PRELUDES TO CUP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 271, 16 November 1945, Page 7

PRELUDES TO CUP

LEVIN AND MOTUKARARA

CHANCES FOR CANDIDATES FOR RICCARTON Of the 28 horses remaining in the New Zealand Cup, a strong array will be seen in action to-morrow, seven being engaged in the Levin Handicap at Otaki, and nine in the J. F. Buchanan Memorial at the Banks Peninsula meeting. Because the Levin Handicap is over a mile and a-half, whereas the southern event is restricted to a mile and a-quarter, the northern contingent should be furnished with the better test. Unfortunately, the Otaki track differs materially from the severe testing ground of Riccarton. Two years ago Battledress won the Levin Handicap with 8.11, but he was unplaced with the same poundage in the Cup race at the C.J.C. fixture. However, he did not return unrewarded, for his second to Kindergarten in the Canterbury Cup brought to hi s owner a stake of £250. In the closing stages of the tenm the Posterity gelding won the Egmont Cup and W.R.C. Autumn Handicap, carrying 8.9 over the mile and a-half journey at Trentham. Last season he failed repeatedly, but his slump in form has not brought any material relief, for he has 9.0 at Otaki on the Saturday and 8.4 in the New Zealand Cup. * ♦ ♦ *

In the Levin Handicap of two years ago the bracketed pair Gladynev and Don Quex followed Battledress home, but in the New Zealand Cup Don Quex ran the best race to go very close to winning, it being cnly in the last stride or two that he was overtaken. It was a thrilling finish and the judge found for Classform with Representative ahead of Don Quex and Palfrey, the quartet being practically in line. Last year Typhoon won nicely from Lowry Bay and Don Quex at the Levin meeting, but the Defoe gelding did not contest the New Zealand Cup. He ran in t he Riccarton Handicap, but was backing out when the tapes were lifted and was badly left. On the second day he contested the Metropolitan Handicap when, under difficulties—his bridle had come adrift—he dead-heated with First In.

Of the New Zealand Cup candidates who went to the post for the Levin Handicap last year, Lowry Bay showed the greatest consistency by following ud his second to Typhoon at Otaki by filling the same placing tu Kevin at Riccarton. There were only three Cup runners at the Levin gathering last year, and Langue d’Or, who had finished out of the money, Improved to take fourth place at Riccarton when enjoying a relief of 51b. The other candidate, Rink, failed, but he had substantial poundages in each Instance.

Although the candidates for the Stewards’ who are down to run at Motukarara will be racing over seven furlongs to-morrow, there is not any material difference in their poundages to what they will carry at Riccarton; indeed, Pensacola is the only one who drops more than 11b. Lord Advocate and Deprive have the same poundage, 7.7, in each instance, but the handicapper, who acts for both clubs, appiarently expects Whitley to run better over the six-furlong course at Riccarton than over the extra furlong at Motukarara, for this candidate has 7.1 to-morrow as compared with 7.2 a week later. Whitlev is a brilliant customer, even if he does not hang on 100 well, but he should run a merry seven furlongs to-morrow if allowed to make his own rules. * * ♦ • ♦ N. B. Holland, who piloted five winners and one second in seven rides at the Waver! ey meeting on Labour Day; has been engaged to ride Black Plato, Drambuie, General Salevo Greek Chief, Dymondy and Tidefoe at the Levin meeting at Otaki to-morrow. From OtakL Holland will go to Riccarton for the New Zealand Cup meeting, where he is engaged to ride Fortune’s Smile in the New Zealand Cup, Sweet Biscuit in the Stewards’ Handicap, and Gaystock.

One of the most impressive wins at Ellerslie last week was that of the three-year-old Forbridge gelding Kerry Lad. He was always in the first four and actually was in front after passing the half-mile post. From this point it was a case of follow the leader, for Kerry Lad could have won by more than his three-lengths margin had his rider wished. The way he hung on at the end of the eleven furlongs trip was impressive. This half-brother to Babrow iq engaged in the Great Northern Der4sy. * * * *

The clash with New Zeasand Cup day is reflected in the nominations received by the Woodville Jockey Club for its meeting on November 24, as compared with second-day entries on December 8. In the Bolton Handicap on the first day there were fourteen entries, as against 24 for the Gothard Handicap on <he second day. Only a dozen were entered for the first-day Nursery Handicap, compared with 21 in the Juvenile Handicap on December 8. In the ten-furlong Whariti Handicap on the first dav 20 were entered, but in the corresponding event on the second day there were 37.

With‘the full restoration of racing dates and the continued upward trend in stake money, there will be even keener interest taken in the national yearling sales at Trentham next January, and prices promise to reflect the further improvement in the racing outlook. In all there will be yearlings in the catalogue, comprising 206 colts and 163 fillies, and 66 sires will be represented. On the final day of the sales thoroughbred horses, tried and untried, together with brood mares, will he offered, and the sales will extend over four days, January 18, 21, 23, and 25.

K. Chote will ride Singing Hills, Lord Coronach and Kilarney Boy at the Levin meeting to-morrow. Chote leaves for Riccarton early next week to ride Singing Hills in the New Zealand Cup. Though he falls short of top class, Lord Theio has built up a useful record as a sprinter at provincial meetings, and his success in the Victory Handicap at Hastings last Saturday week broii-’ht hi; stake earnings to date to £l4BO. lb* is in his third season of racing. Lord Theio had live starts as a two-year-old, running third ?.i the Welle',';.,. Slakes al Trentham and filling similar nk'eing in tin* Tajnuhere Si.ikc,- al Te Rapa. Lad • ;>n 1 .or I Tht'i i started 18 limes for five wins and two minor p icings, his lal-f* e--w a dr.'; fo’’ that term bung '-'■‘/i. s.»:i Im w : I'oaten half a. head bv Tlie.'l.t! •:;il al Ik’-iin"- in All"'. < ( » , O’. * ’ i . ’! V.‘ n ’W'i. A a i al I! ■ Umgs li - ■ I ! g •’ '.mbor I- hm he '• :i • 1- ■! i- I ->r,| c .■■ ■ n ’) j « t|p l.’lv ■ !’ ■ : - «. i O ' ■ ’m. ' - o-".' • • .... | ;'/'. bv All Dl.uk from Scotia.