Soneri's W.F.A. Prospects

Chronicle (Levin), 29 November 1946, Page 7

Soneri's W.F.A. Prospects

L.M.

,M.)

( SPECIAL — FROM

WELLINGTON, This Day. The second of the three days' fixture of the Canterbury Jockey Club's Cup meeting tvill be held tomorrow at Riccarton when the three principal events on the programnie will be thc New Zealand Oaks Stakes, and the Metropolitan and Jockey Club Handicaps. The Metropolitan Handicap distance will be more to the liking of Longsword, who came through his Cup effort bright and well. He is reported to be particularly fit for his mission tomorrow, and with a better passage than he endured in the Cup Longsword should be particularly hard to beat. Stiffest opposition can be expected to come f rom Langue d'Or, Thornbridge and Signal Officer.

The mile journey , of the Jockey Club Handicap will suit Leigh Barton to a nicety, and he should go out a firm favourite. Others in the field with excellent prospects are Verdant, Dymondy, Double Cross and the smart Red Pickle. Had Leigh Barton got an opening on the rails in the Scewards' Handicap last Saturday two furlongs from home he undoubtedly would have been in a place. The problem. that has racing men thinking at present is whether Soneri can hoid Golden Souvenit at weight-for-age in the Churchill Stakes. Many are of the opinion that the Otaki - trained mare can hoid her own over the distance, as she proved in the Harcourt Stakes. However, southerners hoid the view that. >*:he is going to meet her match in Golden Souvenir tomorrow. So the battle of wits goes on. As to which is the better at weight-for-age remains to be seen, but I am inelined to the view that Soneri will have the edge on the soutlierner. Both the Woodville and Avondale Clubs will open their spring meetings tomorrow. Excellent fie'as are engaged at both fixtures. Win and place betting will operate at tomorrow's three .meetings, prospects for which are as follows :