in tho past few weeks indicates that ho will strip a fitter horse for the Storey Memorial Cup than he ha 3 been for any of his engagements this .autumn. Corinax is not going to have any easy task to win with 8.10, hut he was unluckily beaten with 8.8 in similar company at his last Btart and can be relied upon to be in tho picture when the deciding line is reached. The latest exploits of King Lu have shown him to be right at the top of his form and he mu.3t therefore be worthy of serious consideration in the Storey Memorial Cup. It i 3 some time since he raced beyond a mile, but he has shown ability to get a middle distance and last season won over nine furlong 3 at Takapuna with 8.10, and also ran second to Rapier in the Clifford Plate (U miles), wherein he beat Satrap, King Lu is to be ridden by L. Manson, who piloted I'im in his victories at Avondale. Without winning, Standfast has run two fine races in hia latest outings and only for . being left some lengths would probably have won instead of running third at his last run. The thrce-vear-old has trained on satisfactorily in the meantime and a winning turn for him should not be long delayed. He is nicely placed with 7.1 in the Linley Hack Handicap and should be handy at the finish. Standfast is also engaged in the Beerescourt Hack Handicap. When Indolent ran second to Envoy over a mile at Ellerslie he wa3 not handled to the best advantage, otherwise he may have just won. He ran another solid raco on the second day and form suggests that he can be ticked off for an early success. With 7.6 in the Linley Hack Handicap Indolent will only have to reproduce the dash he displayed at Ellerslie to go very close to winning. It is some months since King Smock had a race and possibly lack ox recent racing may bo against him when he comes to keep his engagements at this meeting. He has hitherto almost invariably performed well at To Rapa and in his best form he would have to be seriously reckoned with in the Puketaha High-weight Handicap. As ho is trained in tho country, nothing ia known regarding his latest track doings ana therefore his prospects are difficult to assess. One of the biggest disappointments of the recent meetings has been in the Shade, whose efforts have fallen considerably beiow expectations. As a result of his failures, he is now in a nice position m the handicaps and would only have to strike hia true form to be an early winner. It is over 12 months since he was on the winning list and a success for him is therefore well overdue. At hia best. In the Shade with 7.4 would be a tougn proposition for the opposition in the Storey Memorial Cup if he could only strike form. Two creditable en'orts liave been recorded by Mithra in her latest outings and sne seems to be recovering some ot the dash that cnaracterised her perlormances last season. She was a good second to iiillikms over seven furlongs at Avondale recently and slight improvement on that iorrn should givo her an excellent chance in the .tuketaha High-weight Handicap. It appeared tiiat Le Choucas was unlucky rot to win the two principal handicaps at Whangarei last week and his running demonstrated that he :s back to iorm. The Magpie gelding is still nicely placed in the handicaps and it will not be surprising to lind him again racing well at this meeting, where he should be suited by the long straight.

There has been nothing special about the latest track aoinga of \allar, although he has been working with plenty oi freedom and is very well. Ability to begin last is always a factor in favour of Valiai and he should run a merry six furlongs with 8.8 in the President's Handicap. The chestnut is sure 10 command a strains following and should give his supporters a good run. If iimgheid is produced in the same form as he was at the autumn meeting at Ellerslie, where he ran third in the Easter Handicap and fourth in the Huia Handicap, he can be expected to trouble the sprinters in the President's Handicap. He won the event last year with 7.5, and, though he is higher in the weights now, he certainly appears a likely one to go well in the sprints at the meeting, more especially if the going is soft. Only for getting caught in the tapes at the start. Lady Quex would probably have won the sprint on the second day at Avondale and she is therefore likely to claim solid support in her engagements at the meeting, it is doubtful whether she has been seen quite at her best lately, but she has done nicely in the past fortnight and promises to make a bold showing m the President's Handicap.

