CORONAIRE'S CHANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 302, 22 December 1945, Page 7

CORONAIRE'S CHANCE

CHRISTMAS HANDICAP AT ELLERSLIE

(Special) Auckland, Dec. 21. Now that Exeter has been taken out of the Christmas Handicap, Coronaire may be the right horse in this event. When last he ran in a mile at headquarters this chestnut spreadeagled his field, so a repetition would not be surprising. Coronaire failed when tried over ten furlongs a week after that success, but then this contest was run at a muddling pace. Included among the older hacks engaged in the Queen’s Plate are Brown Night, Colonel Dink, Kindroon and South Riding. All four are good stayers and likely winners at the coming holiday meeting at headquarters. In the case of Brown Night and South Riding—the latter particularly—speed as much as stamina will be required on Boxing Day, for the Queen’s Plate has proved in the past to b(i a mile sprint. Kindroon, placed in open sprints twice at the last Auckland fixture, may be the best of this quartet. He should win at the meeting for his new owner. CONSISTENT PERFORMER A most consistent performer during liie spring meetings was Peggy O, whose next outing will be in tne first division of the Robinson Handicap at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. She reappeared alter a short spell this month, at Te Rapa where she was out of the money, but the race will benefit her. In her five runs this season she has scored two seconds <}nd a third.

Take-a-Lot, who will be ridden in the first division of the Robinson Hand cap by H. Wiggins, continues io gallop attractively at headquarters and he should be in the money in his Ellerslie engagements. His two outings this season have resulted in a third and a second, so another step up the ladder will be appreciated by backers of this three-year-old. This advance may be forthcoming next week.

In his last start, at the recent Auckland meeting, Steppeland was made a big favourite for the seven furlongs hack event, but unfortunately he was hopelessly left at the post. His two preceding starts had resulted in . a third and a second and this form indicated that he would be hard to beat next up. Steppeland is to contest the Queen’s Plate on Wednesday next and the high class in this special-weight mile will be a real test for him.

Three-year-olds have enjoyed a great run of success in the Queen’s Plate, although good older hacks have been able to hold their own when the younger division was not too strongly represented. Two local horses of three years with prospects are Ruling Master and Honora, who will be coupled on the totalisator. The latter impressed by the manner in which she finished at tne last Auckland meeting, running Zulu Boy to a head under difficulties. SPEEDY FILLY’S CHANCE

Once again that smart filly Bronya will have to be recommended to backers for her coming engagement in the second division oi the hack event at Ellerslie on Auckland Cup Day. She was taken out of the Railway Handicap at acceptance time, not because she had no chance, but because she was rather unreliable at the barrier. An additional reason was that her trainer had four others in. At the recent Auckland meeting she gave the whole field a good start and then finished third, a remarkable performance. If she gets away next Wednesday she should win, for she has a real torrent of speed. The promising gallopers Majesty and Super Vaals, engaged in the Foal Stakes on Boxing Day, are also in the two-year-old handicap event, the Nursing Handicap, and they will both be at very short prices if they are reserved lor the minor event. However, it will be surprising if they miss the classic race. With this pair absent the way may be paved for Mindora, who at his last start at headquarters ran second to the smart filly Regal Praise.

It appears as if Diamond King will lead the Grafton Hurdles field a merry aance at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, for at his last appearance there he gave a very dashing display to outpace from the start and to outjump Corsac and company. The going ought to be good, so it will not be this fact that will prevent Diamond King from extending his record of three starts in hurdle races for three wins. A likely improver among his opponents may be Lucky Alex, who schooled brilliantly this week.