THAMES CLUB

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22981, 8 March 1938, Page 9

THAMES CLUB

METING ON SATURDAY EXCELLENT fields engaged FORM OF CUP CANDIDATES GOOD PROSPECTS OF POLICY BY ABAYDOS Excellent fields should make very interesting racing at the Thames Trottinp Club's meeting on Saturday. The programme caters for novice and improving horses, and in the two chief races, the Thames Cup and the Kopu Handicap, many horses who promise to graduate to higher classes are engaged. The Thames Cup has drawn 12 acceptors, including the trotter Mute, and, although the field does not include many winners at two miles, the form of the majority at middle distances has been indicative of ability to go further. Mute has returned to his best form and his latest displays have been good. Mute should add interest to the event and if ho fails it may only be in the last little bit. True Trust won well at Epsom last month, but the journey may trouble him. Lady Amanda has not impressed as a stayer and Bismuth will reauire to . show improvement upon his latest efforts to succeed. Cherrill is returning to form and should be all the better for her recent racing. She ran a sound, two miles at the last meeting at Thames. Form of Baron Grand Although his form at the Auckland meeting was a little disappointing, Baron Grand demonstrated at Cambridge that he can go two miles solidlv. He was beaten by Bexley Girl, who was in receipt of 48 yards, and. after being in front for the last half-mile, was only shaded in the last few strides. He ran 4:31 2-5/ and a repetition of that effort would make him difficult to defeat. Bexley Girl is now giving Baron Grand 24 yards, but she will probably improve a good deal on her winning time of, 4.115. She failed badlv in the Papakura Handicap at Epsom, hut in the Rangitoto Handicap, two miles, was second to lied Frontier. If track conditions had been more suitable. Bexley Girl would have done better. Sho should take a let of beating on Saturday.- Although he has not finished verv generously in some of his races. Chili Bean, a stable mate of Bexlev Girl, has a first and two seconds to his credit in three starts for F. J. Smith. By Jack Potts from Princess Perfection. Chili Bean is bred to stav and might surprise in his first attempt at two miles Royal Jewel has not had an opportunity to disclose his ability at the distance. but his form at a mile and a-half has been good. He scored very decisively at his last start and should bo verv dangerous Gay Jlister Consistent Few horses Li Auckland have a better record for consistency than Gay Sister, who is now in W. Clifton's stable. As she has previously won at two miles and I has good time to her credit. Gay Sister ! should make a bold bid for victory. Policy, a spetdy and determined mare by Loyal Grattan. who will be making her first appearance in Auckland, has had rapid promotion. She was unheard of until this season, but soon won her way out of the novice ranks'. Smart*performances at For bury Park were followed by an attractive win over Chili Bean and Zineafi at Hutt Park. On that occasion Policy ran 3.19 from 3.33 and she gained the honours by sheer determination, leaving the impression that she would not be troubled by an extra half-mile. In M. Stewart's care, she may show further form. Although back on 72 yards. Great Chum cannot be loft out of calculations. He is a rare stayer and only requires to bo handy in the final stage to bo dangerous. Great Chum has run some t of his best races at Thames. The race is - full of possibilities and some who may be in demand are Policy. Bexley Girl, Baron Grand and Mute. Fine Sprint Field A very large field will contest the Kopu Handicap, including several who Will probably race earlier in the Thames Cup. Cherrill should be well suited by the distance and only needs to begin smartly to be -very dangerous. True Trust appears to have become solid and should run the distance smartly. In spite of several failures. Xing Country ha 3 been racing as if he might soon strike his bent form and should ■■ not be overlooked. Ranfurly Lass ar,d Royal Palm may be short of a race, but the former is smart. Spessiva is on the upgrade and may go well, while Lady Amanda's third in the Te Aroha Handicap at Cambridge should give her prospects. Handicapper is working as if he might soon be ready for a good effort, and. as he has shaped creditably at the distance, his chance cannot be lightly assessed. •• Mountain Flight .has not had much racing, but her third in the Cambridge Handicap was a fine effort. She won at the show last month and has never V" looked better. Sho tihould be hard to dispose of. Baron Grand, if he fails in t£e Thames Cup, should have bright prospects. He -was going like a winner at Cambridge wher, lie slipped and broke and has also raced prominently from back marKs. Chance lor Parrish Belle Parrisji Belle is Diie of the few trotters who ean sprint with the pacers and in a field of this class she should go a merry 10 furlongs. When second to Rongomai two years ago at Epsom, she established a record of 2.46 1-5. That she is back to form was demonstrated by her success in the Rowo Memorial Handicap and her second to Tan John in the Association Handicap. General Sarsfield hasi previously won at Thames, and. although not successful for some time, showed signs of returning form at Cambridge. When fit. be is very smart. Sandusky, who had an interrupted Preparation for tho Great Northern Trotting Derby', in which he was second, should .be all the better for the race. He has not had the best of luck, but his consistent record suggests that be will l)(> dangerous. Frank Best is capable of better things than he has , shown lately and his form leaves the impression that ho is not too generous °n race days. - Sir Frank, who won in great style at '■ the Auckland summer meeting, let his iV; Party down at the Wairarapa meeting, but,it was possible he was short of a run, as he missed the Februarv meetinii j/ s T Epsom. If he has improved, he P( Mould tako a strong hand in the decision. Royal Jewel is likely to be one the most difficult to keep out of the , ""oney, as he is in gref.t heart and jysari sprint with the best. The issue is Very open and there may be a wide fancies. Some' who may find Pi wlT 0,,r are Baron Grand, Mountain 'light, Royal Jewel and Parrish Belle.