SPORTING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3742, 17 January 1907, Page 3

SPORTING.

The Foxton Meeting.

] By our Special.]

Considering the large amount of racing conducted during the holidays, and the heavy calendar owners were subjected to contract, the acceptances for the local meeting to be held next Tuesday and Wednesday must be counted good, the hack events filling especially well. Mr Henrys has set backers a task to select winners, and as a result of his deliberations, good racing and exciting finishes should result. The recent rains have considerably improved the track, and given fine weather, there should be. a record at next week’s gathering. A general critique of the first day events should not be out of place: — The Electric Hack has brought forth a good field, Pearlie, St. Maria, Soultite and Sen Sim being amongst recent winners. All these have their admirers, whilst Honyhnhmn and Kai Errin deserve respect. Soultite finished an unlucky winner at Hastings at New Year time, when he was disqualified for failing to weigh in some gear, and this Gisborne representative is reported to have shown sufficent galloping abilities to account for the opposition in the Foxton .Electric. Pearlie (who recently defeated a large field at New Plymouth) is improving fast, while Kai Errin and Lomaria may effect ‘surprises. Sen Sim may be reserved for the Hack Hurdles. The Trial Hack should go to Irish Rifle who won a good race at Wanganui Hunt meeting, ,and followed this up with a good second at Wanganui in the Spring. Buoyant, Lingerer and FHngot may be the hardest of the others to beat.

The Gup is very open though if Whakawehi could strike form he would win. However, I prefer his chance at Pahiatua a week later. Roseal has always been prominent in recent races, and I will name the N.Z. Derby winner as the Foxton Cup winner, with Rookby (who won good flat races up Auckland way and who- is in great buckle at present) and Barca (always a dangerous candidate) as next best. Many prefer Makikihi, who won the Christmas Handicap at New Plymouth, but I will not have him, though Montigo is worth respect. The Maiden Hurdles should go to Maidi, with Iseultor Domain to fight out second honours. Sen Sim must run well in the Hack Hurdles, though I think Rangitoto and Peruvian, both of ‘whom ficpshed behind him at Palmerston, (will reverse the order of things. Peruvian won easily at Bulls, and as he is on the improve, I Will name him as the absolute winner, with Rangitoto next best.

Should Soultitd -be reserved for the Welter he should win, though Waitapu would only need to repeat his Foxton Maiden performance ojf last year, to outclass all opponents. Next to these, The Dane and Tangeroa should be hard to beat.

Ford Soult is almost sure to be a hot favourite in the Flying. He is so smart when in a galloping mood that he may win with his big load of 9.9. But he has a smart one to beat in Kitchenmaid with 8.0, while St. Clairaer would only need to come back to his 1905 form to be counted a moral, with only 7.13 bn his back. However, Lord Soult and Kitchenmaid should fill the places, with a reminder that weight stops the best of them. The Herrington Welter field may be smaller at starting time than at present, and it is hard to find the winner. However, Assayer is very well just now, while Ladylike is always a hard nut to crack when her connections like her chance- With Assayer out, she should survive.