AVONDALE DOUBLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20042, 14 September 1939, Page 16

AVONDALE DOUBLE

CUP AND OPEN V “SIX” PROSPECTS REVIEWED NED CUTTLE IS WELL PINE ARRAY OF SPRINTERS By “Trenton” Tine Avondale Jockey Club’s spring meeting will open on Saturday, and excellent fields are engaged. The Avondale Cup will be the chief event, and has drawn a field of 13 runners. King Rey heads' the list and he is a good handicap performer, although his recent racing has been over hurdles. He should run a solid mile and a quarter, although a number of others will likely be preferred.

Since his good second to Wagner at Christchurch, Ned Cuttle has been working in good style and will merit strong support. Master Briefly has not started since the Waipa meeting in June, and prior to that had a number of unplaced performances to his credit. Lowenberg ran an excellent race N to defeat all but the lightly-weighted Centrepoise at Wanganui, and should be more at home on the roomy course. Tidewaiter has done everything required of him since the National meeting, and appears certain to make a bold bid again *his year. Last year he came with an astonishing run m the straight to take the honours. Jack Tar won the Whyte Handicap run over one mile at Trentham, but was unplaced in the Jellicoe Handicap run over the same distance at Pakuranga. Kena Was Unlucky v Kena was very unlucky at Wanganui, and on the opening day finished third aPer being tailed off early through missing the jump-out. Black Musk is consistent but appears to just fall short of good handicap class. He finished third in the Jellicoe Handicap at his last start. Jayola finished up last season with a wonderful record foi consistency, and although she failed at the Pakuranga Hunt meeting, she is a likely sort to cause a surprise. Airam has not shown any form since returning from hurdling. Gay Mimic has been getting through his work in good style and he is in excellent condition to run out a solid mile and a quarter race. He is not without a chance.

The Cardinal won a hack event at Ellerslie in such convincing style that a bright future was predicted for him, and he must be considered as one of the most likely lightweights.

Philcourt has shown ability to run a middle distance and cannot be counted right out.

Early favourites may include Ned Cuttle, Lowenberg, Tidewaiter arid Kena.

Flying; Handicap Scratchings are likely to reduce the nresent number of 30 runners which have paid up in the open sprint. Majority heads the list with 9.9. He has been bfeaten in his recent starts, but it must be remembered that he won the Onslow Handicap at Trentham with the steadier of 10.1. He has had time to freshen up, and may be difficult to beat. Francis Drake has been sprinting well, but may require a race to bring him to his best. Orate ran a + hird and a fourth at New Plymouth, and is working nicely. Royal Bachelor is a speedy sort and his second in the Jellicoe Handicap to Valmint showed that he is in solid condition.

Gold has performed best over a longer distance, but Royevrus has prospects. , Kathbella had a race at Wanganui and should be much improved. Valimeen and Prince are both likely sorts. If the going happens to be soft +he latter will have an undeniable chance.

Aero King has not raced for a while and Marie’s Acre failed at Pakuranga. Bronwen won at her first start in open company and may carry on with it. Definite Prospect Lower down in the handicaps is a definite prospect in Birthday Boy. He was fourth in the Admiralty Handicap won by Bronwen, and is likely to be an improved horse on this occasion. Other lightweight prospects are Te Monowai, Inver and I.a Vie.

■Support may come for Majority', Bronwen, Kathbella and Birthday Boy.