SPRINT PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 146, 16 March 1939, Page 15

SPRINT PROBLEM

Sulieman May Be Railway Handicap Favourite CHANCE OF TOP ROW ( By'(’he Watch eh.) A rumour went round Wellington yesterday that Sulieman did not make the trip from Te Awamutu, but like the Moi J of Te Hero’s death there was nothing in it He may start favourite for the Railw'av Handicap at Trentham. tomorrow, lie likes the Trentham track, where ne once won n double, and last year Jie was fourth in the Thompson Handicap, tai ii„ in the six on the second day. ® UIIL ‘ man has had two starts this term for two wins. He won over six at Ellerslie at the end of January in fast time and at Te Aroha on February 25 he won over the same distance with 9.0 very easily, also in fast time. Sulieman has not been overraeed and. having had a good spell from racing this season, he appears to have come back in first-class lorni. Counterblast never comes to Trentham without getting some money, but on this occasion she is well up in the handicap, having a stone more than she won wi.b on the third day in January. Since then in her only start she won the I übhenns Handicap at Dunedin with 8,9, beating Top Row, 8.10, who was unplaced, lop Row will thus meet her on 13lb. better terms. Before going to Dunedin lop Row had won the Craven Plate nt ”[Ccarton over seven, and following his defeat the first day at Dunedin he ran a creditable third in the Hazlett Plate at weight-for-age to Royal Chief and bis own’stablemate, Queen of Song. The concession in weight here should emihie Lop Row to make a prominent showing. Lady Ina appears to reserve her best efforts for the Trentham truck and she will meet Counterblast now on 15H>. better terms than on the third day in January. when Counterblast was first, Florence Mills second, and Lady Ina third. Amigo and Haughty Winner are likely starters in the mile, but if run here Amigo will have a big following as be is a brilliant horse over short courses. Mil tie also is very much in the same category. Rakahanga scored a runaway hero on the first day in January under 7.3, Lady Ina giving her 71b., but he was unable to do better than fourth on the second day when Lady Ina won at a difference of 11b. Those were her last starts, and as she runs well fresh she will have to be considered. Distinct Possibility. Top Row has been referred to above and he is a distinct possibility, but few would bank on Homily though she has the pace if she elects to go right. Russian Ballet’s only wins this season were in the Wanganui Guineas and in the Flying Handicap at New Plymouth last week. She has several creditable placed performances, and she beat Florence Mills at Manawatu at Christmas when giving her 91b. They now meet on a difference of 41b., but in the meantime Florence Mills separated Counterblast and Lady Ina on the third day at Wellington, and she ran second and won at Woodville last month. Density won a double brilliantly at Trentham in hack class in January, but at Riccarton over seven in her only start since she failed 1 conspicuously under 9.2. She has now- only 7.0, but it is a big gap to bridge between hacks and open company in good class, specially among sprinters. Lady Leigh is similarly placed and few will give Diamond Cutter a second thought in this class. Valimeen’s only placing this season was at her last start when she was second to Llangollen over six furlongs and 30 yards last month at Rotorua. She carried 7.7, and, though Llangollen had 9.10 and won by half a length, Llangollen is a good trial horse and Valhneen, if she runs to that form or improves on it, should be a likely lightweight. Horses with dual engagements like Amigo and Mittie complicate the position here, but assuming that they will start in the Thompson’ the favourite division may comprise Sulieman, Top Row and Lady Ina. Answers to Correspondents. “New,” ’Wellington: 19/-. “Doubtful,” Wanganui: (1) £l/10/-. (2) £3/13/6: £l/15/-. “Spuds,” Petone: (1) £l. (2) £4/3/-; £l/13/-. (3) Virayious was scratched in the last race at Taranaki. “Picton”: (1) £2/4/-; £l/9/-. (2) £2 2/-; £3/0/6. (3) £2/18/6. “AdversityJ’ Marton: Your bet is on Adversity only. “Sporty,” Taumarunui: Will look it up.

“A.E.W.,” Otaki: Counter Attack won the last race on the first day in September, 1923. He had run unplaced two races previously. The secretary of the Otaki Racing Club will supply the other information.