WAIKATO CLUB

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22887, 16 November 1937, Page 7

WAIKATO CLUB

iFIEST day fbospects

FIELDS in chief events

GOOD performers in the cup

JONATHAN STRONGLY FANCIED

BY ARCHER

It is a coincidence that Jonathan, who ran unplaced when an each-way favourite and topweight with 9.6 last vcar, should again head the field for t| lo iVaikato Cup. the chief event to be decided at the opening of the YVaikato Racing ClubJs Spring Meeting at Tc Rapa on Saturday. Jonathan recently staged a return to form when he won the leading handicaps at the Avondale Jockey Club's second spring meeting last month and in view of the fact that lie won the' Bledisloe Handicap, 1* miles, with S.L2 at his last start, he is not badly treated with The distance of the AYaikato Cup this year j s a mile and three furlongs, compared with a mile and a-quarter last year, but the extra furlong should not trouble Jonathan, who should be capable of a bold bid for victory. The good performers Scotland, .King Pey and Master Brierly have failed in their latest races, but they liavo weights that should enable them to run prominently if they reproduce their best. Scotland is capable of running the distance soundly with 8.9 and King Rev, who won with 5.9 two years ago, and was . second last year with 8.5, should have prospects with 5.7. Master Brierly should be more forward than when ho raced unsuccessfully earlier in the season, but in the past lie has generally reserved his best for the astumn, although last November he finished second to Argentic in the Metropolitan Handicap at Riccarton. Mazir showed a glimpse of form when he finished second to Rona Bay in the Members' Memorial Handicap at Cambridge last month. However. Bona Bay beat him easily and she may again be difficult to defeat even though he will meet her on Sib. better terms. Form of Rona Bay

"Rona Bay' has since been successful among the sprinters at Rotorua and, although it was not a strong field she defeated, she has made a fine impression in her last, two starts. She is capable of running the distance soundly with her handy weight and may be prominent at the finish. Shy recently won the Wellington Handicap, one mile and three furlongs, with 7.5 in 2.17, and should make his presence felt with 7.12 if he reproduces that form. Lornacre has yet 1 to prove his worth over a middle distance, but he is a fine galloper whose brilliance should take him a long, way with 7.11. His last success was achieved when he carried 8.7. and ran a mile at Ellorslie in 1.38. The progeny of Acre have been more distinguished as sprinters than as stayers, but several of them have won at middle distances and Lornacre may be one of the exceptions, as he has good blood on the maternal side of his pedigree. The 1936 New Zealand Cup winner Fersen showed signs of regaining form when he finished second to Jonathan at Avonda/e last month. Fersen was beaten only by a neck and now meets Jonathan on 4lb. better terms, so that he has to be treated with respect. The longer distance should not be to the disadvantage of a solid stayer of his type and he will not be without friends. Fersen should have enhanced prospects if rain comes to ease the going. Valamito is an improver and at Ellerslie last month lie was just beaten by Knight of Australia, who got through on the rails in the Spring Handicap, one and a-quarter miles. The winner ran 2.5 on that occasion and Valamito had 7.3 compared with 7.7 on Saturday. Royal Minstrel Improving The latest form of Sinking Fund has not been impressive but he has probably benefited by his latest outings and may strip better than in his earlier engagements this season. Ho has 7.7, or 91b. less than when lie finished third last year, but the extra distance may not be in his favour. Orac and Mungatoon are possibilities, with the latter the bettor stayer. Royal Minstrel is an improving four-vear-old by Nigger Minstrel foin Charlady and had three successive wins to his credit before running unplaced with 9.0 in the Park Stakes at Napier Park last Saturday. Royal Minstrel should appreciate his drop to 7.1 next Saturday and, although the class is stronger, he may be very dangerous. The southerner Corroboree is another improver, and recently at Rangitikei he carried 8.7 to win the Farewell Hack Handicap in 1.28 4-5. Corroboree belongs to ii family that has produced some good gallopers, and has probably never been better than .it present. With the minimum, lie is a possibility. The issue appears open but some who may find favour are Jonathan, Rona Bay, Royal Minstrel and Valamito. Smart Sprint Field

Some smart sprinters will contest the Cambridge Handicap, and the issue is very open. Rercatu may require a little more time to return to formVand Impasto has been unplaced three times this season, for which he has received a slight discount in weight. Peter Beckford won on the course in May with 8.4 and now lias 8.8, so that he should not be out of it, especially as he demonstrated by winning at Gisborne month that he is again in pood trim. Last year's winner Golden Sheila is again engaged, and she may be a popular fancy. She won at Ellerslie last month with 7.10. and may not hnd 8.7 prohibitive, as she is a brilliant sprinter when lit, and is expected to be even better than when she last appeared.

Anion, who has a win and two seconds to his credit in four starts this season, and Galileo ii I led the minor places behind Golden Sheila at Ellers'le > and meet her on 41 b. and BJlb. better terms respectively. Both should again run prominently, and Galileo nia y bo the more likely to show improvement, as it was her first race of tho season, besides Galilee* the To A wain utu trainer A. Cook is also represented by the speedy Suleiman, who races in different ownership, ouloinian has been unbeaten in threo searts, and is evidently above tho average. It will be his iirst attempt in open company, but his prospects aro right. The speedy three-year-old .Royal bachelor, who Hon at Avondale, is ttieely placed, and should go very well.

Prince Acre Capable

Prince Aero lias been unplaced in his tour starts this season, but he is a very capable sprinter. If rain comes to ease the going, he might be very dangerous. I;t . v bit seems to be improving with racing and may mako a forward sbowalthough his defeat at Rotoruu scarcely suggests success in this field. •Dark Shadow has been sprinting well, a 'id Bachelor King showed a return to winning form at Whangarei. Trilbareh is consistent and should perform solidly, ai d others capable of adding interest to the contest are Gay Soton, juerial and Star Artist. It should lie a mie betting race, and some who may nad favour are Golden Sheila, SuleiGalileo and Royal Bachelor.