THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 5, 1 October 1943, Page 7

THE RACING WORLD

SPRING HANDICAPS AT HASTINGS Mixture Of Form And Fresh Horses (By St. Simon.) The opening of the spring ac ! n^,, !s sou with the Wanganui Joekej Chibs meeting at Marton was not accompanied by the customary number » f ~s url mainly bjfoise the state ot the. track was similar io what'bad been experienced throughout the winter, and the ryell-sea-soued horses did most of the winning. It seems probable that different conditions will prevail at Hastings tomorrow, where for the first time since the autumn a dry track is likely. Horses coming in fresh for the season are always liable to run a little above expectations on top Ot the ground, and there may be unexpected variations of exposed form tomorrow. The only withdrawal from the Hastings Spring Handicap when acceptances were taken was Hasten, who won the race -ast year from Gay Genet and Yogi. The tielu of 12 which remains is an interesting one offering every prospect of a good contest. The handicap form at Marton may prove the best guide, with Aqueduct making most appeal, but he has a harder task I han at Marton, where he was weighted 7.4 and carried 7.0. Tomorrow he has 82, and even if the full allowance is claimed for him he will have to carry illb. more than the weight under wlileh lie succeeded at Marton. He meets I: lying Hawk and Niffliean 1211). worse than at. Marton and with the improvement Nigliean is likely to have made with that race she should have excellent prospects ot turning the tables on the Tiderace geldiuy. . The Monarch, top weight tomorrow, has not run since Trentliam in July, when he won in the AVhyte Handicap with 8.2 and was third in the Parliamentary Handicap with 8.12. He has 9.0 at Hastings in a handicap cast on a 71b. lower scale than at Trentliam, but Hie class is also a good deal below the standard of the Trentbam races. , . , , Gladynev and Don Quex. who are stllblemales, and Glenfalloch will require more racing before they are ready io show form. Tc Kawiti might be an improver. He was backward when be raced at Haw urn, but showed improvement: in the Murangai Handicap ut Marton. These races and tlie little schooling lie laid late in the winter have improved Te Kawiti’s condition and bo is now at a handy position in Hie weights. After his good race in the Avondale Cup, in which lie was prominent throughout and finished sixth, Indian Sport is likely to be one ot the fancied candidates tomorrow, and he would not have to ini--prove a great deal on his Avondale form to have an undeniable chance. Siglow. Crucible and Lotto are capable lightweights and on her third placing at Marton last start Crucible might be the best of the trio. , ~ Those in demand will include Indian Sport, Nighean and Aqueduct. Mixed Sprint Tield. The field of 15 engaged in Hie Flying Handicap is a mixture ot sprinters ami middle distance performers. The fresh horses are well represented by Koi- Itagi, Palora and Master Dash and the winner might come from this trio. Autolite has had sufficient racing through the winter to keep her in good trim, and she looked a very fit mare when she raeed at Marton, where she was knocked over in her only start. Koi Ragl raced consistently as a three-year-old last season for five wins and eight placings. He was unplaced only three times in his 1(1 starts. He has not raced since the autumn, but is ' one of the free-going type that usually conies to hand quickly. Ivar was given a race at the Hawke’s Bay Hunt in August after being off the scene throughout: the winter. He lias been schooled lately and this usually makes a horse more solid. If Ivar was anywhere near his best ho would be a good prospect with 8.3. Palora has not raeed since Easter. Slie was the runner-up in .the last Stewards’ Handicap with 7.5 and won the Wellington Telegraph Handicap with 7.10. Lately she has shown speed in her track work and she may be the best of the fresh horses. Master Dash, who won four of his five races as a two-year-old, will also be making liis first, appearance since Easter. Though he has not done galloping lie Ims had plenty of pace work, the typo of preparation on which he thrived last season. Happy Ending has mixed sprinting with staying successfully and last season was placed in an open sprint on the Hastings course, lint he may not be fancied against some of. the proved sprinters tomorrow. Indian Sport, if reserved, and Lenardo, whose Riccarton August form was consistent and good, would be the best of the lightweights. The fancies will include Palora, Autolite and Koi Ragl. Wellington Entries. Nominations for the Wellington Racing Club’s two-day spring meeting to be held .at Trentliam on October 23 and 25 close on Monday at 5 p.m. At the same time forfeit of £1 each is. due for the Wellington Guineas and the Wellesley Stakes. Mnsterton Nominations. Nominations for the Masterton Racing Club’s spring meeting'to be held at Opakl on October 16 close on Monday at 9 p.m.