GOOD CONTEST EXPECTED

Chronicle (Levin), 20 March 1946, Page 6

GOOD CONTEST EXPECTED

What promises to be oue oi Ihe most inleresi uig coiitests at the forthconxing Manawata Racing Club's Autumn nleeling. the -Manawata fSires' Produce (Stakes has, al'ter forfeits, drawn a particuiarly Jine iield oi juveniles. Run over seveu furlongs at Jixed weights, with pemiitios and allowances, this two-vear-old classic was institutcd in IDUs) and sincc its inceptiim the names of sucli great performers as Desert Gold, Limerick, Estland, Pinniark, Delaulter, .Smoke Eerecn, Lady Cavendish and M otley ligure down the list of winners. Up to 1920 the race was run over six furlongs, but the following year the distance was mcreased to seven furlongs. The present record for -that distance is lield by Premature, who established the new iigures of 1.25 4-5 in J!) 41. Although the top ranking youngstcrs are niissing from next fcJaturday's conlest, t'here are several engaged with very good form to commend them, while the' addition of likely improvers will add greatly to the interest of the race. The Stratford representative, Robin 's 11c. ward, has earned a 51b. penaltv as a result of his four successes this term. Although unplaced in the Taranaki Stakes recontly, he improved sufficiently by that race to outclass the juveniles :it Stratford last week, and his record of impressive wins so far this season has stamped him as a colt above the avorage. Shining Ring made an auspicious debut in tho earlv spring by spreadeagding the field in the Hastings Stakes, after which she lost form. However, after a spell she came back with a stylish wiu at Masterton at the beginning of the month, and then went on to reveal her lrrilliance at Trentham, where she wa? narrowl.v and unluckilv defeated by Blue Tie in the Plunket Nursery Handicap. She will also carry a 51b. penaltv and, providing she has taken no harm from her recent racing is likely to offer the strongest opposition to Ihe colts. Following on an impressive debut at Woodville last month, the -Awapunitrained Tribute went on to gain even more friends at Trentham, even though the best he could do was to gain third last Saturda.v. Hrilueky. ennugh to be drawn near Ihe extreme outside at the haiTier onveach oecasion, he displaved great speed and gameness to be alwavs .in tlie firing Hue. His full-sisteij Sub-^

dued, won this event 111 1944, and the Kingmaster colt is expected to go close to omulating her performance. His owner, Mr. (1. M. Currie, has a line record in connection with this race having brod and owned the. winner on no less than eight occasions. Malanui and Zealander are two Trentham engaged candidates who have winning form, and the latter, bred as he is, is expected to develop into a topnotclier. He failed to reveal his true form in the Challenge Stakes at Trentham, although he firiished a creditable lifth. A much better showing is expected of him this week.

Flving Robin, also a .winner, was produced on the first day at Trentham, but iuterference early in the race cost liim his chance. Good judges liokl a very high opinion of the Robin Goodfellow colt, who is reported to be one of the most improved youngsters trained at Trentham. Patunui showed her abilitv at Woodville last month by easily defeating the juveniles opposed to her. She was produced again 011 the same eourse at the beginning of the month, but her ehances Avere spoilt by a bad start. The daughter of Coronaeh is a most attractive filly and big things can be expected of her. A boom has surrounded Prince Fox" for some time, and his solid backing at Trentham suggests that he has re vealed some outstanding ability ih private. He did not get a good run in either of his engagements, but on the second day was noticod finishing verv solidlv into fifth. Tn a smaller field and over an extra furlong, he may be quite capable of opening his Avinning account on Saturday. With Sea Fury, Perfect Peac-e and Gay Tide also inchided-in the field, a fine race seems assured and the favoured trio may be Tribute, Robin 's Re ward and Shining Ring.