SPRINT CONTEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22608, 22 December 1936, Page 7

SPRINT CONTEST

RAILWAY HANDICAP SOME BRILLIANT HORSES THE PROBABLE FAVOURITES BY ARCHER Practically all of the 14 horses engaged in the Railway Handicap, the open sprint on the first day of the Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting, have shown ability to run six furlongs in fast tinio and tho issue is very open. Luck frequently plays a part in short races of thin description and the draw for post positions may bo an important factor, although it usually takes a good sprinter to scoro and most of the winners of tho past have been fine performers. As a result of her good form last season and her impressive win at To Rapa in November, the throe-year-old filly Golden Sheila has been a popular fancy since the weights appeared and she may be the actual favourite on tho day. The last three-year-old filly to win was Gay Blonde, who scored in 1934 with 7.13 in the race and course record time of 1.11 3-5. On that occasion tho minimum was 7.0. This year it. is 7.7 and Golden Sheila has 8.5, which represents 61b. over weight-for-age. Compared with the topweight, Namakia, who has 121b. over scalo weight, Golden Sheila does not appear badly off and her prospects are bright, although she will bo meeting a number of older horses a good deal worse than scalo terms. Namakla's Stiff Task Tho topweight Namakia has failed in her races this season, but she has demonstrated that she is close to form and should be in better trim on Boxing Day than for some time past. Namakia's last win was achieved at Ellerslio in June, when she carried 10.3 and ran six furlongs in 1.12 1-5. A repetition of that form would make her difficult to beat, but it is against her that few horses have won the race with 9.0 or over. Actually only six have accomplished the feat since 1890 and it takes a high-class sprinter to do it. As a result of the good form they have shown this season, Triune and Impasto both have to be treated with respect even though they are weighted at 9.5. At his last start Impasto won with 9.7 on a slow track at Ellerslio in 1.15 2-5 and ho promises to strip one of the fittest horses in the field. The four-year-olds Oratory and Galilee both appear likely to be very dangerous. Oratory raced unsuccessfully in Melbourne in the spring, but she' is brilliant and soon showed a return to form after coming home by winning easily with 8.13 at Feilding. Galilee could finish only third with 9.3 to Tonnerre and Adalene recently, but she*is a very solid sprinter and should appreciate tho drop of 61b. Chances of Tonnerre Several good efforts have been credited to Plato this season and he should go well. Pakanui is good on his day, but ho may require the sting out of the ground to reveal his best. Tray Bit has been racing well and is a speedy beginner likely to defeat more than will beat him. Tonnerre showed a return to winning form at Te Awamutu recently and with 8.0 he should run a merry six furlongs. It is in his favour that he can begin very quickly and he is likely to make a forward showing. TCoyal Dance, Adalene and Star Artist are all capable of running good races, hut Round Up may find the class too strong. Tho draw for post positions and the state of the going are likely to have an influence on the final summing up. However, it is almost certain that fancies will take a wide range and some who may be in demand are Golden Sheila, . Oratory, Galilee and Tonnerre. ELLERSLIE TRACK WORK USEFUL TASKS PERFORMED The No. 3 grass was available for galloping at Ellerslie yesterday, but it was not in demand, the tan and the sand being extensively used for pace work. Among tho visiting horses to perform serviceable tasks were Roaming, Lofty, Royal Chief, Cerne Abbas, Gustos, Trench Fight, Bun Fight, Impersonator, Oratory, Great Hope, Chief Ranger, Smoke Screen, Greek Gold, Werohia, Argentic, Ponty, Plato, Haut Monde, Francis Drake, Relative, Aiwai, Mandamus, Greenwich and Pladie. On the grass Argentic (McTavish) worked over a couple of rounds, striding home tho last three furlongs in 41 4-ss. Argentic appeared a trifle scratchy when he began, but he moved with more freedom as he warmed up. On the tan Cerno Abbas finished useful work with three furlongs in 39 4-os. She bears a solid appearance. Custos also did serviceable pacing, quickening over the last three furlongs in 41 4-ss. Oratory and Werohia performed pace work separately and moved with plenty of freedom. Oratory's condition denotes that she is ready for a good effort and Werohia is brighter and more muscular than ever he has been. The two-year-old Smoke Screen attracted attention when out doing easy exercise. Although a little strange, he behaved sedately and looks well. In physique he compares favourably with others of his. age, but lie is not as seasoned as Francis Drako and Royal Chief, who have had more racing and are irt excellent condition.

ROYAL STAKES FIELD LIST OF HORSES ENGAGED The Royal Stakes, to be run on tho fourth day of the Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting, is confined to two and three-year-olds and special weights with penalties and allowances are provided. As matters are at present, some of the candidates have incurred penalties and others aro still entitled to allowances, but the weights to be carried by the candidates may bo affected by success before the day of tho race. The weights as they stand now aro as follows: — ROYAL STAKES, Of £500; two and three-year-olds; special weights; U fur. st. lb. sk lb' Golden n' wa i -n ' ' 1 « Blonde . . 811 Brunhildo . 7 « Francis Smoke Screen 7 O Drake ..82 WnnaßO . . 13 Bachelor Highborn . . 0 1.1 King ..70 Privy heal . 610 Royal Chief 7 0 Girl Pat .. 610 MANAWATU RACING CLUB REHANDICAP FOR HUNTETTE [BY TELEGRAPH —PKESS ASSOCIATION] PALMERSTON NORTH, Monday Huntette has been rehandieapped 91b. from 7.11 to B.G for tho Gillies Handicap, six furlongs, on tho lirst day of tho Manawatu mooting.