First Day's Awapuni Minor Events Promise Good Sport

NZ Truth, Issue 1151, 22 December 1927, Page 9

First Day's Awapuni Minor Events Promise Good Sport

If the Manawatu Cup has failed to attract a good field, the same criticism cannot be held against the rest of the programme on Monday.

THE smallest field outside the Cup is engaged m the hurdles and m the concluding- event. In each of these there are- eleven acceptors. The Hurdles has a mediumclass engaged, with Pouri the pick of the bunch. He was second and first at Feilding and he was perhaps a little unlucky m not winning the double at that meeting. He has got some poundage to carry now, but he looks capable of it. Red Fuchsia goes well, but Revel and Mister Gamp may go better. Star Area and Kilburn are two promising sorts, but at the finish Pouri may get his trouble from Revel and Mister Gamp. In the Maiden there are a few engaged which look likely to turn out good. . Three that come under this heading are Tone, Le Champ and Mark Mint. There will be money for quite a number m the Tararua Handicap, with some doubt as to what will be the public fancy. The locally trained Blimp will be m the market, while Oratrix will also have friends. Lady Limond and Lamosa, each with 8.11, really have most appeal, with Ring Boy liked best Of the remainder. The public will have Riccarton. form to guide them m the Nux'sery Handicap.

Down s.outh Silver Rule was most consistent, winning m hep last outing. In that race High Disdain was SSCond and he was probably more capable of improvement. That may just about allow him to turn the tables on Silver Rule. Moutoa Treasury may do best of the others. Betting" can quite easily take a -wide range m the- hack six-furlong race. There are a goodly number of smart hacks" engaged, the Gisborne horse, Cool Card, being top- weight. He wins plenty over m 'his own territory and he must be quite useful. This time It Will be different class, however. • ■ ■ He will have to meet recent winners m Arikiwai and Helotis, while Panther is one that is coming along with racing. ■ Kindle has pace and so has Tanagra, which has not shown up since his spell. A trio that will carry much money is made up of Panther, Helotis and Cool Card. With George New having both Wanderlust and Duke Abbey m the last race, the public will not look elsewhere. Whichever he runs will be favorite and should he start the two they will possibly be found having- a ding-dong go at the finish. One thing-, the stable jockey, Bert Ellis, will not be able to take either mount — unless h© puts up overweight.