FIELDS WILL BE LARGE

NZ Truth, Issue 1168, 19 April 1928, Page 11

FIELDS WILL BE LARGE

Looking Over Candidates Engaged At Ashburton (By "The Toff.") THOUGH the acceptances had not been declared at time of writing, the fields are certain to be big at Ashburton on Saturday.

HpHE grass course is m good order I and if the weather remains fine it will provide fast footing. The first event is the Improvers' Handicap, which will bring together numerous maiden pacers. On her race at Addington, the three-year-old Delightful should be prominent, but it takes a highclass youngster to beat seasoned performers. lone is overdue, but on anything she has done m public Delightful should beat her. In all probability some dyed-in-the-wool maiden will bob up, but of those known, Delightful, lone and Author Franz may go best. Perhaps Tod Bingen will score a long-delayed victory m the Allerton Handicap. On paper he has a weak field to beat. Eva Reta and Leo Bellman are only fair. Much interest will be taken m the three-year-old Manhattan, which is engaged m the Sires' Produce Stakes, to be decided at Forbury early m next month. The Durbar Handicap is the big event of the day. Chimer will have a big following, while Vesuvius will endeavor to repair his Hawera losses. If anything troubles them it may be Nantwich and Jolly Pet.

Pretty Pointer is a speedy pacer m saddle, but she is not too good out of the baTTier; otherwise she would be hard to beat m the Harvest Handicap. Young Author is expected, but if Great Triumph, Expedient and Lady Brent are saddled up they will keep him pretty busy. However, Young Author should go well. If Master Don repeats his track work he won't get beaten m the Autumn Handicap. Joan Dillon may have freshened up, while Etffelton Lass is likely to be troublesome. Great Triumph is also engaged m this event. Tod Bingen is m the Utility Handicap; so is New Metford, which won at Timaru. Unless Commander Bingen fulfils a long-Selayed promise, New Metford should nearly get the chips. Yoicks and Ayr have been going to win for a long time. Ayr has only to be herself to go near to annexing the Rakaia Handicap. Dundas Boy will go well on the big track. Of the back-markers, Jackie Audubon and Arran Chief are most likely jto be present at the finish. If reserved for the Farewell I Handicap, Master Don should go a swift mile m saddle. The distance will appeal to Kreisler, Overcast and Royal Serene.