WELLINGTON RACES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20819, 11 March 1931, Page 9

WELLINGTON RACES.

* FIELDS FOE SATURDAY.

NOTABLE HORSES ENGAGED / THE THOMPSON HANDICAP. CHANCES OF FAGANELLI. Quantity as well as quality is reprctho list of acceptances for the first day of tho Wellington Racing Club's .Autumn Mcoting at Trentham on Saturday, and interest in tho racing will bo widespread. Iho presonca of performers of tho calibre of Karapoti, Laughing Prince, Nightmarch, Limerick, Paganolli, Lady Quex and Toxenma will undoubtedly prove a great attraction, and as far as actual racing is concerned the prospects for a successful gathering are particularly bright.

No' on Saturday will receive more attention than tho Thompson Handicap, which is tlio first "leg" of a popular double, and tho splendid field of eighteen should ensure a keen contest. Nearly every horse engaged has shown ability to run a fast mile, and tho task of selecting tho winner is by no means easy, Thoro aro very few who have not performed well enough to ho worthy of a placo in tho field, and in tho circumstances it might bo possible to take fivo or six of the likeliest horses and yet be astray. Task of the Topweight. T lie Geld is headed by Laughing Prince, a class performer, who is burdened with 9,11. Laughing Prince is a brilliant milcr lint ho will have to establish a weightcarrying record for the raco to win with that impost, and tho task is a forniidablo one. With big weights he has won some good races but whether he will bo ablo to concede 111b, to Paganolli and make greater concessions to somo of tho lesser lights is doubtful, although tho chances are that he will boat more than will beat him. Two years afjo Paganelli won tho race Tvith 8.12 fi id now with 9.0 ho must be respected, because ho has shown by his performances this year that he is right back to form. Historic does not appeal in a raco of this description, and better prospects may bo Vertjgern and Silvermine. Vcrtigern was third with 8.4 last year and he has been racing so well lately that with only 61b moro this time he inay again be dangerous. Still ho does not hold any advantage over Silvcrmine, a horse who has performed consistently well from six furlongs up to ft mile and aquarter. Silvermine possesses the brilliancy' to get a good position early and he can bo relied upon to register a sound effort. Prospects of Eaglet. Bright Glow, Full Feather, Eaglet and Havering are all in with weights that should give them good chances. In her best form Eaglet would bo expected to beat the other three at tho weights, and sho must bo kept on side in spite of a defeat at Pukekoho last week. With 8.4 she should run a mile brilliantly, and, as she should be all the better for her race on the-country course, there is every likelihood of her proving more troublesome on this occasion. Black Duke, Mount Boa, Royal Parade and Richfield are all solid performers who should run good races. Richfield is nicely placed with 7.3, and, if he is well enough to reproduce his best form, ho is likely to be very troublesome. Arrow Lad is another solid customer and he should make n bold showing, although in company of this kind he would probably bo better Buited by seven furlongs. My Own finished close up last year and might again do well this time. Refresher should be a possibility with his light weight, but Pakitere and Montilof havo scarcely done well enough to bo fancied in this company. A Fancied Trio. The state of the going on the day and •the way the various candidates shape in the final gallops will probably influence investors when they have to make definite fancies and developments in the next few days may cause a revision of present ideas. However, tho chances are that the- public will look to the good performers to play an important part in tho contest and horses who may bo favoured at this stage are Paganelli, Eaglet and Silvermine. An array ot speody sprinters will contest the Railway Handicap, but it is more than likely tiiat Paganelli will contest the Thompson Handicap in preference and tho same prograrnmo may also bo decided upon for Havering, w"ho is also in both races. In tho absenco of these horses Cadland will be strongly fancied, more especially as he is an improving horse with recent w'inning form to his credit. Limerick is regarded as a certain runner, but he has shown no form for ft long time and on that account his prospects appear veiy doubtful. Great intorost will be centred in his showing because it will determine whether he will bo kept in training for a further period or retired. Hunting Day's Ohance. Autopay is a smart sprinter with a good chance, and Hunting Day is another likely customer. Hunting Day won the race last year, arid, although he has not quite" realised expectations in the meantime, he will only jequiro to bo caught at his best to cause the opposition serious trouble. There aro many possibilities arnopg tho others and light-weights like True Shaft, White Fang, Rin Tin Tin, Royal Routine and Tenterden may all be capable of taking a hand in the finish. It is an open iace, but if Paganelli and Havering are missing, tho popular selections may include Cadland, Hunting Day ■and/Autopay.

COMPENSATION SCRATCHED. [BY TELEGRAIMT. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Compensalion was scratched at 11.10 a.m. for all engagements at tho Wellington meeting. RACING FIXTURES. / •March 11, ]2—Dannevirke Racing Club. "March 12, 14—Poverty Bay Turf Club and Gisborne Racing Club. March 14, 17—Ohinemuri Jockey Club. March 14, 17—Wellington Racing Club. March 17—Opunuke Racing Club. March 19—Wainmte Racing Club. Itjirch 21—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club.