RACING NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25172, 12 March 1943, Page 4

RACING NEWS

By Sentinel

The two-year-old Trueway is a brother to Serenata and Representative. Kevin, who is engaged in the Oamaru Cup, got a bad run in the Peninsula Cup. The Raker displayed soreness when running in the Peninsula Cup, and did not look dangerous in the race. Spanish Lad was kicked on the eve of the Gore meeting, and in consequence dropped out of his engagement. Bold Sheila, who won a division at the Banks Peninsula meeting, was. got by Man’s Pal—Night Gift, by Night RaidDribble, by All Black. The seven racing events on the Southland winter programme show an increase of £565 in stakes over last year. The trotting event has been increased from £145 to £215. Kindergarten is now at the head of the list of winners for the season with £3785 to his credit. Royal Lancer is next with £3645, and The Joker third with £3OBO. There was a head between Gladynev and Rakanui in the New Zealand Cup when thev met with 8.12 each. At Wellington Rakanui is giving Gladynev 141 b over a mile and a-half. The handicaps for the Waimate meeting are due to be published on the day before the Oamaru meeting. A programme which provides for a premature publication of handicaps should not re ceive official sanction. , Lucky Girl was making her first appearance in a race when she won al toe Banks Peninsula meeting. She alsc ran at the matinee meeting held at Riccarton. Lucky Girl is a four-year-old filly by Myosotis—Sunny Brook, by Sunny Lake. It is an old saying that a horse should never be judged on its worst form. Macedoine was not seen at her best at Gore last week, but she has been handicapped to meet Strip on 71b better terms in the Oamaru Cup. Royal Chorus, who was beaten by a neck at Gore, meets Macedoine on 31b worse terms. The heavy going at Gore did not provide a reliable line to form. The late Mr E. Hay was always recognised as one of the best type of sportsmen. He owned Hounslow (winner of the Grand National Hurdles), Greek Shepherd (Great Northern Derby and St. Leger), Pelmet (winner of the McLean Stakes), Doria (McLean Stakes, Hazlett Gold Cup, and C.J.C. Welcome Stakes), Palfrey (N.Z. St. Leger), and others.

Royal Merit, who Is favourite for toe Thompson Handicap, started seven times as a two-year-old and scored a win, two seconds, and a third. Tills season he has started eight times for three wins and three seconds. In his fourth start Royal Merit 8.13 was second to Tweedsmuir 8.0 in the second division of the Grey Hack Handicap, beaten by a neck in lmin 38sec. Kiatere Maati 8.10 won the first division in lmin 37sec. At Wellington Royal Merit won the Apprentices’ Handicap with 7.11 in lmin 27Jsec. He followed with a second in the Douro Cup with 9.0 to Prince Shad 8.11, beaten by two lengths in lmin 39sec. At Auckland, Royal Merit won the Wynyard Hack Plate with 8.0 in lmin 25 3-ssec. by three-quarters of a length, and in his last start he won the Hamilton Hack Cup with 9.4 in 2min 6 2-ssec. Royal Merit is a chestnut three-year-old gelding by Mr Standfast—lthaca, by Lysander (son of Absurd)—Leta (dam of Thespian), by Ayr Laddie—Leading Lady, by Grafton —Drama, by Trenton.