RACING AT MATAMATA

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4533, 6 February 1942, Page 5

RACING AT MATAMATA

TO-MORROW’S EVENTS A REVIEW OF THE FIELDS (Contributed). The Matamata Racing Club’s annual meeting to-morrow will claim the interest of local racing enthusiasts. Good acceptances have been received and probably both the Hinuera Handicap and the Putaruru Stakes will be run in divisions. Some interesting contests should be witnessed. The principal event, the Matamata Cup, is headed by the Takapuna Cup winner, Clinch, weighted at 8.7. He does not win out of turn, although he beat a much better field in Auckland with 7.5. Being lightly framed, he may find the increased poundage tomorrow a handicap to further success. Volifox, who has not won since October last, has been expected to make good, and in this field has her opportunity to make amends. Kilcash is a possibility on his home course. Wildore, second to Erndale at Te Rapa, would appreciate the track being moist. Paymaster is also an acceptor in the final event of seven and a-quarter furlongs and may be preferred over the shorter distance. But if started should not be without prospects. Of the seven stone division Lady Pay was the winner of the Waitemata Handicap at Auckland of the same distance and is not without prospects. The public may select:— Volifox, Wildore, Lady Pay.

The Hinuera Handicap, of six furlongs, for hacks, may be a divided affair with little or no form for a guide. The favourite may come from Antenor, Gem Tray, Golden Valley or Raysong.

Maxown, top weight in the Tirau Hurdles of one mile and five furlongs, although a winner earlier in the season, has no recent form. Enjoyment has not raced this season. The Cardinal is a newcomer to hurdling and will have to be taken on trust. Cappy, Glen Abb, Besiege and Orate have been placed this term. Captain Bell ran third in this event last year, was a winner at Cambridge, and fourth last start. In a race full of possibilities, the public elect may come from Besiege, Captain Bell, Maxown.

In the open sprint, the Waharoa Handicap, of six furlongs, Merry Vaals has pride of place with 8.6. Last year he ran third, and has a win and two thirds to his credit in his last four starts. Grandora has been placed and was unlucky at Auckland. Dinki Di was placed on the Taranaki Christmas circuit. Anopheles is working well and with 7.11 in this field may be expected to make a bold showing. Golden Survey, now in J. Muir’s stable, won two hack races at the Auckland summer meeting with big weights and was close behind the placed horses in the open sprint last Saturday. Peter Douglas and Te Takina may be the best of the others. Preference may be for: Merry Vaals, Anopheles and Golden Survey.

Stylishman, 9.0, who stops the Railway Hack Handicap, has been very consistent, but unlucky this season. Hineiti was first and third in his two starts this season. Prince Rewa won earlier but has no recftit form. Fight On and Marble Fox were the place getters in the second division of the Trial Stakes last Saturday and Bevace races well on this course. Gem Tray and Golden Valley are engaged earlier. Lady Reynard has a first and a second to her credit in her last three starts. The favourite is well concealed, but the popular choice may come from Marble Fox, Stylishman, Hineiti.

The Putaruru Stakes, a weight-for-age five-furlongs event for two and three year olds, will probably be run in two divisions, and the winner of this type of event is usually found among the former. Century was confidently backed at Auckland but failed, and may make amends there. Sea Mist and Tudor Rose have been placed. Suntrap, having her first start, showed speed, but ran off the course at the turn at Ellerslie on Saturday last; the left-handed track may suit her better. In a difficult race investors may select Century, Antenor, Suntrap, Sea Mist.

Edna’s Birthday, finishing on, just failed to gain a place in the Wynyard Plate, and the nine-furlong Okoroire Hack should suit her admirably. The top weight, Acquest, was a winner at Waipa. Tea Drop won at seven furlongs last week. Etaro, Maxown, and Ureklaw have been contesting hurdle races, and may not be smart enough in this field, although the former has plenty of speed. Marinoto has raced well this season, and has a handy impost here. Fancies may include Ednas Birthday, Marinoto, Acquest. The programme concludes with the Walton Handicap of seven and a quarter furlongs. A number engaged here will possibly run earlier, but if reserved for this event Paymaster will be fancied. Braham, unlucky in the running at Auckland, finished fourth. Full Hand returned to the winning list at Taranaki, and Babrow, Chary, and Peter Douglas are improvers. Erlick, having his second race of the day, won the event last year. He is again engaged in two events. The favourites may enme from Paymaster, Braham, Full Hand.