SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 78, Issue 7017, 9 February 1949, Page 7

SPORTING NOTES

WAIKATO CUP FIELD REVIEWED MURRAY GRATTON IS EARLY FAVOURITE (By “Old Rowley”) Present indications point to Murray Grattan being favourite for the Waikato Cup, of £525 and trophy valued at £25, limit 4.40, run over two miles. This of course is only to be expected after hi& sterling performance in running second to Master Dorset last month when the latter won the R. T. Reid Memorial Handicap, a similar type of race, aiso decided at Claudelands when the Waikato Trotting Club held its second summer meeting. Messrs W. A. Eddowe.s and A. G. Downes’ 4-year-old Josedale Grattan —Crocus gelding has shown to distinct advantage this year and has the advantage of breeding* to help him in attaining successful cup heights. Trained by C. G. Smith at Village Farm, Murray Grattan should have no difficulty in holding the limelight if ho continues to improve on his past form. The average racegoer was attracted to Elmdale, when this aged Sandydale pacer raced at Claudelands last month, because he was owned and trained at Addington by H. Greenhorn. In addition there was a quiet paddock tip that he would be very hard to head off. However, during the running he met with a lot of trouble and was consequently made too much use of in an endeavour to make up a lost position. Elmdale ran well enough on that occasion to show he is capable, of a sterling effort and if produced on Saturday should run very prominently from the limit. Fly On and Jewel Pride At country meetings it seems that crowding is more prevalant than when racing takes place, on a metropolitan course and this was largely responsible for Fly On failing to finish close up at his last start. Owner-trainer Wesley Fleming had the Auto Machine—Nora Bond gelding at top for the R. T. Reid Memorial and was in a handy position when he met with interference which sent him back through the field and forced him to make his run from the rear wide out. Fly On has raced best up to a mile and five furlongs, but recently he has shown ability to stay and is well seasoned. He appeals more than High Flight which has failed to race up to expectations. A consistent acceptor is Jewel Pride, owned and trained at Epsom by L. J. Mahoney The Jewel Pointer— Derby Nymph gelding ran fourth in a sprint at Cambridge, and followed this up by a good performance in the R. T. Reid Memorial; on the same day he hung on resolutely against a determinined challenge by Volo Bond in the ten furlongs Waipa Handicap for a close second placing. Jewel Pride has won at tw’o miles when the going was easy, but seems to lack the necessary staying power when the tracks are fast. However, he cannot be entirely passed over, although he certainly looks a better proposition in the Ferry Handicap. Promising Mare Mr W. Hosking’s Overdraft is sure to attract a lot of attention and this young pacer won the Frankton Handicap last month at Claudelands in a convincing style. Saturday’s journey will be three furlongs further against better class opposition, but J. Hughes, private trainer to Mr Hosking at Waiuku has shown in the past that once he gets one of his team right they generally carry on attractively. A 5-year-old bay mare by Übaking—Myrtle Oro, Overdraft has an excellent opportunity to extend her record. The other limit candidate is Mr C. A. Wilson’s Vera Lyne which showed good form at Epsom during the Christmas and New Year but could make no impression when opposing a weaker field at Claudelands. She may have freshened up in the interim, but at this stage she cannot be recommended. One of the disappointments of racing, Our Gail has disappointed so often that her prospects cannot be viewed with any degree of optimism, but it can be said in her favour that she has been pacing boldly for partowner, W. E. Cockbill and this veteran trainer has a way with failures. Contesting the Waipa Handicap at Claudelands last month Our Gail was not disgraced, although unplaced and she may be capable of upsetting calculations. She is on 24 yards behind, thus conceding Murray Grattan 1 sec. From 36 yards, Hopeful would not be unduly handicapped if he paced willingly, but recent form is against him and if those to whom he is conceding time race up to expectations he will need to be right at. his best to succeed. Entrust Has Prospects Further back is Entrust and this aged Indianapolis—Arachne mare ran a very sterling race from’ 48 yards behind when she finished fourth in the R. T. Reid Memorial. In a smaller field she should find the task of making up her handicap much easier and a slight improvement on her form last month would make her a definite factor. Her co-inarker, Pony Express has failed to make any impression for a long while, and although he has shown ability in the past his recent running does not inspire confidence. The locally trained Indian Triumph is conceding 60 yards to the limit bunch and while, she did well to finish eighth in a field of sixteen from a similar mark when last started, it would appear that she is set a herculean task to make up leeway in what is sure to be a fast run race if the summer conditions continue over the week-end. Much the. same thing applies to Play Safe from 72 yards and trotting enthusiasts are likely to look for the. winner of this race among horses more favourably placed in the handicaps. Early Favourites Early discussions centre around Murray Grattan, Elmdale. Overdraft, Fly On, Jewel Pride and Entrust.