WEEK-END RACING

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 75, Issue 6408, 15 August 1947, Page 5

WEEK-END RACING

PAKURANGA HUNT MEETING BIG FIELDS ENGAGED

(By

“Old Rowley”)

To-morrow will see the commencement of the new racing season in the Auckland district, when the Pakuranga Hunt races will be held at Ellerslie. Good, handy-sized fields are engaged in the hurdles and steeplechase events, and the BullockWebster Handicap, for amateur riders, has attracted thirteen acceptors, a much better response than many anticipated. The flat races, both hack and open handicaps, have drawn large fields. The Sylvia Park Handicap, with 61 acceptors, was divided into two separate races, and in turn provision had to be made for divisions in each of these. Now that the mile barrier is to have starting stalls, the maximum field has been reduced to 25, and thus with 30 acceptors it has been found necessary to make provision for divisions in the Jellicoe Handicap. There appears to be little hope of sufficient improvement in the weather to improve the track, w’hich is likely to be heavy; but this should not upset recent form, which should work out fairly accurately. Post positions may play a part in some of the events, but otherwise those horses drawn wide in the Jellicoe mile and jumping events should not be at an undue disadvantage. Recent form points to Rating, Master. Ted, Black Ace, Conspiracy, Coogee, Dougal, and Gay Chat attracting attention in the Jellicoe Handicap, although this week’s good track efforts of Royal Charter, Tiger Tan, and Duke Royal will bring them into favour.

The first race commences at 11.5 a.m., and it is hoped to run the last event at 4.25 p.m. The parade of two-year-olds at 10.15 a.m. should attract much attention, and if the weather is fine there is sure to be a large section of the racing public present to witness the youngsters scamper up the course. AMONG THE FAVOURED The following horses have entered discussions, and should be among the favoured in their engagements:— Greenmount Hunters* Steeplechase, about 2i miles: Abaris, Pomade, Scale. Harris Memoral Hunters’ Hurdles, 12 miles: (In absence of Jemmy Button): Kanui Te koa, Betterusk, British Mint. Jellicoe Handicap, 1 mile: First Division: Tiger Tan, Master Ted, Rating. Second Division: Coogee, Dougal, Gay Chat. Pakuranga Hunt Cup, about 3 miles: Fox Hunting, Good Armour, Whooray. First Sylvia Park Handicap, 7 fur 4 longs: First Division: Te Ark, Hardware, Loyal Lu. Second Division: Ostentatious, Huntopay, Te Paerata. Second Sylvia Park Handicap, 7 furlongs: First Division: Skymaster, Rose Marie, Eastern Charm Second Division: General March, Cydonia, Bournemouth. . Bullock-Webster Handicap, amateur riders, 11 miles: Jollat, Pegalong, Captain Jesse. Admiralty Handicap, 6 furlongs: Grand Tourist, Light Opera, Foxfable.

CONCLUDING DAY AT RICCARTON The Canterbury Jockey Club will conclude its Grand National meeting at Riccarton to-morrow, when big fields are carded for all events except the Sydenham Hurdles, which has ten acceptors, with Prize Ring top weight, and provided he has recovered from the ailment which kept him from his other Riccarton engagements, he may be hard to beat. Amorlad has not raced up to expectations, and Desert Trek may be a better proposition. He was unfortunate last week to strike a hurdle very hard in the early stages, and it took all the sting out of his jumping for a while. Ernada should be capable of another good effort, but will find Battle Chief a worthy opponent. Mr Hodgson’s Battle Song gelding will be having his first start over hurdles at the meeting if he starts to-morrow, aud he is a brilliant fencer. On recent form Duality is entitled to every respect, and his tine finishing run for second money in the Grand National Hurdles came as a surprise, for he was not expected to see out the journey. Duality has apparently become solid, and must be a danger. Sphere appeared unfortunate to tip out at the last fence in the big hurdles event when assured of place money. Glad Fox, Kassai, and The Dude make up the field, aud none of them inspires much confidence. Track conditions are reported to be good, and indications are lor fair weather. Likely Favourites

Viewpoints vary somewhat, but indications are that the tvHowiug runners will be among the favoured in their engagements; Hunt Cup Steeplechase, about 91 miles; Bravura, Fairyhousv, Hal lyaggau. Longbeach Handicap, 7 furlongs \f ton Waler, Lee si on. Mi Hui*. Sydenham Hurdles, 2 miles; Desert Trek, Duality, Buttle Chief. Styx Hurdles, L; miles aud ho \ards Montello d’Oro, Hippodrome, Night Fighter. Heathcote Handicap, p furlongs: Lord Elgin, Graeme, Mmrtial Note. Lincoln Handicap, about three miles Page’s Raid, Hurpuen, Master Play. Redcliilb Handicap, I mile Royal Robe, Beech wood, Great Chum, Selwyn Handicap, 7 furlongs: Finalist, Play Ips, Pensacola,