RACING NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25302, 12 August 1943, Page 3

RACING NEWS

By Sentinel

Foxhaven looks none the worse for his winning effort in the Paparua Handicap, and shaped well in his track work on Tuesday. After his good schooling display at Riccarton on Tuesday, Town Survey will probably retain his position as favourite for the Grand National Hurdles.

Desert Strife, a three-year-old filly by Bulandshar—Rivalry, is one worth noting for the future. She was travelling like a winner in the Cashmere Plate until Big Top arrived with a strong run and cut her out of first money. Desert Strife should improve as the season advances.

The Irish Lancer—Half Note three-year-old chestnut gelding Irish Note looks well forward in condition. He drew 17 at the barrier in the Cashmere Plate, and the extra handicap did not help his chance He is a half-brother to Compeer.

Khurja is a big, strong gelding, and although he came down in the Sydenham Hurdles, he may soon make good. He has won twice, but is still a comparative novice at the game.

Nightcalm was in particularly good shape when he won the Sydenham Hurdles, and as a result will not be overlooked in connection with the Grand National Hurdles. Nightcalm and Rockery both stayed on well in a hard finish. Burberry was expected to do better than he did in the Paparua Handicap. He was going well Until reaching the straight, but then dropped back. He may improve as the result of the race. The schooling fences and hurdles at Riccarton could be widened with advantage and also supplied with deeper wings. The additions would help to keep a horse on his jumps in schooling lessons and would offer much less temptation to run off.

Foxbrae, who held up the start of the Winter Cup, is engaged in the August Handicap. He should not be allowed to hold up a field by his persistent refusal to line up. True Range has been sent up 131 b for his win in the Enfield Steeples, and in the Hunt Cup meets La Boca on 101 b and Donadea on 121 b worse terms. The topweight has not been harshly treated, as on the first day he came away from the field in the run home.

Foxhaven has paid rather dearly for his win in the Paparua Handicap, in which heads separated him from Platform and Poutatau at the finish. In the August Handicap he meets Poutatau on 111 b worse terms, while Symbol (fourth) is met on 121 b, Hearth on 141 b, and Black Robe on 141 b worse terms over an extra furlong.

It is now stated that Kronos was withdrawn from the Winter Cup owing to the state of the going. When seen working on the track he travelled without showing any signs of trouble such as a horse might display when suffering from an abscess. A drizzling rain has been falling at Riccarton, and unless the weather improves the going will be softer than on the first day. Donnybrook Fair, at 31b above the minimum in the Islington Handicap, does not seem badly treated after his second in the Winter Cup', in which he started from 17 at the barrier. He would have been more successful last season but for boring out in some of his races. His record last season in 11 starts was a win. three seconds, and a fourth. Some newcomers are on the card for the second day of the Grand National meeting. They include Silver Mask, who won at Wingatui and Timaru over six furlongs, and on each occasion finished on as if the extra furlong would not trouble him. He will, however, be up against stronger opposition in the Woolston Handicap than he met as a winner. „ There was not much support for Renascor in the Sydenham Hurdles on Saturday, and apparently he is not in last year’s form, when he won the Grand National Hurdles. He was third last year in the Sydenham Hurdles to Kanul Te Pal and Noko, and afterwards won the Grand National Hurdles from Foxlana, Erndale, and Malacca, with Kanui Te Pai and Noko among the unplaced lot. This year Renascor has 71b more than he won under last year.