SPRING RACING

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6978, 15 October 1948, Page 5

SPRING RACING

SECOND DAY AT ELLERSLIE DIVISIONS IN FOUR RAC’ES (By “ Old Rowley ”) Eager to test and try their equine charges, trainers have supported the programme for the second day of the Auckland Racing Club’s spring meeting to an extent which has made the provision for divisions necessary in four races, the Hobson Handicap (three divisions, but one scratching will enable the race to be run in two), the Spring Handicap (main flat event on the programme), the Musket Stakes (for two-year-olds), and the Normanby Handicap. The remaining four races have full acceptance lists, and first-class racing should be witnessed on a track which will be soft but in better order than it was last week. After his hollow victory last week Frontier Mac is sure to be the medium of confident support, and there appears to be no reason why he should not again be difficult to dispose of. Before the running of the Miitchelson Cup rumour was rife that he was too lame to start, but on the day he galloped boldly and showed no sign of lameness after the race, which is apt to discount any theory that he will be troubled by a recurrence of the alleged disability. Of those opposing him., Ascot Lad should be capable of a better effort than Week, when he failed to gallop smoothly in the early stages of the race, which is unusual for him/

Recent racing has shown Winder Boy in a favourable light, and he is still at a position in the weight scale where his lack of size will not hamper him. Being such a courageous galloper, he must be considered if his connections elect to start him here instead of in the Liverpool mile.

Oklahoma and Prince Chat both ran solid races last week, and Antonio is another with prospects in the first division of the Spring Handicap. The second division has the promising galloner Lord Revel in the position of top-weight, but he seems to be entirely unsuited by present track conditions, and the weather this week has hardly been settled enough .> make the track sufficiently firm for him to figure prominently in the running after his poor showing last week when, he ran last. Foxwyn is nicely placed with 8.9, and he is forward enough to make a bold showing if the going is not too heavy. Favoured at his start prior to the Mitchelson Cup, Artificer looked well enough to win, and although he failed to show up in that event the manner in which he fought for his head in the early nart of the race may have proved his undoing. He should run prominently to-morrow. Silver Sam, Peter Nelson, and Silver Lighting are all improvers worthy of note, but the others do not impress at this stage. The ease with which Sleepy Fox disposed of the opposition last week does not suggest that he is without prospects in the Epsom Handicap, despite his impost of 9.13. A lot will depend on the pace at which the race is run. Class opposition can be expected from Majesty and Royal Scot, particularly the latter, which must be near his best form. Super Vaals, having his first start since he won so well in June, is a definite prospect if recent track work $s any guide, and Contango has shown such promise in her two recent outings that she must enter calculations. Chatscourt fought on well to be second, to Sleepy Fox in the Shorts Handicap. It is unfortunate that this galloper is not more solid, and is inclined to run about when the pressure is applied. Regality, Coonbridge, and Rizzio are three-year-olds expected tv strike winning vein shortly, and the latter has the best form if he would mend his ways at the barrier. The locally-trained Fifth Note, Faline, Pine Park, and Peter Gregor have the best form of the others engaged. Commencing at 11 a.m., with the Hobson Handicap, the Epsom. Handicap will be decided at 12.35 p.m., and the Spring Handicap at 1.20 p.m. The day’s racing will conclude at 4.30 p.m. with the running of the Liverpool Handicap. Public fancy is likely to cover a wide range, but recent form and track work suggest that the following are likely to be among those favoured:—

