DIVISION POSSIBLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 120, 22 May 1937, Page 22

DIVISION POSSIBLE

. MILE HEAT AT TE RAPA

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

Leaving nothing to chance, the Waikato Racing Club has made the necessary arrangements to divide the big handicap on the second day of its fixture on Monday in the event of the acceptors numbering more than 28. The stake is to be doubled. There are 43 entrants for this mile event, but a division may not be required, although a large s field is certain.

HARDEST TASK TO DATE,

Calcutta is to take on his most serious hurdles task to date when he competes in the Coronation Hurdles, at Te Rapa on Monday, and reports from his home track, indicate that he will strip a fit horse. He last raced at Avondale seven weeks ago, making a bold showing on tne fiat, so he ought to be very fit when he lines up. The distance of Monday's race is two miles, which should, try out his stamina, and the opposition will be extra good. 1 When Calcutta finished third in a hurdle race at Te Awamutu last December it was a very promising debut, but it did not foretell the meteoric career that was to follow immediately. A month later, he ran a second and first oVer the sticks and then won easily at Matamata, following this with two . highweight victories at Rotorua. Then he won over hurdles again at Te Rapa, and in his last four efforts, on the flat, he won at Paeroa and was fourth twice. In the course of a couple of months Calcutta had won half a dozen races, three over hurdles and three on the flat. . , , In view of his fine form last, winter, Clarion- Call is going to have the rule run over him if he is tp be produced in the same race at Te Rapa on>Monday. He recently finished.a good second to Boughal at Hawera when conceding the winner a couple of stone and in soft ground that was a,bit better than real winter going. Clarion Call will give some idea of his Great (Northern Hurdles chance if he runs on Monday, but in the meantime it is interesting to note his name among the Wanganui nominations. This fine jumper has yet to prove himself in'very bad ground, but if he is produced on Monday he will be the opportunity of proving himself able to master all conditions.

GOOD WINTER PERFORMER. ' Pakanui, who in the meantime has scarcely rah up to his fine second to One Whetu in the last Cornwall Handicap, is not engaged at Te Rapa this afternoon, although he is ineligible for both the mile and six furlongs races, on Monday. - It is strange that both these horses failed to race up to expectations after their hard race at Ellerslie nearly twelve months ago, when the track was indeed fast, and it might be that this struggle possibly found a weakness.' The Te Rapa track should I suit the Hawke's Bay galloper, and he may be a likely place-getter if pn hand on Monday, for he has proved himself under winter conditions. He is not engaged at Wanganui, so • that suggests that the northern trip may be undertaken. ..,,..' i -

After his fine showings last week at Hawera, it is probable that Surella will be more highly regarded by northern speculators than has been the case during the past few weeks, for his efforts on his southern trip clearly indicated that he was not so chicken-hearted as his finishing weakness previously made him appear. He had to come from well back to win over five furlongs at Hawera, and on the second day he waS accompanied for most of the way and then he shook off his challengers in'ttie final furlong in no uncertain manner. On this showing he would be A possibility if started in the sprint on Monday. '

Pirate King ran away with the maiden race three months ago at Te Rapa, and a few days later he merely played with a useful field of nearmaidens at Te Aroha, despite a tendency to run out in the straight. This was peculiar, for these two courses are formed the opposite way for racing, Te Rapa,being left- and Te Aroha righthanded. Incidentally, the most remarkable thing about his flrst victory was that the announcer did riot mention him until the numbers went up, and he was in front most of the way. Pirate King is engaged at Te Rapa on I Monday, and it is going to be hard Ito find one capable of beating him, for he is good hnd is still susceptible "to improvement.

Another useful hack in ,two races on Monday, and who had his engagement this afternoon discontinued, is Philemup, who rather surprised by finishing second at Pukekohe last week after being off the scene for some months. This three-year-old should be pretty well placed on Monday, for the opposition in the mile Hangatiki Hack Handicap is not very serious, and he should be able to cope with them, despite the fact that he will have his share of weight to carry. He is also in the finalrace on Monday, run over seven furlongs, and if reserved for this he should be able to hold his own. At his last appearance on his home track at Te Rapa he dead-heated with Quadroon in the Hack Cup.