PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26226, 9 August 1946, Page 7

PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW

SONERI AND LEIGH BARTON

ROMAN SON IN STEEPLECHASE

(Special) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 8 C. Carroll will have the mount on Prince Dolomite in the Grand National hurdles. At the Christchurch Hunt meeting after losing ground early in the Longbeach Hurdles, Prince Dolomite finished fast in fourth place. Spanish Main will be ridden in the Beaufort Steeplechase by T. J. Boyle, who will have the mount on Boolamskee in the Grand National Hurdles. Riding Engagements

Barton, but his inclination is for the Islington Handicap. He would, however, welcome rain. Findon worked well this morning, and made friends for the Islington Handicap. The Hurdles Although the declaration of acceptances for the second day of the meeting reduced the size of some of the fields, most of them are still on the big side. The Grand National Hurdles field has been reduced to 14, and since his win in the Jumpers’ Flat Bramble Song has been the ruling favourite. He will meet Brantome on 241 b better terms than in the Jumpers' Flat and such a pull in the weights justifies the favouritism, although it does not put Brantome out, of course, as the hurdles have to be taken into consideration. Both Brantome and Brarrjble Song have schooled well this week, and so has Prize Ring,' who schooled over four flights on Wednesday in brilliant style. Prize Ring’s display in the Jumpers’ Flat can be excused as Heasley took ill during the running of the race, probably as the result of "wasting.” Boolamskee cannot be overlooked as he was up with the leaders’ in last year's race when he slipped on landing over the last hurdle. Test Pilot has been doing well in his preparation since winning at the Ashburton winter meeting, when he gave Olga's Choice 21£lb and an eight-lengths beating. In the Trial Hurdles Olga’s Choice suffered only a narrow defeat by Beneve when in receipt of 141 b. Test Pilot has won three times over hurdles and scored so well each time that he must be granted a chance. Dumbo won the Grand National Steeplechase in brilliant style, and his form last season includes a win over hurdles at Auckland over two miles, with 10.2 in 3min 51 2-ssec on a slow track. Hunting Mac seems sure to set a solid pace and this will test the top-weights. Sphere may have an outside chance as he ran a fair race in. the Jumpers’ Flat and may shape well under a light weight. The race looks fairly open and the order of favouritism may be Prize Ring, Bramble Song, and Brantome, with Boolamskee regarded as next best.

The following riding engagements have been made for Saturday:—-L. J. Ellis, Royal Robe, Detain, Golden Souvenir, Notary; C. T. Wilson, Robingay, Swingalong, Bridge Acre; H. N. Wiggins, Grand Melee, Special Flight; N. Crombie, Blue Hussar, Runaway, Foxchase;. C. Stokes, Hart Royal, Honest Sal; D. J. Thistoll, Mestiza, Lady Welbeck, -Salary; C. A. Bowry, The Monarch, The Grand; D. O’Neil, Boloyna; D. R. Mackie, Wane; I. Walther, Test Pilot; M, McClintock, Montello d’Oro, Pandemonium, Beau Ideal; A. Mid wood, Olga’s Choice, Griffin; A. Stokes, Dash o’ Dink, Deep Harmony, Spring Water- C. McDonald, Leigh Barton, Regal Lily, Our Lord. Desert Victory; A. C. Messervy, Provider, Julius Caesar: G. R. Tattersall, Avonbridge, Bonnie Fair, Montosorrie. Imperial; W. J. Mudford, Double Cross, Armont; W. F. Ellis, Western Front, Majestic Fox, Soft Light; J. Nicholson, Sphere; P. Spratt, Beautiful, Tifox; W. J. Broughton, Desert Fox, Lord Elgin; D. Dawson,,Appeasement; R, Collett, Brantome; F. C. Cleaver, Nepeta; D. D. Stove, Burnbrae; R. Caddy, Lovemom; H. Ford, Le Sonnet; R. J. Mackie, Platform; A. McKerrow, Night Prince; R. G. Bradshaw, Sandy’s Pride; W. S. Bagby, Front Page; D. Mackinnon, Hunting Mac. Roman Son: B J. Marrah, Night Rank; W L. Aitken, Piccolo, Tomahawk; C. H. Mackie, Kirkella; R. Heasley, Page’s Raid, Phil Boa; L. J. Clutterbuck, Knight Crusader; N. L. White, Hunting Charm; J. Williamson, Slavonik, Good Bay; J. P. Bowness, Lowry Bay, High Ideal; W. F. Hillis. Tamerlane; R. Page, Thomas. The Final Gallops The weather was fine at Riccarton this morning, though a cold southerly win was blowing and the outside of the course provided good going. There seems no present indication of more rain. Easily the best half-mile was 49 2-ssec by Tiger Tan, while Special Flight did 51 4-ssec comfortably. Burberry beat Blue Hussar in 52sec, Bruce and Gallimaufry taking 52 2-ssec, while Lexia went easily in 53 3-ssec. There were some smart spins over five furlongs. Leigh Barton set the main of lmin 2 2-ssec, while Lord Elgin and the Grand were on terms in lmin 2 3-ssec. Another good effort was lmin 3 2-ssec by Desert Fox and Revivre as they went off from a stand. Bridge Acre, from a moving start, did similar x time, equalled by Tifox and Robingay, also by Foxchase, who shaded Runaway. Later Penicillin was just in front of Queen’s General in lmin 3 4-ssec, while Rahine, Regal Lily, and Nepeta separately ran lmin 4sec. Wild Note, Double Cross and Avonbridge were on terms in lmin 4sec, which Tomahawk and Crammond Bay equalled. The fastest time over six furlongs was lmin 18 2-ssec, with Grand Melee a length in front of Hart Royal, while Julius Caesar and Griffin were in front of Provider in lmin 18-35 sec. Royal Robe gave Detain a start and beat him by a neck in lmin 19 2-ssec, while Honest Sal ran away from Desert Victory over a mile, the last six furlongs in lmin 19 4-ssec.