Hobson Handicap, 7 furlongs: First Division: Pakistan bracket, Kind regards bracket, Ozami bracket. Second Division: Bainbridge Pat bracket, Scotch Meadow bracket, Fort Knox bracket. Third Division: Vice Chancellor bracket, -Royal Glimpse bracket, Lady Coronach. Manukau Hurdles, 2 miles: Diamond Kingj Duncan-Kenneth bracket, Golden Reign. Epsom Handicap, 6 furlongs: Contango, Royal Scot, Faline. Spring Handicap, 11 miles: First Division: Oklahoma, Frontier Mac, ; A scot Lad (in absence of Wonder Boy). Second Division: Artificer, Peter Nelson, Silver Lighting. Onehunga Steeplechase, about 3 miles Murphy, Yank, Modern View. Musket Stakes, two-year-olds, 5 furlongs: First Division: Gay Cushla, Foxtavia, Sir Tavia. Secpnd Division: El Salto, Good Century, Epsom Boy. Norpianby Handicap, 1 mile 3 furlongs; First Division: Kyrat, Beau Astaire, Star Dink. Second Division: Huntopay, Silver Gull, Highfield. Liverpool Handicap, one mile: Gavinmor, Bustany, Iwo Jima.

WELLINGTON MEETING OPENS

VALLEY BOY HAS PROSPECTS The Wellington Racing Club opens its spring meeting at Trentham tomorrow, when well-performed and fashionably-bred gallopers will compete for big prize-money. The Wellington Handicap, of one mile and a half, with total stake money to the value of £3500, has attracted a field

of twenty-eight. A good contest is expected, but crowding at the start may spoil the chances of many engaged and it is unfortunate that some of the best horses in the race have drawn barrier positions which will not enhance their prospects.

Signal Officer is well favoured, but. his impost of 10.3, coupled with a barrier position of 21, makes his task a hard one and he will indeed set the seal on an already grand record if lie overcomes these difficulties and prevails. Valley Boy has prospects after his good effort in the Mitchelson Cup, but he too has drawn wide (26), and with opposition expected from Royal Tan (11), which also has a 7 lbs weight advantage, he will need to be at his best and be favoured by the running. i

Ballinagh was definitely unlucky in his last appearance being badly interfered with at a critical stage of the race. This consistent galloper is nicely placed in the weights to make a bold showing. Bronstar, Distinction, Coral Arc, and Welcome Guest are recent winners of note. The placegetters, Liebestraum and The Stormovick, together with Lord Holland, which is on the verge of a return to form, are a formidable trio of lightweights which should add considerable interest to the contest. Reports suggest that Findon is well forward for this race, and although he has failed to show any ability for a long time he is a proved galloper in good company.

The going is likely to be slitrhtly holding at Trentham to-morrow when the first race commences at 11 a.m., but it should remain in fairly good order for the Wellington Handicap at 2.15 p.m., and, unless rain falls, should not unduly affect the prospects of those engaged in the October Handican which will conclude the day’s sport at 4.45 p.m. The fields provide a wide selection for public choice, but the following horses have become so prominent that they may attract most attention in their engagements:—

Glen Hurdles, K miles: Griffin, Nepeta bracket, Detain. Wainui Handicap, one mile: Sweet Nymph, Imperial, Winter Sweet. Desert Gold 'Stakes (three-year-old i fillies), 1 mile: Champagne, Bal--kis, Blue Print. Rimutaka Handicap, 7 furlongs: Super, Offender bracket, Peridot bracket. * Wellington Handicap, 11 miles: Ballinagh, Royal Tan, Valley Boy. Wellesley Stakes, two-year-olds, five furlongs: First Division: Pictagain, Robinfaye bracket, His Lordship. Second Division: Koala bracket, Litigate, Caronia. Shorts Handicap, 6 furlongs: Excellency, Da Vinci, False Step. October Handicap, 1 mile: Helio, Pierre, Victory Night.

