FIELDS IN REVIEW

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 35, 10 August 1936, Page 13

FIELDS IN REVIEW

FINE WEATHER PROBABLE

The weather in Christchurch recently has been mixed, with more than usual rain and snow at this time of the year, but after further rain late last, week there was definite sign of improvement at the weekend and there is ■■every prospect, now of a fine National week. The going, however, may still be ,on the easy side, though it is unlikely, to be, soft ;or heavy. The track should be much better than at the? recent Wellington Meeting. '•'. The .betting will be under the win-and-place system^ wi.th the club operating its new Julius all-electric- totalisa- ■ tor, which was-first used at last year's meetings at'Riccarton in August. The fields for tomorrow, with* an analysis of form and pertinent history of the races, are as follows:^- ---• 11.31.: ■ ■ ■■'■ ■■'•■■— ■■■■■ ■■■■■: ,'.' ■•," -J TRIAi HURDLB HAJiDICAP, £250; 1% miles. - The Smuggler 10 13 . Havering .. .6 9 1 ;', Salt Spray ...10 10 Lord. Hereford 0 0 i . John Charles .10 1 >Rcdolont .... 9 0 ~' Santoft ..... 9 9 Battleground■',. 9 0 Haeretonu ... 9, 1,. ' ,In recent years the Trial Hurdles ■has found investors astray, with outsiders winning the last two years, and ;as almost every horse appears to have a likely chance in this year's race it is quite probable that there will be a good win dividend. Had The Smug- ; gler not. failed so badly at Trentham last month he would have been assured of pronounced favouritism, and while he is not now likely to occupy this '■ post he is just the horse who might completely overshadow the others. His form prior to Trentham,, a course on which many horses good elsewhere often fail, was-near the best class, and after all 'he finished alongside Salt Spray over the distance on the first day at Trentham when conceding 121b, and now there is only 31b between these two. The Salt Spray-San-'toft bracket, if Salt Spray starts here in preference to the: Jumpers' Flat, may be the favourite, but Salt Spray is sometimes not-too'reliable and Santoft has yet to make his public debut .in the role. ; John Charles, because he is so hard to- keep on the tracks i 3 another doubtful, candidate, though in his best form" he is solid. If The Smuggler fails again, the winner may come, from the lighter weights, and. Haeretonu and Battleground are a pair among- these.rwho. raced consistently without winning "at- Trentham. Redo! Terit is ''another, who Was recently . a winner in .the south, arid Lord Here-' : ford has previously shown promise at the game.. , A possible trio are. The Smuggler, Haeretonu, and ■■■;-:Battleground? ■- ','■,;■■■'-• •• ;:/-: ; yi2&; ;l; ' ■.:- •.,.'■'■■■'■• ■■■■; '■ ■':~:: 'V- ." '"••'''. - "'.' i :PAPARtTA; HANDICAP, £200; 6='furlong*; \ Emissary ... 9 9 Hororuta' ■' ■'-.... 81 2' ■' Greek Gold ... ■9* 5 • Copyist; "-.'..ii 8 '0: ,i, Knockta".'.... 9: 2' Arena ~:.'....'' S ■« '■. ;; Dollar Bill ;>..9'2 Arrow Rose';. 8-0 ■ ■■; Bay Duke ~i 9 1. 'Gaysome : .;'.. :Bo ' Travenna" ... 9 1 Ada ........ 8' o', 'Pukeko ...... 8 6 Epic , V.*...... 8 '0;. " The field-for the Faparua Handicap is stronger in both number and quality than'it has previously been since it replaced the, hunters' hurdles on the ' first day's card,' but a number of the . acceptors have not been, racing re- * cently. On form during the last month or two it is not easy to go past the stablemates, Greek Gold and Dollar Bill, and the brilliant Otago sprinter '- Bay Duke. The Shaw stable ' considered that' Dollar Bill was the better -of its two representatives at the recent Wellington Meeting, but Greek Gold was superior in. performance, though Dollar Bill was not too lucky. •? Dollar Bill has the advantage now in '.weight and he may prove; better on