Sporting

Lake County Mail, Issue 40, 10 March 1948, Page 3

Sporting

NEWS AND VIEWS

By Old Bill

Steeplechasers in Action The Birehwood Hunt Glnh’s meeting in he held at invereafgill on Saturday will open tin* eross-eonntry racing seasiai in the South Island. As several of tin; horses engaged have been nominated for the (treat Western Steeplechase at Riverton on Easter Saturday, the running at Invercargill should act as a good guide to the big Riverton event. Beaumont Meeting Nominations for the Beaumont Easter meeting are due to-day. Riverton Handicaps The handicaps for the first day of the Riverton inerting are due on Monday next. Photo-finish for Forbury The Eorlmry Park Trotting Cl lib will have the photo-linish apparatus in operation for its Centennial Meeting to he held on April 2-1 and May 1.

IRISH WIT. top-weight in the Gardner Memorial Steeplechase at the Birchwood Hunt Meeting on Saturday. Bright Prospects Irish Wit. who ran a second and a first on the Hat at Cromwell last week, is in excellent condition to begin his jumping campaign. Me, is an acceptor for the Gardner Memorial Steeplechase at the Birehwood Hunt on Saturday, and even with the impost of 11.2 he should run a good race, 'l ids hold jumper has also been nominate,l for the Great Western. . Arawa Lad The Momona owner-trainer, E. •Johnson. who has been a consistent patron of the Cromwell and other country meetings for many years, scored a welldeserved win witii Arawa Lad at Cromwell on Saturday. G. .lohiison. son of the owner, drove a line race, and in a close finish gained the verdict by half a head from Peccadillo, with Black Orphan a neck away third. Great Easter Handicap Sea Venture, who has been nominated for the Aparima Handicap, of six furlongs, and the I’ourakina Handicap, of one mile, at the Riverton meeting, also ligiiies amongst the IGt of nominations for the Great Easter Handicap, of seven furlongs, to he run at Rieearton at Easter. This consistent mare, if taken north, should give a good account of herself. Lil<ely Favourite if Heroic Girl is taken to the Birehwood limit meeting she is sure to be a firm favourite for the Kennels Hack Handicap. On the form this mare disclosed at the recent Wingatni meeting,

where she won a double in hollow fashion and as she ranks as a half-sister to that brilliant performer, Royal Lancer, she should, if started in the Riverton Cup, run a good race, as the distance should not trouble her. Page’s Raid hi. A. Andertbn has Rage's Raid in solid training at Wingatui with a view to racing him in the Great Western tit Riverton. Fit and well on the day, this Night Raid —Royal Coat gelding is sure to he one of the favourites for the race. Moody Sort Jf Benhecula could he relied on to he on his best behaviour on ’Saturday he would be one ot the hardest horses to heat in the President’s Handicap at the Birchwood meeting. Forage. Forage will be making his debut its a steeplechaser at Birchwood on Saturday. lie has displayed winning form over the hurdles and might prove more than useful as a 'chaser. Improved Showing Black Light ran two line races at Cromwell to secure a second and a first. This six-year-oid mare may be tried out as a jumper later in the season. Course' Record The Grate, who won a double for Mr 1). P. Wilson at Cromwell, broke the course record for sj\ furlongs when she recorded I min l.'lsec. The Mosgiel owner-trainer should have a "warm season with The Hob and The Grate racing for him. Backed and Beaten Frances failed to race up to expectations at Cromwell. She may make amends jf started at Riverton. Promising Novice (liver Drive :na\ not remain long in the novice class, lie is engaged at Birchwood. Birchwood Rehandicap The following rehandicaps have been declared for tlm Birchwood Hunt Chibs meeting. President s Handicap, Lines Light 7.1 d, ami Pride of Mossbnrn 7.1 d: Kennels Hack Handicap, Rehimpng'-