New Zealand Cup Trial Is Thousand-Pound Race At Levin Meeting Today

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 November 1949, Page 7

New Zealand Cup Trial Is Thousand-Pound Race At Levin Meeting Today

Bv

“KESTREL."

Feature of the Levin Racing Club’s spring meeting today is the presence of several New Zealand Cup candidates in the principal event, the N.Z. Cup Trial, though the field falls short of that which lined up last year, when Robin’s Reward, Ascot Lad, Barrage and Beau Le Havre staged a brilliant finish in the order named.

Success in the N.Z. Cup Trial will entail a rehandicap for the big Riccarton two-mile race, but that would not adversely affect the chances of any of the seven engaged in both events, as Blue Seal is the only one who might be raised to the Bst. division if successful. Stake for the New Zealand Cup Trial is £lOOO, as was the case last year when it was known as the Levin Handicap, and the even nature of the field is evident from the fact that Imperial is topweight with 8.9, whereas twelve months ago Beau le Havre had to carry 10.0. Imperial has not regained his best form, but on his day he would be dangerous under 8.12. Wild Note has run some splendid races but the distance may be beyond the Wild Chase gelding. Tenor Royal will make more appeal, especially after his splendid display at Bulls last Saturday, when he made most of the pace to lead into the straight and then battled on for third. Tenor Royal should ~be improved by that race, and if he is started at Levin instead of Stratford he should be in the picture. At the Otaki spring meeting Blue Seal followed up a creditable second on the opening day with a sterling win on the second day. That was better form than he showed at Trentham, and probably provincial handicap company is what he prefers. Leyma has run his best races in company which has been a little below the best, such as he will meet today. and he is likely to be one of the well-backed candidates. Avenger is likely to fulfil his engagement at Stratford, and Blank Cheque might be better suited over the sprint courses which he has favoured in the past. Merry Robin was not disgraced at Trentham, and as he beat all but Faultina in the Rangitikei Cup he must be accorded a good chance at Levin. As a three-year-old well up to the average The Laird might have a good chance, but the distance appears a little beyond him at present. Belle Anita’s win at Hastings draws attention to her prospects, and Bhutan showed promise when he won in

hack company at Otaki. Probably Tenor Royal, Blue Seal and Belle Anita will be well supported. Of the field of eleven engaged in the open sprint, the McDonald Memorial, Barrage appears to be the only one not suited by the shorter distance. He has been off the scene for a time. On the same mark, 8.10, is His Nibs, impressive winner of two sprint events at Trentham. This three-year-old has shown his class, and the chances are that he will be the elect of backers today. Zealander showed at Otaki recently that he is in good form, and Air Belle should have a good chance fresh up, for she appreciates this turning track. Castlebrae is a sprinter with strong credentials if he could be produced at his best. . Sweet Spray won impressively at Hastings and has a good pull in the weights, and Malanui has shown a lot of speed. Deseado has had only a couple of races this season but he showed at Bulls last Saturday that he has plenty of speed and sticks on well. Moreover, he will have the services of W. J. Broughton. Destination may be best of the remainder, but the chances of Deseado, His Nibs and Sweet Spray may make most appeal. There is plenty of recent form as a guide for the supporting events, and with a firm track the following may be in request: — Highweight Handicap. —Playtos, Result, Balcherrie. Maiden Race—First Division: Parker, Lady Viv. Second Division: Good Record, His Lordship. Weraroa Hack Handicap.—First Division: Statesman, Clever Boy. Second Division: Autocrat, Jolly Sailor. N.Z. Cup Trial—Tenor Royal, Blue Seal, Belle Anita. Mako Mako Hack Handicap.—First Division: Cyclops, Infinity. Second Division: Lady Ella, Offender. Champion Hack Handicap.—Ranginui, Terrific, Chief Officer. McDonald Memorial.—Deseado, His Nibs, Sweet Spray. Hokio Hack Handicap.—First Division: Bulos, Donbino. Second Division: Lais, Recess.