RACING NOTES AND FORM PROSPECTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 58, 30 October 1931, Page 4

RACING NOTES AND FORM PROSPECTS

An analysis of the fields for the Carterton meeting to-morrow is complicated by the fact that there are many horses clainiing two and even three engagements, and this does not tend to make the task of giving seleetions any easier. On the contrary. It is probable that some of the fields will fine down considerably, but for all that there will be enough runners to stimulate competition. The big event of the day is che Wairarapa County Cup. This has attracted a field of eleven, with Ephialtes at the head of affairs. This horse has improved a good deal of late •months, and he is not out of this Cup. Fitzquex will go the journey all right with a comparatively light weight, his solidity being a faetor in his past performances. Atholspear is not as good as it was thought he was going to turn out, but this class is nearer 1 his level. A horse spoken of in connection with the New Zealand Cup is Spearful, for he has been noted for bulldog characteristics in his latest finishing efforts. From all accounts he should never have been beaten at Masterton, so that with 7.9 he is exceedingly well placed. Of the others farther down the list in the County Cup, Charmaline looks all right, and probably Royal Opera does too. However, the issue appears to lie between Spearful, Ephialtes, Fitzquex and Atholspear, who are fancied as mentioned. Bunny Memorial. The Carterton sprint is the Bunny Memorial Handicap, and after his win at Trentham most will want to be on that gay deceiver, Tobaccoland. He had 7.10 originally, but the 101b penalty brings his weight up to 8.6, at which impost he is not out of the running. He just beat Kozan last Monday, and now meets him 41b better. Royal Routine is handily placed. The trio mentioned would appear to have the issue between them, with Royal Routine perhaps the hardest horse to beat. Among those likely to run well in the other events at Carterton are Cottesmere and St. Roger (Novice Stakes); Zephyrus and Appledore (Harrington High-weight) ; Projection and Tripping (Carterton Haek); Ben Hur and Zephyrus (Taratahi Hack) ; Atholspear and Royal Routine (Maungaraki Handicap); and Lady Ronald, Distortion and Miladi (Electric Hack). Ngingongingo Incident. Judging by the hostile reception aceorded Ngingongingo at Alexandra Park last Monday, when he won the big event, the subsequent decision of the judicial committee, disqualifying the horse and driver for a year, would meet with a godd deal of approval There was certainly a difference in the horse's performance on the second day as compared with the first day, and the demonstration by the public left no doubt in one's mind as to what was the popular opinion. Racegoers have long memories, and Auckland trotting enthusiasts could recall without trouble the distinct reversal of form exhibited by Ngingongingo at his last appearanee in Auckland, at the Auckland winter meeting over four months ago. On that ocassion his win in the Adams Memorial Cup, following on a very poor showing on the first day, evoked a lot of comment. That reversal was a whole lot more apparent than the two performances of the same horse last week-end, but the judicial committee left no doubt as to its view of the case, for its decision was quickly made, although of course it took some time to put it into the nearlegal phraseology. If it was considered that Ngingongingo and his driver required punishing for their two different performances last week-end, how lucky was the same horse to get the best of the difference of opinion last June? That escape of Ngingongingo and his driver (J. Bryee on that occasion) left a bad impression on many regulars, and so the latest instance of firmness for inconsistent running, by the imposition of stern punishment, will do much to rehabilitate the sport with its numerous parons. It is not without its lesson to all drivers, and to its sister sport as well. The disqualified driver is to appeal against the decision. Croupier's Success. The striking success of Croupier in the Harcourt Cup, run over ten furlongs at weight-for-age at Trentham this week, makes it evident that this three-year-old is again back to his best form, form which was only temporarily lost through a cold and heavy tracks, and now he is eertain to be in popular demand for the New Zealand Derby on Monday week. In that race he looks as if he will again beat Bronze Eagle. Croupier's win was from all accounts most decisive, so that it may be too much to expeet Bronze Eagle to turn the tables on him in the Derby, a mile and a half struggle and a fair test of stamina. It was unf ortunate that Cricket Bat was missing from the Harcourt Cup field, for he is the sort that is likely to make them all go some to beat him in the C.J.C. classic. He impresses as a stayer. Then there is another RiehI mond in the Derby field. This is Gib- ; raltar, and make no mistake this big fellow is going to take a lot of heading off. He is more solid than brilliant, but it looks as if he will stay the Derby course perhaps a bit better than any of the others. At Marton last week he outclassed Nightmare, and the latter won among the hacks at Trentham over seven furlongs (the same distance as the Marton affair) with 9.6. In the Waverley Cup, Gibraltar carried 7.12, and he beat a good horse in Richfield, while third was the Marton Handicap winner, Habit, the latter carrying the same weight as she did the previous week. The Taranaki three-year-old is a big' fellow, capable of carrying the weight, and with a strong horseman up — which is a necessity in his case — he strikes one as a Derby proposition. Golden Wings, who won brilliantly over the Guineas distance at Ellerslie, also enters into calculations, but perhaps he might be troubled to get the journey at the fast pace he is likely to set. However, there will be yet an-

other opportunity of reviewing the Derby prospects. Progress of Protomint. It really looks as if Protomint is now going to fulfil the good things predicted for him early in his career. His win in the big flat race at Cambridge on Labour Day was fully expected, even with the stable horseman in the saddle, and this effort showed just what he is capable of. The country cireuit should find Protomint well among the best handicappers, and later on perhaps country cups may even be a bit below him, He is still fairly low down in thc weights, so that another win or twc ought to come his way before he is called upon to justify himself as e weight-carrier over a middle journey