DUMBARTON FANCIED AT ELLERSLIE

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1946, Page 2

DUMBARTON FANCIED AT ELLERSLIE

TAKAPUNA HANDICAP HAS BIG FIELD

(Special) Auckland, Nov. 7. There does not appear to be much doubt as to what will start favourite in the ten-furlong Takapuna Handicap at Ellerslie on Saturday, for the topweight, Dumbarton, has thoroughly earned that honour. He is a big hack and the longer journey will give him time to settle down. The field is a large one, three over the safety number, but if it. is divided that will suit Dumbarton better. In his four starts this spring the Balloch colt has won once and run three seconds on end.

Among the opponents for Dumbarton in the Takapuna Handicap are the i Whangarei winners Ostentatious, I Francis Mond and Beb, and if they [are improved by their outings in the north they’ may come into the reckoning. The best of this trio may be Ostentatious, but for all that he may be a bit close to Dumbarton. Francis Mond was consistent at Whangarei and he may be a prospect on Saturday. Beb is an improving hack that may be good enough to earn a place.

When Frontier Mac, Dumbarton, Topical and Bonny March went over the line locked together in the Hobson Handicap at Ellerslie three weeks ago there was not a length separating the quartet: the photo-chart proved that. On that performance there must be a strong recommendation for Bonny March in the Melrose Handicap on Saturday, for the Cambria Park filly is evidently coming right with racing. The three-year-old Ray’s Pal continues to wor)< along nicely at headquarters, and he is going to be well supported in the open sprint on Saturday. He had his first race as a three-year-old at Thames some weeks ago. showing a lot of nace, and he repeated this run at Ellerslie three weeks back, when he was the pacemaker to the distance in the Epsom Handicap. He should be forward enough now to run out the six furlongs under 7.2. Two good horses in Hot Pursuit and Swift Quarry head the list in the Ponui Handicap, the open mfle, at Ellerslie on Saturday. The former, after his showing in the Mitchelson Cup, will not lack friends with all his weight. Swift Quarry has not raced for some time and this run will sharpen him up for his engagement in the Waikato Cun next week. Our Bridge and White B’aze mav be hard to beat in the Ponui Handicap. SEVERAL SPEEDY HACKS There will be some speed on in the divisions in the Melrose Handicap, the opening event at Ellerslie on Saturday. One of those likely to get to the front early is Venturous, who races in the same co’ours as Verdant and Chung Chong He spreadeagled a maiden field at Thames some weeks ago and has not raced in the interim, but he may be hard to beat. here. Yusuf was second to last to leave the barrier in his maiden race thb first dav at Whangarei. and vet he finished right un in second place to Light Opera. When the latter filly won again, under difficulties, on the second day. it made Yusuf’s form out to be good. Consequently the big chestnut was made a warm favourite f- thp Kauri Handicap. In this event he was much better nlaced than on the opening day. but the best he could do was fourth. Beau Devoir, who is on the up-grade, won this race. These two horses may meet again in the Melrose Handicap.