OVER THE COUNTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19007, 7 May 1924, Page 6

OVER THE COUNTRY

TO-DAY’S FIELDS AT HAWERA. A REVIEW OF THE RUNNERS. (By “Early Bird.”) As on more than one occasion in the past, the Telegraph Hack Handicap at Egmont R.C. Winter meetings has been such a popular event with owners and trainers and so many horses have stood their ground that the race has had to be run in divisions. A similar state of affairs reigns to-day, when the Egmont meeting, the first of the Winter season, is to commence. This has necessitated an early start for the day, and therefore the first event is timed for 11.10 a.m. to enable the club to abide by the rules, which provide that no race shall be run after 4.15 p.m. during the winter. Good fields will be recorded all round, the jumping events being filled with a fair number of a strength usually associated with this gathering. As before stated, a start will be made at 11.10 a.m. with the first section of the TELEGRAPH HACK. (Of 150 sovb ; five furlongs.)

At first glance this race bears a very open appearance, and the first dozen on the card all appear to have good chances. Fast beginners may be preferred, although they have a good long straight to finish on. Te Kawa, Blue Peter, and Papaponga have good form to commend them. An important race to Wanganui sportsmen follows, important by reason of the fact that it may throw mere than a little light upon the Century Hurdles problem. This event is the TONGAHOE HURDLES. (Of 200 sovs.; 1J miles).

The punters might be nonplussed by the above field, for they have mighty little in the way of recent form to look to as a guide. Over a mile and a half journey the pace will be on from the start, and the placed horses will no doubt come from those able to keep with the leaders. Eerie, The Curragh, and Prince Rufus are a speedy trio, and if they jump well they should finish in front of the ten others. The winner of this race is liable to be rehandicapped for the Century Hurdles. This race is followed by the second section of the five furlong sprint, the TELEGRAPH HACK. (Of 150 sovb; five furlongs.) Second Division.

The writer may be} wrong, but this division docs not look so difficult a proposition as the first* The four topweights—The Lamb, Avola, Rehutai, and Loved One, with! Arseno Lupin, Wee Sandy and Midnight Camp, should provide the first thr< e past the post. If not too fractious a ; the barrier and with a good getaway The Lamb may make it merry for A a ola and Rehutai. Then we come to t e first race over the country, the

HACK AND HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE. (Of 200 sovs; about 2 miles.)

Some of the above were seen out at the Trentham Fleet meeting, and we reproduce further on a description of the steeplechase there, which should assist speculators. Sir Rosbery was going well at Trentham when he ran off, and Dick beat First Line in the run home. Had a couple of the others stood up this pair may not have given any return to their supporters. San Forte has some good performances over the big fences, having two wins last season, and running second in this race last year. Summed up, a trio of good safe jumpers in the Aucklander, Lark Hall, and San Forte and Te Toa promise to be conspicuous. This is followed by the principal jumping event, the EGMONT STEEPLECHASE. (Of 500 sovs; about miles.)

Starland is at the top of the handicap, and he is reported to have pulled up very distressed at the end of a steeplechase in Auckland recently. Prior to that, however, he won a couple of steeplechases at Ohinemuri, carrying 9st. Gibs, and lOst. 21bs. Khartoum is a doubtful starter, but a race would do him good. Dick won at Trentham, but was undoubtedly fortunate in that all his opponents except First Line failed to see the journey out. Passin’ Through would need to improve on his previous efforts, a remark which also applies equally to Peneton, To Maire, Polthogue, and Te Toa. Silent Dick showed promise last season before ho failed to stand up to his work, and Aotca Roa has been placed a few times over the country. With the conditions such as they threaten to be to-day, very heavy, it is well to have the safe jumper on one’s side, and it looks as if Dick and Starland may be depended upon to see the journey out. The obstacles removed, the sprinters will make their appearance for the FLYING HANDICAP. (Of 200 sovs; 6 furlongs.)

