GOOD FIELD FOR M'LEAN STAKES

Evening Star, Issue 22463, 7 October 1936, Page 6

GOOD FIELD FOR M'LEAN STAKES

TO-MORRQW’S CM!) AND ANTICIPATIONS

The fine weather during the past few days lias made a great improvement to the course at Wingatui, _ and if it continues fine owners and trainers will have little to complain of in regard to the track. The fields are smaller than are usually seen out at this fixture, but the class of horses engaged is fairly even and should produce interesting racing. The star attraction will bo the M'Lean Stakes for two year olds, and in this race a dozen are likely to go to the post. None has yet won a race, but Card Player’s good second in the John Grigg Stakes run at Ashburton three weeks ago will cause her to be fancied.

The wagering will he on the will anl place system, and the first race is timed to start at 12.45, and there will be intervals of 38 minutes between events. An excellent train service has been arranged, ordinary trains leaving Dunedin at 10.15, 11.22 a.m., and 1.25 p.m., while fast specials will leave at 11.45 a.m., 12.5, and 12.45 p.m. Each of these trains will stop at Kensington and Caversham.

The following is the card, and anticipations for to-morrow

12.45 SPRING HURDLE HANDICAP,

This is a much bigger field for a hurdle race than is usually seen at this fixture, and provides an excellent opening to the day’s snort. P.qlydora represents class, and her running in the Kurow Cup last Saturday shows she is well. She should start favourite, with support also for Vitaphone and Royal Pal, who is a much better horse on firm going than in mud. 1.23

In the Novice Stakes at Ashburton last month Thermidor finished a good second to Trench Fight, who won in Iraiu 14sec. On that occasion she was in receipt of 4lb from Autumn Wind, who finished seventh after getting away badly. They meet again on the same terms in this race, and Thermidor should start favourite, with Autumn Wind next in demand. None of the others lias any form to recommend them, but Darien had experience at Geraldine that should improve him. Though the minimum weight is 8.4 this race is not a high-weight handicap, and apprentices will be allowed to claim any allowances due them. 2.1 MAUNGATUA HANDICAP, 130sovs.

Jack Ahoy won over a mile, carrying 8.1, at Ashburton, but could not handle the turns on the Geraldine course. He will not be troubled with turns at Wingatui. Poniard won over nine furlongs at Kurow, but did not meet as good a field as lie is up against to-morrow. At the National Meeting Cape Gabo showed good form, and a repetition would make him dangerous in this race. Illora won over six furlongs at the Otago Hunt Meeting, and meets Braw Lad (who was second) on 41b worse -terms. Vantoon lias not shown any form since winning at Invercargill last May. The others have no form to recommend their chances. Jack Ahoy, Braw Lad, and Cape Gabo are likely to be the popular selections.

A small but select field, with the winner of the open sprint on the first day of the Geraldine Meeting at the top ot the handicap. Bay Duke is a high-class sprinter when well, and he appears to be at his best just now. Paper Slipper won at Riccarton last Easter under 9.5, running six furlongs in Imin 12 2-ssec. Greek Gold won at Trentham last July under 8.11, and is very favourably treated. Capital and Pelmet have not been racing well lately, and Cheap Money is barely ready to show her best. Wild Career finished his hack career by winning at Geraldine last month under 9.2, and lias some good placed performances in open company at Riverton last Easter to his credit. The race bears an open appearance, and the favourites may be Paper Slipper, Wild Career, and Greek Gold.

Tauramai had only one start last season, being unplaced in a seven-furlong race at Wairio, and it is 18 months since he won the Great Autumn Handicap. Ho has been handicapped up to his best form, and may not be ready to reproduce it. Travenna won well over a mile at the Otago Hunt Meeting from Mount Val and Queen Dorothy. The latter has won twice since, but meets Travenna on lib worse terms than when the latter beat her. Golden King was finishing on well over a mile at Geraldine, and looks like returning to form. The Surgeon, who has run some of his best races on the Wingatui course, finished third in the Geraldine Cup. Daring Deed has not been racing well lately, and Toreador has lost all form. Travenna, The Surgeon, and Golden King should be the favourites. 3.50 M'LEAN STAKES, 300sovs. For two-year-olds. 4f. Mr D. P. Wilson’s ch c Auctor (Balboa —Spean Bridge) ... 8.5 Mr D. M. Tweedie’s b g Forecast (Weathervane Some Rose) 8.5 Mr A. P. Greenfield’s ch g Heidelberg (Lord Warden—Poetess) 8.5 Mr G. L. Macdonald’s b c Lazybones (Nigger Minstrel —Slackline) 8.5 Mr J. A. Brown’s blk g Lord Nuffield (Straightcourse—Attractive Lady) 8.5 Mr T. E. Hide’s b c Mazamarch (Nightmarch—Mazatuko) ... 8.5 Mr W. D. M'Leod’s ch g Triple Cone (Rosenor —Silver Peak) 8.5 Mr J. M. Samson’s ch f Atalanta Lass (Iliad —Entre Nous) ... 8.0 Mr L. C. Haziett’s ch f Camerino (Gustavo —Call Bird) 8.0 Sir Chas. Clifford’s hr f Card Player (Paper Money—Shuffle) ... 8.0 Mrs J. M. H. Tripp’s -b f Fairlight (Lord Warden—Cupid’s Bow) 8.0 Mr J. S. Blackie’s ch f Golden Flare (Gustavo —Artistic) 8.0

