AT BLENHEIM.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 683, 9 February 1933, Page 12

AT BLENHEIM.

Marlborough Racing Club’3 Meeting. TO-MORROWS PROSPECTS. (Special to the " Star.") WELLINGTON, February 9. The several clubs that opened meetings to-day will not be concluding their fixtures till Saturday, and as an interlude the Marlborough Racing Club’s summer meeting will be commenced on the Waterlea course, Blenheim, to-mor-row. With the exception of the principal handicaps, the fields are of unusual .dimensions, and the racing should be well contested. After last week’s rain the course is likely to be easy. Several Trentham horses will be racing at the fixture, which will be concluded on Saturday. There will be a change in dividend distribution, two dividends being paid on fields of five or more starters on galloping events, but not on trotting events. There were only four entries for the main event, the President’s Handicap, but all of these have accepted. The form horse is undoubtedly the Blen-heim-trained Miladi, and she is likely to touch a short price. Atholspear would have a chance with her at his best, but lately his form has been more like his worst, and, unless he has improved since the Wellington meeting, Lyrical may be the hardest one that Miladi has to settle.

The other open event is the Blenheim Handicap, run over seven furlongs, and this too has drawn only a very small field of five runners, including Atholspear and Revision, who have earlier engagements. With Atholspear and Revision not having shown special form lately, and Semper Paratus having his first start since National time, one is inclined to look at the other pair and to see if they hold out any possibilities. Money Mint may find the distance too far, though he is fit, and so one is left with Purse. This three-vear-old filly is exceptionally well at present, and she is just the sort to win such a race as this. H. D. Robinson will be on her and he should get the best out of her.

In the Brookby Handicap (a highweight), Revision and Palace look to hold the best credentials, but Shootist is an improver whom the pair may not find too easy to catch. The most even issue of the day is probably provided by the Pelorus Hack Handicap, in which Solitaire 11. and Pedestal offer the best recent form, and in which Ben Hur is very well handicapped. For the Novice Stakes, Pedestal, Takakua, Boundary Hit and Jadarino may be in most demand.

There are also two trotting events on the programme, for which form shown at to-day's Marlborough trots should provide a line. The following are horses who have lately shown form entitling them to be accorded fair support in their engagements : Starborough Trot—Jean Parrish. Novice Stakes—Pedestal and Takakua. President’s Handicap—Miladi. Brookby Hack Handicap—Palace and Shootist. Awatere Trot —Trada and Skillicorn. Pelorus Hack Handicap—i Solitaire 11. and Pedestal (or Ben Hur). Blenheim Handicap—Purse. The card is as follows: 12.45 p.m. STARBOROUGH TROT HANDICAP, of 55 sovs. Class 3.45. One mile and a half. Plain Pearl scr Recess scr Mabel Chimes scr Jean Parrish scr Essay scr 1.25 p.m. NOVICE STAKES, of 55 sovs. Five furlongs.

CLUBS AMALGAMATE. One of the tendencies of these troublous times is for the disappearance of smaller clubs. A way is provided in many instances by amalgamation, and the latest move in that regard concerns the Te Kuiti and Waikato Racing Clubs. At a meeting of the Te Kuiti Racing Club it was decided after a long discussion to accept the proposals of the Waikato Racing Club for amalgamation of the two clubs.

The Waikato Club agrees to allow the Te Kuiti Racing Club to hold its meeting at Te Rapa on May 25 and 27 on the basis of the Waikato Club taking 10 per cent of the net profits, such arrangement to hold until the Te Kuiti Club could liquidate its liabilities. As soon as these liabilities have been liquidated the Te Kuiti Club is to be amalgamated with the Waikato Club, and steps taken by the Te Kuiti Club to transfer its permits and both its racing days to the Waikato Club to be used at Te Rapa. Should such amalgamation not be carried out, the Waikato Club is to have the right to claim from the Te Kuiti Club a reasonable rental from the days on which it has raced at Te Rapa. The president of the Te Kuiti Club, Mr H. Rothery, expressed the opinion that it was not possible for the club to race at Te Kuiti without a loss. If times improved, the Te Kuiti Club had the opportunity of retaining its identity, but in the meantime the offer of the Waikato Club was the only alternative.

Alpine Camp 8 7 May Pay 8 7 Black Ribbon 8 7 Miss Boundary Hit 8 7 Diacquenod 8 7 Imasarvey 8 7 Pedestal 8 7 Invite 8 7 Takakua 8 7 Jadarino 8 7 Bettwyseoed S 0 2.10 p.m. PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP, of 95 sovs. Miladi 9 0 Lyrical 7 9 Atholspear 8 12 Fallow 7 0 2.50 p.m. BROOKBY HACK HANDICAP, of 65 sovs. One mile. Revision 9 13 Shootist 9 2 Palace 9 12 Porlo?k 9 0 Late Jest 9 9 Love Court 9 0 3.30 p.m. AWATERE TROT HANDICAP, of 55 sovs. Class 3.2. One mile and a quarter. Reylct scr Essav ser Trada scr Hard Words 2 4 Hardiness scr Skill icovn 24 Hemlock Hero scr Belle o’ Mine 2 4 Wisteria scr Mihad 36 Plain Pearl scr Waipuki 60 Lucky Guy scr 4.10 p.m. PELORUS HACK HANDICAP, of 65 sovs. Six furlongs. S'leipner 9 0 Owl's Flight 7 5 Solitaire II. 8 9 Mullaboden 7 5 Projection 8 l Ja radio 7 0 Ben Hur 8 1 Alpine Camp 7 0 Pedestal 7 5 5 p.m. BLENHEIM HANDICAP, of 85 sovs. Seven furlongs. Atholspear 10 3 Revision S 11 Semper Purse 8 9 Paratus 9 13 Money Mint 7 11