THE FIELDS REVIEWED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27259, 9 December 1949, Page 5

THE FIELDS REVIEWED

Canterbury Handicap

Included In the big field for the Canterbury handicap are three recent winners in Perfect Trail, Contempt and Supplement, and no doubt they will be among the well-backed runners. The Light Brigade mare Perfect Trial won the *Ashley Handicap at Rangiora on Labour Day, being followed home by Farlena, from whom she received 36yds, and Petro Star, to whom she gave 12yds. Contempt won the Rangiora Handicap at the same meeting from 24yds, making up a lot of ground in the last half-mile of the mile and a-quarter journey. Supplement has been racing very consistently, and prior to his win at Reefton last Saturday he had been placed in four of his five races. He is one of the back-markers, however, and may find it difficult to get through the big field in front of him. Likely improvers are Almeta, Fire Brigade and Quindale. The last-named finished second to Nature Girl in the St. Kilda Handicap at the Park meeting in October. The favourite may be selected from Perfect Trail, Contempt, Quindale, and Supplement. IMPROVERS' HANDICAP Dictation would be a hard horse to beat in the Improvers’ Handicap if he trotted evenly. He won the Tahuna Handicap at the Forbury Park meeting in October by 15 lengths, and his most recent placed performance was a third to Bold Salute and Two Step in the Eastbourne Handicap at Hutt Park last month Dame Durdin has been placed in her last four races, including a second to Kerry Girl at Oamaru in October Super Sarin has not been out of a place in three starts this season, his performances Including a win at Invercargill last month Another consistent perfflormer is Concord, whose, record for the season reads a win and two second placings in three starts. King’s Brigade is a brilliant young trotter, of whom the best has not yet been seen, and among others likely to show up are Sure Peg, Loyal Wrack, and Rowan McCoy. The favourites may be Dame Durdin, King’s Brigade, Concord and Dictation. WAINONI HANDICAP One of the most consistent horses in the Wainoni Handicap is Commentator, who has collected a win and three minor placings in his last four starts, and he is entitled to. be among the favourites. Another recent winner engaged is Real Scott, who had a very easy win at Reef, ton. F. G. Holmes has a strong bracket in Morano and Vigilant, and if Morano makes a smooth beginning the others will find him a hard horse to beat. Another good bracket is that of Aerogard and Nature Girl. Hilda Scott has been working well, and the distance should suit her. Final Return, Daisy Bar, Grey Streak and Loyal Scott look the best of the others, but the public may show preference for the Morano-Vigilant bracket. Commentator and Hilda Scott. MEMBERS’ HANDICAP

Systematic has been placed in three of his four races this season, and although his best performances have been over shorter distances he should be prominent in this field. Zulu’s only placed performance this season was a third to Bonny Scott and Systematic in the Australasian Handicap at Addington last month, but he has been adding to his handicap by not beginning well. With a good start he would be close up at the finish. In his last race, the Manchester Handicap at Addington. Fabric Silk was just caught on the post by Gold Strand, and that form places him among the possibilities. Ikaroa won the only race she has been started in since she went into V. Leeming’s stable, and looks nicely placed on the front mark. Despatch, Scottish Emperor, Prince Hall, and Duncraig look the most likely to upset calculations, but Systematic, Zulu. Ikaroa. and Fabric Silk may be in most reauest. NEW ZEALAND OAKS Only two winners in Farlena and Gay Heritage are engaged in the Oaks, but, judged on 'breeding, some of the others are capable of reaching high-class company. The form horse is Farlena, who defeated Young Charles in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes last season. There is no doubt about her speed, but at times she does not begin smoothly. After winning a division of the Great Northern Stakes at Auckland last season. Gay Heritage lost her form, but if she has recovered it in the meantime she should be prominent throughout the running. Lindy Lou has a private reputation, and V. Alborn's candidate is expected to develop into a good winner. Anitra and Petro Star have been placed this season, and Lady Rowan and Talua have breeding to recommend them Farlena may have the call over Anitra. Petro Star, and Gay Heritage. BRIGHTON HANDICAP A good field of trotters will line up for the Brighton Handicap and the race looks very open. Among those on the front Is the consistent Ripcord, who has been started five times this season for three wins and a second placing. A genuine racehorse* he is likely to add to his record here. Bold Salute has won three races this season, two of them at the recent Wellington meeting, and he is on the up grade. Roderick Dhu was beaten in his two races at Hutt Park, but prior to that he had built up a good record. Lady Inchcape and Bessie Grattan may be the best of those further back in the handicap, and the order of favouritism may be Ripcord, Bold Salute, Lady Inchcape and Bessie Grattan. EMPIRE HANDICAP Of the horses on the limit In the Empire Handicap, Ben’s Son has been one of the most consistent, having recorded three second placings in a row. Fanciful beat Ben's Son at Hutt Park, but Ben’s Son comes in on 36 yards better terms. Among those on 12 yards is the consistent Great Wonder, who, with five consecutive thirds, is due for a win, and Constellation, although she has not been placed in her recent races, is capable of a surprise Parawa Derby was a winner at Hutt Park and Mobile Globe won the Reefton Cup last Saturday Also on 12 yards Is that improving mare, Peggydale, who In 10 starts this season has been unplaced only twice. With a clear run she should be in the call all the way. Form horses are Peggydale, Ben’s Son, Parawa Derby and Great Wonder. AU REVOIR HANDICAP With several likely runners In the Auckland Cup engaged In the Au Revolr Handicap, their appearance will add considerably to the Interest in the race. Although Globe Direct suffered an eclipse at the Cup meeting, his loss of form is likelv to be temporary. He Is a brilliant sprinter when at his best and he Is likely to be selected as favourite. Although Integrity Is getting on in years, he is still a capable performer over this distance, and he looks a good place prospect at least Captain Galllard has come back to form and his second to Single Direct in the New Zealand Free-For-All was a fine performance. Dundee Sandy is In fine condition. but the fact that he does not always fill his hopples quickly may tell against him. The others would need to show Improvement on their recent performances to have a chance, and in all probability the heaviest support will be given to Globe Direct, Integrity and Captain Galllard.