REGAL VOYAGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1081, 19 September 1930, Page 13

REGAL VOYAGE

Pacer That Should Reach Good Society EARLY SEASON FORM Discussing the early season form as revealed at New Brighton, “Ribbonwood,” of the Christchurch “Sun,” hands the palm to Regal Voyage, of those seen in the chief events, and as one likely to reach high class during the season. Outstanding of all preformers he ! says was Regal Voyage, while of other Dunvood candidates Apex,. Shady Spot, Bay Nut, Proud Dillon, and Sunny Bob are the most likely to prove bread winners before the spring campaign is at an end. Kautoma is plainly lacking in stamina, Granite City is not improving at the distance, while Tumatakuru and Fair Wave have been racing long N enough to indicate that they are never likely to prove unqualified success at this journey. Sonoma is something of a puzzle; he has the ability but seldom reproduces it on the race track, and Country King’s form has been so inconsistent since he burst into the limelight last autumn, that it is impossible to judge him at this early stage of the season. To find a mare like Regal Voyage included in a 4.40 class is something unusual, even in these days of I maximum penalties. Apart from nor record of 4.34, it is evident that 3>. Withers has developed the Happy Voyage mare to a high state of perfection since her unaccountable lapse at the National meeting, and, there ai-e not many reinsmen who would have set out on what looked a hopeless task confronting the mare last week. This only goes to show that Withers is perfectly aware that he has something very much above the ordinary in Regal Voyage, and when she becomes reliable ate the barrier it will be a surprise if she fails to reach the New Zealand Cup. Bay Nut looks none the worse for a change of stables and is every reason to believe that G. McKendry will get a stake with the Betel Nut pacer when there is nothing of Regal Voyage’s class to bother him. Proud

Dillon is an improving stayer, while Shady Spot was too unlucky last week to be condemned for her failure. It is doubtful if Apex was altogether suited by the soft going, and the writer is prepared to see his consistency rewarded when he graces a firm dirt track again. There is a growing suspicion that Country King is not going to make the stayer that was anticipated in the autumn, but he had only returned from a fair campaign at Auckland a day or two. before New Brighton, and he will have ample time to redeem himself later on in the spring, if that is within his composition.