BUDGET OF LATE SPORT

NZ Truth, Issue 882, 21 October 1922, Page 7

BUDGET OF LATE SPORT

NEWS fROM VARIOUS SOURCES

RACING

AT TRENTHAM.

"Spearmint's" Last Word

For some time past Trentham has not been a popular course with backers of the favorite, and for a longtime results on the local course have been all against backers. It will be interesting to see if punters can get back same of their own to-day. Right here it must be said that the various events on the card bear an open appearance, but it will be the privilege of "Spearmint" to try and guide backers to the right road. The sport will commence with the Taita Handicap, m which the secondrate two-year-olds will be seen m action. Gartmore and Blonde are unlikely starters, and several of the runners are very backward, so that the issue looks like being narrowed down to the Opaki winnei', Pentragruel, and Attractive. The former is a halfbrother to Warplane, and is a good one. He greatly resembles his relative m his ways, and if he is half as good the others to-day will get a severe hiding. Attractive is a smart colt by Absurd from Finery, and he can go fast, which is only to be expected from one with speed on both sides,, but he looks to be very green and was inclined to run about a bit when working on Thursday, though it can be expected that he will do a lot better m company. "With Con Reed, always a smart rider at the barrier, m the saddle the Featherston representative should be the best backed. For the Wainui Handicap the. top weight, Royal Box, will . be the best backed. He has to carry a penalty for his Opaki win, but if he is a good horse this will nojt stop him. They are not a good lot m the race and Royal Box has yet to prove himself. Haurangi goes this distance well, and so does Blackmail. . The last-named generally races well on the Trentham course. Cold Steel has won at his last two starts, but has beaten nothing of note, while Bonnie Heather has disappointed his connection so often that they' are sick and tired of him. The starters m the Rimutaka Handicap will be ridden by apprentices. This is' not the sort of thing, backers like, but the. youngsters muat.be taught to ride and the Racing Conference, m its wisdom, thinks they will learn quicker watching one another than taking a pattern off a 'Reed or an Emerson. Penitent, Merry Day, Kaotane and Bonny Nurse will all have good boys on top, and what beats the latter will get the thick end of the stake. This filly stays on well and the distance will suit her admirably. Kaotane is last two starth, but has beaten nothing like the best of the Gay Lad gelding has yet been seen. J. H. Jefferd seems to hold a very strong hand m the Wellington Handicap, but the security could be better. Gasbag, the top weight, is on the up grade, but it is doubtful, if he is yet at his best, and probably the next month will work a big improvement m him. He is to have the services of

Roy Reed, while King's Trumpeter will be ridden by C. Reed. Winning Hit will have a host of admirers as he was not seen at his best at Wanganui and the big course here will suit him better. Printemps and Insurrection are both" coming on, but they are not .cherry ripe yet. Gasbag and Winning Hit may be the ones that will cause the judge to adjust the numbers. All the leading owners are represented m the Wellesley Stakes, with the exception of! Mr A. B. Williams. Owlscombe, who will carry the Clifford Colors, is a full sister to Moorfowl, and is stated to be a swallow catcher. The "heads" m the South say she is the best there and is infinitely superior to the Dunedin winner, Top Score. If this is so, she is the one for the tote backers. Deluge goes well, but may be backward. Tukia is a full sister to that good horse Tamatete, and it is m her favor that she is trained by F. TJlley, a man who does not run to unless he has something worth taking. QUeen's March is very speedy and she is more forward than most of the others. They are a good even lot m the Hurdles and the race will take, a lot of sorting out. Fisher ran very badly at Wanganui and can be counted out. The form at the latter meeting points to Matatua, and when the post is 'reached the old Birkenhead gelding may be showing the way. Wamba. is a smart horse, and two good hacks at the bottom of the list are Rowan and Sir Wai. For the Shorts Handicap Grotesque will be favorite, more especially .if Gasbag or King's Trumpeter is successful m the*' big race. The Absurd gelding will be prominent, but he will, be sorely tried at the finish to shake off Passionless and . Glentruin. The Hawk will be a, runner m this race and will be ridden by A. Oliver, but he can hardly be ready to carry such a big weight. • ". The card will conclude with th© October Handicap, for whioh there is a field of about 25 horses. Gazeworthy. seems to have the gift of galloping! and will be favorite, but she may not be as forward as some of the others. If she gets beaten it may be that Para will do the trick. Gold Light and Danger Zone are both sure to be well backed.