WELLINGTON WINTER MEETING WILL OPEN TO-MORROW.

Shannon News, 10 July 1928, Page 3

WELLINGTON WINTER MEETING WILL OPEN TO-MORROW.

The principal event set down for decision on the opening day is the Wellington Steeplechase, while the ' Whyte Memorial is the main one in the flat racing section. Teh first event is timed to start at 11.30 a.m. and the special train from Levin, connecting with specials from Lambton will arrive at Trentham in time for the first race. \ 11.30—Vittoria Hurdles. ' ' \ *. The opening event has a field of twelve included among which are two or three new additions to the jumping ranks and who have met with fair suc- * cess. Atereria, Patuki and Home Made were winners during the four days of .the Napier Park and Hawkes Bay Club’s meeting while Troillus filled third place to Gaze and Ballyfavnon and second to Peneus, San Pedro who was a trifle unlucky at Otaki is reported in tip-top o’rder while Sir Mor ments double victory at the same meeting is a good recommendation. Panorama was in the boom earlier in. the season, winning three, races on end, while Mangani, who with 9.10 ran second to Bourn at Auckland, failed. to, record a better position at Te Kuiti. <- Braemanjs one of those unlucky sort but apart from that does, not appear up to the class, Hangawera in a 3 mile “cross country’’ event at Te Kuiti finished fourth behind Star of the .East and Pomi. Probably he will'be better suited to this distance. Olympic in f his last two starts at Feilding ran third and seeond respectively and Ruby Ring was on the also-started list* a: Egmont, but finished second 'at Wanganui. At its present stage the race appears a difficult one and a lot will depend on the going. A good honest trio are Home Made . Sir Moment Troilus. 12.10—Trial Plate. f A good field is promised in the Trial . Plate and on recent showings its looks .like the winner coming from the 2 year-olds. On the first day at Otaki Consent with 8.0 just managed to gei the verdiet from Just So 8.0, a head On the following days facing Consent was an absentee, the event 'being a 5-furlong Hack Scurry in which Just So won comfortably bj . 2 lengths from Dancing Star. The lat- ■. ter was left at the post on the first day, but came on with a great bum of speed into fifth place. The second ■start, however, saw the daughter ot Great Star (imp) put up another verj good performance, after getting the worst of the run, finished fast into second money. She will be much improved on that running, and the course tomorrow with its longer straight will euit her admirably. In certain quarters Dancing Star is considered a good dea; better filly than she is generally given credit for. A -particularly well bred 2-year-old, .in fact a half-brother to Limerick, Rosecrea won at Ashburton in his first start, and is sure to im- ** "prove on that running. At Otaki Mark *Mint. with 7.3 won a hack “six,” tlutime recorded being 3-fifths second slower than Consent in a previous race. There are one or two whose qualities are practically unknown to the public and are likely to cause a surprise, but proved runners will be most in demand. that Rosecrea is a real good dSfort, the field he narrowly beat was not as strong as this one, and in taking that view the best performed trio will then appear to.be ■_ _ ./jsssagg! • -Dancing Star Consent Mark Mint. ? a2|ls— First Hack Steeplechase. Radiate has been given pride of place in this field of twelve. Carrying 9.11 he won' easily over 2 miles at Napier and with 10.10 over a similar dis- ' 'tapco at Hawkes Bay meeting, rar. Rangi Sarto to a head. He . has not 'yet, however, won over iliis- distance, a factor which will be in Matu’s fav- • our. Msitu won the June Steeples by ten lengths and on that performance is likely to be installed favourite. San Fera- was- a winner at Egmont, while Jovial has a recommendation from Dunedin meeting. Mainspring is the / most ..recent winner who wit h 9.13 beat Oriflamb 10.4 by 4 lengths with Captain Sarto.lo.4, 3 lengths further back, k Sir Wai has little to recommend him, while Mangani and Hangawera are due ; *in the opening event. Son O’Mine is reported., an unlikely starter and Awangawanga’s best is a third at

Mainspring Jovial Maitu.

I.2s—Stewards Handicap

Big Fields Will 1 Puzzle Speculators \. The Form Reviewed. i (By Silken Rem.) If the number of acceptances received can be taken as any indication the Wellington Winter meeting which opens at Trentham to-morrow promises to be a very successful fixture. There are runners engaged representing the majority of districts in New Zealand from Auckland to the far south and for visitors to bring their horses from so far afield must, to say the least indicate that they possess a winning chance. Again, the of the two Islands are brought together and it will be seen that the amount of recent form among the runners will make the problem of sorting out a very difficult one.