On recent running Rational has earned his big weight, but he may be overlooked if the going is fetlock deep. Hipo is getting up in the weights, yet his northern form was good. Of the others the pick might turn out to be Civility, Irapuka, King Quin, Pouma, Crossfire, Ecuador, Hori and Awake. To still further reduce the possibles, form within the last few weeks rather points to Civility and King Quin. The principal flat handicap is the

A handy-sized field of ten, with maybe one or two defections, should give anything a chance. Bonnctter is in fine fettle, and so is Marqueteur, who won the Batea Cup very comfortably last month. The going should suit the old King Mark gelding to-day if the recent wet weather has not brought on a recurrence of his rheumatic troubles. Cold Steel is being taken no risks with. Stork must not be overlooked, and Sir Burnett has yet to prove himself over the distance. Snatcher ran a good second in the Fsilding Cup but failed to gain a place the next day, although he is exceptionally well treated this afternoon. Cruccllc, Euchre, and Skylight must be included in the list of probables. Snatcher, Sir Burnett and Cold Steel appeal most of the field. The first day’s card is to be brought to a conclusion with the

Whetunui is an in-and-out sort of customer, and if the filly takes it into her head to gallop her supporters will be pleased with themselves. Valencia has been most consistent. Musical and Sensible arc recent winners, and John Dix ran well at the Avondale meeting. Dignity, Interest and the disappointing Miss Mickey are nicely in with a not overstrong field. Whetunui and Valencia will come in for most of the support. To-inorrow’s programme will start at 11.40 a.m., unless one of the races requires two divisions.

First Division. Te Kawa 9 0 Papanonga 7 3 Sunny Vale .. 8 11 Night . . .. 7 0 Yoma .. .. 8 6 Red Comet .. 7 0 Puketoi 7 11 Mountain Ore 7 0 Blue Peter .. 7 11 Iola .. .. 7 0 Lady Merriwee 7 8 Umpire Camp 0 Carnbee .. .. 7 8 Lady Hamua 7 0 Archeen 7 6 Luarne .. .. 7 0

Eerie .. ..11 9 Alteration ..10 2 Sir Fanciful.. 11 7 Man saw hero 9 5 Lochson ..11 6 Savoury .. 95 First Born ..11 6 Silk Rein .. 90 The Curragh 10 3 Tarquin .... 9 0 Prince Rufus 10 3 Baldoyle .. 9 0 Eonmark .. 10 3

The Lamb .. 8 18 Araene Lupin 7 2 A vol a .. .. 8 10 V/ ee Sandy .. 7 0 Rehutai 8 0 Midnight Camp 7 0 Loved One .. 7 11 Fire Scare .. 7 0 Dodo .. .. 7 10 Ihahman Royal Bonus 7 0 Dactylus 7 8 0 Gowrie Maid 7 0 Lupass .. .. 7 0 Disappointment 7 4 ylTild Woodbine 7 0

Sir Rosebery 10 10 Kaforte .. . 9 2 San Forte . 10 9 Eldenholm 9 0 Prince Rufus 10 8 Uncle Dave . 9 0 Passin’ Thro’ 10 8 Tokomoana . 9 0 Lark Hall . 10 Galicia .. . 9 0 Te Toa 9 12 Sly Wink .. 0 Tuki .. .-i 9 9

Starland .. 11 9 Te Main- ..9 3 Khartoum ..10 7 Silent Dick ..9 0 Dick . . .. 10 7 Polthogue .. 9 0 Passin’ Thro’ 9 5 Te Toa .... 9 0 Peneton .. 9 3 Aotea Roa .. 9 0

Rational . 10 1 Crossfire .. 7 5 Hipo . 8 12 Ecuador 7 3 Income .. . 8 8 Amber Tips.. 6 13 Irapuka . 8 4 Roman .. . . 6 11 Civility .. . 8 3 Awake .. .. 6 9 L’Amour . 8 0 Hori .. .. 6 7 Kins Quin , 7 12 Peter Maxwell 6 7 Pouma .. . 7 7

McRAE memorial. (Of 350 sovs 1% mile*.)' Bonnetter 9 5 Sir Burnett .. 7 5 Marqueteur 9 3 Snatcher 6 12 Cold Steel . 8 13 Crucelle .. .. 6 7 Income .. . 8 11 Euchre .. .. 6 Stork .. . 8 4 Skylight .. 6 7

TAWHITI HACK. <0f 175 SOVM. 8% furlongs.)' Whetunui .. 8 13 Diernity .. . 7 Valencia.. ..8 8 Interest .. . Musical .. ..8 6 Miss Mickey. 7 2 Sensible ..8 4 Objector 0 John D ix ..7 9 Gold Peak . 7 0