SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4378, 15 January 1941, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

FIRST DAY AT WELLINGTON. LARGE FIELD IN CUP. To-morrow will see the opening of the Wellington Racing Club’s summer meeting, for which it has received excellent acceptances. Interest will be centred on the Wellington Cup in which appear the cream of the Dominion’s handicap horses. The first race is scheduled to commence shortly after 12 noon, and the betting will be on the win and place system.

TRENTHAM HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP (One Mile).

De Friend is the top weight in this event with 11.7, and so far this season has only had one start, but he is a tough customer, and will have to be respected. Black Musk has shown ability over fences, but whether he will be able to foot it with some of the others is problematical. Great Night, Auto Sweep,, and Iceland Spar have been running well, while Twenty Grand, Kotua, War Cloud, and Name-sake have been in the money. However, investors may prefer the consistent Kotua, with War Cloud and Great Night also in demand.

WELLINGTON STAKES (Five Furlongs).

This event is for two and three-year-olds, and has a weight-for-age clause. Sir Beau and Kentuckv are the only two three-year-olds, and the former has the better form of the two. However, there are several youngsters with good credentials, the strongest supported of Which may be Pay Roll, Corn Prince, Burra Sahib.

FITZHERBERT HANDICAP (Five Furlongs).

This is another scurry, and if all the acceptors go to the post behaviour at the barrier will be a big factor. Erinscourt, the top weight, showed good form prior to coming to Auckland at Christmas, but did not make any impression there. He will be racing on his home course, and that may help, but he will have his work cut out to beat Gunyah, Imperium, and Monteray, who are likely to receive public support.

APPRENTICES’ PLATE (Seven Furlongs).

This is a race for three and four-year-olds, and among those who have been showing form are Native Chief, Rakanui, Cheerful Lady, Dainty Dell, and Blandisher. Strongest support may come for Dainty Dell, Rakanui. Native Chief.

WELLINGTON CUP (One and a Half Miles)

There is no need to extol the abilities of the two top-weights, Royal Chief and Old Bill, but Catalogue will have to improve to make any impression. The Buzzer has been pretty consistent this season, and Kindergarten and Orelio have shown real brilliance. Gladynev has good credentials in Australia, and must be respected. Lower down the list are three good ones in Proud Fox, Enrich, and Bell Cane. Of the others Serenata and Little Robin appeal the most. Public fancy may turn to Kindergarten, Orelio, Proud Fox.

RUAPEHU HANDICAP (Six Furlongs).

Trig Station and Black Majesty have been assessed with 9.7, and they may find this a rather heavy weight against some of the smart lightweights. Investors may prefer Omapo, Scandal, and Augment.

TELEGRAPH HANDICAP (Six Furlongs).

This is the second leg of the double, and has attracted sixteen fine sprinters. Black Thread is not out of it with 9.3, and Sir Beau will send them along if he starts here in preference to his earlier engagement. Kathbella, Arvakur, Mittie, and Marshall Hall have all shown form, and the light-weight, Duvach, has shown speed. Public fancy may settle on Arvakur, Kathbella, Duvach.

ANNIVERSARY HANDICAP (One Mile).

Trench Fight and Lambourn are the two top-weights, and the former has shown gameness and ability to stick on. Gayest Son appeals more than the erratic Olympus at even weights. Of the others, Ruatiti and White Rajah have the best credentials. However, those most favoured may be Ruatiti, Gayest Son, Trench Fight.

FOR THAMES MEETING. JOCKEYS ENGAGED. Riding engagemets so far to hand, for the first day of the Thames Jockey Club’s annual meeting on Saturday, are as follows: H. C. Maria.—Master Appellant. J. Winder.—Silver Eagle. A. C. Messervy.—Town Section. Corot, Kadina, Lady Vixen. J. Chaplin.—Raratonga. G. Cameron.—Queen City. A. G. Parsons.—British Form. T. Williams.—Tahiti. G. Gilchrist.—Bronze Ora, Auburn Lad. K. McMinn.—High Sea. R. Stockley.—Kotiro Pai. J. Mclnally.—King Louis. G. Smith.—Gold Money Song.. F. Cleaver.—Glen Connell, Court Favourite. J. Bond.—Onetea, Third Degree. F. Beguely.—Minko. O. Mclnally.—Digger Jim. S. Tremain.—Sylonyx, Barrister. C. G. Goulsbro.—Mintlaw, Royal Sister. Tellsom. N. R. McKenzie.—Gold Vaals, Star Vaal. F. Hain.—Wildore.