NIGHTWINGS IN FORM

Southland Times, Issue 24105, 19 April 1940, Page 10

NIGHTWINGS IN FORM

Review Of Otautau Fields GAY BOA MAY MAKE AMENDS ORTYX EXPECTED TO RACE PROMINENTLY The fields for the postponed meeting of the Otautau-Racing Club at Invercargill tomorrow promise an interesting day’s racing, and if fine weather prevails the club should experience a successful meeting. The track is certain to provide heavy going and as a good number of horses claim two engagements during the day, there will probably be several scratchings. 3he first race is to start at 12.15 p.m. and the single-pool system of betting Will operate. On the strength of her good winning performance at Riverton Ackemma is entitled to be favourite for the Ringway Handicap, but there is no certainty that she will handle the going. She will stay on better than the majority, however. Colonel Rouge has been working in his best style and the conditions are unlikely to trouble mm. He beat Heidelberg and Southern Sail over seven at Riverton and a repetition of that form would see him hard to beat. There is a possibility, however, that he will be reserved for the sixfurlong race later in the day. The top-weight Triplecone was a winner at the Birchwood meeting when he gave Sea Lady 151 b and beat her. He now meets Sea Lady, who won a double at Riverton, on 141 b better terms, so he should beat her again. Sea Lady failed in the going the third day at Riverton. Aspire finished second to Ackemma over seven furlongs at Riverton and she now comes in on 31b better terms. Aspire can be expected to give a good account of herself in this field. Silkwood is a possibility and of the others Strathalbyn, who can act well on a heavy track, may do best. If Colonel Rouge is reserved for the later race the favourites are likely to be: TRIPLE CONE ASPIRE ACKEMMA. WALLACE TROT The small field in the Wallace Harness Trot will suit Indian Wrack, who was narrowly beaten by Drummer Boy in his last start. Indian Wrack has been unlucky in a number of his races and if he begins correctly he will be the hardest to beat. Catawrack was third to Drummer Boy and Indian Wrack at Wyndham, but the latter should again hold Catawrack safely. Debtor, who was third to Rey Chimes and Turco, in the Wyndham Juvenile Stakes may be capable of improving on that placing, but the conditions may be against her as she is only a three-year-old. June Tide has raced solidly at times and Creep has been placed in good style. Erin’s Country, off 48yds must be given a chance, as it is not a strong field. Most support may come for: INDIAN WRACK CATAWRACK DEBTOR. OTAUTAU CUP The logical favourite of the Otautau Cup Handicap is Nightwings, who returned to the winning list at the Vincent meeting when she beat Night Pal and Auctor. Nightwings has been raised to 8.3 and as she has run some of her best races on heavy tracks she should take some beating in this field. Peony Rose appears to be held safely by Wild Career, who conceded her 21b and beat her in the Riverton Cup and is to meet her at the same difference. Peony Rose is, however, likely to act better than Wild Career in the going, but the last-named galloped well enough yesterday to give him a chance. Mona’s Song is another who has repeatedly failed on heavy tracks. She meets Wild Career on 41b better terms than when he beat her in the Riverton Cup. Ashaway is a real mudlark, but he will require to improve on anything he has shown this season to have a chance. Aspire will probably be missing from this field. The favourites will probably be: NIGHTWINGS WILD CAREER. CROWN HANDICAP A select field of sprinters is down to contest the Crown Handicap and the issue is very open. Waitoru with 9.3 is set no easy task as he is required to give 221 b to Ortyx and 171 b to Bay Duke. His treble success at Riverton showed him to be at the top of his form and the going will suit him better than most. Ortyx impressed by the manner in which she galloped seven furlongs yesterday and providing she gets the jump out she will make it difficult for the others with her light weight. Spendthrift has also been doing good work and as he beat all but Rebel Mate in his last start at Riverton he should show up here. Sailing Lady may be reserved for the open mile but Bay Duke will be well suited by the conditions. At Riverton He finished a good tHird to Nigger Boy and Rebel Mate, but did not race up to this form later at the meeting. Pink Bond finished third to Rebel Mate and Spendthrift at Riverton and she now meets Spendthrift on 51b better terms. Rodeur has not shown any form for some time. Those in favour will be: ORTYX SPENDTHRIFT WAITORU. O’BRIEN STEEPLECHASE The best recent form of any of the runners in the O’Brien Memorial Steeplechase is to the credit of Gay Boa and Pandine. Gay Boa, who has been four times third in five starts this season, beat all but Gold Wren and Vitaphone the third day at Riverton. At the Birchwood Hunt meeting he finished third to Ballybrit and Pandine, and he now meets Pandine on Hb better terms. Pandine was required to miss the Riverton meeting and the fact that his preparation was interrupted will probably be against him. Poniard was a disappointment at Riverton and he will require to improve to have a chance, although the country will find him better suited. Guste is to make a reappearance. He has won twice this season—at Wairio and at Winton—and at his best is entitled to be one of the favourites. The Surgeon is a newcomer to the steeplechasin f ranks but Scotsden is a greatly improved horse and a splendid jumper. Master Balboa has been schooling in good style and is not without a chance. The favourites may be: GAY BOA PANDINE GUSTE. BAYSWATER TROT Several of the runners in the Bayswater Trot will be making their second appearance, and the earlier result may

provide the best guide. Wrackenu is bred to be useful, but she has shown little form so far. Sagacity shaped promisingly earlier in the year but did not carry on. Woolwich is a possibility but the earlier form of Indian Wrack, Catawrack and June Tide will give a better indication. There will be support for: INDIAN WRACK CATAWRACK NANCY GUY. STRATHMORE HANDICAP If Colonel Rouge is reserved for the Strathmore Hack Handicap he will be entitled to be favourite. He is right at the top of his form and the company is far from strong. Garonne raced in improved style at Riverton when he finished third to Withdrawal and Airline. Southern Sail meets Colonel Rouge on 91b better terms than when she finished third to him over seven furlongs at Riverton and on these figures she must be given a chance. Mondello would only require to race as well as she works to be hard to beat. The going should not trouble her. Dolita is a possibility but she claims an earlier engagement. If reserved for this race she will not be out of it. Slammanan is the most likely of the others. Those in form are: COLONEL ROUGE SOUTHERN SAIL GARONNE. MACAULAY HANDICAP Several of those in the Macaulay Memorial Handicap are engaged earlier in the day. If Sailing Lady takes her place here she must be given a great chance on her track work alone. The small field will probably suit her. Amelita was a winner at Riverton and she now meets Blissful Lady, who was third to her, 41b worse. At this difference Amelita will keep Blissful Lady busy again. Blissful Lady appears to have her full share of weight, with 8.6, but she will not be out of it. Triplecone can be relied on to run out a good mile and the same applies to Silkwood. At this stage preference may be shown for: SAILING LADY BLISSFUL LADY.