the Riccartpn track. If Bay Duke has -thrown- Off his cold, as his gallop on Saturday indicated is probable, he should be the hardest rival for the Shaw : stable. ■ Emissary and Knockfin are good class, but they might need a race, though both have previously * done ■ well fresh.; ■ Travenna is another useful sort on his day. The ■■■ lighter weights, except Acla, have done nothing lately* but Arrow Rose, ' Copyist, and Arena were in form at Easter on the West Coast. An interesting runner will be Hororata,' as good two-year-old fillies who fail as . three-year-olds sometimes recover their brilliance at four years. A favoured ; trio may be Dollar Bill, Greek' Gold, ' and Bay Duke. J2.4S '' '• ■•';.• ■■ ■--. ■■ '■-■'■■ -.'■''. JUMPERS' SLAT RA.CE HANDICAP. £200; ■;■: ■■.;.■• 1% miles. Polydora' ....; 11 8 TravolUng Jolly Beggar . 10 13 Agent 9 9 Clarion Call .10 8 Salt Spray.... 9 8 Silk Sox ..... 10 2 Streamline '■... 9 1 - Signaller ...» 9.13 Journet ..... 9 0 ' Courtyard >. til Haorotonu ... 9 0 Like the corresponding event at Trentham, the Jumpers' Flat Race-is generally looked to for a line on the Grand National Hurdles on the second day; but it does not often give the desired clue. The last time a winner of the race won the Grand National two days later was in 1928, when Nukumai finished first in both events and Gaze was runner-up each time to Nukumai. Aberfeldy ran second in the.National after winning the Jumpers' Flat, and Membo reversed the performance; last year the race failed to give any indication whatever to the National result. As there are eight candidates for the Grand National among tomorrow's eleven acceptors the running of the race may be more instructive this year. As a horse who has won important open flat handicaps during the last twelve months, Silk Sox should be well served by this race, and he may be expected to account for those above him on the list. Signaller Won the'highweight at Trentham in.good style, beating Silk Sox, but the'latter now comes in at 91bj. better terms. Courtyard, Travel- ' ling Agent,- and Haeretonu (if reserved) are all likely to run well, and if one-of the top group should come home it may be Polydora, who was once rated in top.class on the flat. The betting may favour Silk' Sox, Signaller, and" Polydora. • .1.31. ■■. ,-•:■:■ ■ '-':- .. ■:-.■■■-. . .-'■ CASHMERE ' ELATE, £200; 6 furlonca. Arrow Gloii: .. 811 Tarboo ..... Blt -Autumn Win*-.8:11 ■ Coxcomb .....' S 0 ' Cupo Gabo .... 8 11 Impact 8 0 Ciilotte 8 11 Maka Aht 8 0 Derive .....; 811 Nulpal ...... 8 0 .Tcdforcst ... 8 11 Orauge Bud .8 0 John Ball ..." 8 11 Recollection ..8 0 I.odialrr Sll KoussenU .... S 0 Miss Shambles 8 11 * Sir.Hugh' . 8 0 I'liik Comet .. 8 11 Sunbeam 8 0 Hoy Bun ..... Sll Twillglit Song 8 0' SUrer Tox ...811 Thoimldor ... 8 0 Much of the form is comparatively little known in the Cashmere Plate, and in Such a big field the actual trend of the betting is difficult to pre* diet. Among the older horses those who have clairhs to support are Autumn Wind, Cape Gabo, and Silver Fox, and possibly the best of these rwill be Autumn Wind, who has the reputation of being a smart galloper

and who ran second to Sir Rosenqr at ■Dunedin at his last start. The other pair have had more recent racing, and Silver Fox appears to be an improver. It is the three-year-old section, however, that often finds the winner of this race, and there is much promising material engaged tomorrow, though almost all of them lack racing. Sir Hugh and Sunbeam are a pair who have been in the money, and the fftrmer is said to have been working well lately. Nuipai and Impact #a others who are forward,; and among the unraced division are two well-bred sorts in Orange Bud and Rousseau. A trio who may be fancied are Sir Hugh, Autumn Wind, and Silver Fox. 2.16 "'.