RACING ON AND OFF THE TRACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 22992, 8 September 1944, Page 6

RACING ON AND OFF THE TRACK

After a raceless Saturday, New Zealand will have three meetings this week —Racing at Ellerslie (Avondale Club) and Wanganui; and trotting at Trentham.

Plunder Bar was a promising two-year-old, but now a four-year-old he is still a maiden. He is on 24 behind at Trentham, but that mark is the result of his second in the 1942 Sapling Stakes. Bohemian one of the half-dozen three-year-olds remaining in the Wellington Stakes, is an acceptor for the Sharpe Handicap. From 48 behind he is faced with as formidable a task as engaging Slavonic in the Stakes.

Communique has not fulfilled the promise he gave two seasons back, but his second to Gold Peg at Washdyke in June was indicative of a return to form, and the Temuka-trained pacershould be prominent in a six horse field at Trentham. A non-totalisator race for maidens is to open the programme on each day of the Cup meeting at Riccarton. This should obviate the need for elimination in hack handicaps. Stakes for the spring meeting at Trentham have been increased by £lOOO to £11,600. The Wellesley Stakes has been raised from £BOO to £lOOO. and the Wellington Guineas from 600 to 800 guineas. The most forward two-year-olds in Auckland are considered to be GhazV pur, Takalot, Royal Slipper’ and Diatomous Girl. Ghazipur will be favourite for the Pioneer Handicap if she goes to the post; in her absence Takalot and Royal Slipper are likely to oe in strong demand.

Cabin Boy on one occasion last season declined to leave the barrier, but that is the only blot on his escutcheon. He revealed so much speed after being compelled to drop back three furlong from home in the Winter Handicap that he is on a particularly favourable mark in the Wellington Handicap. The Wellington Racing Club has resolved to adhere to the ballot system for its spring meeting. At the New Zealand Cup meeting the ballot will operate where necessary in open races, but in hack races and two-year-old handicaps, divisions will be run when required. Form in the Sharpe Handicap (11 furlongs) at Trentham should smooth the path of punters to the Belmont Handicap (12 furlongs). The same horses will meet in both from the same marks, except that -Toushay goes back from 48 to 60 in the longer race. The winner of the Sharpe Handicap will incur a penalty of 60 yards, and unless there is some unusual incident the minor place-getters will be the logical choice. The same thirteen trotters comprise the ellgibles for the Nai Nal and Taita Handicaps at Trentham, but the second race is half a mile the longer, and the marks from 36 backward are extended —Zona Grattan goes from 96 to 132. Yahoo is reputed to be a good maiden, and Castigate is acclaimed as above the average, but even from her wayback josition Zona Grattan must be respected. Little Marmie and Ursula, two of the half-dozen which have survived the final forfeit in the Wellington Stakes, have had no racing experience. They will have to be good to trouble Slavonic. Czardas is a smart pacer—when he is pacing—but is very erratic off the mark. Jackie Guy was in the fight at the finish of the Canterbury Stakes, but he can hardly be expected to beat Slavonic on 24 yards worse terms. Bohemian has not improved since he won the Great Northern Stakes a year ago, and form and figures justify a short price about Slavonic.

Gold Flight is the form horse in the Wilford Handicap at Trentham. He finished third on the first day at Addington to Cabin Boy and Trusty Scott, both winners on the second day. Gold Flight was fifth in the Winter Handicap although not just 100 percent. Black Label failed at Addington, but may do better on grass, particularly if the track is soft. Safety Pin favours the Trentham track, and she also may improve on Addington, but the Gold Flight-Dianus couplet ia, certain to top the totalisator.

Weight for the Novice Stakes at Ashburton are —Vafort, Chelton, Miss Quickly, Olga’s Choice, Miss Tltaness, Sir Bernard, Count Roger, Legal Right, Ration, Scottish Lad, Twelve Pointer, Mister John, Listen In, Guile, all 8.4; Weld Cona. Eastern Slipper, Takatu, Peculate, Dark Diana. Lord Roland, Night Advance, Rahiri, Pensacola, Lalla Meer, Tomahawk. Don’t Regret, Rampage, Siegwood, Chicago, Tikokoura. Baffling, Simon Tor-Foxbridge filly all 8.0. TROTS AT ASHBURTON The following are handicaps for the harness races at Ashburton. — RAKAIA TROT, of £240 (3.38) ; 15 miles.—Bonny Bridge, Caledonian Girl, Characteristic, Country Jack, Horatio Nelson, Ingle Belmer, Kaltake Boy, Leamington. Leonin, Lucky Loyal, Netherby, Noble Reta, Real Grattan, Sponsor. Sunny Glen, Traverse, Vimy Ridge, Volterra, Warform, Windermere, Worthy Gold scr, Radical 12, Loyal Jack 36. SELMA TROT, of £220 (5.1); 2 miles —Ace of Diamonds, Barometer Chimes, Bonnie Dale, Chalita, Characteristic, Fast Friend, Francis Logan, Garforth, Golden Knave, Hanover, Jervis Bay, Lodestone, Loyal Chief, Lucky Loyal, Max Denver, Navy Queen, Nola Wrack, Pencarrow, Quite Clever. Renown’s Pride, Rey Potts, Shadow Rose, Swaledale, Traverse, Water Ranger scr. Believe Me (T) 36, Tall Timber (T) 48, All Serene 72.