THE OAMARU MEETING

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24901, 14 June 1946, Page 4

THE OAMARU MEETING

RACING

THING A PROSRECT IN WINTER CUP The Oamaru Jockey Club’s winter meeting will be held at Oamaru to-morrow. With two exceptions, the fields will be of a handy size. In the two trotting events divisions may be necessary, as the number of starters off scratch in each event exceeds the safety number. The principal event, the Oamaru Winter Cup Handicap, has not drawn a field strong in quality; but several of the candidates have recent form to recommend them. The top-weight. Silver Mask, may be troubled by his weight of 9-0. He is meeting Tring at about the same difference in weights as he did when he won the Wingatui Handicap at Wingatui in March, and the higher scale of weights may be in Tring’s favour. Tring has been a long time finding his form this season, but his placed efforts on the second and third days at Wingatui showed him to be just about at his best. He has never been a reliable performer, but he may be able to win against the opposition offering. Hunting Charm is racing solidly at present, and his third in the Birthday Handicap on the first day at Wingatui was a sound effort. He finished well up on the next two days, and with the better performers absent, he may trouble Tring It will be interesting to see what effect hurdling has had on Sphere. At his best Sphere is a class above the field, but recently he has 'not reproduced the form he showed when he won the Islington Handicap at the last Grand National meeting at Riccarton. If hurdling has made Sphere more solid he will be a possibility. Lord Dundonald has shown no form of late, and Pencarrow, Belle Leonne, and Lost Art, recent graduates to open company, showed staying form among the hacks. Lost Art is a good beginner, and the course may favour him. Alpine, Falconbridge, and Trench Law have no form to recommend them in this company, and the most strongly supported candidates may be Tring, Hunting Charm, and Lost Art. Once again an open sprint has drawn a weak field, and of the six acceptors, Night Fighter is also engaged in a hack race. Grand Forest is at the head of the handicap, but he has done nothing recently to justify his position. He has won three races this season, but his form tn the last few months has ‘been a long- way below his best After his convincing win in the Empire Handicap at Wingatui, Money Bird looks to have an opportunity to add to his record. The strongest opposition may come from Montezuma, which disappointed at her last start at Timaru. In such a small field she has an excellent chance. Nurmis and Powys both have spaed without being solid with it. Another disapopinting field will parade in the Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase. The country is light, being little more difficult than brush hurdles. This will suit all the runners, as only Bravura and Prince Dolomite have previously been placed in a steeplechase race. These two may be seen to advantage in this race. The only runner that looks capable of springing a surprise ig King Canute, for he has probably been well schooled at home. However, in such a weak field anything might happen. The following riding engagements have been made:—H. Ford, Lost Art, Night Fighter, Juriste, Douglas Haig; K. Thomson, Prince Dolomite: R. Hawes, Bravura; C. McDonald, Belle Leonne, Trueway. Montezuma, Royal Vestments; G. Hampton, Falconbridge, Kyron, Finalist; C Stokes, Foreign Ways; A. Stokes, Silver Mask, Lady Coolbane; C. T- Wilson, Pencarrow, Denary; K. Nuttall, Altruist; D. Stove, All Quality, Rockery; W F. Ellis, Sphere, Depth Charge. Betting will be on the win and place system, and the following horses may be favoured;— Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase.—Bravura, Prince Dolomite. Trial Handicap.—Beechwood, Frances, Foreign Ways. Oamaru Trotting Handicap.—Scholarship, Mountain Hall, Hardy Annual. Oamaru Winter Cup.—Tring, Hunting Charm, Lost Art . Burnside Hack Handicap.—Denary. Finalist. Depth Chargg. "X Grange Handicap.—Money Bird. Montezuma. Waikaura T?ot Handicap.—Sandy’s Comet, Sir Hall, Emondale. Farewell Hack Handicap.—Burnbrae, Knight Crusader, Velvet Slipper.