Hawkes Bay. The race is a difficult one, with the actual favourite still in doubt. When everything is taken into consideration, the best trio read as

Sixteen runners have fully paid up for the Stewards “six,” but Silvermine has since been relieved from the engagement. King Lu has been allotted 10.13 topweight, 11b less than which he canned .with success at Te Kuiti meeting. He would only need to go to the post in this event to be made favourite, but. it is suggested that ’the Whyte Memorial is to be his mission. Taboo is a good mud-lark from the South, who also elaims a place in the Whyte Memorial field. This race, however, will suit his style better. Duke Abbey started at Otaki and in weaker company than the Stewards, failed to. get nearer than third. It is reported that R. Reed will pilot the local-train-ed gelding" and in that case will deserve more than ordinary consideration; Maxiy are the opinioii that his bad display at Otaki can be overlooked. Oration is a possibility on Auckland run Bing,, while Monaghan was a surprise at Otaki. Both are considerably up in the weights. Ring Boy would have looked more in place in the mile event blit Black Mint and Royal Game will"represent the stable in that race. Bon-ogr-e and Panther have shown promise at times and Ballymoy II was quite good at northern meetings earlier in the year. In at 9.0, Ronaki has more than outside chances. His consistent running into minor places will lead to '* win in the near future. Fee Simple can keep a good field galloping when in the mood, and will make strong appeal in the light division. He lias ,a second and a third to recommend him from Otaki. The most consistent runner in the field is Waltzer and lie has no “pet’.’ distance. He can go a good six and it is quite likely the stable will leave him to do his best in this event and reserve King Lu for th mile, rfh the event of both going to" the- post there will bo no need to look elsewhere for the favourite. The besi fancied* will be King Lu—Waltzer Duke Abbey Oration. Fee Simple has since been scratched for this engagement. Z5 —Wellington Steeplechase. The principal event has the smallest list of eight runners, but had Glenflowie been left in, the field, it must be admitted, would with few exceptions represent the best cross country horses at present in commission. The drawal of Glendowie has no doubt robbed the race of a lot of its interest, but at the same time the big burden meted out t.o Beau Cavalier makes the winning chances of Kawini, Tuki and Co. look considerably brighter and spectators should at least be provided with an exciting race. Beau, Cavaliei will be hard up against it to repeat last years performance, as records show that only 2 horses, Coalition 12.11 (1921 and Master Strowan 12.5 (1918) are the only winners of this event that have carried more than the top-weights allottment of 11.13. Still, appearingin, a new role at Te Kuiti, the Chesterfield gelding was responsible" for some very attractive gallops, outclassing a fair field of flat performers. That racing should serve as a refresher and Beau Cavalier- will stirp. a very fit horse. Next on the list is Tuki, who with 231bs less than Bean Cavalier finished a long way in front of the latter in the Great Northern. The difference is now 181bs and with A. E. Elljs as the probable/ pilot will be one of the fancied trio. Comical with the same weight will not make much appeal, his record as ’chaser is a poor one. His track work however, is the cause of niuch favourable comment and' Trentham course* should give him every opportunity. On past, performances Kawini is the most unlucky of runners. There appears always to be one better in the race. Last year he ran second in the Winter Steeples at. Ellersliej and followed up with a second to Beau Cavalier in this event. His record -this year, shows a similar performance at Ellerslio and it will bo a remarkable coincidence if the result of this race is to be the same as last. His luck nevertheless must take a turn for the hotter. Maunga lias deteriorated a lot’in the estimation of the public, ai the. result of his failures .this year, last

years running being full of Promise. The difficulty appears to be m Ins in ability to negotiate the facies. Poun, with the exception of the ie cent Te Kuiti success, has little *to recommend him in this field, but, it must be admitted, he is showing much improvement in his latest outings. 0 South Island representative. The Babe, is labelled the most dangerous among the lighter section. Carrying well over 10.0 his record at Dunedin is two his and a second in three starts, and there is no question as to whether he can see the journey out. Passm Through was, at one time, a good chaser, but the fact that he is in at the minimum is an indication as to how much he has declined. A reproduction of his earlier form would make him a dangerous opponent. There is always the possibility of a surprise, but the speculating public will pin their fath on

