KING'S BIRTHDAY MEETINGS

Chronicle (Levin), 4 June 1948, Page 6

KING'S BIRTHDAY MEETINGS

L.M.

M.)

Corineus Strong Fancy For G.N. Hurdles

(SPECIAL— FROM

WELLINGTON, June 4. v The King's Birthday holiday meetings will be ushered in tomorrow when Auckland, Wanganui, Napier Park and Dunedin hold their opening days, all concluding on Monday. .Chief interest will centre in the Great Northern Hurdles and Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie. Wanganui's two main attractions are the Century Hurdles and Grandstand Steeplechase, while at Wingatui southerners chief interest will be in the Otago Hurdles and Otago Steeplechase.

The Great Northern Hurdles has drawn one of the strongest fields for some time. The northern enq of the island is strOngly represented. The ruling favourites in order are: Corineus, Good Armour (equal flrst)-, Vassilikos, Foxstar, Hunting Mac and Boolamskee. One of the youngest hurdiers competing, Corineus has proved his ability as a stayer. He is a grand jumper and partial to the heavy going. The easy manner in which he won the Waikato Hurdles, two miles, brought hina into strong favour last month for the Northern and his magnificent schooling since has kept him as the public's favourite for tomorrow. G-ood Armour has drawn attention to his prospects by some brilliant schooling in the past two weeks. In his present condition he is not without very good prospects and in the north some trackwatchers are prepared to see Good Armour ad'd the Northern "double" to his credit. Hunting Mac, last year's winner, is in spienaid fettle and those closeiy associated with the horse are confldent that he w.ll repeat last year's effort. Foxstar, third last year, is expected to improve on that piacing. Unlucky in the running, he finished second to Corineus in the Waikato Hurdles. Others not without good prospects are Boolamskee, Erna'da, Vassilikos, Town Survey and the lightweignt Race Chum, who finished fourth in the Waikato Hurdles. Bronstar, who has now had a good preparation over sprint j courses, will be a strong fancy rorj the Connolly Handicap at Wan-; ganui. He is very fit and can be j relied on to give a good account of j himself. Other form prospects in the race are Morotai, Second Seal, Emerge, Precedency, if started here instead of Napier Park, Bailies Rex and Mercian Lad.