SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 71, Issue 6138, 19 September 1945, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

ON RACING AND TROTTING BRIEF ITEMS FROM THE TRACK (By “ Old Rowley”) Danger cf Snap Judgment The manner in which Immediate followed up the brilliant victories of Sleepy Fox by running a miie and six furlongs to win the seven furlongs Camellia Stakes and winning in time equalling the Rosehill record for seven furlongs, certainly seems to give the lie to Mr Sol. Green’s castigation of Dominion thoroughbreds; and once again shows how dangerous it is to form a snap judgment in any matters pertaining to racing. However, Mr Green was not alone in some of his opinions, and the past season or two has certainly appeared below standard to many who have been in the racing game long enough to have a sound judgment. It would appear that if the Australian top-flighters are really good, then we evidently have so many good ones in th e Dominion that even our outstanding performers do not look above the average. Perhaps it is a case that we have for so long been in the habit of seeing and reading about the giants of the Australasian turf bred in these islands that we are apt to be a little too critical. Chief Events at Thames The Thames Jockey Club will stage its spring meeting on Paeroa racecourse on Saturday, when the chief event on the programme will be the President’s Handicap of 11 miles. Lou Rosa with 9.12 is top-weight, and very little is known of his condition, but should he be fit enough the field is not too strong for him to surprise. Airport is not getting younger, and this appears the type of race to suit him, for with 8.9 he is lightly weighted, and whep raced in the Avondale Cup he was prominent for about six or seven furlongs. Abbey Fox may not appreciate the turning course, and it is a sharp bend into the straight which isn’t overlong. On recent running Royal Musk must be considered a serious contender, and Betterman looks to be a more logical aspirant. Mr Rosa has been working well enough to win a race, but he was never a prospect in the Avondale Cup, and will to show improvement on that form. Gay Lally has been off the scene for some time, and has only track work to recommend him, but he should be capable -of a solid effort in this company. Hunting Loch is an interesting contender from the hack ranks, and seems to be quite at home in heavy going. There is not much to be said in favour of SSita Anita or Gaelic Salute at present, but Waiting on his Avondale running appears to be right at the top of his form, and should be dangerous; while Ernada has been putting plenty of energy into his work, and his racing has been generous. Sousa is the other acceptor, and he may be the one to upset calculations, for he can run a solid ten furlongs, and the going won’t worry him unduly. Airport, Sousa, Waiting, Betterman, and Ernada are of as having prospects. Darawai Puzzle

It looks as though the weather will not be very good, and track conditions are sure to be heavy at Paeroa, so the scratching pen may be used quite freely in the Parawai Handicap, for* which Representative has pride of place with 9.0. The Nightmarch—-Praise horse seemed to fade right out after hard racing in the 1943-44 season, and last year he was produced only three times, when he failed to show anv real ability. The long rest should nave done him good, and later on he may be heard of to advantage. Gaymeer and Lord Luck have no recent form, but provided the going isn’t too bad Peter Gregor should have prospects, while Black Beret won well enough at the Avondale meeting to make him a sound proposition. Flying Acre has been a long time off the winning list, and age may have found him out. Tiger Tan is showing plenty of form, but he will need to get to th e front in quick time to have a chance on the Paerca track. Olga’s Pal may be capable of upsettirig the field, while Lord Dink, Cricket Ball, and Royal Slipper have shown most promise of those on the minimum. Early favourites include Black Beret, Peter Gregor, Tiger Tan, Olga’s Pal, and Cricket Ball. Exceptionally Big Field

The Maramarua Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase at the Thames Jockey Club’s spring meeting has drawn a field of 26, and this is an exceptionally large field for such a race. If all start it should be a very interesting contest to witness, for with the exception of about six the acceptors are in the main novices, and it would occasion no surprise if there was an upset. In Form

Although Foxstar failed to gain a place when raced at Wanganui he showed good form down there, and if started in the Stewards’ Hack Handicap at Paeroa on Saturday he should find the six furlongs more to his liking, and may make amends for past failures here.