STRONG AWAPUNI TEAM FOR OTAKI

Chronicle (Levin), 3 October 1946, Page 6

STRONG AWAPUNI TEAM FOR OTAKI

Ko fewer than 32 Awapuni-traiued horses are booked to compete on the first day of the Otaki Maori Racing (Jlub 's spring meeting on Waturday, arni with this strong contingent the centre should be Avell to the f ore. Figuring in the field for the Kapiti Hack Hurdies are Greek Daucer, Ba;\ Robe, Theolateral, Kahuraponga andRockanui. Of these Greek Dancer has the best credentials and, after his decisive win at Marton recently, is likely: to carry most support. He is a reliablc fencer and has trained on the right way duriug the last eouple of weeks. Bay Robe is expected to be the improver. Although his jumping Avas a trifle uncertain, he shaped very creditably in his first attempt as a hurdler at Marton. He schooled very well on Tuesdax and has the advantage of having mort pace than his opponents. Theolaterai and Kahurappnga will be making theii first attempt over the battens, and oi this pair Kahuraponga has displayeci the most aptitude. It is in their favoui that they have been well schooled. fSince scoring an easy win at Carter ton last montli, Skilled has made headway and is undoubtedly a speedy customer, who may take some heading among the hack sprinters. Although he has not been seen out since last Easter, Tremello Avill have supporters from these quarters in the Katihiku Hack Handicap. Without being seriously tested, he has been infusing plenty of dash into his work during the last Aveek or two, and it is wortli remembering that he has shown his best form Avhile fresh. Tahli and Matawene are a pair oi middle-distance haclcs who have rece'nt form to commend them. HoAvever, thc former* is an unreliable customer and does n.ot alway^ reproduce his best. MataAvene is a rare plsdder and will be suited if the going is soft. She has rarelv loolced better than at present. Candidates for the principal event the Ling Memorial IStalces, are Financial and Hakim. TopAveight with 9.S. Financial is set a diffieult taslc againsl more seasoned ri\*als. The race at Marton did him a lot of good and he worked with all his old-time dash over a round on Tuesday morning, which augurs well> for his prospects this term. Hakim has not been required to do a great dea) since being recommissioned, but he loolcs in solid order and his chances cannot be dismissed if the going is soft. Notliing has been worlcing better in past Aveeks than Imperial, and the Ninth Duke gelding looks better than at any stage of his career. He is handilv placed among the open sprinters and is expected to have a strong folloAving. Langue d'Or, Specialist and Gay Stroller are also engaged in the Hema te Ao Handicap, but they are a trifle backward at this stage and will improve with racing. Local stables shelter some very promising novices and at this stage a pair wko look likely to soon graduate are Cincture and Lady Oratory, avIio figure in the First and Second Puhi Maiden respect-ively. Both were seen out at Marton, where thej* showed up quite promincntly. Glebeiiekl, Al'ton Watof

and Lackamor are otliers avIio are sIioav ing speed and they are also capable 01 giviug a good accounl of tlienis-elves.