Stratford Jubilee Handicap Will Be Principal Event At Taranaki Meeting Today

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 November 1949, Page 7

Stratford Jubilee Handicap Will Be Principal Event At Taranaki Meeting Today

(By “

“KESTREL”

Fifty years ago the Stratford Racing Club was founded in the central Taranaki town which has made steady progress with the years, and today the club will be celebrating its jubilee with an attractive card in which the Stratford Jubilee Handicap is the

principal event. That the chib’s policy of providing generous stakes for the occasion has met with approval is evident from the large acceptances, and it has been found necessary to make provision for divisions in two events, the Lowgarth Trial Stakes and the Budge Memorial Hack Handicap. The owner of the Stratford Jubilee Handicap winner will receive £675 and a silver teaset valued at £lOO, and the remainder of the £lOOO stakemoney will be divided among the other placed horses. This generous offering has resulted in an acceptance of 21 and these include several leading provincial handicappers, though it is likely that Tenor Royal may be at Levin. Robin’s Reward, top of the list with 9.5, has not raced since he won the Winter Oats at Trentham in July, but he is capable of making a bold bid for the honours. Miss Bairnsfather, second to Faultina last year, has proved herself capable of running out the distance, and her defeat at Bulls might not lose her ahy friends as she is capable of showing improvement. If Tenor Royal takes on this race he will have to be respected, especially if he is ridden in behind to enable him to make a finishing run. Having to make the pace beat him at Bulls. Avenger should be improved as a result of his recent racing and should do better than he did in the Rangitikei Cup. Yasda is on the improve but there are some lower down in the handicap who may be more forward. These include a visitor in Prince Chat, a winner at Rotorua and also successful on the Taranaki circuit last season. Titahi appreciates a heavy track, and as he may have benefited by his racing at Avondale he is capable of surprising. A three-year-old in Hit or Miss, winner of the Wanganui Guineas, should have a good chance under 7.5, and likely lightweights include Brookland, Beau Bijou, Mission and Silver Pal. In the absence of Tenor Royal support may be accorded Prince Chat, Miss Bairnsfather and Hit or Miss.

■ A feature of the field for the open I sprint, tlie Stewart Handicap, is the i presence at the top of the handicap , of Faultina, last year's winner of the I Stratford Handicap. The Defaulter I mare is required to concede weight I to Robin's Reward and Lord Manna, i In her present form she is capable of : doing that. Lord Manna has improved since he was given a working gallop in an interval between races at Waverley on Labour Day, and if he is to have a chance at Riccarton he must make a bold showing today. Like Robin’s Reward and Lord Manna, Travel King, Sly Ferry, Eireann and Bella Mia have not raced as yet this season, but Travel King is capable of running a good race fresh. A better prospect might be the Te Awamutu visitor Bustany, who has shown good form on the Auckland provincial circuit. Dallas also ran well at Waverley and should appeal to place bettors. Form suggests that Faultina should be favourite, but she will probably be well tested by Lord Mana and Bustany. Wanganui stables claim a strong representation in the Budge Memorial Hack, in which Waimanu, Red Ruler, The Pro, Spoil Sport and Swing Bridge will represent this centre. Red Ruler is in form and the roomy track and long straight should suit him admirably. Two scratchings would enable divisions to be avoided. The going may be easy after rain during the past couple of days, and favourites may include: — Spring Hurdles. —Redfort, Precious Metal, Night Charm. Lowgarth Trial Stakes.—First Division: Passtime, Judiciary. Second Division: Katydid, Foreign Mail. Pembroke Trial Stakes.—Pere Leon, Gay Touch, Amber Glow. Budge Memorial Hack.—Red Ruler, Condine, Inky. Stratford Jubilee Handicap.—Prince Chat, Miss Bairnsfather, Hit or Miss. Mahoe Hack Handicap.—Barlous, Diplomacy, Davilshar. Stewart Handicap.—Faultina, Bustany, Lord Manna. Robson Hack Handicap.—Marloch, Glide In, Passtime.