WINGATUI'S BIG TESTS

NZ Truth, Issue 1174, 31 May 1928, Page 11

WINGATUI'S BIG TESTS

Over Fences and Gountiy T^at T^ake Clearing „ . (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special' Dunedin Representative.) • . Steeplechasing is popular m the far south. The material appearing m the Otago Steeples a.rid Otago Hurdies will provide some speota,cular racing. '

THE withdrawal of Wharncliffe, consequent upon his changing hands, robbed the race, of a good deal of interest, but. the seven acceptors m the' steeples are all good jumpers. Greenstone won well, at Southland and Rivertori, but he will have to go his best with 11.4. . . '. ; However, he is a proved stayer and a, safe fencer. When they come to the end of 'three and a quarter-miles it would not be surprising to see him with the race well m hand. ' ,■■ Scamp 'would only, have to reproduce his last year's. form to be very hard with 10.7, but his has faded out of the picture so far. Dubious is making his debut as a 'chaser, but he- will not go out without a lot of friends. . ' He has been schooling faultlessly and his pace on , the "flat' should keep -him well up with the leaders.: ■._ The Babe is a fair sort; but is' erratic.

He might win one of :th'e shorter races at the meeting. r Ranui is a safe carriage, but will need, to improve a. lot on his Rivert'on • , form to be. dangerous .over three and aquarter miles, v- ' 'v '■ ■ •""•'•■■ • Greenstone and Dubious stand out > m this handicap., ■'?■ ' . Though acceptances have not closed ' at time -of writing* the field for. the' Otago Hurdles, to be.fun on the second' day, is certain to' be a good one. •Coastguard Won the race last year, but the uncertainty of his recent schooling efforts will put a lot of punters ""off. : •..-, '■'.'■ However, Ke.vean stay the /distance andlO stone should not trouble hini. Kaikahu- ,w.ijl be one of the^ipopular fanoies and' looks the pick 'Of the han--. > dicap, while • Koauau, since coming south, has" developed staying .'tendencies ; and is ;a tenacious fighter. It would not be surprising to see him disputing it with Kaikahti and Coastguard. ''-.■'. ' : : — :' ■ : '■"' ■!'/. ■.