DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23516, 2 June 1938, Page 16

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB

STRONG TEAM FROM SOUTHLAND CONTINGENT OF STEEPLE- . * CHASERS (Special to Daily Times) INVERCARGILL, June 1 It is many years since such a formidable contingent from Southland has been engaged at the winter meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club. Numerically, the Southland team is stronger than it has been for some years, while the calibre of those engaged is well up to the standard of former years. Southland stables promise to dominate the steeplechase races, and while the representation is not so strong in the open races, the hack fields have drawn the best of Southland graduates. Burwood, Bally Brit, and Gay Boa may prove the pick of the hack steeplechasers, although Jollyanna and Converse are likely improvers. There was an idea at the tracks yesterday that Kelly the Crow may not take his place, while the chances of Quinopal and Red Terror do not appeal greatly. The shorter distance in the Tahuna Steeplechase has been preferred for Burwood, who will meet Bally Brit on 61b better terms than when the latter beat him at the Southland meeting. Bally Brit, however, may have improved more than Burwood, and the pair are again likely to provide an interesting duel. Converse won well at Riverton, and this is always a recommendation, while Jollyanna has been working much better than earlier in the season.

There was a lot of merit in GayBoa’s third placing behind Bally Brit and Burwood in his last start, and a heavy track is likely to be in his favour. Red Terror is an ‘erratic customer, but Gold Wren, judging by the manner in which he raced at Riverton, is likely to improve. Trisox is likely to be a firm favourite for the Otago Steeplechase. He is to carry 11.2, the same weight as he was successful with on the concluding day at Riverton. He may prove the best of the Southland chasers this season. Black Banner has no recent form to recommend him, but he is credited with having worked well, and if anywhere near the top of his form can be expected to show up. Signaller is a new recruit to the steeplechasing game, but he has excellent credentials as a hurdler. This will be his first appearance over the big timber, and, judging by the way he has been schooling, he should make a success of it. Opportunities for hurdlers are restricted in Southland, and this is the reason for the .local contingent being small. All Humbug has yet to race over the small battens, but Corban created a good impression in his first attempt over hurdles at the Southland meeting. He finished close up fourth, and the longer journey will suit him. Sir Admiral has shaped fairly well, while Last Post will have benefited by his experience at Washdyke. On the later days of the meeting Wild Irishman and Smoko are engaged. Smoko finished second to McHeath in his last start at the Southland meeting, and was rather unlucky. His chance will have to be highly rated. Wild Irishman has been schooling particularly well, and the three-year-old is more forward now than when he made his initial appearance as a hurdler at Invercargill. Invadere, Rgmana, Hunting Chorus, and Triplecohe represent the novice section. Triplecone reads as the best of this lot. and if he raced up to his track work he would take some beating. Invadere is another who does not race as well as he works. Wild Career, Island Linnet, and Amelita are engaged in the Birthday Handicap. The first-named has not shown his best form on winter tracks, but the going at Wingatui may not be altogether against him, and he appears to hold the other pair safely Peony Rose may prove herself the best of the sprinters, as she won well in her last start. Moneyless is not without a chance, as he has been responsible for good track work, but does not always E reduce it on race day. Rodeur would e preferred on a firm track, but Washdyke running gives her a chance. In the remaining hack races. Waitoru, Soliad, Silkwood, Johnny, and Ardmayle all have excellent credentials. Waitoru is probably the best prospect of the hack representatives. The Balboa three-year-old is a better horse now than when he won very easily at the Southland meeting, and great interest will be shown in his form this week. Silkwood is a generous race mare and can always be counted on to show up. , Soliad has been some time in sinking top form, but at Invercargill she showed that she was right back to her best. She has been placed to advantage at this week’s meeting, and as she is one who can stay and is well up to weight, she will keep the middle-dis-tance hack fields busy The same may be said of Johnny, who will appreciate the holding going, while Ardmayle can be expected to run a-solid mile. Barley Almond has not been working well and will have to improve greatly to concede weight to several improvers. A heavy track will not trouble Recall, who has plenty ot ability, but Verdure does not appeal. Brilliant Boa has improved in recent track work.