This is an excellent field of two-year-olds, and though less than half of them have appeared in public, the breeding of the others will attract attention to them. Card Player started a hot favourite in the John Grigg Stakes, and, after losing several lengths at the start, was only just beaten by her stable mate, Guinea Fowl. Heidelberg was one of the early leaders in that race, but was suffering from a cold, and failed over

the last furlong. He should do much better in. to-morrow’s race. Lord Nuffield started at Kurow on Saturday, but had his chance spoiled at the start, and was not extended afterwards. Fairlight ran greenly in the Ashburton classic, and finished a poor fifth. None of the others has started in a race, but Atalanta Lass led home one of the two-year-old parades at the Grand National Meeting. She was also first home in a trial over the M'Lean Stakes course yesterday morning. The favourites are likely to be Card Player, Atalanta Lass, and Heidelberg. 4.33 OCTOBER HANDICAP, 140sovs. Im.

Unless Queen Dorothy and Daring Deed are reserved for this race in preference to the Mosgiel Handicap, the field will be a small one. Viking has not won over a mile, but finished close up third to Kinnoull and Greek Shepherd in the Dunedin Guineas last October. He has not had a race this season. Royal Gallant led for over a mile in the Kurow Cup last Saturday, and will find the going to-morrow much more to his liking. Double Shot had to be eased in his work about five weeks ago, but, if all right again, can run out a very solid mile. This is the sort of race in which Daring Deed might effect a surprise. Last Link was sprinting well last season, but may not be quite ready. If Queen Dorothy is reserved she may start favourite, with Royal Gallant and Double Shot the next fancied. 5.11 TAIOMA HANDICAP, 125sovs. 7f

Matoru won so convincingly on the second day of the Geraldine Meeting under 9.2 that, with a rise of only 51b in weight over nearly a furlong and a-half shorter distance, he looks hard to beat. Silver Lark ran badly at KuroWj and Epic was disappointing at Geraldine. Paladiuo does not look to be ready, and Silver Jest has no recent form to recommend him. Ariboa is sore, and may not start. Top Notch won a couple of races as a two-year-old, and is nicely treated, only 21b above the minimum. Sir Rosenor has no recent form, and Stolen March ran badly at Geraldine. Nest to Matoru, the public will probably pick Top Notch and Epic.

ISOsovs. Urn. Polydora 11 5 Vitaphone 9 11 Santoft . .. 10 8 Royal Pal 9 7 Redolent . .. 10 5 Chrysology 9 0 Wexford Golden Lap 9 0 Bridge . .. 9 12

TRIAL HANDICAP, 120sovs. 6f. Autumn Costume ... 8 4 Wind ... 9 0 Darien 8 4 Therm idor 8 10 Lismiere ... 8 4 Last Dance 8 7 La France 8 4 Baltruin ... 8 6 Natty ... 8 4 Gold Boa 8 6 Pride of Lord Byron S 6 Central 8 4 Rebel Mate 8 4 Rodour 8 4 Black Earl 8 4 Roseman 8 4

Braw Lad 8 13 Cape Gabo 8 3 Jack Ahoy 8 9 The Jeweller 7 12 Vantoon ... 8 7 Recollection 7 12 Blora 8 5 Waltham 7 12 Poniard ... 8 5

2.39— ELECTRIC HANDICAP, 175sovs. 6f. Bay Duke 8 13 Pelmet 7 12 Paper Wild Career 7 7 Slipper ... 8 5 Cheap Greek Gold 8 2 Money ... 7 7 Capital 8 1

3.17— MOSGIEL HANDICAP. 225sovs. 10if. Turamai . ..9 9 Golden King 7 13 xiavenna , ..9 0 The Surgeon 7 10 Queen Daring Deed 7 7 Dorothy 8 3 Toreador ... 7 7

Queen Double Shot 8 2 Dorothy 9 1 Daring Viking ... 8 11 Deed 8 1 Royal Last Link 7 13 Gallant 8 6

Matoru 9 7 Araboa ... 7 9 Silver Lark 8 6 Top Notch 7 9 Epic 8 1 Sir Rosenor 7 7 Paladino ... 7 13 Stolen Silver Jest 7 12 March ... 7 7