WAIKATO RACES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22963, 15 February 1938, Page 9

WAIKATO RACES

SATURDAY'S PROSPECTS STOREy MEMORIAL CONTEST GOOD FIELD OF THIRTEEN SPRINT BEARS OPEN ASPECT BY ARCHER Considerable interest is being manifested in tho Waikato Racing Club's summer meeting, to bo held at Te Rapa next Saturday and Monday, and fine weather is all that should bo required to ensure a successful gathering. The course benefited by the rain that fell at the end of last weok and tho fine fields engaged on the first day are expected to provide some interesting contests. Class is well represented and the presence of several southern horses should give additional interest to the racing. The first race is timed to start at 12 o'clock and the last at 5.15 p.m. The win and place system of betting will bo used. Special trains Avill leave Auckland for To Rapa at 7.45 and. 8.3/ i a.m. and depart on the return at 0.12 and 6.17 p.m. Wotan Regaining Form . The chief event, tho Storey Memorial Handicap, has attracted a good field of 13 and the issue is very open. The topweight Wotan showed signs of returning to form when he finished second to Sergia in tho Egmont Cup last woek, and he is not without prospects, as he is a fine stayer likely to be suited by the longer distance. In spite of his defeat on tho second day of tho recent Takapuna meeting at Ellorslie, Kelly has shown good form in the past couple of months and he should appreciate his drop from 9.0 to 8.5. The distance is one that he can run well and he must be respeoted. Dark Shadow was second to Kilonsa in the Ralph Handicap at his last start with 8.4$ and now has 8.4. A good effort may bo expected from him but he would appoal more if tho journey were a trifle shorter.

Royal Appellant's third in the Takapuna Cup was very creditable and a similar performance would give him prospects, although he has yet to prove his worth beyond a mile and a-quarter. Compared with the Takapuna Cup, he will meet King Rey, who was second, on 41b. better terms. King Rey did not go well when strongly fancied at his next attempt in the Ralph Handicap, but he has had time to freshen up. The easing of the ground will suit Kinc Rey, who has performed well at Te Rapa previously. Jonathan ran below expectations in his engagements, at th« recent Takapuna meeting but was not disgraced, having a winning chance after reaching the straight on the second day. He dead-heated for first with Master Brierly in the Waikato Cup, also run over 11 furlongs, at Te Rapa in November. Scotland Nicely Placed

On that occasion Jonathan had 8.13 and Master Brierly 8.7. Now both have 8.2. The figures thus favour Master Brierly, but he has 6inco won the Stratford Cup, whereas Jonathan has failed to win, although ho has registered a couple of placitigs. If the race is solidly run, Master Brierly should be staying on at the end. Gay Rose is not easy to follow but she is good on her day and there is no doubt about her ability to run, the distance. Her last success was achieved when she won the Auckland Racing Club Handicap, li miles, with 7.5 on January 1. Gay Rose now ! has 7.13 and should have prospects if 1 produced in the same form as at Ellerslie. Mazir has no recent form except for his third at Rotorua yesterday but is capable of a sound performance if fit. The good performer Scotland, who won last year with 8.8, is without recent form, but has not raced often since winning the Avondale Cup .with 7.13 in September. He displayed somo dash to the home turn in the Rotorua Cup last Saturday and. is evidently coming on, so that it will not be surprising to see him show a return to form in his next few starts. Scotland appears to be nicely placed with 7.10 and would only require to reproduce his best to make it difficult for the others. The Takapuna -Cup winner, Day Wind, should make a forward showing with 7.7 and Lagoon is good when fit. King Musk has scarcely fulfilled exfectations and does not appeal greatly, t should be a fine betting race with strong support for Kelly, King Rey, Scotland, Dark Shadow and Wotan. Brilliant Sprinters Some brilliant sprinters aro booked to contest the President's Handicap and practically every horse in the field has shown ability to run six furlongs very smartly. The topweight, Golden Sheila, won on the course in November with 8.10 and now hps lib. less. She received a slight injury in the Railway Handicap at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, but has made a good recovery and has been working nicely. Tosh has been racing very consistently, but he is set a more formidable task than any he has yet attempted with 8.6 in this good field. Tray Bit is an-

other solid performer and is always worthy of consideration, although there are several who may be preferred to him. If at his best Triuno would not be out of it with 8.1, as he is a good sprinter on his day. It is some time since Rereatu displayed any form and in ho has dropped in tho weights. If he could only regain his best, his prospects would bo rosy. However, he has not performed well in public this season, although there may bo hope for him in view of the fact that ho has been showing more dash in his work lately. The three-year-old Royal Bachelor is brilliant and has made' a line recovery from the slight injury ho received in tho Railway Handicap. With 7.8 he can run six furlongs merrily. In addition to Royal Bachelor, Mr. R. T. Reid is also represented by the improving Rollicker, who ran a good second to Suleiman at the recent Takapuna meeting. Kollicker Very Smart Rollicker missed a place when produced again on tho second day of tho meeting, but he is smart and might do a little better on his home course at Te Rapa than olewhero. Whichever Mr. Reid decides to start is assured of a strong following. Since running two good thirds at the summer meeting at Ellerslie, Marie's Aero has failed twice. However, the very firm going has probably not been to his advantage and with tho ground easier ho might shine at any time. Lorimcro and High Tea have failed in their latest races and will require to show improvement. A much better prospect should be the three-year-old Bachelor King, who won on tho course in November, scoring very decisively. Following an injury received on Boxing Day Bachelor King was a little backward when he failed at tho Takapuna meeting last month, but ho is closo to his best again. Bachelor King is a smart sprinter under any corfditiona and should be worth following in\ his next few starts. Merial showed a return to winning form at Rotorua and appears more likely than either Gay Seton or Mangukaha. The final gailops may shed some additional light on tho prospects, but tho favourites may include the Royal Bachelor-Rol-hcker bracket, Bachelor King and Golden Sheila. 7