FIRST OF SEASON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27291, 18 January 1950, Page 7

FIRST OF SEASON

WINTON STEEPLECHASE ENTRIES INCLUDE USEFUL PERFORMERS The new steeplechase season will be opened at the Winton Jockey Club's meeting on February 4. Twenty-four nominations have been received for the race and they include several newcomers to the big fences. Last year’s winner of the race, Whisk, and the third horse, Eleanor Star, are also among the entries. Useful performers over country in New Glade, Irish Pal, Gay Music, Wallacetown, Arabian Night and Sergeant Major will make their first appearance for some time. There is very little scope for owners to give their horses experience in races over country before the rich events at the Riverton meeting and the form of several horses who have yet to race over jumps will be watched with interest. The Winton fences are not big, but the two mile' and a-half journey will prove a good test for some of the horses. Last season 11 horses started, but only five completed the course.

A number of good horses have won the Winton Steeplechase in the past few years. Filibeg won the race three years in succession from 1946 and at his last win he carried 11.9. Timber Topper, trained at Wingatui by H. A. Anderton. won the race in 1945 and he went on to win the Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton in the same year. Gold Robe won in 1944, while Noko won in 1943. Noko was a high-class ’chaser and he won the Great Western Steeples in 1944. His stablemate, Anglo French, won the race in 1942 and the following year he won the Grand National Steeples from Noko. It is quite likely that this year’s Great Western winner will be seen in action at Winton a fortnight on Saturday.

Jottings Nominations for the Canterbury Jockey Club’s mid-summei? meeting are due on Friday.

If Beaumaris races up to his form at Auckland he should be hard to beat in the Wellington Cup on Saturday. The Wellington Racing Club's Cup meeting is the only galloping meeting this Saturday. The club also races on Monday. s.

Beaugard should not be long returning to the winning list. He showed a lot of dash to run second to Red Pickle in the White Memorial Handicap on the second day at Omakau. He is now trained by J. A. Rowland.

Centurion, who had to be destroyed when he crashed over a wire fence at Omakau. was a brother to the useful performer Merry Lancer, being a member of the Pafgle family. He won his first race at the Waikouaiti meeting on New Year's Day and was trained at Gore by J. R. Cochrane for Mr H. G. Wallis.

Bright Prospect All Alone would need to show little improvement to have a chance in the Anniversary Handicap at Trentham on Saturday She did not have much luck when tried over a middle distance during the holidays and she will be better suited by the mile journey. She will be ridden by B. J. Langford and should pay for her northern trip.

Likely Improver Carillon, winner of the Novice Handicap on the first day of the Vincent meeting, is a three-year-old filly by Lo Zingaro from Carolyn, by Paper Money. She made no race of the Novice Handicap, after drawing an outside barrier position. She has not had much racing, but she impresses as a likely improver. Like her dam, she is trained at Invercargill by F. W. Ellis.

Should Race Well Te Kooti, a three-year-old brother to the outstanding hurdler, Folkstone, has always shown good form on the big courses and he should be well up at the finish of the Pencarrow Hack Handicap at Trentham on Saturday. He is a member of the Mermaid family. He has plenty of staying blood and he may be seen to advantage over more ground later in his career. Sister to Roygblv

Our Girl, a full-sister to the McLean Stakes winner, Roygbiv, came into her own in the Trial Handicap on the second day at Omakau and she won with something in hand. A lightly-framed mare, she has more speed than most in her class, but as yet, she does not carry it far. She should continue to pay her way.

Plans for Svvayup The connections of Swayup have decided to start him in the weight-for-age Wellington Stakes on Saturday and fhe Sir Galloway colt may atone for his showing >n the Railway Handicap at Ellerslie at Christmas. He has been working well at Riccarton during the last few days and it will not be on the score of condition if he fails to earn some of the slake. He is opposed by soma of the best two-year-olds in commission, but he should more than hold his own, as he has such brilliant speed.

N.Z. Agents: Fairbairn Wright Ltd., Christchurch.