• ••-.'■ ' ' '." ;: ■■;' GKAKD NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE, £1000: B% miles. ••.■■.' . Billy Boy .... H 5 Punchostowa . 10 0 Diamond J..^. 10 13 Pahu ..."..,.. 9 G Royal lilmond 10 8 ■ Manawatu ... 9 3 ForesS Glow .. 10 3 HlgU Speed ..9 0 , The form of the eight horses remaining in the Grand National Steeplechase has already been closely analysed, and it is necessary now only to separate the aspirants who may prove to hold the strongest claims. The ruling favourite during all discussions on the race has been the Wellington Steeples winner Diamond, ■ and as this young horse has gone on well lately in his preparation and has schooled: brilliantly over the country he is« the logical selection. There is. just a doubt whether he will stay the journey, but despite his pedigree he has given satisfactory indication that he will. On actual form the most serious rival for Diamond may be the topweight Billy Boy,' 'a. previous winner of the race, but. the veteran will require to have something his way if he is to vwin, for he is past the age when the great majority of Grand Nationals have been won. If the pace is fast early or the going soft, Billy Boy may be found just wanting. There are assumptions to be made in choosing any of the others.. The likeliest-of them may be Royal Limond, because he has had every; chance to freshen up since he fell ,in-the Great Northern and appears from his work to have done so. It was a wise move on the part of his connections to miss the Wellington Meeting this year, for he werit stale at Trentham twelve months ago. Manawatu may be a better prospect than Pahu, who is losing his punch with his years; and Forest Glow has a further chance to show that lie is as good as his best efforts might have indicated him. to be. The whole history of the 'race, > during 'the -last' 35 years at least, ,is arrayed against Punche*town. There seems ample justification for supporting Diamond and Royal Limond. • W6 '■■"■•' .'•. '.' . ■'■ ■■^■'■'.■' " ■■-. .■■.■■■•■ . -ENI'IELD STEEPLECHASE, £250; about ":'-V '■'■ ■•-. .■'. ..-. ■'■ 2 miles., ■, .ThiiHiiav ..;. 12 1 Otaura King .91 :Knok«oroa .. ? 8 Burglar '..... 9 1 .'Notfturhus ■•• .'■-■ 8 5 -Money Mine ,j 9,1 " Koyatba. ..i. "9;"3'';:' - - •'.-,»■ '-. •"■ ' fv'-The Enfleld Steeplechase caters usually for the non-staying or lesseJcperienced cross-country performers, ibut-.with Thurina at the head of this year'sl list.there is'representation of the -best class- engaged.- Thurina, a previous Grand National winner, stands right out on class, and what Makeup did last year in the event Thurina should also' be capable of emulating., Admittedly he has not had a race for two years, but Makeup last year had been off the scene for fourteen months, and'the distance of the Enfield is the shortest permissible under the Rules of Racing in the Dominion. The opposition represents inferibr class. Kaokaoroa won over the Riccarton country three years ago, but he is now twelve years old and his form during the winter, has been poor. Burglar was recently a winner in a gentlemen riders' event at his only appearance this winter, and Royston won at South Canterbury in a similar event. Possibly a better prospect is Nocturnus, who has not yet won over country, but has been placed twice recently, and was a fiat winner in fair hack class in the spring. - The public. may, choose Thurina and Nocturnus. 3.4 i ' . ':■'''."■ ,'.: '■ ■ ■ '• ■ ■ ' WJKXEB CUP. £600; 1 mile. ' ' Queen of Song 10 3 Roba Bay .:.. 8 2 Epris '.. ..9 9 Golden Dart ..8 2 Concortpltch .. 813 Boomerang ..8 1 Fair Weather .''.-.8-10 WSno ....".... S 0 Adaleno ...... S 9 Royal Gallant . 8 0 Ponty ....... 8 9 Metal Bird ... 8 0 Davolo ' 8 9 Tho.Surgeon ..8 0 Wall Street ... ■ *''• 3 Silk Arrow ... S 0 Cranford ..... 