SOUTH ISLAND ENTRY IN RICH MILE RACE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27044, 31 March 1949, Page 8

SOUTH ISLAND ENTRY IN RICH MILE RACE

Julius Caesar is the only South Island entry in the £SOOO Easter Handicap, to be run at Ellerslie on Easter Saturday. The Winter Cup winner will have more than an outside chance if he is taken north. He has shown his best form over one mile, and he can be expected to give a good account, of himself. Last years winner, Iwo Jirha, has not been nominated for the race, but Sleepy Fox, who has won the race for four years in succession, will be attempting to make his record five wins. The nine-year-old Foxbridge—Lady Lulu gelding is far from being a spent force, and it would not be surprising if he was well up at the finish The Easter Handicap was first run in 1874, and from 1884 to 1890 the distance was one mile and three-quarters. In 1890 it was reduced to one mile and a-half, and in 1898 it was reduced to one mile. The weight-carrying record is held by Kindergarten, who carried 10.3 to victory in 1942 in the record time of lmin 35 3-ssec. This was his second success in the race, as in the previous year he had v.'on with 9.11. Sleepy Fox carried 8.0 when he recorded his first success in 1944, 9.5 the following year, and 10.2 in 1946. In 1947 he mastered 9.13. Included in the list of winners of the race are the names of Silver Link, Red Manfred, Reremoana (twice), Beaupartir and Golden Wings. This year’s race should provide a fine contest, as most of the best horses racing in the North Island are listed among the nominations.

Jottings Acceptances for the Otautau Racing Club’s meeting, to be run on April 9. close to-day. r K. Nuttall, who recently went to ride ir. Australia, is returning home. His only success in Australia was on Ellerslie, when he won the C. M. Lloyd Stakes at Flemington. Hormuz has left Trentham to join R. Heasely’s team at Wingatui. He is to be trained as a jumper. Hormuz was a good track worker, but much of his public form was disappointing. Handicaps for the first, day of the Beaumont and Riverton meetings will be declared on Monday. Ruthless Colt Named

The Ruthless colt purchased by Mr G. J. Barton at the national yearling sales has been named Brutus. Engaged at Waimate Judged on recent form. Great Charm does not appear to have bright prospects at Waimate on Saturday. At Long Odds

When Hunting Rua won the Salisbury Handicap at Ellerslie on Saturday he was at surprisingly long odds, as he had won three major handicaps earlier this season He paid more than a quarter of a century, and he won very easily. He shot into the lead after three furlongs and was not afterwards headed. He carried the steadier of 9.9 and should be heard of ■again during Easter racing. Nominated for Beaumont

Cricket Field, who has not been raced since the Wingatui meeting in December, has been nominated for the Beaumont meeting. The Cricket Bat chestnut looks well. Return to Winning List

The nine-year-old gelding, Valley Boy, staged a return to the winning list in the Services Handicap at Ellerslie on Saturday. It was his first success since he accounted for the first division of the Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie last June In 11-previous starts this season he had run two seconds, two thirds and three fourths. The easy going suited him on Saturday and he was well handled by J. Winder.' Halfway down the straight it did not seem likely that he would get an opening, but once he got clear he did not leave the issue in doubt. If he gets conditions to suit, he may win again before the end of the season. Valley Boy started racing as a fdur-year-old and since then he has started in 70 races and been placed 37 times for £12,015 in stakes.