Continued Fine Weather Leaves Track Hard

Chronicle (Levin), 7 March 1947, Page 6

Continued Fine Weather Leaves Track Hard

L.M

:.M.)

Review of Week-end Racing

(SPECIAL — FROM

WELLINGTON, This Day. Fields of excellent size — not too large or small — are carded. for the opening day of the Wellington Racing Club's autumn . meeting at Trentham tomorrow. The weather has been hne ' and warm for the past two weeks and as a.result the track is very firm— so much so that some trainers are hoping for sufficient rain to take the sting out of the ground. If present conditions continue several horses will be affected and the scratching pen will more than likely be busy tomorrow. One horse particularly affected is Da Vinci, a warm favourite for the Railway Handicap.

Although burdcned with the solid impost of 9.11 Bruce- is a firm favourite for the Autumn Handicap. There is also solid support for Broiefield, Ajrco, Cari>forth and Sakuntala. At the weights, and judged on his present form, Broiefield appeals as Bruce's toughest proposition. I think the Awapuni trained horse will have the edge on the topweight. , , „ The promoted hack Derby comes in nicely in the Thompson Handicap and might prove to be the most likely to worry Majesty out of thc thick end of the stake. Gay Stroller is to start in the Thompson Handicap in preference to the Autumn Handicap. If Da Vinci is missing from the Railway Handicap field the best prospect might prove to be Peter Gazelle, who looks in splendid order to tackle his Trentham engagements. Other meetings tomorrow are Waikato, Taranaki, Cromwell and Westport. Outside of Trentham, most interest will centre in Taranaki and Waikato, prospects for which are Covered on this page.

Trentham Fields Reviewed Following is a brief review of the card for Trentham: The Rimu Highweight has not drawn a strong field. Master Raymond will only require to be in his best form to hold an excellent winning chance. Village Squire's performance at Opaki last week in a similar class of face can be overlooked. His form warrants support at Trentham and it would not surprise to see him fighting out the issue. Of the others Merger reads best, although good races can be expected from Lambro and Mynet. In pi'esent form Ultimate should be hard to beat in the Plunket Nursery. Strongest opposition is likely to come from Niloch, Lady 'Vite, Lady Christine, Vakura, and * Night Ops. ' ;• Although beaten . in the sprint last week at Dunedin Indian Dawn will be a strong fancy for the New

Zealand St. Leger. She is particularly fit to tackle the mile and three-quarters. * With Howe an unlikely starter, her serious opponents are likely to be Perfect Peace, Desert Fox and Robin's Reward. Perfect J'eace's form of late has been good. Although burdened with 9.11, Bruce can be expected to run a great race in the Autumn Handicap, and with Beau le Havre out of the way, he should go very close to scoring a popular win. Masterton form points to Broiefield giving the top weight a hard tussle. Langue d'Or was finishing on well in sixth place at Masterton and the extra furlong will be to his advantage. Arco did not get the best of the running in the Woodville Handicap, but finished fast into sixth place. He is not without a good chance here. Others with prospects are Cairnforth, Flying Ace, Dink's Own and Sakuntala. The last named is to have the services of H. N. Wiggins. A good field will parade for the Tinakori Hack Handicap in which Flare Path will be a strong public fancy. Of the others Sea Fury, Ella Shields, King's Ransom, Matanui, Gynee Lou, Revolte and Flying Dink can all be expected to race prominently. Majesty is class and is already being ticked off by many to win the 'Thompson Handicap. However, he has a good horse's weight. Handily placed in the weights is the greatly improved Brown Derby. This promoted hack is very well at present,and having been cured of his waywardness, will probably prove one of the smartest of the field. Gay Stroller, Yasda and Sage King are three speed merchants well treated in the handicaps. With Broughton up Yasda will cevtainly carry plenty of support. Imperial is not without a chance. the same also applyng to Red Pickle, Opulent and. Dileas.

Even burdened with the impost of 10.8 Da Vinci reads the class horse in the Railway Handicap. If a merry pace is set on the hard going, as at present, Da Vinci will feel the pinch nearing the post. However, unless some rain falls to ease the track Da Vinci will not start. If he is beaten the most likely ones to do it are Peter Gazelle, who is very well, Specialist, Blue Bonnie or Flying Orders. The conciuding event, the Silverstream Hack Handicap, should see Sheilwyn go out a firm favourite. It is a poor field and Sheilwyn should have no trouble in holding this field. The South Islander, Queen's General, is in form, but will be troubled by weight. However, Sheilwyn's recent' form is good. Gyration and The Saddler are the best of the rest. If an "outer" is to score then I think it might be Blue Moon. Horses expected to race well are: 11.15— Rimu Highweight Handicap (11 furlongs) — Master Raymond, Merger, Village Squire. » 12.0— Plunket Nursery (6 fur-

longs)— Ultimate,' Niloch, Lady Vite. . 12.47— N.Z. St. Leger (1-| miles) — Indian Dawn, Desert Fox, Perfect Peace, if Howe absent. 1.35— Autumn Handicap s (H miles)— Broiefield, Bruce, Arco. 2.25— Tinakori Hack (7 furlongs)— Flare Path, Sea Fury, Ella Shields. 3.15— Thompson Handicap (1 mile)— Brown Derby, Majesty, Sage King. . ^ 4.5 — Railway Handicap (6 longs) — Peter Gazelle,' Specialist, Flying Orders if Da Vinci scratched. 4.55 — Silverstream Hack Handicap (11 -furlongs) -^Sheilwyn, Queen's General, Gyration.