HUNT RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21263, 17 August 1932, Page 7

HUNT RACING

P.AKURANGA MEETING

PROSPECTS FOR SATURDAY

JELLICOE HANDICAP FIELD

CHANCES OF PROTOMINT

BY ARCHER

Very /air fields are carded for the Jellicoe Handicap and the Dunedin Handicap, the principal flat races to bo decided at the Pakuranga Hunt Meeting at Ellerslio on Saturday, and good contests seem assured. The course at Ellerslie was well soaked by tho heavy rain that fell yesterday morning and present indications aM that, the going will be soft, so that horses who have proved their ability to act. well on heavy tracks may be the ones to claim most attention. Pride of place among the fifteen acceptors for tho Jellicoe Handicap is occupied by Chief Link, who was well in tho limelight at Trentham in July, when he scored two outright wins and a dead, heat for first. His, last success was in the Winter Oats Handicap, one mile, which he won by a nose from Protomint and Colonel Cvgnus, who dead-heated for second. Protomint is also engaged on Saturday -and, as he is considered to have excellent prospects, Chief Link must also have claims to consideration. / Corinax to Reappear Chief Link has yet to prove his worth at a mile and a-quarter, but he is so well at present that there is no reason why he should not run the distance fairly solidly. Compared with their meeting at Trentham, he is set to oppose Protomint on only lib. worse terms, and his weight, 9.0, is not prohibitive, although tho extra quarter of a mile is likely to favour Protomint moi-e. Protomint ran a fine second to over the same distance at. Ellerslie in June, and a repetition of that effort would make him very dangerous in this field. Lack of recent racing may bo against Corinax, who will be making his first appearance for over a year, and although he has done a lot of solid work in the past six months he may not be quite forward eijough to win just yet. At his best he would stand out in the field with 8.8, and his class may enable him to make at least a creditable showing even though he is not yet thoroughly attuned. Another who may need racing is Royal Artist, but he is a horse likely to race well fresh, particularly with the track conditions easy. Sing's Archer and Malahat If back to his autumn form, King's Archer will take a lot of beating, and last year's winner, Malahat, should also be in tho picture. Malahat has had the benefit of recent racing and his fitness should help him considerably. Moreover, he relishes heavy going, and with every possibility of the conditions being right to his liking he is bound to have a strong following. Maori Boy is another, who is distinctly partial to soft ground, but he has no recent form worth special mention and his prospects are difficult to .estimate. Fit and well he would be extremely dangerous with 7.2 and, if he is produced in good condition, he is a likely horse to effect a surprise. Several failures went down against True Blood at the end of last season and, as he is trained in private, little can lie said regarding his chance. In the past he has invariably raced best on soft tracks and he is in a better position in the handicaps than for some time. However, he is now in his tenth year, and his form may have deteriorated. Gay Cockade is a distinct possibility if he settles down and

races kindly in the early stages, but lie has failed frequently and is an erratic customer who is very difficult to follow. The Likely Favourites Of the other light-weights Catonia, who'will relish a soft track, should be as likely as any. He has been working solidly and, although he would be better for a race, he should be capable of a very creditable performance. Royal Survey will be* tackling open handicap company for the first time, but Tc Hoia, Prince of Orange, and Cruachan have on occasions all registered fair performances in the class, although they have no recent form to recommend them. The final gallops may have an influence on the ■wagering, but a few who may command attention are Protomint, Malaliat arid Kind's Archer. Some speedy sprinters figure in the field for the Dunedin Handicap, which is also headed by Chief Link. The top-weight should not be out of it with 9.0 if he reproduces his Trentham form, but he will z find light-weights like King Ford, Chromadyne, Imamint and Baroscope' very formidable opponents. King Ford was second at his last start to Lord Val, who has since won at Trentham and Iliccarton, and he must have a chance to go one better on this occasion. Vandyke is another possibility, but some of the others may not be ready to show form so early in "the season. There is every prospect of * good betting race, and the favourites may include King Ford, Imamint and Chromadyne. TE AWAMUTU HORSES CANDIDATES FOR SATURDAY [ifROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] TE AWAMUTU, Tuesday All going well, Te Awamutu will have five representatives at the Pakuranga limit meeting at lEllerslio on Saturday and they should not return empty-handed. Of the two hunters in tlie Harris Memorial Hurdles little has been seen of Tt> Homai on the track for the last couple of weeks, but when sent to the Wnikato Hunt last Saturday lie looked well. He appears to be more solid than for some time past and in the company lie is set to niret he should perform creditably. Lack of experience may count against Emancipation, although he has improved with each schoolins lesson and jumped well following the hounds. Te Ilomni is more seasoned and will be preferred to him. The Sylvia Park Handicap also contains two Te Awamutu horses. Sea .Ruler and Bambury. There can be no dispute about ■the latter's speed, but it is doubtful whether he will see out. a solid seven furlongs just yet. Sea Ruler looks the better proposition, for he ha* been in steady work ell the winter, is galloping well and will be one of the moat forward horses paraded. Wellington running and work since points to Protomint playing a strong part in the Jellicoe Handicap. With the class weaker than at Trentham. the horse improving and a handy weight, prospects appear bright. It is quito likely that H. L. Russell will take Limeeu and Jonathan to Wanganui, whiere the latter is engaged in the Guineas. At the moment nothing at headquarters is poinjt. in better style than Limeen and if she maintains her present progress she should do useful service when called upon to race. ' RACING FIXTURES August 20—Pakuranga Hunt Club. Ai/unst 27—Taranaki Hunt Club. • ■ August 27—Otago Hunt Club. Fsntember :I—Mnnawatn Hunt Club. f>ptemhcr 10—Marton Jcckey Club, f-'eutemlier 17—Ashhurton Racing Club. September 22. 24 —Wancanui Jockey Club. September 22, 21 —Geraldine Racing Club.