MERRY ROBIN DOUBTFUL MANAWATU CUP STARTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26957, 17 December 1948, Page 8

MERRY ROBIN DOUBTFUL MANAWATU CUP STARTER

Special to the Dally Times WELLINGTON, Dec. 16.

The Manawatu Racing Club will open Its three-day summer meeting at Awapuni on Saturday when the feature event on the programme will be the £2OOO Manawatu Cup. There was some rain early •in the week which freshened up the track and the going should be firm and fast unless there is more rain. The Tararua Hack Handicap, in which there are 32 acceptors, will be run in two divisions regardless of the number of scratchlngs, and provision has been made for divisions also in the Tokomaru Hurdles (four over), the Maiden Plate (eight over), and the Gillies Hack Handicap (four over).

It was reported from Otaki to-day that Merry Robin, one of the favourites for the Manawatu Cup, had struck himself and slightly filled a joint, and that a decision about him starting will be delayed. False Step is a doubtful starter in the Fitzherbert Handicap. Horses in favour include:—. 11.15: Tokomaru Hurdles.—First division: Dawn March, 11-Corona. Second division: Tribute. Voltage. 11.57: Maiden Plate. —First division: Jaconet, Revel Lad. Second division: Virginius, Elbongen. 12.42: Juvenile Handicap.—Super Snipe, Sayani, Golden Link.

1.27: Tararua Hack Handicap.—First division: Beau Bijou, Night View. Second division: Avenger, Gay Fellow. 2.12: Manawatu Cup,—Robin’s Reward, Welcome Guest, Miss Bairnsfather.

2.57: Fitzherbert Handicap.—Fleetwood, Voltaic, Trafalgar Day. 3.45: Gillies Hack Handicap.—First division: Deseado, La Modelle. Second division: Lady Myrtle, Sly Gold. 4.35: Grandstand Handicap.—Torrent, Mission, Winter Sweet.