SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4050, 20 May 1938, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

THE WAIKATO MEETING. BIG FIELDS AT TE RAPA TO-MORROW. (By “ Backwood.”) The Waikato Racing Club has received excellent acceptances for its winter meeting at Te Rapa, which begins to-morrow, and among the probable starters are some of the best horses at present racing in New Zealand. The smallest field engaged in any race is eleven, that number being accepted for in the principal flat race of the day., the President’s Handicap, and also in the major steeplechase, the Te Rapa Steeples. The Otorohanga Hack Handicap has a total of 31 horses engaged, which is actually more than the safety number for this course, and the race will be divided. The opening event is the Melville Hack and Hunters’ Steeples, about 21 miles, and it seems certain that the public will show a preference for the two at the top of the handicap, Lucidus and Kinkle, for this pair fought out a great finish recently at Pukekohe. London is a safe jumper, and cannot be discarded from consideration; and if the winner is to come from the minimum-weighted division My Money may be the one expected to do the deed.

The Otorohanga Hack Handicap, six furlongs, has so many engaged that the draw for post positions will be a guide to many investors, even though there will be two divisions. A quartette handicapped above the minimum that will assuredly be in demand are Aero King, Du Maurier, Dragon Moth and Forest Acre, and the best-fancied of those on the minimum will probably be the Te Awamutu-trained pair, British Nation and Fleur d’Or- Valspear, Friskland, and Alyth must also enter into consideration. The bestsupported will probably be Du Maurier and Dragon Moth.

Jolly Beggar was top weight in the Waikato Hurdles, with the “thumper’ of 12.2, but has been withdrawn. The next three, Iddo, Donegal, and Silk Sox, are a capable trio, and the favourite should come from' these three, probably backed in the order named. Kilberis and High Star may be best backed of those on the minimum. The President’s Handicap, ten furlongs, has King Rey carrying No. 1 saddle-cloth, but Valamito and Malagigi will probably be backed to beat him. Cheval de Volee and Light Comedy will also be solidly supported, and the fact that Waitaka, a good winner in the South Island, is also engaged will no doubt intrigue investors.

Clarion Call should have won the Great Northern Steeples two years ago, and as he is right at the top of hi.s form again he will probably be made favourite for the Te Rapa Steeplechase, about three miles. The .chief danger to him may be expected from Huskie. Forest Glow, and Riotous, with Mio Lume the best of the lightweights.

Golden Sheila is top weight in- the Stewards’ Handicap, six furlongs, and she should be very hard to beat, for she is good. Whirling will be in demand. A little further down the list Rulette, Surella, and Lornacre make appeal, and of those on the minimum Maori Song and Tonnerre will be supported. The favourites will probably bo Whirling, Ruletto, and Golden Sheila.

The final event of the day, the Horotiu Hack Handicap, one mile, has a nice field of useful milers, with Gay Rebel (9.1) at the top. Jack Tar and Barrister promise to carry a lot of support with Alyth and Mai de Mer also in keen demand.