* Beaufort Steeples The mixed field engaged m the Beaufort Steeplechase has dwindled down, to about half of its original strength. Spanish Main, because of his second in the Grand National, will naturally come in for support. He will have 371 b more to carry and will meet Page’s Raid, who finished in front of him at Timaru, on 21b worse terms. The increase of weight on Spanish Main should help Page’s Raid. Roman Son was in the picture in the Grand National Steeplechase until he had to be pulled up when some of his gear oroke. He will meet Spanish Main on 181 b better terms and this should give him a good chance. There is not much between Siglow and Roman Son on paper, but the latter is preferred. Night Prince is regarded as the best of the others, and the order of favouritism may be Roman Son. Spanish Main, and Page’s Raid. Islington and Final Handicaps

Soneri, Leigh Barton Nepeta, and Sing Sing are engaged in both the Islington Handicap and the Final Handicap. Soneri was staying on well in her winning effort and will be strongly supported in her selected race. She will meet Leigh Barton on 71b worse terms than in the Winter Cup, and as the latter has been improving it gives him a chance. Tiger Tan, third in the Winter Cup, will meet Soneri on 111 b better terms in the August Handicap, and Imperial, fourth in the Winter Cup, will meet her on 121 b better terms in the August Handicap. Foxchase ran a food race in the Winter Cup, and the extra distance will be in his favour in the Islington Handicap. Findon got a bad run in the Winter Cup, and he will meet Soneri on 131 b better terms in the Islington Handicap. Western Front may prove one of the best of the light-weights, but the form is mixed up between the two races. The card should suply very interesting sport, and the following may be amongst those in favour for their engagements:— 10.47 a.m.: Aylesbury HandicapDesert Fox, Rahine. Queen’s General or Grand Melee. 11.35: Sumner Handicap.^Alamode, • Lord Elgin, Burnbrae. 12.17 p.m.: Beaufort Steeplechase.— Roman Son, Spanish Main, Page’s Raid. „ y 1.2; Woolston Handicap.—Frances. Knight Crusader, Special Flight, or Hart Royal. 1.41: Grand National Hurdles. — Bramble Song, Prize Ring, Dumbo. 2.32: Spreydon Hurdles.—Beneve. Boloyna Olga’s Choice. ■ 3.17: Islington Handicap.—Soneri. Lance Wing Foxchase. 4.0: August Handicap.—Leigh Barton. Tiger Tan Imperial, or Bridge Acre.

Piccolo ran seven furlongs in lmin 31sec, Foxhaven and Swingalong registering lmin 31 3-ssec, Soneri and Montosorrie equalling that time, with the former going easily, while Notary and Wane were well matched in lmin 31 4-ssec. Findon finished on well to head Sumra in lmin- 32 l-ssec. Salary and Lady Welback were on terms in lmin S 3 4-ssec, while Golden Souvenir beat Bitter Sweet and Good Bay in lmin 34sec. ILongsword impressed by beating Lowry. Bay and High Ideal in lmin 3 l-ssec. Gold Lance and Royal Chance ran a mile in lmin 43 2-ssec, the last half in 51 l-ssec.

Big Top out-jumped Sphere in a school over four hurdles. Brantome and Dumbo were together over the last of four hurdles after the former had been out several lengths over the first three. Betterman was with Dumbo most of the way, but tired badly It was a fast school with Brantome jumping boldly, though Dumbo was equally impressive at the end. Gold Claim jumped smartly over four hourdles. Present indications seem to point to Soneri starting in the August Handicap. F. D. Jones has not made a final decision about the programme of Leigh