Valuation's latest form indicates that he is better than the average hack and the chances are he will quickly win his way into higher company. Tho Valkyrian gelding is favourably placed to extend hia record in the Beerescourt Hack Handicap and is sure to come in for strong support. That solid sprinter Benzora recently showed a return to term in. notching a win and a third at Awapuni, and it is therefore to bo expected that- he will be in excellent trim for his engagements at this meeting. Benzora's best is very good and. despite tho fact that he will bo conceding weieht to some smart horses, he mayhave to be seriously reckoned with. The long straight at Te Rapa should bo distinctly _ to his liking. Aussie's presence among the acceptors for the Storey Memorial Cup indicates that G. Paul haa definitely decided to give the crack sprinter an opportunity to gain distinction over a middle distance. Aussie can run a mile brilliantly, and. there is no reason why ho should not bo able to eet another couple of furlongs. He will have no easy task to win with 0.9. but on a, dry track lie can be expected to make a. bold showing, THE RANGITIKEI HUNT. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1 MARTON, Thursday. Tho enthusiasm shown at the annual meeting of tho Rangitikei Hunt this week indicated clearly that tho popularity of the sport is on tho increase in this district. Arrangements were made for the season's activities, and. with several new members elected, success again promises to crown the club's efforts. Mr. D. G. Riddiford. who may bo regarded as a pioneer of hunting in the province, presided, and read an interesting report. Ofiicors were elected as follows:—President. Sir .Tames Wilson: vice-presidents, Messrs. R. If. Aldworth, W. H. Gaisford and L. M. Taverner; master, Mr. D. G. Riddiford: deputy-masters, Messrs. H. J. Cameron, W. J. Simpson, J. Brice and F. McLean; auditor, Mr. F. Hatherley; committee, Messrs. A. H. Bill, J. Bull. P. Briant, G. Briant, K. Duncan, C. Henderson. 11. R. Gaisford. J. McDonnell. J. H. McLean, L. T. McLean, D. McLean. Evan McGregor. D. Simpson. A. W. Trotter and W. W. Wilson: • secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. Way. It was dpcided to hold tho annual Hunt Ball on July 30 and tho point-to-point steeplechases on July 31.

SEASON'S FIXTURES.

April 26, 27—Nelson Jockey Club. April 27, 29—Waikato Racing Club. April 27—Amberley Racing Club. April HO—Tunnekn, County Racing Club May 3. 4— Marlborough Racing Club. May V—Martor. Jockey Club. May P, 11—Egmont Racing Club. May 11—Franklin Racing Club May 16. 18—Wanganui Jockey Club. June 1, 3, s—Auckland Racing Club. June 1, 3, S—Dunedm Jockey Club.

