FINE NIGHT AND MESTIZA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26782, 27 May 1948, Page 8

FINE NIGHT AND MESTIZA

Twenty-three horses have been handicapped for the Birthday Handicap event on the flat on the first day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting, and even allowing for a liberal sifting of the wheat from the chaff when acceptances are taken to-morrow a very satisfactory field should line up at the post. Grill, the top-weight, shows his best form when racing on top of the ground and may not get • conditions to suit him, and the mile and a-half journey may be just a trifle too far for Joygiver. Foxchase, with 9.2, would have to improve on his showing at Washdyke to have a chance here. Mestiza won impressively each day at Washdyke and has been given 8.13, or 211 b more than she carried last Saturday. The minimum weight in the Birthday Handicap is, however, 71b higher than it was in the South Canterbury Handicap. Sea Power has 8.10, or 31b more than he won the Gore Racing Club Handicap with, the distance being one mile and a-half. Fine Night, with 7.13, or 61b above the minimum, will be preferred to Sea Power, and will probably be among the favourites. The distance will be no trouble to the Nightly gelding. Pride of Mossburn won the Awarua Handicap, of one mile and aquarter, at the Southland meeting last month, and the going is likely to suit him. Others likely to be considered are Dark Arrow, Falconbridge, and Thornbridge, but the early favourites are likely to come from Fine Night, Mestiza, and Pride of Mossburn.