SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5945, 19 May 1944, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES

WAIKATO WINTER MEETING AT TE RAPA TO-MORROW’S FIELDS REVIEWED (By “Old Rowley”) There will only be one event run in divisions at the Waikato RacingClub’s Winter Meeting, to be held at Te Rapa to-morrow, the Otorohanga Hack Handicap, but the other events have drawn good acceptances, and some keenly fought out finishes should ensue. Great interest is being shown in the Hamilton Hurdles and Te Rapa Steeplechase in. which are engaged some of those expected to run prominently at the Great Northern meeting. The President’s Handicap will also be watched carefully as it should provide some light as to possibilities for the Cornwall Handicap. The first race will commence at 11.15 a.m., and the win and place system of betting will be in operation. Melville Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, about 2g miles So far Black Musk has failed to show any real form, but when he contested the Autumn Steeplechase at the last Ellerslies meeting he appeared to be going nicely when he fell. Rival has no recent performances, but races well when fresh, and Hunting Chief has not been out for some time, although he too has plenty of hunting experience. Etaro’s comeback, while not spectacular, has shown him capable of useful form over hurdles, and Scram, winner of a steeplechase at the Waikato Hunt meeting, should find this company to his liking. Aintree has nothing to recommend him, and a better proposition might be Edward, which has raced fairly well in the South Island. The Dude has not been very successful to date, and the recent placing of Skyette was gained over hurdles. Ika Moana is a steady plodder which might gain a place, Lady Acushla is capable of improving, and Preaux Chevalier appears to be more confident now. The rest of the field will have to be taken on trust, and a trio likely to gain support are Black Musk, Ika Moana and Preaux Chevalier. Otorohanga Hack Handicp, one mile. Colonel Vaals should not be overburdened with 8.10, and his consistency should recommend him. Banchory has shown little form since winning in February, and Gunman’s latest effort was not encouraging; Tarzah showed promise when he ran second at the last Waikato meeting, while Dumbo has disappointed since winning at the Bay of Plenty meeting. Princess Doria is an improver, but Century and Tavernside have disappointed. Mercurial has run some good races and her second last Saturday was full of merit. Altess ran a fair third at his last start, and Bettermusk should be worth keeping in mind. Ernada has been noticed finishing very strongly. Foxrose should be capable of a better effort now that the going is easy. Hayduk is looking very well at present, and Hunting Loch made up a lot of ground after being left at the barrier in her last race. Justora has so far failed to stay on well enough to win. Odvaals has been placed recently. Roianui, San Antone and Valley Boy appear the best of the others. The first division is likely to find Colonel Vaals, Mercurial, and Bettermusk favoured, while in the second division Tarzah, Princess Doria, and Altess. Hamilton Hurdles, 2 miles. The recent successes gained by Erndale have been on the flat, but he is an accomplished lepper and should run very solidly. The Dozer must be respected after his fine effort at the last Auckland meeting, and Hunto’s return to form when he won at the Avondale meeting entitle him to every respect. Royal Jay has been very consistent, and Hunting Mac, which won a few hurdles events on the country circuit earlier in the season, is handily weighted. Varuna, third in the Waimata Hurdles last week, Winning Tray, winner of the Frankton Hurdles, and Stock Exchange, a recent winner on the flat and over the battens, which has shown staying ability, should all be there at the finish. Hasten has done most of his latest racing on the flat, but it might pay to remember that he ran second to Town Survey in the Grand National Hurdles race and showed great stubbornness at the finish. Sir Grant’s failure at the Avondale meeting should not be held too much against him, for he has proved quite a promising sort. Besiege has so far failed to justify any confidence and a better proposition should be Gold Cape which has improved with every race, and won nicely last week. Our Nation has the staying ability, but has failed to produce enough pace to gain a winner’s share, however, she should be kept in mind. Prince Rewa has a recent placing to his credit, and Wildore ran second to Gold Cape on Saturday last. Transmitter would appear to be better suited in a hack hurdle event. Among a very open selection Stock Exchange, Gold Cape, and hasten should claim attention. President’s Handicap, 13 miles Should Airport start there is no doubt that this six-year-old will claim a lot of attention after