MELTON WILL BE ONE OF BEST SUPPORTED IN WESTLAND HANDICAP DISTANCE OF AU REVOIR WILL SUIT WORTHY DICK

Grey River Argus, 29 March 1948, Page 6

MELTON WILL BE ONE OF BEST SUPPORTED IN WESTLAND HANDICAP DISTANCE OF AU REVOIR WILL SUIT WORTHY DICK

Most of the field for the Westland Handicap, principal event on the Grey-Westland card have recent good form to recommend them, and' this should prove a most interesting contest. Melton's last three starts have produced a second, a third and a win, and it is now expected he will redeem the promise he showed earlier in his career.

A member of C. R. Berkett’s Templeton stable, Bull’s Eye, a winner previously at Victoria Park, has great speed, but his barrier manners have not been the best of late. He would only have to get on the journey smartly to have a second to none chance. Mahari Dhu, Lady Beverley, Worthy Dick, Tudor Minstrel, Gallant Ruth and Kimono Girl have all shown winning form since the New Year, and all seem destined to take a tighter mark. Those with first-class place performances to their credit include Emily Volo, Sowden Beck, Golden Sheaf and Pirouette. Each has ability, and is capable of taking the major portion of the stake. Perhaps the most favoured may be Melton, Bull’s Eye and Tudoi’ Minstrel.

Among the unhoppled brigade Lillian Mac, Nydia, Steel Sword and Congressional appear to have bright prospects.

Lillian Mac is showing the benefit of recent racing by becoming more reliable at the start, in addition to trotting solidly. She should be really good if not over-raced. Nydia is a speedy sort which would only have to settle down to win races. Steel Sword is an honest sort but a non-stayer. Victoria Park seems to suit him, and he should not return home empty-handed. Congressional notched his first win at Nelson, in addition to being placed. The Westport-trained gelding is a definite improver. There are several unknown qualities engaged in the maiden races. Grand Scott, who enjoyed a big reputation as a two-year-old, and Max Grattan, appeal in the Richmond Handicap run over two miles, while Grand Scott, if produced in the Autumn Handicap is also entitled to respect, and he may dispute favouritism with Special Merit and Sirocco in that event.

Perhaps the strongest fields at the meeting are those in the races for improvers. Form is well represented by winners of late in Aries, Gallian, Lady Indiana, Typhonic, Sandbird, Stamina and Sarslield, besides place-getters in Noble Jack, Cold Case, Makarewa, Seven Bar and Gambade. On what has been seen of them, it may pay to follow Noble Jack, Aries, Gold Case and Typhonic. The concluding event, the Au Revoir Handicap will probably be the biggest field of the day. Form revealed in the Westland Handicap will prove a reliable guide, but at this stage the - chances of Worthy Dick, Tudor Minstrel and Mahari Dhu appeal. Since the club last raced much work has been done on the Victoria Park track, with the result that it now provides a first-class footing, and given fine weather, times should be fast. The win and place totalisators will operate and the following runners may come in for support.

Rimu Handicap: Lillian Mac, Nydia, Congressional. Richmond Handicap: Grand Scott, Max Grattan, Sirocco. Eclipse Handicap: Aries, Noble Jack, Typhonic. Westland Handicap: Melton, Bull’s Eye, Tudor Minstrel. Otira Handicap; Congressional, Steel Sword, Nydia. Autumn Handicap: Grand Scott, Special Merit, Wynleaf. Easter. Handicap: Noble Jack, Gold Case. Au Revoir Handicap- Worthy Dick, Tudoi- Minstrel, Mahari Dhu.

11.15: Rimu Handicap, £200; 4.0 class; 1 mile 5 furlongs (T). —Bold Salute, Lee Volo, Lilian Mac, Nydia, Sandy Guy, Steel Sword, Suvadale, Terryton scr. Congressional 24, Accord 36, Loyal Native 48. 12.0; Richmond Handicap, £200; 4.53 class; 2 miles. —Agnes de Oro. Agrosan, Glentanner, John Halifax, Lucky Strike, Sirocco, Victory ’ Peal Young Neen scr, Grand Scott 12, Max Grattan 36-

12,50: Eclipse Handicap, £210; 3.52 class; 1 mile 5 furlongs.—Aries, Bondage, Gallian, Gambade, Gold Chase, Lochdornie, Makarewa, Max Grattan,' Noble Jack, Patti Dale, Seven Bar, Special Merit, Typhonic, Wynleaf scr, Motto, Rasponi 12, Lady Indiana 24. 1.35: Westland Handicap, £400; 3.48 class; 1 mile 5 furlongs.—Bulls Eye, Direct Heir, Dramatist, Emily Volo, Gallant Ruth, Golden Sheaf, Killowen, Lady Beverley, Mahari Dhu, Melton, Rasponi, Shy Sonoma, Tudor Miriistrel, Worthy Dick scr, Scottish Star, Sowden Beck 12, Kimono Girl 24, Pirouette, Sandy Potts 36, Nelsonova 48. 2.20: Otira Handicap, £200; 4.0 class; 1 mile 5 furlongs.—Bold Salute, Lee Volo, Lillian Mac, Lydia, Sandy Guy, Steel Sword, Suvadale, Terrytoon scr, Congressional 24, Accord 36, Loyal Native 48. 3.5 p.m.—Autumn Handicap; 1200; 3.18 class (2.59-lim) 1 mile 3 fur-longs.—-Agncss de Oro, Agrosan, Ennolla, Glentanner, Goshen, John Halifax. Knight Bar, Lucky Strike,'* Sirocco, Tyrone Power, Victory Peal scr; Grand Scott 12; Special Men* 24; Wynleaf 24. 3.55: Easter Handicap; £210; 3.15 class (2.56-lim) 1 mile 3 furlongs.— Aries, Bondage, Empress Fay, Gal-/ lian. Cambade, Gold Case, Grand Scott, Lochdornie, Makarewa, Max) Grattan, Noble Jack, Patti Dale, Sandbird, Sarslield, Seven Bar, Stamina,. Steamboat, Typhonic scr: Ladv Indiana, Motto Rasponi 12; Melton 24.

4.45: Au Revoir Handicap £260 2.11 class (2.53-1 Im) 1 mile 3 furlongs.--Aries,. Bulls Eye, Direct Heir, Dramatist, Emily Volo, Gallant Ruth, Golden Sheaf, Killowen, Lady Bever-, lev, Mahari Dhu, Prince Lytton, shy Sonoma, Tudor Minstrel, Typhonic, Worthy Dick scr; Kimono Girl, Scottish Star, Sowden Beck, Nelsonova 12; Pirouette, Sandy Potts 24. i