Kawini Tuki Beau Cavalier. 2.45 Trentham Hurdles handicap. The most recent winner in this field of twelve is Kauri Park, who with 9.i dead-heated with Potoanui at the Te Kuiti meeting a week ago. Gaze and Peneus as Hawkes Bay meeting registered a first and third and a fourth and first respectively. Both will be a good deal better off to-morrow, m respect of weights. Brigadier Bill started off his jumping season well by scoring in the Karera Hurdles at Manawatu. He next appeared as a chaser at Egmont, where he met with equal success and then followed up with winning the Wanganui Steeples. Most would have preferred to have seen hnn in the previous event. Aberfeldy was considered a first rater by his southern admirers, but he has yet to prove himself in this Island. His recent pmeings, nevertheless, are just near enough to label him as dangerous. . Mia Bella giving away 31b, ran second to Beau Cavalier in the Great Northern Hurdles, but did not finish the course m his outing on the last (lay of the meet-, ing. Kaikahu with liree seconds in his last three starts, will find friends. A, last years meeting, Kaikahu registered a second on the opening day and won during the meeting. Kilburn was a winner at Auckland, while Vexations has a second and third from Egmont meeting to recommend him. Revel i* just the sort to keep a good field busy, his Easter performances being particularly good. He has .been off the scene since, as the result of an injury. Panorama mav prefer an earlier race while the fact “that the local-trained Star Shell has not recorded a win this season will account for his being neglected. The favourite will probably be found among Kaikahu Peneus * Mia Bella. ' 3.25 —Whyte Memorial A field of tweaty nine is carded to appear in the principal flat event with Paitonu and King-Lu on terms 10.11. The former on his winter performances appears to be what is termed a second day horse, while the intentions in regard to King Lu are unknown. Nukumai was the ’cause of a surprise. last year, being fourteenth selection in a field *of twenty. Queen Arch thirteenth favourite claiming second money. In respect of the former there is no doubt that the going will be just to his liking, while the latter has recent wining in his favour, as well as attraction, of King Lu as a bracket. Black Mint is a possibility on Dunedin running, butene that will make equal ■ appeal is Royal Damon who has shown a particular regard for this dista-nce. . Taboo’s movements are uncertain, while Shining Armour will need to have improved a lot to possess a winning chance, A consistent runner is Day Guards »"ho can always be relied up.ou to give or his best. Town Bank’s failures at Ashburton can be overlooked, the losing of a stirrup would not foe in favour of a good run. Horomea is an" unreliable sort, but Beaumont and Huilcai will relish the soft track. Of the ninestorffers, Avro, Bisox and N are entitled to certain respect and Fairy Herald has a good record on this course. One that makes instant appeal is Kilperon, whose Otaki running i 3 suggestive of an early win over this distance. Providing the draw is liea. 1 enough tc allow him. to assume the lead from the start, it would not be surprising to find him near at the finish. King Lu coupled with Queen Aich and the Black Mint-Royal Game bracket will look attractive bets, but on the whole the race will depend a lot on the draw for good positions. In the event of the respective positions being favourable, the following trio have recommendations '

Kilperon it Nukumai f Day Guard. agr WEirjßßfc : 4.lo—Te Aro Hack Handicap. Of the 23 that have paid up for the concluding event there is notlijng that can be considered to possess an outstanding chance. Chelone has his Otaki win and King Mart was in the picture both there and at Hawkes Bay. Carinthia and Meadow Lark are both' a useful nair from the South, a win being cribited to each at Dunedin. Clavers scored in a 0 furlong event at Hawkes Bay, while Rory Mor has minor placings. The Mug (late Tanekaha) is showing much improvement in his latest outings and this is a distance that will suit. Despot, another South Islander, is the most - recent winner of the field and on'that account will not be neglected. On Otaki running.f Volplan is a possibility. This race is the usual Trentham puzzle, and as in the previous event, the result of the draw will have its effect, A good trio are— King Mart~* “ ** Despot , ■f i • Carinthia. |T; ! 3 V»t~ ' ' Jr-: -, --.r-

WELLINGTON STEEPLECHASE RIDERS. Beau Cavalier: S. Henderson. Tuki: A. E. Ellis. Comical: Mr Russell. Kawini: R. Olive. Maunga. A. McDonald. Pouri: E. Warner. Passin’ Through: P. Mcßreartv. Riding Engagements. R. Reed: Duke Abbey, Beaumont. H. Dulieu: Kauri Park. S. Henderson: Beau Cavalier, Royal Mint. A. E. Ellis: Tuki, Catkin,..Rosecrea, Carinthia, Black Mint, A. 8. Ellis: Captain Sarto. M. H. Nicol: Radiate. T. Tito: Monsogne. L. Dulieu: Day Guard. I. Tilson: Aberfeldy. T. Green: Royal Damon. B. 11. Brodie: Taboo, Meadow Lark. W. Bowden: Gaze. L. Manson: Nucleus, Waltzer. A. Tinker: Queen Arch. 11. Gordon: Atereria. T. Metcalfe: Ramesis, Volplane. A. J. Peart: Kaikahu. Scratchings. Vittoria Hurdles—-Mangani. Trial Plate —Just So. First Hack Steeplechase —Mangani, Son o’ Mine. (Stewards ’ Handicap fcilveripiine, Fee Simple." Wellington .'Steeplechase —The Babe. "Whyte Memorial—Wanderlust, Orazone, Town Bank. Te Aro Hack —Chelone. Local Candidates. The following, horses will represent the local stables at Wellington: Olympic, Markmint, Duke Abbey, Ivilperon and Star Shell. Just So Injured. The Trial Plate candidate Just So is amiss as the result of striking an obstacle in her gallop at Wanganui on Thursday morning, and she has been scratched for her engagements at the Wellington winter meeting.The Babe Amiss. The strength .of tlie field for the Wellington -Steeplechase, writes “Vedette,” lias been weakened by the fact that The Babe has gone amiss and has not been brought to Trentham. So far it -is not known if the trouble is, serious, but-it is feared that he will not.be able to race for .some time. : He pulled up lame after his work last week. Track will be Heavy.

- A good deal of rain, fell over the week end at Levin and from reports ‘ received Trentham has also had its share. Yesterday morning the rainfall was practically continuous and the tracks and centre of the course were sheets of water. The going on Wednesday will be very heavy and any improvement in the weather will pi ot al low. enough fime to effect an improvement in the track.