CROFTON HANDICAP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 8, 10 January 1946, Page 6

CROFTON HANDICAP

GOOD FIELDS AT MARTON ON SATURDAY

With a Held of twenty down to contest the Crofton Handicap, principal event for the concluding day of the 'Marton Jockey Club’s summer-meet-ing. the club is in the position of ofiering the largest field to contest a piovincial handicap during the holiday racing period. One of the factors contributing to this is the absence of any clash with other North Island fixtures. In the case of the New Year meetings especially, handicap fields suffered somewhat through the many meetings being held at various centres.

A clash of form appears inevitable at Marton, though the quality is a title btiow that ruling at some of the more important provincial fixtures. With the topweights, Typhoon, Financial, Alethea, Langue d’Or, and Rink, dropping out. Black Plato is left at the head of the acceptors.,The Plato gelding did his racing on the Taranaki circuit, starting four times and being in the money on three octagons. He was third to Sunblaze and Fort Royal in the Christmas Handicap at New Plymouth on Boxing Day, conceding them 101 b. and 221 b., respectively. On the second day he was fifth, and then/came on to Stratford to run third, with 8.10, to Fort Royal (7.51 and Sunblaze (8.9). On lhe concluding day of the Stratford meeting he carried 8.11 to dead-heat with Grey Salute for third place, behind Sunblaze and Dink’s Own. His form was consistent and a win would be as well received as it. would be well earned. Duality is on the same mark as Elack Plato. He has failed to go on with the winning vein he struck in the lale spring, the last of his successes being in the Rangitikei Cup at Bulls, on December 1, when he might not have been first or second but for the accident to Don Mac and Kaitoa. He would have to show marked improvement to have a chance on Saturday. Broiefield ran in the Grandstand Handicap (li miles) on the first day at Awapuni, finishing fourth, and on the final day was sixth in the Freyberg Handicap. He did not run in tne Marton Cup but was third in a close finish in the Aidworth Stakes. Last Saturday at. Bulls he shared the honours with Voltaire in the Rangitikei Handicap, carrying 7.7, as did Voltaire. On Saturday, Broiefield meets the latter at 31b. worse terms, and on form at Bulls he may have strike his colours,

Flying Ace, at 8.1, is an interesting entrant. On the middle day at Awapuni he scored a narrow win over Battle Dance in the nine-furlong Kelvin Handicap, and on the final day was easily beaten by Battle Dance’s stablemate, Tavern Light, in the Christmas Handicap, over the same, distance. He was the only runner in the Marton Cup able to challenge Saludos at the finish. In his next start, in the Rangitikei Handicap at Bulls on Saturday, he was installed favourite and was never further back than fourth till they reached the half-mile, after which he appeared to strike trouble. He may carry his record further if he gets a decent run on Saturday. Fortune’s Smile is a Waikato visitor whose form has been rather disappointing, for he ran two indifferent races at Marton, though he was fourth in the Rangitikei Handicap last Saturday. Voltaire appears to have come back to form, for he finished resolutelyin the Rangitikei Handicap after an interrupted passage and secured a deadheat with Broiefield, whom he meets on 31b. better terms.

Keen Play was unable to secure a placing during the holiday racing on the Taianaki circuit and appears to have had his day.

Dileas has had a let-up since disappointing his connections at Riccarton, and he mav be found running a good race when fresh. Kuri was favourite in the Christmas Handicap (nine furlongs) on the final day at Awapuni but could noi get nearer than seventh. He generally runs an honest race and must be respected, though he meets Flying Ace (second) on 11b. worse terms.

Colonel Vaals did not impress at Mai ton, where Phoenix was not produced. Abdicate ran well enough in lughweight races to suggest that he would have a good chance on the minimum, and as his owner also had Tavern Light, and Battle Dance in the preference for Abdicate is a good pointer.

Beneve w ill be tackling better company than he has yet been able to beat. Gayanne (also in the sprint) can be relied on for an honest effort if started, and others with prospects on the minimum are the promoted hack Severity, Stony Broke and Bay Robe.

Backers will probably look to the top half of the handicap for placel etters, and they mav show’ a preference for Voltaire, Flying Ace, Black Plato, and Broiefield.