Sporting

Lake County Mail, Issue 44, 7 April 1948, Page 3

Sporting

NEWS AND VIEWS

By Old Bill

SOUTHLAND AUTUMN MEETING Splendid Fields Engaged SIR GARNISH AND SEA VENTURE The Southland Racing Club has been favoured with splendid fields for its autumn meeting to be held at Invercargill on Saturday, and as most of the horses engaged were seen out at the recent Riverton and Beaumont meetings, while a few raced at the Riccarton Easter meeting, the form discloser there should act as a reliable guide to those in search of winners at Invercargill. The following horses should be prominent in their selected races:— Trial Handicap.—Oscillate, Billy Mac, Red Money. Apprentices’ Handicap.—String Band, Jimmy the One, Bayboa. Southern Hurdles. —Gunther bracket, Tin Hat, Eoxchase. Awarua Handicap. —Sir Garnish, Sea Power, Grill. Otataraj Harness Trot. —Keymaster, Roseland Hall, Parawa Derby. Monowai Steeplechase. —Double Light bracket, Eleanor Star, Knockadroleen. Bluff! Handicap. —String Band, Defendant, Jan. President’s Handicap.—Sea Venture, Bath Slipper, Heroic Girl. Magnificent Performance By his win in the Sockburn Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday, under the steadier of 10.8, Signal Officer must rank as one of the best horses over one mile and a-half ever to grace the turf in New Zealand. His performance was truly a magnificent effort, and Southland can be justifiably proud of this great son of Salmagundi. This win, besides stamping him as one of the truly great horses of the New Zealand turf, also made him the largest stake winner for one season in the annals of racing in the Dominion. Well-bred Filly Oscillate, who is by Man’s Pal — Totolomai, is an exceptionally well-bred three-year-old filly, and judged by her performance on the second day at Riverton, when she ran third to Winning Thorn and Putechan, she may not remain long, in the maiden class. Treble Winner The Hazlett stable, which has always been to the fore with jumpers, produced a new star during the Easter racing at Riverton in Double Light, who won three steeplechases in easy fashion. This aged gelding, by Man’s Pal or Sir Simper, out of Strong Light, has been little raced, and should play an important part in some of the chief jumping events ahead. . String Band One of the most promising hacks seen out at the recent Riverton meeting was String Band. Although he did not succeed in winning a race he secured a third and two seconds, and on the last day he was extremely unlucky in not gaining a win. He is engaged in the Apprentices’ Handicap at the Southland Racing Club’s meeting on Saturday, and if he has a strong rider up should take a power of beating. Disappointing Displays Sir Garnish ran two disappointing races at Riverton, but may shape better in the Awarua Handicap iat Invercargill on Saturday. Good Hurdler Gunther, who was taken on an unsuccessful trip to the recent Wellington meeting, is engaged in the Southern Hurdles on Saturday, and if the sting is out of the ground he should give a good account of himself. t Roseland Hall Off the front of the Otatara Trot, of two miles, is Roseland Hall, and if he can stay the distance he will be one of the hardest horses to beat. Irish Wit If started in the Monowai Steeplechase on Saturday Irish Wit should be in the call for the greater part of the journey.

Christchurch Owner Mr D. McFarlane, of Christchurch, the owner of Palm Bearer, winner of last year’s Great Autumn Handicap, had a successful meeting at Riverton, Foxchase and Batal both winning a race in his colours. Good Impression The manner in which Sea Venture beat the sprinters on the last day at Riverton left the impression that she would hold her own in the best open 1 company over distances up to a mile. Forbury Centennial Meeting Nominations for the Forbury Park Centennial meeting close at 5 p.m. on Monday, April 12, and the handicaps will appear on Monday, April 19. Withdrawals for the first day close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20. Tin Hat One of the most impressive young jumpers seen out over Easter was Tin Hat, a four-year-old gelding by Battle Song out of Gold Dress. He gave a fine display of jumping on the first day at Riverton and finished second to Double Light. If started in the hurdle race at Invercargill on Saturday he should give a good account of himself. His granddam, Etoile d’Or, left Aladdini, an exceptionally good hurdler of a few years ago. First Success in Open Company Full Play scored his first success in open company at Riverton in the Fiord Handicap, of one mile, and the way in which he won promises well for the future. He is a three-year-old gelding by Salmagundi out of Full Fling, and on breeding should develop into a good stayer. Promising Hack Judged by the way he has been racing lately Jimmy the One won’t be long before he will be taking his place in open company.