WEEK-END RIDING ENGAGEMENTS

AT WELLINGTON Riding engagements for the first day of the Wellington Racing Club’s Spring Meeting at Trentham to-mor-row are:— W. J. Broughton: Demonic, Champagne, Baccarat, Distinction, Talent, General Victory, Buchanan. W. Connor: King’s Ransom, Vakura, Robert Keith. L. Hare: Frances, Super, The Grate, Golden Spa, Goldsmith. S. A. Waddell: Wild Note, .Sea Shanty, Fighting Fox, Supreme Shepherd. G. R. Tattersail: Imperial, Pitoitoi, Deseado, Ballinagh, His Lordship, Trafalgar Day, Beau Bijou. L. J. Ellis: Sweet Nymph, Golden Amber, Royal Tan, Trinidad, Air Belle, Ballochbuie, Resolute. V. J. Sellars: Yasda, Bronstar, Litigate, Blue Skimmers. W. L. Aitken: Barrage, Lady Kindine, Fleetness, Waimanu. N. Vaughan: Young Trent, Cressida. K. Nuttall: Julius Caesar, Indian Dawn, Lady Lucina, Theocritus, Helio. K. R. Ford: Mangatiti, Kartikeya, Abbotsford, Tommy Gun, Terrific- N. L. Caveney: Playtos, Phanion, Outlook, Pictagain, Morocco, Olympia. J. Harris: Emerge, Offender, Koala, Victory Night. N. A. Crombie: Fortune’s Smile, Urenui’s Gift> Caronia, Garry. A. J. Stokes: Maryburn, Corofin, Bosun. J. P. Bowness: Zealander, Jet Plane, Hormuz, Angell, Beau-Or. G. Dulieu: Night School, Lord Holland. K. Chote: Swift Fox, Batley, Foxmorn, Dymondy. A. C. Messervy: Winter Sweet, Liebestraum, Anson, Vaine d’Or, Lady Minter. J. Walker: Iron Duke, Bon Chale. J. Moore: Torrent, Royal Shar, M. McClintock: Balkis. R. W. Shaw: Blue Print, Beaumaris. T. Webster: Curtana, Da Vinci, Robin’s Reward. C. H. Mackie: Demure, Sly Gold, Merry Robin, Joycette, Castlebrae, Lochrea- J. Campbell: Festal, Lochwinnoch, Master Kip, Langspiel. C. T. Wilson: Flying Sovereign, Signal Officer, Agnes Pearl, Citril. J. A. McFarlane: Jaconet, Gaystock, Welcome Guest, Super Snipe, False Step. C. A. Bowry: La Modelie, Blue Seal, Red Ruler, Noble Knight. W. F. Ellis: Brenlock, Renowned, The Dolphin, Excellency, Revivre. W. Lepper: Snowboy, Nalla’s Pride, Fleetwood. P. .Iago: Cinereous. .1. Winder: Valley Boy. B. J. Langford: Findon, Pierre, Blanket. R. Caddy: Kia Ora Katoa. D. Coombe: Coral Arc. A. Johnson: Pimlico, King of Quiz. F. Cleaver: Bhutan. T. Hely: Kippo- R. N. Hewitt Peria Prince. N. Lynch: Bay Robe. P. Brennan: Dunbar, Pavia. K. Wood: Griffin. C. McDonald: Robinfaye, Magical. G. Ivil: Vassilikos. W. Barr: Master Raymond. J. Fagan: Mesalliance. W. Hillis: Grand Coulee. F. N. Power: Omaio. R. J. Auckram: Fair Home. B. S. Wilson: Detain. K. Hickey: Pride of Mossburn. T. Poad: Roman Duke. At Ellerslie C. Markwick: Melview, Law Breaker, Rating. S. Tremain: Argent, Silver Birch. S. Devlyn: Wonder Boy. A. T. Wilson: Chung Chong, Nellie Kolle, Balmacara, Gaelic Salute, Mitigate. M. Martinovich: Faline. E. V. Dye: Foxfable. R. McDowell: Mission School. L. C. Brown: Modern View. B. Markwick: Prince Chat. M. Koperu: Highfield, Fifth Note, Frontier Mac. D. Mackinnon: Master Ted. L. Carlton: Vilia, Scotch Meadow, Kyrat. A. Sinton: Good Armour, Diana’s Choice. B. Noble: Joanne. S. J. Green: Beau Pari, Chatscourt. C- McColl: Our Gold, Murphy. W. O. Ensor: Duncan, Whirlwind Star. N. R. McKenzie: Foxwyn, Equator, Pakistan, Sleepy Fox. F. W. Edlin: Aylesbury. C. Farr: Pukka Gen.