COUNTRY CIRCUIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23491, 31 October 1939, Page 5

COUNTRY CIRCUIT

WHANGAREI MEETING

PROSPECTS FOR FIRST DAY

LIKELY FANCIES IN THE CUP BY BOBRIKOFF Fields for the opening day of the Whangarei Racing Club's Spring Meeting at Kensington Park on Friday are evenly balanced and may provide some interesting contests. The win and place betting will be in operation. A dpi-cia l train will leave Auckland each day at 6.45" a.m. and on return from Man at 5.30 p.m. and Whangarei at 5.45 p.m. The chief event, the Whangarei Cup, has attracted a good field of 111, and snaring prido of place are Orate and Airain with i).O. Orate also has an engagement in the Munaia Handicap and in all probability he will contest that race in preference. Amim coninienced the season well by finishing second in the Avondale Cup and third in tho Plumpton Handicap at the Avondale Jockey Club's Spring Meeting, but her form since has been disappointing. Airam will be meeting slightly weaker company on this occasion, and, being well seasoned, she may be troublesome with all her weight if on her best behaviour. Philcourt's attractive finishing effort into second behind Very Glad in the Members' Memorial Handicap at Cambridge on Labour Day will gain him many friends. He has risen 131b but is built oil tho right lines to carry weight and at the same distance would havo been tho winner in his last start. Namara an Improver Namara is improving with every race and after finishing second to Val Lu at Ellerslie, ho was narrowly beaten by Hunting Cat in tho Waverley Cup on Labour Day. He is a free poor, and, with the benefit of an apprentice allowance, may take beating on this course. Although ho has failed to gain a place in his Inst 12 starts, High Sea-finished closo behind the placed horses in the Shorts Handicap at the Auckland Racing Club s Spring Meeting, and, judging by his excellent track work since, ho may be on tho verge of striking form. High Sea has always given the impression that he was a good stayer. Since scoring a runaway win over nino furlongs in hack company at Pnkckohe last winter, Saceone has failed to raco up to expectations, although he was responsible for a solid effort in finishing second to Gladynev in tho Normandy Handicap, ono mile, at Elfl-rslie. Miss Appellant does not appear to be at her best yet and is by no means a certain starter. Palmint has been racing fairly well in stronger company and can be relied upon to stay the distance. Ono of the most improved horses at Ellerslio is Ivy Willonyx, who galloped exceptionally well over a round on Saturday. She has failed to show any form for a long period but it would not bo surprising to see her taking a prominent part in tho finish. Mon'Acre. whoso recent racing has been confined mostly to sprint distances, has given indications of being better suited over a littlo moro ground and in her present condition she may prove a likely light-weight. Raccline has shown occasional good form in hack company, but Spinning Wheel appeals most of those on the minimum. Spinning Wheel has raced well, but unluckily, in recent starts, while her latest track work has drawn attention to her prospects. Providing a suitaable rider can be obtnined, she should prove dangerous. In a very open race, the fancies may he Philcourt. High Sea. Spinning Wheel and Namara. Small Field In Sprint

The sprint event, the Manaia Handicap, ha* drawn a numerically weak field, which is headed by Orate with 0.10 or Sib more than whon he won the Shorts Handicap at Elierslie. On that occasion Orate showed himself a sprinter of the best class, but in ins two subsequent # he let his BUP* porters down badly by failing to leave the barrier correctly, lie has rarely been better than at present, and would only, need to go Awav on terms to be difficult to heat witn all "his weight. Maxam is verv speedy and proved herself up to the best sprint company by winning the Flying Handicap at the" Ohinemuri Jockey Club's Spring Meeting last month. In her following start Sho ran fourth in the first division of the Gordon Handicap at Elierslie with 0.6. \vhich was a verv meritorious performance as the held included some very smart backs. Hunting Blood is racing well below form, but Bachelor King, who invariably races well on this course, cannot bo left out or calculations. His recent course of schooling mav have had the effect of making him more solid. Brazilian won a double on this track last autumn, but he subsequently suffered a lapse of form. In spite of the fact that he bled at Elierslie. Brazilian has been working in good style at Takanim aTid will disappoint if he docs not give an ltn E r °y?., showing Trilliarch. who has become affected in the wind, has been sprinting well at Elierslie. but he cannot be recommended on his latest form. The favourites ar« likely to he Maxam. Orate and Bachelor King.