8 2. Mount Val ... S 0 The Winter Gup is one of the most difficult flat races of the, year to reduce to major selections, for usually there is a wide array of form without the best class represented..- But when there has been class'in the field it has usually prevailed. In tomorrow's field Queen of Song and Epris are representatives of near top class, and Concertpitch is another approaching this rating. Epris's splendid form at the recent Wellington Meeting, even in the, Whyte Handicap, in which he was always off the course and so failed to fill a place, should assure him a confident following. No horse has ever yet won two Winter Cups, but not many of the winners haye tried again, as the winter scale of weights has been against their essaying second wins. . Epris is one who might establish this new record this year. Queen of Song is probably the best hahdicapper at present in the Dominion. She lacks recent racing, but she has won first time up previously, and at. Riccarton, too. She now comes in much better against Epris than when they last met in May. Concertpitch has all the weight he has earned, but he showed how good he is when winning the C.J.C. Great Easter, and he. belongs to a breed of first-iip horses. The remainder of the field are of inferior class, but some of them have recently been racing in form. Adalene, Ponty, Wall; Street, Boomerang, Royal. Gallant, and The Surgeon are among this group,: arid Adalene and Boomerang are a pair who should make good showings. There is a big body of opinion for the - promoted hack Ponty, but one doubts if he is up to the best of this field at the weight he has received. Fair Weather, Davolo, Wino, Metal Bird, and Mount Val are a quintet who might provide from among them another of the fairly usual upsets in the race. Class and form combine to point to Epris, Queen of Song, and Boomerang. 4.26 • - . AVONHEAD HANDICAP, £ 200 ; 7 furlongs. Queen Dorothy 9 8 Polygraph . ..v- 8 3 Cyclonic .... 9 5 Poniard S :; Huutlntt Mala . 3 4 Owlsgleam .. 8 3 Grey nonour .'• 8 11 Eramellno Girl S 2 Braw Lad ... S H Gasmask ... si Olntllla .... S 10 Jack Ahoy ...•» 1 iMadnm Klortl fi ] Pompadour S 30' Monipei-e So Tail Light ... 810 Call Money .. s 0 Sovereign Lndy 8 10 The Sandwich .Mntoru .. s 8 Jt;m So Hose of Tralco S 8 Araboa- S (I . Lallliirlo 8 (i JJedtoif S I) Palmyra .... S fi Lndy Kate . s 0 A big field verging on the safcf.y margin will step out lo contest the

Avonhead Handicap, and there is nat- j iirally a wide range of choice, which may be modified to a degree when the draw is announced, for the outside horses can hold poor prospects from the seven-furlong mark on the Riccarton course when fields are as numerous as this one is. The topweights also are hardly favoured in such races, because of the stiff pace the early leaders are likely to be compelled to set. One horse among the middle section who immediately appeals is Matoru, who twice ran into the money at the Great Northern Meeting in good hackclass, and who has not raced since being sent to the South Island following his sale after the Ellerslie fixture. If Matoru is as well as he was before leaving the north he should be one of the hard ones to beat. Queen Dorothy, Hunting Maid, Braw Lad, Cintilla, Tail Light. Sovereign Lady, and Rose of Tralee are the best among the others on form in recent months, and all would be prospects suitably drawn. Queen Dorothy and Hunting Maid will be at a disadvantage because of their imposts, but Hunting Maid can finish from anywhere down a long straight. Grey Honour and Palmyra are capable of going well fresh, and Poniard, who has not yet lived up to hopes since he went south, might be a surprise element. A trio^who are likely to be | favoured if they draw reasonably close in are Matoru, Hunting Maid, and Braw I Lad.