Coral Are Has Staying Credentials

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26915, 29 October 1948, Page 8

Coral Are Has Staying Credentials

The Dunedin-owned Coral Arc, who has 7 4 in the New Zealand Cup, must now come into calculations as a lightweight prospect. He beat a strong field in the Wellington Handicap on the opening day of the Trentham meeting, being two lengths and a-half ahead of Signal Officer at the Post It must be remembered that he was in receipt of 451 b from Signal Officer in the Wellington Handicap, and that the margin will be reduced to 311 b in the big Riccarton race. Coral Arc should not be troubled by the two-mile journey as he was reported to be running on at the end of the Wellington Handicap. Coral Arc has solid claims to be considered a stayer. His sire, Coronach, was the only winner of the English Derby to be imported to New Zealand or Australia. Barbacan, Coral Arc’s dam, is by Top Gallant from the Spearmint mare Columbia, and the family goes back to Old Orange Girl, a half-sister to West Australia, founder of a famous male line. Answer to Correspondent “ Interested.”—Frances has started 37 times for seven wins. Back to Form Gunther failed to show up in the hurdle races at Wingatui, but he found conditions to his liking in the two high-weight events at Gore, outclassing the opposition each day. He mixed flat racing with hurdling successfully last season, but then had a lapse of form. Now, he looks like doing further good service for the Hazlett stable. Glimpse of Form Wantwood, last year’s surprise winner of the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton, is again in this year’s field, but his form so far would not suggest that his chances are particularly bright. He showed a glimpse of form in the Steward’s Handicap at Gere on Monday, where he made his appearance with a furlong to go, but in a close finish could not get nearer than third Won Double afl Gore Mount Barker, the double winner at Gore, finished fourth in the Novice Handicap on the second day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring meeting, and was also prominent on the opening day, which was her first start in a race. She is a three-year-old by Royal Chief from Soliad, and is trained at Gore by T. G Pollock. Soliad is from an Iliad marc from Scotch Wit, by The Ace, from Scottish Star. The manner in which she won at Gore indicates a successful career for Mount Barker. Competitive Competitive made friends when he won a division of the Maiden event at Motukarara. From a slow jump-out, he was a long way back at the home turn, but be came home with an impressive run after going round, the field. He is a-three-year-old brother to Rival Chase, who seemed on the way to good form When he became affected in the wind. Like most of the progeny of Wild Chase, age will help him, and he may be out cf hack class before the season is much older. Cup Horses at Gore The only New Zealand Qup candidate to win at Gore was the Wingatui-trained Fine Night. He scored an easy win in the Members’ Handicap on the opening day, this being his first success in open company, but in much heavier going on the second day he ran a moderate third Spare Part, who was expected to plav a prominent part both days, was not started, and Salmon Spear was another that did not face the starter. Big Stake-earner Signal Officer has now won £21,265 in stake money, his earnings at Trentham being £2OOO. The only galloper who has won more money in New Zealand is Gloaming, with a total of £26,324. This great weight-carrier has not been set an impossible task with 9.7 in the New Zealand Cup, and with a race like the Canterbury Cup seemingly at his mercy, the Salmagundi gelding may still be able to bridge the gap. to the old champion’s total. Howe’s Penalty It is not unlikely that 9.5 will pull Howe up in the Melbourne Cup, but already the big Defoe gelding has won about £6OOO on his Victorian trip (comments a northern writer). Horses which have won the Melbourne Cup with 9.5 are few. Archer won the first two Cups with 9.7 and 10.2, but he took 3min 52sec and 3min 47sec, and does not merit serious consideration. Malua was . successful with 9.9. Carbine with 10.5; Poitrel with 10.0, Phar Lap with 9.12, and Peter Pan with 9.10. Several others carried 9.0 or . more to victory, among them Jjeing Patron 9.3, The Grafter 9.2, Windbag 9.2, Spearfelt 9.3, Nightmarch 9.2, and Russia 9.0 Howe's chance therefore is not hopeless. Mention of Malua is a reminder that he would be a worthy candidate for the all-round title. A Melbourne Cup, Newmarket Handicap, and Grand National Hurdles would .be useful credentials.