RACING NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25015, 8 September 1942, Page 4

RACING NEWS

By Sentinel ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT "Winning Flight."—The scratching time was 11.50 a.m. on Saturday. The first race at Ashburton on Saturday will start at 11.45. Acceptances for the Ashburton meeting are due to-day. Southern Sail is now in E. J. Ellis's stable at Washdyke. Nominations for the Geraldine meeting are due to-morrow. Courtdress is the latest addition to A. E. Didham's stable. True Mate, one of the fancied lot in the Vauxhall Handicap, drew 16 at the barrier, and Dash o' Dublin 15. The barrier positions did not help their chances. Master Dingle gave a much improved display of fencing in the Otago Hunt Club Cup Steeples and was one of the leaders over the final circuit of the course Symbol appeared to hold a good chance of a win as they straightened up for home in the Tally-Ho Handicap. The Joker, however, proved rather too good for the Gascony mare. Foxhaven has been kept busy on the tracks for his John Grigg Stakes engagement. Judged by the amount of fast work he has been getting the colt thrives on his tasks. Steward, who helped to set the pace in the Tally-Ho Handicap, Is engaged in the Dunedin Guineas. He is a brown colt by Salmagundi from Caterpillar, by Paper Money—Fortrix, by Martian—Fortulla. Gay Boa, the winner of the Otago Hunt Club Cup Steeples, was foaled in 1931, and was got by Balboa from Geraldine, by Nassau (son of William the Third) from The Spike, by Charlemagne ll—Marlin, by Artillery. After her win at Riccarton Coy was fancied for her engagement at Wingatui on Saturday, but although she showed out two or three times at the barrier, she became one of the also started in the actual race. At the meeting at Wingatui on Saturday tiie committee of the Otago Hunt Club received official notification that an extra hour would be granted in connection with getting off the card. Instructions were, in conseauence, given to the totalisator manager to delay the closing of the receiving windows. Alpine is growing into a good type of colt and may train on during the season. He is engaged in the Dunedin Guineas, and is a chestnut by Captain Bunsby from Spionetta, by Spion Kop—Flash of Steel, by Royal Realm. Prince Flaneur won the Otago Hunt Cup Steeples last year with 9.1. He won the Turi Steeples with 9.01 and the Otago Steeples with 9.3. A rise,to 11.2 proved too much, although he was going well until he hooked the post and rails near the mile post. Those anxious to see the Wingatui meetings continue to grow in popularity could not feel otherwise than highly gratified over the very large attendance at the Otago Hunt Club's meeting. Under favourable conditions a day's racing at Wingatui can be just as enjoyable as at any other course. The suggestion that the Dunedin Cup meeting should be held on Boxing Day has much to commend it. A change would help to strengthen the attractiveness of the holiday circuit formed by Wingatui, Waikouaiti, Wyndham, and Invercargill. The alteration would make Wingatui the dominating fixture of the Christmas and New Year meetings, and the combined attractiveness of the circuit would very probably bring down Canterbury horses, which are usually sent to the North Island. Last year the principal stake at Wingatui was the Otago Handicap, of £SOO, the Waikouaiti Cup was worth £6OO, the Wyndham Cup £SOO, and the Invercargill Cup £550.