GORE MEETING TOMORROW

Southland Times, Issue 24574, 24 October 1941, Page 3

GORE MEETING TOMORROW

FORM OF HORSES IN REVIEW With good fields in all races and several New Zealand Cup and Stewards’ Handicap candidates to race, the Gore spring meeting, which opens tomorrow, should be a good attraction foi southern sportsmen. The meeting marks the opening of the new season in Southland, and although many of the horses entered will be making their first appearance for the season, sufficient form has been disclosed in track work to enable the public to form a fair estimation of prospects. The track conditions will have a bearing on performances. The Gore track is a particularly dry one, however, and the rain which has fallen has not affected it to an extent which would mar the racing. Generally the prospects are for keen competition and a good meeting. MANDEVILLE HIGHWEIGHT HANDICAP—One of the best fields for this race has been paid up for and speculation will probably cover a wide range of horses. Of the 10 stone division Mosgiel stands out on the strength of recent good performances over hurdles. He has plenty of pace and according to reports he has trained on since the Dunedin meeting. Flagman has more pace than the average hurdler and he may be expected to race prominently, and Norse, who won the Duke of Gloucestei’ Cup last season, is another in that division who should run well. Mae West is a recent winner among the 9.0 division. She finished resolutely over six furlongs at Dunedin, but little is known of her weight-carry-ing ability. Among the horses trained at Invercargill Bow Street and AngloFrench have been shaping well and either of them may prove equal to winning. Anglo-French will be ridden by J. J. L. Strathern, who will be having his first mount in a highweight event. The most fancied may be: Mosgiel, Flagman, Anglo-French. GORDON HACK HANDICAP— Lady Don’s good performances at the Otago Hunt meeting, where she won a double, and her success over seven furlongs at the Dunedin meeting will bring her plenty of support in this race run over six furlongs. She is a brilliant beginner. Desert Maid has good place form to commend her chances, and Kohara is another with place form this season. Desert Maid was among the unplaced lot in the Taioma Handicap won by Lady Don, but on the second day she beat all but the winner over six furlongs and Lady Don finished in the ruck.

Some smart performers are among the remainder of the field, the best of whom would appear to be Southern Wave, whose track work has been good. The favourites will probably be: Lady Don, Desert Maid, Kohara.

WAIKAKA HANDICAP— The presence of several New Zealand Cup candidates will add interest to the Waikaka Handicap. Night Pal won so easily on the second day of the Dunedin meeting that the increased poundage should not stop him. Doubleack did not race up to expectations at Dunedin, but his latest track work suggests that he is fit again (a doubtful leg excepted), and he should run out a smart eight and a half furlongs. Islay Downs may be feeling the effects of recent racing, but he would only need to repeat his best winter form to have a second to none chance. Horses making their first appearance include Southern Sail, Aravane and Fidelis, and of these the chances of Aravane and Southern Sail must be respected. The latter showed good form last season and she has been doing well in her work. She looks to have the best chance of the lightweights. • The issue is fairly open, but form points to favouritism being shared by Night Pal, Islay Downs, Doubleack. BALFOUR TROT— Few of the acceptors in the Balfour- Trot have raced this season and past form will be taken as a guide to prospects. Bright Lass ran second at the Otago Hunt meeting and Margaret Arion, who started twice at that meeting, displayed promising form for a young pacer. Sea Max, a straight-out trotter, showed much promise last season, and Comeaway and Sunny Dell each scored wins. 'Flying Peggy has a lot of speed. The best backed horses may include: Comeaway, Sunny Dell and Bright Lass. NOVICE HANDICAP— SeveraI of the acceptors in the Novice Handicap raced last season and unless there is a smart maiden in the field, the winner may well come from the raced division, they include Top Spin, who just failed to open a winning account last season, Lake Mist, a smart sprinter in T. G. Pollock’s stable, Melodist, Light Cavalry, Irish Ruler and Platform. Of the Invercargill novices Platform, Top Spin and Melodist have been doing the best work. The favourites may be: Top Spin, Lake Mist and Platform. FLYING HANDICAP— The field for the Flying Handicap is a good one and several of the runners will be given good chances. Withdrawal’s Dunedin form was good. She was beaten by a head by Dark Flight and was finishing 'on. She looks the logical favourite, but strong opposition may be expected from Secret Flight, who is in great heart, Sea Lady and Colonel Rouge. Phalanx is another sprinter who, if at his best, would be one of the hardest to beat. The best prospects appear to be held by Withdrawal, Secret Flight, Colonel Rouge. OTAMA TROT.— Mirage raced well at the Otago Hunt meeting and looks to be the one capable of unleashing too much speed for the Winton pacer, Dewey’s Last. The latter is a champion in the making, however, and he may be able to concede 60 yards to the front markers. Trevathan is a consistent sort. The favourites may be Dewey’s Last, Mirage, Trevathan. CHARLTON HACK HANDICAP— Anglo-Irish has been galloping well on the track since his racing at Dunedin and with an apprentice allowance tomorrow he should be capable of beating the field of hack milers in the Charlton Handicap. The Joker won well at Dunedin and Brightform also showed consistent form. Lady Adin is a likely galloper and Milton Abbas may go better over a mile than hitherto. Kohara has an earlier engagement. Possibilities are Great Swoop and Atua Rere, but the public are likely to favour: Anglo-Irish, Brightform, The Joker. RIDERS FOR TOMORROW— The following riding engagements have been made:— W. F. Ellis.—Desert Maid, Melodist, Southern Sail, Sea Lady, Brightform. J. J. L. Strathern.—Anglo-French, Southern Wave, Irish Ruler, Doubleack, Secret Flight. K. R. Ford.—Sir Denis, Colonel Rouge, Platform. K. E. Wilson.—Trueform, Fleet Street, Fidelis, Feather Boa. H. Preston.—Batsham, Princess Gainsborough. J. Shaw.—Anglo-Irish. E. A. Leckie.—Top Spin. C. F. Low.—Bow Street. __ E. Baker.—Twenty Grand. , 's&x. ,