FORM UNREVEALED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23139, 10 September 1938, Page 11

FORM UNREVEALED

CONDITIONS VERY BAI) IMPROVEMENT ANTICIPATED FRESH HORSES IN MOST RACES '[by tklkcrat'it —™om ahcitkr] WANGANUI, Friday Wet weather for the opening day of the Wanganui Jockey Club's Spring Meeting spoiled the anticil«itcd opportunity of getting a line upon three-year-old form, and racegoers are lel't much in the same position as before. Even trainers cannot be much wiser concerning the form of their horses. There were one or two performances of merit, but in the main tho track conditions yesterday -were such that judgment will have to be suspended until the horses have had further opportunities. At this stage of the season the most interesting horses are the three-year-ohls coming in fresh, and tho two-year-olds on the threshold of their careers. it is to be hoped conditions will be more favourable to-morrow. The best three-year-old showing was given by Amigo in tho Seafield Handicap. Ho failed to muster up any dash in his first race of the season at New Plymouth the previous week, but, as lie went down in his preliminary on the last occasion, it was plain that he had derived great benefit from that race.

As one of the best two-year-olds of hist season, lie is naturally the ecntro of interest, and it was pleasing to see the substantial improvement he showed. With a little luck he would have made the task of Lucullus Lad much more difficult. Lucullus Lad is a smart horse and under the track conditions he had a further advantage, so that as a trial gallop for Amigo it can rank high. Fillies More Encouraging At.the same time, Amigo had a hard race and he may bo temporarily affected by it. The others engaged in the ■Guineas failed to make much impression, but tho fillies gave most encouragement. Sudan ran a good third in the Durio Handicap, finishing on solidly from a long way back. The class may not havo been strong, but Sudan is a stronglybuilt and well-grown flllv who left tho impression last season that she might be one of the best three-year-olds. Homily was another filly who finished well, coming from the rear of the field in the Seafield Handicap. Sho was nervous prior to the race and sho ■went off the track at the first turn. She had made up a deal of ground in tho final stages, and in this respect sho did better than Peerless, who was- well in front of her nj, one part of the race. These fillies will improve. Gay Son did not come up to expectations in the Flying Handicap, but tho ground was very bad when this race was run. He did not hang on at the end of his race, as did Amigo, Homily, Peerless and Russian Ballet. The last-named was the last to leave the mark in the Flying Handicap. She, was never a possibility, but sho finished in the hunch behind the placed horses. Sho also carried lib. overweight. Other Three-year-olds

The remainder of the Guineas field failed to impress. Rehearsal, Namfira, Night Attack and Taurangi did not show up and Lord Cavendish ran only a fair race. Improvement may bo fairly rapid in this class, but on the first day's form the likely ones for the Guineas are Ariiigo, Russian Ballet. Homily and Sudan. Apart from the horses engaged in the Guineas there were good performances among the other three-year-olds. Outstanding was the win of Ecstatic in the Maiden Race. She was produced only a few times toward the end of last season and she immediately jumped into prominence by holding her own against much more seasoned opponents. She is a good-looking filly by Laughing Prince from the Oaks winner Enthusiasm and she should go on to much better things. Behind Ecstatic finished two other three-year-old fillies in Minga and Fiancee. Minga had racing last season and her performance for a fresh horse was satisfactory if not higli-class. Fiancee had not previously raced and she is worth more than passing attention. She carried the colours of Mr. H. E. Card, who won the New Zealand Cup with The Banker. Her sire is Siegfried and her dam, Betroth, an unraced mare by Grand Knight from Diamond Ring, by Kilboy—Hope Diamond, by Royal Artillery. Originally one of the late Mr. G. G. Stead's families, its descendants have been successful racehorses. Diamond Ring was a good performer in the colours of Mr. H. M. Campbell and she was a half-sister to Parisian Diamond, a good horse raced by Mr. G. D. Beatson. Fiancee was bred by Mr. W. S. Glenn, who has her leased to Mr. Card.

Old Bill and Coronation ran fair races in the Maiden event and they also will improve with racing. Coronation will probably requiro time, but ho looks a good son of Limornl. Gay Chou Good Prospect

Mr. W. Devon, who won with Lucullus Lad, also had tlio satisfaction of seeing his Australian purchase, Gav Chou, run a good race in his first New Zealand appearance. Gay Chou is a well-bred gelding by Gay Lothario. Ho was intended for jumping, but it looks as if he will win a good race or two on the flat.

Pukeko was entered for the principal handicaps at the Wanganui meeting and on his form at Ricearton, he appeared to have good prospects, but he has gone wrong. Happy Landing will have the services of L. J. Ellis to-morrow. He ran a good raco yesterday and although his light boy rode him' well, lie is a horse who requires stronger handling. Yours Truly has been withdrawn froiri t'ne Wanganui Guineas. There will be several fresh horses racing in the handicaps to-morrow. They include Otaki and Revival in the hurdles; Red Shoos, Ruling Lady and Royal Choice in the Trial Handicap; Middle in 'be Higgie Handicap; Naughty Marietta, To Huia, Screen Star and Skyfull in the Moutoa Handicap; The Buzzer and Pakanui in the Owen Handicap; and Lifeguard, Amoroso, Hunter's Fve, Daisy Chain, Gold Hand, Sir Rohin, Wilful Lady, Captain Treville and Carrington Hall in the Spring Handicap. INELIGIBLE TO START HORSES TRAINED BY HOGAN MELBOURNE. Sept, s> Tho New Zealand horses trained by P. T. Hogan, wiiich arrived at Melbourne on Monday, will not be allowed to race because they arc; unbranded and the Stud Book certificates are not in order. Only Queen of Song is eligible, pending fulfilment of certain obligations.