MOVING ALL THE WAY

NZ Truth, Issue 1272, 17 April 1930, Page 13

MOVING ALL THE WAY

Riccarton Pair Appeal In Great Easter Handicap

FIRST SIGHT AND RED HECKLE

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Christchurch Representative.) When the tote bells cease ringing for the Great Easter Handicap at Riccarton on Easter Monday, it is a certainty that the public will give an indication that they expect southern horses to do this year what they have failed to do since 1924, when R£zzle Dazzle showed the way home.

pREAT STAR, when only a hack, VJ nearly pulled it off last year, and again has a great chance, but he has to meet some very hot members, trained on the same ground, who have come into favor m the betting market over the last few weeks; Meadow Lark ran a respectable third last year, and since then has qualified as the outstanding sprinter over six furlongs m the South Island, and has m addition proved himself a weight-carrier under all sorts of conditions. This year's Easter, however, is " the hottest class he has taken on over seven furlongs, and he is set the task of a good horse. At the time of writing Red Heckle's mission was doubtful. According to His trainer, he is to start m one leg of the big double only, and a mix up over riding engagements with Bert Ellis between Fred Jones and Fred Christmas might cause an alteration of plans. Joe Henrys has taken no chance with the . Warplane, gelding on the strength of his seconds m the Craven Plate and Thompson Handicap, but at his best Red Heckle has everything required by a potential Great Easter winner, and he has only to start m this event to be one of the fancied' division. Great Charter Is the principal North Island hope, and his Ormond Cup win will gain him a lot of northern support. Great Star has not had a race since the Wellington summer meeting, which might tell against him. He has it m his favor that he

thrives on a light, preparation and comes to hand quickly with a few gallops. Up till last week-end his tasks comprised strong working gallops and he looked bright and weil. Panther's, three wins this season have been against moderate company only, and Pull Feather's form reads better, but the Clifford horse, while now racing more genuinely, is a slow beginner. First Sight has had only one start this season since coming m from his long spell and the race has worked a remarkable improvement : m him. , , I When judged on his form when he last raced, he appears well treated with only 7.12, and his track work m I dicates that he is practically back to j his best. He will probably be ridden by Bert Ellis at about 8.2. Money Mine is a tough little plodder, but hardly . the class, while Royal Saxon will probably go to Riverton, as Tom Green's services were not available for the Easter. Further down the handicap, Arikiwal's name appears, and while he may start m both the Easter and the Autumn, his chances look better m the longer race. The improving Gay Crest .should beat all the lightweights. His Timaru form suggests that he is a lot better than he has yet shown In public, but he appeals more as a stayer than a sprinter. •Riccarton stables hold a strong hand with FIRST SIGHT and RED HECKLE.