his recent winning efforts, but unless the weather deteriorates he will find Tweedsmuir issuing a strong challenge, and Full Hand still appears to be retaining his form. Constitution has improved lately and his second to Betterman was a fair effort, but there appears to be no reason why the lalter should not be able to hold him again after the manner in which he won at Te Aroha. Marble Fox is on the upgrade, and is just the one likely to upset calculations. Those who witnessed the finish of the Storey Memorial at the last Waikato meeting will remember that Ringlight finished very fast to get fourth placing after being at the rear of the field for most of the journey. Balblair has disappointed and should his connections prefer to start Stock Exchange in this race he

might be the better proposition. Skydonna has run some fair races among the hacks, and Billy Peace is an honest sort. Prince Baffles and Night Comedy, partciularly the latter, have come to the fore in great style, but will be meeting a different class here. Most support may be given to Airport, Tweedsmuir, and Ringlight. TE Rapa Steeplechase about 3 miles This will be Chat’s first outing since she ran second at Riccarton last August, and many people are asking if she is capable of again winning this race and going on to annex the Great Northern Steeplechase. She is game enough, but her weight assessment is greater on this occasion. Abbey Lu has come into prominence since winning the steeplechase at Auckland, and although it was a good effort there is no doubt that had The Dozer stood up he would have won comfortably. Dozie Boy showed a glimpse of form when he ran second in a jhardles event at Poverty Bay recently, and Surpeen has had sufficient racing to be close to his good form and should show to advantage over country. Gay Movie is a fair sort, while should Royal Jay be reserved he is capable of a bold showing. Forest Glen should not be left out of calculations, but Winning Tray’s appearances do not suggest him going the journey. Dividend has been racingwell below his best form and of the rest Kinkle and The Cardinal appear the likeliest. Among those to receive support may be Surpeen, Abbey Lu, and Forest Glen. Stewards’ Handicap, 7 furlongs . Since winning the President’s Handicap at the Auckland Easter meeting Fortune’s Smile has been out twice and his effort last Saturady was very poor. Bonny Pay has fair form, but Lady Pay’s winning effort at the last Waikato meeting was good enough to suggest that she is a distinct possibility. Sally Lunn has proved a costly failure in her past attempts this season, and it will be interesting to see if the spell since the Waipa meeting has worked any improvement in her. Constitution looks a more likely proposition here than in the mile and a quarter event, and Golden Survey can run a smart seven furlongs. Royal Greek has a great record among the hacks further down the line, and there is no doubt about him being a possibility in this field. Betterman, if reserved, will have many supporters, while his stablemate, Skydonna, is one likely to surprise. Sir Dingle won nicely at the Avondale meeting, and Soutane is improving. Abbey Fox has very little form, but Jovial Lass should be capable of a solid effort. Taku Tara’s form has been poor, and should he be reserved for this race, Colonel Vaals might show to better advantage. Gentry, Prince Baffles and Hunting Camp have most form of the others. Final summing up might find Royal Greek, Lady Pay and Constitution best supported. Seddon Hack Hurdles, 1 li Miles If the handicapper’s assessment counts for anything Neenah is by far the best hurdler in this field, but as this will be his first appearance as a hurdler, supporters will have to take a chance on his ability to negotiate the fences. Borak has been a winner over fences, and Sir Ringman was placed in his only start. Spring Day won nicely at Te Aroha, while of the others Dinky Di, Verus, Kouraeka, and Radio Call have shown ability. Public fancy may include Sir Ringman, Spring Day and Borak. Horotiu Hack Handicap, 13 miles Bournemouth’s recent performances have shown him to be a much improved horse and he should be considered. Grey Salute ran a good race at Te Aroha, and should Radio Call be reserved he should race prominently. After his win at Te Aroha, Harris Tweed must be given every chance. Kadina, with two recent places on the Taranaki courses, should add interest to the race, and Marinoto has been running fairly consistently. Malaguena seems to be on the verge of coming to form, and Corsac has shown ability. Boystown has shown a glimpse of form, and Gold Stand appears to be improving and will be suited to the distance. Ballyneety has only been started once for a fourth placing, while Funny Fox would only need a slight improvement to be dangerous. Among those to be supported may be Grey Salute, Harris Tweed and Gold Stand.