MUNICIPAL HANDICAP

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 76, Issue 7, 26 May 1944, Page 5

MUNICIPAL HANDICAP

BOROUGH COUNCIL STAKES LAST MINUTE' REVIEW Track notes by 'Rail Sitter.' The acceptors for the Borough • Council Stakes completed their final training on the Apanui track this • morning and some very smart gallops were witnessed by the Rail Sitter. Tall Timber and Leaky Tap were first out and galloped together over a mile, Tall Timber having the best of the finish. Both horses arc very fit and should have no trouble in the big race. Tall Timber is a class , liorse and relishes work, and has previously won in stronger company. In spite of his heavy weight he should smother the field on Saturday. Auctioneer appeared to be a trifle sore and was given only light exercise, but his trainer likes his chance « on Saturday expecially if the track as on the soft side. Paper Pulp and Theodolite from Eraser's stable galloped together over six furlongs, Paper Pulp just shading Theodolite at the post. The "time, was fairly slow, and both Shorses appeared to be 'in need of an- - other race or two. Heraldry and Little River ran a smart mile with Heraldry doing best. {Little' River lias also been given i fieavy work in the sand at the. Heads. The light weights Harris Tweed And Tin Tack went together over 'live furlongs, both horses giving a : sound exhibition, but Harris Tweed looked to be galloping freer than liis companion. Lawful carrying a heavy ay eight -went over six furlongs, Avith Automobile and ran home a Avinner by two lengths, quite a good effort, but did not appear to relish liis work and should do better on Saturday. Electricity and Cricket. Bat ran • out a smart five furlongs Avith northing betAveen them at the finish, but there is a bit of doubt about their staying ability - over a longer v . journey. Radio Call and Spilt Ink Avere the last to Avork and did a smart five. Radio Call did best by half a length, . and appeared to be the best of the light weights. Radio Call is a very free mover and should do Avell over .any distance up to a mile and a half. Summing up, the major placings in the big race may be: Tall Timber, Leaky Tap, Heraldry, Radio 'Call, Harris Tweed, Lawful, Auctioneer, Little River, and Automobile Avith the rest of the. field well •bunched.

THE HOSPITAL PLATE 3FURTHER IMPRESSIVE LINE UP Another interesting contest on the electoral horizon is the Hospital Plate for which a field of thirteen (Irishman's luck) will breast the barrier on Saturday. This highly assessed event has brought out some of the finest -blood in the N.Z.F.U. stables and should be worthy of the closest fan The race has been split! into two divisions one coinposed of the "Qle Greys" in iwhibh Len Battle is prominent and 1 has ! many fancies,, and the other comprising a number of young colts recently seasoned under the influence of the D.P.A. treatment and turned 1 out in fighting fettle by Union stables along t:he lines of that great performer, The Taneatua Wonder. In order to. assist the racing pubHie, each division will carry distinctive colours, which strangely enough will not in any respect resemble the well known red-tape of the Amalgamated Stable Owners Messrs Nordmeyer and Company, Unlimited, Wellington. Looming largely in the Union team is Intestinal Fortitude a strongly built sprinter and stayer, though he -objects to the. pace set by the rate committee, and is inclined to play up at the tapes. His chances are sound as he has many backers. Len Battle is of another tempera* ment entirely, and though of gentle docile appearance, is a sticker and likes the mud. He can be depended upon to< give a good account of himself. Veteran from the Matata sub■stables sports Union silk and it whispered has a strong county following which will give him that extra spurt which delights the. onlookers. Another promising colt is Our Bob, who was seen recently undergoing training and of special diet in strange stables. In spite •of this handicap his action remained free and easy. We arc pleased to note- the nomination of that fine performing filly 'The Only Rose who is exercising well and should be a great asset to the; First Division. (Continued in next column)

A newcomer lo the tracks is Wa'iraana Chee.se, a colt with a good background and should race well,. With him is bracketed Councillor who for many years has brought honours to the Taneatua stables which he has represented for neigh on eight years. In the Old Greys team we have a further sprinter in Tuhoe, whose performances have been sound though his patrons have been divided. Strongly boned his work should be well worth watching. His stable mates The Infant and Edgecumbc Lad have also been undergoing intensive' training and should .sprint well. Two further candidates in the Union Division are President and Otakiri John both of whom have responded well to reversed currycombing by National Security and are now in fighting trim, i\'ady for the day. Awakcri fan.s will watch the progress of Alan B who bars no holts when it comes to neck and neck finishes. His style i.s polished and he has a free lope which is hard to imitate. There can be. no doubt of the growing public interest in the great event, and with all the equines in comparative first class fettle and with so much depending on its outcome, the racing public can be assured of a splendid finish.