OPENING DAY’S CARD

Southland Times, Issue 23436, 17 February 1938, Page 10

OPENING DAY’S CARD

Paladino Firm Cup Favourite

HUNTING GO’S STRONG CLAIMS

The annual fixture of the Winton Jockey Club will open tomorrow and conclude on Saturday, The track at Winton has seldom been in better condition and a fast surface is almost certain to be provided. The fields are oi good strength, particularly the hack races and the trotting events, while the steeplechase has attracted one ot the best fields in years. The open races are not as strong numerically as they might have been- but at the same time there is every promise of these events providing first class racing, ine win-and-place system of betting win ° P The%eld in the Novice Stakes will meet at even weights. Bow Street has shown better form than any ot nis rivals and he has been placed in really useful hack company. He is probably getting the better of the handicap than any other as a result of the conditions. He has been placed three times this season, so his winning turn is overdue. Bad News displayed promise when placed in her first two starts at Vincent and although an injury kept her off the scene at Tapanui she made a god recovery to appear at Wingatui. At the latter meeting she went quite a creditable race. - Astral Flash is a smart three-year-old who will be making her first appearance, and Cone Peak is an improver. Coxcomb would only have to be in a generous mood to be given a chance. Mona s Song is a solid customer and can be relied to race right up to her track work. Triple Cone has improved more than any other novice at Invercargill headquarters and he is one who yin have to be considered. Wyn has no recent favour to recommend him but he was nominated for the Cup race. The issue is very open but most support may come for Bow Street, Triple Cone and Bad News. DEWEY CLOUD FAVOURED The class is not particularly good in the Otapiri Trot Handicap. Kentucky Sun has raced well enough to suggest that he will win a race before long, and Hoyle appears to have improved for J. McLennan and has only to begin correctly to be in the- picture. In the little racing he has done Foremost Junior has created a favourable impression. Glenlad is probably the best of the limit division as he was placed in his last start in much similar company. Loyalist is not the most reliable and of the others on this line Happy Times may do as well as any. Dewey Cloud won well at Clifden but she cannot always be relied on to" race solidly. The track should suit her and she will probably hold too many guns for the opposition with a favourable run. Happy Locanda is at least solid and may do the best of the others. The choice is for; Dewey Cloud, Glenlad and Kentucky Only five horses will contest ■ the Winton Cup but the material is there for an interesting race. Paladino will doubtless be favourite and he is entitled to this honour. His good record is well known and his form at Wingatui was good enough for anything. .Trivet was beaten at Tapanui by Paladino by only a head and now meets him on 141 b better terms. Tapanui form would point to Trivet beating the favourite, but Wingatui running does not confirm it. Amelita will not be out of it, and if the pace over the first piece is not. too solid she may outsprint her rivals. Since her double success at Clifden she has worked in pleasing style. Ardchoille is nicely weighted but track efforts give him little chance with those above him. Ashaway won this race 12 months ago but he will not be suited by the firm track. Paladino and Trivet will be the favourites. AN OPEN ISSUE The Flying Handicap has also drawn a five-horse field but the betting is likely to take a wide range. Viking ran two solid races at Wingatui, being beaten over seven furlongs by Janet Gaynor the second day. On this form he is likely to be the hardest to beat. Janet Gaynor’s form in recent months is little incentive to favour her chance’. If she raced up to her second day’s Wingatui form she would be entitled to be at a short price, but there is no guarantee that she will. Roy Bun was first and second in two starts at the Dunedin meeting and he is not likely to be out of his depth, among the open ranks. At the same time the credentials of the pair above him in the weights appear stronger. Beatji has been off the winning list for some time but will be well suited by a firm track. She has indicated in recent starts that she is returning to her best. Rodeur has plenty of ability and although the last race she won was a hack race, she has previously been placed in open company. Viking and Janet Gaynor will be given most consideration. For- so early in the season the field for the Winton Steeplechase is a particularly good one. Trisox is unlikely to be sufficiently forward but Hunting Go will not lack anything on the score of condition. He was unlucky at Wairio when he came to grief through the mistake of another runner. Vitaphone was not disgraced when raced over hurdles at Wingatui but Scotsden is one who has had previous experience over the big country. He was placed at the Christchurch Hunt meeting in July. Jollyanna was second to Eastern Chief at Clifden and although well beaten on that occasion, is reported to have improved in the meantime. Royal Pal did not show up at the Dunedin meeting and has little form over the big timber. Glenmure is a solid type but Glen Boa has very little chance, judging by his Wairio display. Kylemure will benefit by the experience but Pandine is too erratic to recommend. The favourites will probably be Hunting Go, Jollyanna and Scotsden. RECENT FORM On the strength of three recent successes Roseman has been elevated to the top of the handicap in the Barkly Handicap. With 9.6 he is not out of it as the company is not up to that he has been racing successfully against. Ballad’s form at Tapanui suggested that he was not far from his best. Barley Almond did not race as well as expected at Wingatui but she may improve. Irish Birdcatcher won a double at Clifden in a manner that pointed to him showing up in Better company and he will be well tested here. Peony Rose won very easily at Tapanui, and so confirmed her two good placings of earlier in the season. Sailing Lady is right back to her best and she has only to jump out smartly to take some beating. Baitruin will be better favoured by the going than at Wingatui, while Final BelJ and Coat of Arms may improve on recent placings. Spanish Lad won ■oar’.r ...oil nt Dunedin but the company

is much richer. The issue is very open and favouritism may be disputed by Roseman, Barley Almond and Sailing Lady. Edith Grattan is likely to be a firm favourite for the Hokonui Trot. She raced unluckily during the holidays and will be given a chance to live up 10 the good opinions expressed of her. Gold Streak is at least solid but Jesse Owens has failed to race up to expectations. Happy King has not met with the best of luck at times and is in good condition and Vinola has raced disappointingly but Bonnie Brydone can be counted on to put up a respectable showing. Sydney Grand was a winner during the holidays and more seasoned now should show up here. Edith Grattan, Sydney Grand and Happy King are a strong trio. Some of those in the Tradesmen's Handicap are engaged earlier in the day. Song Boy has been racing consistently and he won really well over a mile at Tapanui. He was a good second to Good Sun over a mile at Wingatui and will be well suited by the distance. All Humbug did not race as well as expected at Clifden but Daring Deed is capable of a good effort over a mile. At Wingatui she gave two solid displays, finishing third to Galleon and Queen Dorothy over ten and a-half furlongs in record time the second day. Double Shot is not forward enough, while Grand Finale is not racing anywhere near his best. Of the others Poniard has the best credentials. He was placed twice at Tapanui. Song Boy, Daring Deed and Poniard will be in favour.