FORM AT AWAPUNI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 215, 10 September 1940, Page 12

FORM AT AWAPUNI.

WANGANUI MEETING. TETRATINA VERY SPEEDY. SIR BEAU'S PERFORMANCE. WAXGAXUI, Monday. Tlie Wanganui .Toekey Club .will probrobly show a substantia] profit as a result of the spring meeting held at Awapuni. As the Wanganui course is likely to oe occupied 'by the military Tor a. loiijr peiiod, the chances are that the club will have to hold its autumn and winter meetings elsewhere. In spite of petrol restrictions, many Wanganui enthusiasts Journeyed to Awapuni on Thursday and Saturday, while the attendance of Manawatu and Hawke's Bay racegoers was larger than is usually experienced at a Wanganui meeting. It is expected that the gate receipts will show an increase of over £500 over last year's figures, and the totalisator returns were substantially higher, the total increase being £ 17.473. In addition, nominations a'nd acceptances also accounted for a substantia: increase, so that the circumstances which compelled the club to race at Awapuni appear to have been a blessing in disguise irom a Ouancla! point of view. Smoke Screen carried 121b extra on Saturday for his win on the first day. but this did not •stop him from scoring again for Mr. Russell Grace. The Llmond gelding jumped better than on Thursday, but lost ground at a couple of obstacles, and it was only his pace on the flat which enabled him to beat Son and Heir. It was a good performance, however, on the part of Smoke Screen to win the double, and It was especially pleasing that he came through his racing well. He will only need to jump reasonably well to win more important hurdle races beiore the season is far advanced. Tetratina. the winner of the Debutante Stakes, is a racy looking youngster by Theio out of Squeeze, and is the first of her sire's progeny to race. Although in recent years the winners of the Debutante Stakes have mostly failed later on. this filly promises to go on to batter things, as she is very speedy and should make her mark in sprint rares. Tetratina is not engaged in the Avondale Stakes, but three others who made their debut on Saturday are likely to be seen out next Saturday, including Colombo Bay, Soutane and Fleche d'Or. The first-named is a filly bv Phaleron Bay—Columba. and is trained by G. New. She finished third, and is likely to show considerable improvement in the near future. Greek Step, the runner-up to Tetratina. is a very promising filly by The Greek—Weatherstep. Some good races should come her way later on, as she is of the solid type. Mr. G. M. Currie was represented In the Debutante Stakes by Premature, a brown filly by Posterity—impetuous. Like several others In the big field, she did not get a chance to show of her best, but If appearances and track work can be relied up Premature will be heard of later on. Backed as a moral. Sir Beau won the Guineas ior Mr. Isaac Lupton, of Waverley. but it was not altogether a convincing victory. The Beau Pere colt led into the straight, but instead of going away as his supporters expected him to do for an easy win, he had to be ridden to hold off a challenge from Enrich, who got his nose in front inside the distance, and backers of the favourite had an anxious moment or two. However, Sir Beau was having his first race this term, and many ot the best three-year-olds of the past have failed in such circumstances. Then again, he has always floundered about in soft going such as prevailed on Saturday, and In winning he bent a good one in Enrich, who had the advantage of having had a race. , H .l d A , rcas Deen all °*ed to run along in front in the Higgle Handicap instead of being steadied, the Hunting Song gelding might have followed up his first day's win instead of being narrowly beaten by Lady Montana. Areas can be ticked off as a likely winner of some important handicap events this spring. The form shown by sly Fox at Awapuni suggests that he will be hard to beat in the Avonoale Cup. as he will be Improved by his racing last week. Don Quex ran two good races at Awapuni for a second and first, and this much improved hack is not without prospects in the Swanson Handicap at Avondale. Taurangl made her reappearance after a long rpell on Saturday, when she finished fast to get third in the sprint event. The Beau Pere mare should be greatly benefited by that outing, and Trentham next month is likely to see her back' to her best. As the Waverley racecourse is being occupied °Y <- ne , military, the Labour Day meeting of that club will probably be held at Hawera.