AUSTRALIAN TURF LEIF BREAKS DOWN CONDITION OF BEAU VITE MELBOURNE, Oct. 30 Leif broke down in the Mooncc Valley Cup and may miss her remaining: spring engagements. Frill Prince was also lamp nfter (he cup, but recovered oyer, the week-end and is expected lo run in the Melbourne CU t! 11. George does not anticipate any illeffects from Beau Vite's fall. He considers the colt would have won on Saturday, barring the accident, an opinion shared by several good judces, who expect Beau Vile to make a bold bid for the V/R.C. Derby High Caste and Gold Salute both looked well to-day Gold Salute's stamina will be thoroughly tested in the V.R.C. Derby The Derby colt Wilson, who soreness last week, moved freely at Caulfield toda\V Cook will be out of the saddle for a few days as a result of his fall_on Saturday, but will bo all right to rido Beau Vite in the V.R.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup. M. McCarten will probably rido Feminist in the Mcibourno Cup.

CHANGE OF QUARTERS w. s. Mcdonald at epsom BIG TEAM DUE FROM WAIKATO During the next few weeks trotting teams at Epsom will be increased by some trainers from Mangere and Hamilton making Alexandra Park their headquarters. W. 8. McDonald has already transferred to Epsom his telm, comprising Resistance, Eighteen Carat, Canadian and Bonnie Jewel. J. G. Robertson is also likely to transfer his horses to Epsom at an early date, and the Hamilton owner-trainer, E. R. Smith, has completed arrangements for the accommodation of 12 and hopes to take up his residence in' Auckland early next month In addition to Sir Frank, Peter Smith, Waikato Prince, Ilori Bingen and 1 Northern Smilo. Smith has a large number of young horses. Tho presence of so many fresh horses should stimulate interest in the training activities at Epsom for tho Waikato and Auckland summer meetings. NAPIER PARK MEETING HANDICAPS FOR SATURDAY Handicaps for the Napier Park Racing Club's First Spring Meeting at Grccnmeadows on Saturday are as follows: — GREENMEADQWS HACK HURDLES, of £ 100, l'/ 3 miles. —Birkology. 10.4; Lady Stella, 10.1 j Whctu, 0.12; Queen's Dream, 0.8; Ilethers Fossicker. 0.4; Anini, Dozie Boy. Oxyopia. 0.0. MAIDEN STAKES, of £IOO, special weights, 5 fur. —Bothers, King's County, Carolina, Siegall, Shetland Isle, Flying Flag, Fasolt, Lady Grey, Iliad—Bravado filly, Tidal Lass, Goldcraft, Etla, Regale, Hui, Forgetfulness. River Tide. Charles Edward, 8.0.

JUVENILE HANDICAP, of .CIOO, two-year-olds, 4 fur. —Tea Lord, 8.0; Dusky Morn, 7.12; Black Out, Versatilo, 7.10; Huginc, Happy Hit filly, 7.0; Peata, Bombay, Miss Wheriko, Barbara Miller. Kinariki. Smoke Trail. 7.7.

PARK STAKES HANDICAP, or tir.o, IV, miles. —De Friend, 0.r, ; Royal Star 11., 8.-1; Charade, 8.0; Oranvale, 7.0; Sky Way, 7.8; Limbohn, Boat Souk, 7.3; Morning Flight, Lo Toquct, Hunting Mint, 7.0. AIIURITtI HACK HANDICAP, of £IOO, 0 fur. —Native Sour:, 0.0; Lindrum, 8.8; Endorsement. Lucullus Boy, 8.0; Screen Lord. 8.4; Serenata, 8.1; Smiling Personality, H.O; Ro.val Spades, 7.12; Harina, Classical, Dainty Dell, 7.11; Proclamation, 7.10; Diana Tetrix, Mimicry, 7.0; Minnow, Tidal Lass. City Song, Red Shoes, Singapore, River Tide, 7.7. FLYING HANDICAP, of CI2O, 0 fur.— Flammarion, 0.0; Nora Grcgor, 8.7; Brunhild, 8.0; Royal Star 11., 7.12; Okawa, 7.7; Native Song, 7.5; Hunter's Eve, Gold Ballad. 7.2; Tableau. 7.0.

OODNTY HACK HANDICAP, of £'loo. 1 mile. —Native Song, 0.4; Boat Rone:, 0.1; Morning Flight, 8.10.; Modern Way. 8.1; Indian Sun, 7.lft; Hunting Moments, Begorrah, 7.12; Kolii, Kalika, 710; Minnow Gay Laura. The Ring. Opoho, Arabic. Golden Klame, Wnglinde, Mother-in-Law, Shani, Hyderabad, Charles Hugo, Malacca. Eola, Laughing Song, Diana Tetrix, Colibri. Chandlery, 7.7.