FHANKTON HURDLES. Of £150; 1J miles. st. lb. Et. lb. Pouri 11 0 Glena Bay . 9 0 Wiltshire . . 10 7 Star Comet . 9 0 Vivo 10 4 Regent . . . . 9 0 Ned Kelly . . 10 '2 Cybello . 9 0 Gala Day . 10 0 Bracken Abbey 9 0 Uralla . . . . 9 13 Te Kawana . 9 0 Highflown . . 9 13 Town Rambler 9 0 Ripon Abbey !) 12 Kaihoremai . 9 0 Odin .... 9 1 Te Waka . . 9 0 Boomerday ..91 Stencil Hill 9 0 MAIDEN STAKES. Of £100; ti fur. Bt. lb. at. lb. Day Guide , 8 3 Nassau Lady . 8 1 Guid Day ..83 Pai Alia . . 8 1 Kins Leslie . 8 3 Catonian . 7 12 Mangoatea ..83 Cruachan . . 7 12 New Boy ... 8 3 Haviland . . 7 12 Parfait Amour 8 3 Kingsland . . 7 12 Pompeiua ..83 Measurer . . . 7 12 Tanetoa ... 8 3 Pr. of Orange 7 12 Thurnus ... 8 3 To Hora . . . 7 12 Vaucluse ..83 Townsman . . 7 12 Joy Girl . .81 Tuku . . ., . 7 12 Just Nell ..81 Da'ty Manners 7 0 Kiri .... 8 1 Look Out . . 7 0 Lioria .... 8 1 Princess Snow 7 0 Little Joy ..81 Ruby Daion . 7 0 JUVENILE HANDICAP. Of £150 5 fur. st. lb. fit. lb. Awamutu ... 8 S Val Sirnon 7 1 Flying Prince 8 3 Valstreet 7 1 Bennie .... 8 0 Rose Lupin . 7 1 Pellette . . . 7 10 Crimestor . 7 0 Currajong ... 7 9 Taurua . . . 7 0 Praetor .... 7 5 Trig ... 0 Fraser .... 7 4 Sensola . . . 7 0 Royal Finance 7 3 Snowplane . 7 0 The Sun ..73 Wm. of Orange i 0 Kiritahanga ..71 Ruling Chief 7 0 STOREY MEMORIAL CUP. o K cr> o li miles. 8t. lb. St. lb. Aussie .... 9 9 Le Choucas 7 5 King Lu ... 9 0 Mosque . . . 7 4 Corinax ... 8 10 In the Shade 7 4 Royal Doulton 8 2 Thursby . 7 1 Flying Juliet . 8 2 Queen Arch 7 0 Desert Glow . 8 0 Wenaay . . . 7 0 Mervette . . . 7 11 Ti Tree . . . 7 0 LINLEY HACK HANDICAP. Of £'200 1 mile. st. lb. St. lb. Black Maire . 9 4 High Tide . 7 3 Hakanoa ... 9 1 Brampton . . 7 1 Arikitoa ... 8 0 Always . . . 7 0 Some Lady . 7 12 War Officer 7 0 To Money . . 7 11 (ray Cockade 7 0 Kaha 7 9 Katuscha . 7 0 Indolent ... 7 6 Furrie . . . 7 0 Pendavie3 ..75 Panawhaka . 7 0 Standfast ... 7 4 Rangikaaha . . 7 0 PUKETAHA HIGH-WEIGI-IT HANDICAP Of £350: 1 mile. st. lb. st. lb. Paitonu .... 0 3 Barometer . . 8 0 Le Choucae . 9 1 Owairaka . . . 8 0 Queen Arch . 8 7 Prince Lu . . . 8 0 Modest Boy . 8 6 Aiiriculus . . . S 0 King Smock . 8 5 Bright Day 8 0 Mithra ... 8 5 Sir Russell . . 8. 0 Hipo . ..83 Red Comet . . 8 0 Goiden Krist . 8 2 Respirator . . . 8 0 Paddon ..82 Eawepoti . . . S 0 PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP. Of £300 6 fur. at. lb. st. lb. Benzora .... 8 12 Tea Time . . 7 0 Vallar .... 8 8 Mosaic . . . . 7 0 Kingtield ... 8 5 Ruffles . . . . 7 0 Lady Quex . . 8 2 Whaka King . 7 0 Subdivision ..78 Macroom . . . 7 0 Billikins ... 7 5 Waltzer . . . . 7 0 Lucy Rose ..75 New Moon . . 7 0 Value 7 4 Takutama . . . 7 0 Town Bird ..71 Marble King . 7 0 BEERESCOURT HACK. Of £150 7 fur. et. lb. et. lb. Maori Boy ..96 Whakama . . 7 4 Air King ... 9 4 Standfast . . 7 4 Valuation ... 8 6 Flapperctte 7 3 Some Lady . 7 12 Luminary . . . 7 1 Brilliant Light 7 8 Otangihaku . . 7 0 Maurea ... 7 8 Mark Mint . . 7 0 Unoco .... 7 (i Orchns . . . . 7 n Jack Jumper . 7 5 Lucess . . . . 7 0 Arcade .... 7 5 Semiarch . . . 7 0