TAKAPUNA RACES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21347, 23 November 1932, Page 9

TAKAPUNA RACES

SATURDAY'S CONTESTS

THE ALISON GUP FIELD

REVIEW of prospects

SIX HORSES TN SPRINT

BY ARCHER

Now that the Waikato Racing Club's meeting lias boon cli?posod of, attention will be focussed on tho Takapuna Jockey Club's- Spring Meeting, to lie held next Saturday and Monday. With the exception of the open sprint race, the Cheltenham Handicap, for which there are only sixacceptors, the various events on tho first dnv have filled well, and some keen contests are assured. Chief interest will be centred in the '.Alison Cup, which has drawn a field of 14. As a result of his consistent form lately, Royal Artist is sure to bo solidly fancied and his claims to consideration are undeniable. He was unlucky in the Waikato Cup last week, when lie lost his position in the middle stages, and his apprentice rider afterwards kept iliim rather far back in a slowly-run race. At the finish. Royal Artist was going faster than anything and, as he will be meeting Refresher on several pounds better terms over a longer distance, he should account for the Te Rapa winner on this occasion.

Speedmint and Antique Besides Royal Artist, P. E. Pope has another good representative, Speedmint, who ha 3 finished second in her last two starts. Speedmint is a genuine mare, who is just reaching the top of her form, and she should run the distance very solidly with 8.1. Speedmint will meet Refresher on slightly worse terms than when they filled the minor places in the mile handicap at 'Te Rapa on Monday, but the longer distance will be more to her liking, especially if a solid pace is set, and she can be relied upon for a good effort if started.

~ The topweight, Antique, is likely to be improved as a result of hii recent racing and, as he has previously performed well on the course, he must be treated with respect. He will be meeting Royal Artist and Great Emblem, who were first and second, on 121b. and 71b. better terms than when he finished a close fourth behind them in the Mitchelson Cup, and that should enable him to make it more difficult for them on this occasion. His 9.9 is only a pound more than the weight he successfully carried in the Autumn Handicap at Ellerslie last Easter, and now that he has shown signs of returning to form the task of winning may not be beyond him.

Form ol Great Emblem Great Emblem's second in the Mitchelson Cup was a good effort and with only 41b. more he should be very prominent at the finish if he can reproduce that form. He failed subsequently in the King Edward Memorial Handicap, but the fact that he was taken to the front no doubt adversely affected his chance in that race, for he pulled very hard in the lead and did not settle down as well as usual. Different tactics are almost certain to be adopted with Great Emblem on this occasion and in a solidly-run race he will be staying on when many of the others are tiring. Last year's winner, Volimond, displayed a glimpse of form when she finished second in the sprint on Saturday, but she failed at a mile on the second day, and will require to show improvement to win here. Moreover, she has 121b. more than slip won with last year and in this stronger field she will have a much more difficult task, although a good showing will not bo beyond her if she reproduces her very best. The lightweight division is not particularly strong and Alloy, who stays fairly well, should account for most of those below him if the race is run at a good pace. Tarporley might also make a creditable showing, but he has been soro lately, and a firm track is unlikely to favour his prospects. Gay Idea, Gay Cockade and Teels may be the best of the others, but, like most of the light-weights, they will have to show marked improvement on recent form to have prospects of success. The final gallops of the candidates may have some influence on the choice of favourites, but some who seem certain to find favour are Royal Artist, Great Emblem, Antique and Speedmint. The.Cheltenham Handicap

The field in the Cheltenham Handicap is disappointing, although tho six candidates should provide a good race if they all go to the post. On recent foritfJPaganelli md Exaggeration look to have the best prospects, and they are so fit at'present that they should make it difficult for the others. Paganelli's efforts at Te Rapa were good and he will only require to do as well here to bo very dangerous. Lady Quex has not raced recently and her prospects are difficult to estimate, but she must ,have a good chance if ready. Huntingdon and High Comedy have not yet struck their true form this season, but it is quite possible that after tho racing they have had they may show early improvement. Huntingdon's latest track work has been very satisfactory and he cannot be dismissed from calculations, although he will be opposing Exaggeration 011 only 21b. better terms than when she was second and he was unplaced behind Golden Wings at Ellerftlie. Marcchal failed twice at To Rapa and form and figures do not say much for his chance of beating Paganelli, who should again account for him. It is not an easy race, but good support inay be forthcoming for Paganelli and Exaggeration.

RIDING ENGAGEMENTS

JOCKEYS FOR TAKAPUNA

The following riding engagements have been announced for the first, day of the 'J'akapiina Jockey Club's meeting on Saturday : /R. Mcßar.—Gay Cockade. . G. Jenkins.—Lord Aintreo. D. Craddock.—Traced. E. Manson.—Courthaven, On Approval. L. Dulieu.—lmamiut, Catch 'Em. H. N, Wiggins.—Great Emblem, Exaggeration. D. J. Burgess.—Bell Topper.

FEILDING REHANDICAPS

[by telegraph—l'll ESS association]

FEILDING, Tuesday

The following are the rehandicaps for the Feiiding meefing:— Feilding C'UK Uay Court. 7.G. Kowhai Hack: Gay Court, o.b: Klhimoke, 7.13.

RACING FIXTURES

November 26—Levin Racing Club. . November 26—North Canterbury Racine Club

(at Riccarton). , , November 26, 28— Takapuna Jockey uu». November. 30, December I—P eliding Jockey December J. 3 Dargaville Racing Club. December 3-Ashburton County Kacing December 7. S—Woodvillo District Jockey December 9. 10—Taumarunui Racine Club. December 17—Waipft Racing Club. y nd December 26. 28, January 2. 3— Auckibiju Racing Club.