THOMPSON HANDICAP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26095, 7 March 1946, Page 9

THOMPSON HANDICAP

IRISH NOTE FIT AND WELL (Special) WELLINGTON. Mar. 6. The stale ot Ilia going will have a big influence on the prospects of horses who arc pre-post fancies for the main handicap events m the fhsi day of the Wellington autumn meet ng on Saturday. There has been a good deal of rain at Trentham since ihe week-end, and at present the course proper is greasy on the surface, but down a few inches it is still very hard. Should the weather clcai up by to-morrow it. would not take the track long to recover, and first-class going could then be relied on for Saturday. Irish Note, the top-weight and favourite for the Thompson Handicap, arrived from tne south this morning. He has not. raced since he won a double at ihe WelI r.gton January meeting, but he looks in wonderful order, and he pei formed a satisfactory trial at Riccarton before his departure. He will be ridden on Saturday by C. T. Wilson. Irish Note favours firm ground, and his trainer, F. A, Roberts, s ated to-day that it is charge would not run if the ground was not suitable. There seems every prospect, however, that it will be. Master Dash is'another prominent cand - date whose prcspecls will depend upon the state of the track. He is engaged in the Thompson Handicap with 0.8. and is in the Railway Handicap with 10.2, and a decision on his programme is'likely to he delayed until Ihe day of the races. Master Dash has shown his best form up to seven furlongs, and h s prospects would appear better in the Railway Handicap than in the Thompson, in which he has to meet Irish Note at a difference of only lib A Promising Sort Gay Stroller, who is in the same stable as Master Dash, is another Thompson Handicap horse who will appreciate an improvement in track condit ons. He is still a comparative novice in racing experience, and though lie is expected to lake high rank he may not reach his peak as a galloper until next season. He ran a good deal below expectations in his first start in open company at Mastcrton on Saturday. He is a very long strider, and the greasy ground may have had someth ng to do with his failure to stride out smoothly. Moreover, he dwelt slightly at the start. It is doubtful whether he hks enough early brilliance to win a race like til? Thompson Handicap. If he had. Irish Note might find it a difficult task to concede liim 341 b. Da Vinci has come into favour for the Thompson Handicap since his winning display at Masterton, and a continuance of the existing soft conditions will enhance his prospects. Foxhaven, joint favourite with Longue d'Or for the Autumn Handicap, arrived from the south to-day. His usual rider. K. Nuttall, will be on him on Saturday. Foxhaven is in solid condition, and whether the ground is firm or soft will make little difference to him. as he has proved his ability to handle any type of going. He has won three times in his last four starts. "His two latest successes were in the Wellington Summer Handicap with 8.2 and the Canterbury Midsummer Handicap with 9.0. Catterick Bridge, a favoured lightweight for the Autumn Handicap, will be at a "disadvantage if the track remains soft. The majority of the progeny of Foxbridge can handle'soft ground, but Catterick Bridge is useless in it. At Masterton he tailed the field and made no impression whatever on this account When he last raced at Trentham in January, he ran second w r ith 7.4 to Irish Note in the Racing Club Handicap, and was fifth with 7.8. after making up a iot of ground. In the Summer Handicap, which was won by Foxhaven, whom he now meets on 111 b better terms. The first contingent of the big South Island team competing at the Wellington autumn meeting arrived in the Rangi,tira to-day. Those on board were Benbecula, Al-Sirat, Foxhaven, Swingalong. Grill, Patmos. Bittersweet, Irish Note. Thornbridge, Palfrey. Martial Note. Western Front, Fearless, Wide Range/ Spiora, Lord Elgin, Peculate, and Big Top. Riding Engagements The following riding engagements have been announced for the first day of the meeting:—K. Nuttall—Foxhaven, Spiora. Wide Range. Swingalong, Patmos. W. F. Ellis: Big Top, Benbecula, Martial Note. H. Bearce. Gay Stroller, Beneve, Perfect Peace. G. Young: Blue Moon, Opulent. C. H. Mackie: Gaystock, Flying Ace, Shining Ring, Findon. H. MacDonald: Yarrow. Nightfoc. A. C. Messervy: Catterick Bridge. Cuba, Lady Delight, Prince Fox, Zealander, Foxcatcher. W. J. Mudford: Tribute. Poutatau. G. R. Tattersall: Blanket, Langue d'Or. Master Dash. C. T. Wilson: Irish Note. Thornbridge, Bittersweet, Flying Robin. W. J. Broughton: Da Vinci, Balcherrie. C. A. Bowry: Merry Robin, Specialist. J. P. Bowness: Barrage, Royal Baron, Gyration. J. Garth: Malanui. Big Money. Donegal Bay. L. J. Ellis: Peculate, Leighori’s Glory. D. J. Thistoll: Palfrey. R. J. Mackie: Grill. L. J. Clutterbuck: Alderman. Blue Tie K. Ford: Variant Night. K. Chote: Zahra. A. Midwood: Abdicate, Financial. H. P. Stewart: Phalaria. R. J. Auckram: Carnforth, Gynerio.