FLYING AND MCRAE

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1930, Page 5

FLYING AND MCRAE

OPEN FLAT RACES DISCUSSED

FEW FIT ’ GALLOPERS IN FLYING.

LADY QUEX GIVEN A BIG WEIGHT.

MERRY DAMON OVER 10 FURLONGS

With Gray on Lady Quex, the public would not look much past the top-weight in the Flying Handicap, but it appears as if he will not be able to take .the ride and, with another horseman in the saddle, Lady Quex is set a more difficult task. The majority of the others in the field will be palpably short of racing condition so the public are presented with a difficult question to decide. The issue. appears. more confined in the Mcßae Handicap with'. Merry Damon engaged, and this classy performer makes a big appeal. Lady Quex beat Paganelli at Avondale with 9.5, which does not make her appear badly treated with 31bs. more. However, it is' a solid impost and the' Lord Quex mare cannot afford to strike trouble nor yet set the pace for this big field. There is a possibility that she may not race until the day. • Havering is a—good sprinter when right, but he is carrying too much condition to do himself’ justice, and the majority will merely keep him in mind for the big winter- meetings. Benzora is at his best with the sting out' of the ground and' there does not seem much chance, at time of writing, that the gods will favour him in this direction. However, the fact that lie will most likely be ridden -by Gray will influence the bettors to a big extent. Ruanui does not appeal over six and Paleta may need some racing before he makes good his “edme back.” Ridgemount acorns to be .sour, but lie has brightened up since Easter and may make '.the pace warm.. The long straight, however, will find him scratching at the death. Atholspear won -at Hawera fast year, and though he has not had much racing he will be giving trouble if wellplaced coming into the straight. Just So had a bad leg at Feilding and then ran good races after Toeing far from artistically handled, Tenacre would appear to hold Bonogne and British King’ safe, and of the seven on the minimum, Melissa should be too solid for Te Aliawa- and Gold Dawn.

Although .LADY QUEX is more forward than the others she will meet in this race, Benzora and Just So may keep the New Plymouth mare fully engaged. ’ Under 9.4, the 'Sock-burn Handicap, nine furlongs, was easy for Merry Damon at Riccarton and he was the best of good things 'beaten in the Great Autumn Handicap. Both races showed Polydamon’s best son to be up to his best form and his consistency throughout the season has been marked.

The Swell must always lie regarded as a source of danger in any field, though he is perhaps outside the pale of the “town-hall” company. He is a picture at present, and with IGI-bs. the better of the deal with the top-weight, he looks to be on a good mark. Orazone. is best in the mud and the veteran Yoma, who ran a good race at Feilding and likes this track, will not disgrace himself. Mountain Heath is also on the same mark —7.8 —and as he is on the up-grade, he may do better than Yoma and Orazone,

Manly is an enigma, though the course and the firm track will suit him, but he'cannot be relied upon to show his best form. Llanore is “washy” and old Hipo (who will be ridden by K. Voitre) 1 looks the' best of those on the minimum. Hipo won this race last year and he is just as likely as not, to upset the favourites again. ■ '

After’all, MERRY DAMON has better recent form than the rest engaged in the Mcßae Handicap, and with all his weight he appears to me as being a class above The Swell and Hipo,