STRONG GORE CUP FIELD

Southland Times, Issue 23379, 10 December 1937, Page 10

STRONG GORE CUP FIELD

Canterbury Stables Represented

DONALD DHU EARLY FAVOURITE

The Gore Trotting Cup this year appears to bear a more open appearance than it has for some time, but an early survey of the handicaps, which are published this morning, gives the impression that the Canterbury contingent may hold too many guns for the local horses. At the same time very few of the field have yet had an opportunity of proving themselves <as stayers. Each of the 20 starters has a chance, as the handicap is a shortlimit one. . The American horse, Bing Crosby, would doubtless be the early favourite if he could be depended on to behave himself. Some of his displays have been very bad, and his exhibition the second day at Forbury gave the impression that he would be a nuisance to a field. On the other hand, he has the ability to win his way to much better company, and there is little fear of him not seeing out the two-mile journey. Bing Crosby has shown phenomenal speed in his races, and in the meantime will have to be taken on trust. DONALD DHU’S CHANCE Although he did not contest any of last season’s classics, Donald Dhu (a member of L. A. Maidens’s team) proved himself not far short of the high standard of the best three-year-olds of the year. He has given every promise as a stayer. Another good three-year-old of last season was Dark Hazard, who finished fourth in the New Zealand Derby and was narrowly beaten by Boy in the All Aged Stakes. His form since has not come up to expectations but he has been raced as both a trotter and pacer, and the fact that he was nominated over two miles at the former gait would suggest that he will see out the longer journey. At Forbury he raced in a manner which promised an early return to the winning list. j Dusky Sound, from R. Townley’s stable, was another who won more races than most three-year-olds last season. He was strongly fancied in the Invercargill Cup and now, meeting the winner Blue Spark on 36 yards better terms, he may be favoured ahead of the latter. At the same time Blue Spark, who won the Invercargill Cup so well and has been penalized 36 yards, cannot be ignored as he will stay on better than most. Loyal Sun finished in a place in the last Wyndham Cup in his first effort over two miles and this performance was one to be respected. Erin’s Chief does not appeal in this class but his stablemate Moko Child has been placed in three local Cup races. Civic has shown fair form at times but there are others who will be preferred ahead of him. HAPPINESS HAS IMPROVED Frisco Silk may be one capable of upsetting calculations but Happiness appears to hold him safely. Happiness has improved beyond recognition. He lost a good deal of ground in the Invercargill Cup and did well to finish third. He will be coupled with Night Voyage who impressed greatly as a stayer last season. This pair will represent a strong bracket. Norma Grattan was a disappointment in the Invercargill Cup, but she is more useful than this form suggests. The distance will suit her better than most.

Ace Pot has shown fair form at times, but Vologda is not as well placed in the handicap as a number. He is racing much more solidly than for some time. There are others who will be preferred ahead of Monty Chimes, Silver Laddie and Embark, but Harold Guy is a stayer of some ability and it is reported that he is well forward. He is capable of winning a race of this class. Coherto is far from his best. At this stage the chances of Donald Dhu, Dark Hazard, Happiness and Blue Spark, apart from Bing Crosby, will be given most consideration. TROTTING ITEMS HAROLD GUY MAY RETURN TO HIS BEST Handicaps for the Winton meeting are due tomorrow. Chili Bean is an Auckland improver who is likely to take a tight mark. He is a half brother, by Jack Potts to a fine winner in Sir Guy. Dusky Sound has been nominated for the Ashburton meeting, which is decided the same day as Gore. Good entries have been received for a charity meeting to be held at Addington tomorrow and several young horses will be given an outing for experience sake. Matinee meetings have been successfully conducted in a number of centres, but Southland club officials have yet to favour the idea. At Reefton on Saturday M. B. Edwards will ■be represented by Philario, Princess Beverley, Ace High and Zincali.

Salalon, a Gore entrant, is a six-year-old gelding by Adioo Guy from Our Nurse, the dam of Probationer and Sure, two outstanding winners. For some reason or other Salalon has done little racing so far. Harold Guy was at one time regarded as the most promising stayer produced in recent seasons, but he has not graduated to as tight a mark as one would have expected. It is reported that he is well forward and because of this fact his Gore Cup effort will attract some attention.

Recent racing points to Becky Direct showing up at the Hororata meeting on Saturday. At Rangiora she finished second to Reymere and at Banks Peninsula second to Lightning Lady. According to the Gore Trotting Club programme handicaps for the Boxing Day meeting of the club would be declared on Saturday, December 11. Actually the handicaps were made public yesterday, two days earlier than expected.

Forbury Park form worked out well at New Brighton when Colonel Grattan, Plutus and Big Author repeated their successes.

If Iron Duke races as well at Gore as he did at Wairio he will give those conceding him a start in a maiden field something to think about.

WYNDHAM CLUB WILL RACE ON OWN COURSE

Mr A. A. Wilson, secretary of the Wyndham Racing Club, stated on Wednesday that there had been an impression among a number of owners and trainers to the effect that the Wyndham Club would hold its New Year’s Day meeting on the Southland Racing Club’s course. There was no foundation to this rumour, whatsoever, and he stated that the tracks at Wyndham had never been in better order.