MANAWATU STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

Shannon News, 18 September 1928, Page 3

MANAWATU STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

AT AWAPUNI TO-MORROW. #

A REVIEW OF THE FIELDS

(By ••Silken Rein.") »

The annual totalisator meeting of the Manawatu Hunt Club is scheduled to take place to-morrow on the Awapuni racecourse and the indications so far point to the fixture being even more successful than their previous one. The Railway Department have arranged a convenient train service with reduced fares, and favoured with fine weather there should be a good attendance.

The acceptances received present a healthy aspect numerically and from the point of view of class, the runners engaged are quite good enough to interest the average sportsmen. The card comprises four hurdle and four flat races and altogether make for an interesting day's, racing. . Raumai Hunters' Hurdles.

Twelve hunters are carded to appear in the opening event and Sunart, who in 1923 accounted for the Wanganui Cup and in 1924 won the New Zealand Cup, has been allotted top weight 11.8. The veteran has qualified as a hunter, but the fact that he lacks winning form in this branch of the sport, will find him among the less favoured division. Home Made has good recommendations, his last being in the Ashcott Hunters at Dannevirke, where he won with 10.9. Seven pounds extra should ' not stop him. Chrissarto at the last meeting of the Hunt Club, "paid a sensational price for a five horse race. He is apparently running into form, his second to Ponjola at Hawkes Bay was a moderate performance. On this occasion the pair meet with Chrissarto, the best off to the extent of 6 lbs, but Ponjola has a further minor placings to his credit, a third at Dannevirke. Pikimai is the most recent winner among the field, the la9t Taranaki meeting crediting the son of Manchineel with a win in the opening event. Pantler will make the strongest appeal of the remainder. He finished fourth at the Dannevirke Hunt Meeting, behind Home Made, Ballyfanion and Ponjola, and has 10 lb less to-morrow. Pikimai's win was in a poor class field and on that account he cannot be included in the favoured trio which will probably be —

Home Made, Chrissarto, Ponjola.

Te Matai Plate.

The maiden race has a field of seventeen due to go to the post and with the exception of Gambler, there is very little form among the field. The Arcuiestown gelding had two races at Dannevirke and meeting all the difficulties in each run finished fifth on the first day and improved to fourth on the second "day. Both events were five furlongs and'on his running at that meeting, Gambler should do better over six furlongs as he appears to be just making his run at the end of five. Sambur, in the same races finished behind Gambler on each occasion, about sixth and the experience gained should find him nearer in his next outing. Fairone and Cold Air will make most appeal of the others, and of the pair the former- showed out to best advantage at Dannevirke. There is plenty of room for a surprise, but public opinion will be most inclined towards —

Gambler, Sambur, Fairone.

Manawatu H.O. Steeples.

A field of twelve is promised in the big cross country event, but five are due in a shorter race later in the day. Rangi Sarto, by reason of his performances at the Grand National meeting, will be elected by the public, but his last win was with 9.1, a big difference to 11.12. Omahu has not the form for recommendation, but Trouble is the right sort if he can stay on. The surprise at Dannevirke, Mountain Crag, won comfortably in the Hunt Club Steeples, eight lengths in front of Hollycombe. The difference is 10 lbs in favour of the latter. Wellington running points to Askari being promineni in three parts of the journey at least Risk, neglected to the extent of ninth selection, ran second to Trouble at Marton and with 18 lbs better off should prove an annoyance to the latter. Of the remaining five, all of whom have other engagements, Mataipuke will find most favour. Thc s trio that have the recommendations are: —

Trouble, Risk, Mountain Crag,

Aokautere Hack Handicap

In a field of fifteen, Boy claims No. 1 saddle cloth. He beat all but Historic on the last day at the Canterbury meeting, a better field than is due in this event. "Seven furlongs would appeal more to Boy and he will probably be reserved for the concluding event. Little has been heard of Aurora Borealis of late and how he is shaping is not known. Shining Star should find friends in this race. Though he has only won one race he can gallop a good six and has always appeared in distances beyond him, showing the way to the field for the major part of the journey. Gold Shadow's four lengths win in a five furlongs novice event at Dannevirke indicates his superiority over that collection while Volplane is a sort that can be depended" upon to go a good race. He showed remarkable consistency at the last Otaki meet : ing. Patearoa, on account of his lack of reeent form, will suffer neglect, biu he is the right sort for a "six." Of the remainder most support vvill be found for the Acre daughter, Miss Field. Presuming that Boy will wait for the

Flaxbourne Handicap, the best trio then appear to be —

Shining Star, Golden Shadow, Volplane. Kairanga Handicap. Three of the twelve engaged in this event and also due in the Kiwitea Hurdles. They are Rouen, Beaumont and Othon. Beaumont's prospects in this race look particularly good, but in view of his promising form over the battens he may prefer that race, in which he.would be sent out favourite. Othon will be preferred in the later race. Just how good Lady Desmond is this season, is not yet known, but other season's found her a good sort and she may upset the form horses in her first outing. Royal Game's win at Wanganui puts him up to the 8.11 mark and shows his inclination towards a longer distance, but he should be fast enough for a seven in this company. Kilperon ran fourth in a good field at Wanganui on the opening day and seven furlongs should find him in a good mood. His running at "River" meeting was suggestive of an early win when the company was not too strong. _ Imperial Spark has no recent form for support, but Wanderlust is on the improve, and the race will do him a lot of good. Brigadier Bill would be preferred in an obstacle race, but he showed pace in a flat race at Canterbury Hunt meet- # ing. Lin Arlington can always be relied upon to put up a good fight and though he may be one of the less favoured division, makes strong appeal in certain quarters. Vigilance improved to win over a mile at Wanganui and will not lack friends if tallowed to start in this event. Beaumont's movements are, as yet, uncertain, but it is presumed that "he will take on the hurdles and if such is the case most support will be found for—

Vigilance, Royal Game, Kilperon.

Parorangi Hunters' Steeples,

Twelve starters are due in this event. Pikimai, if reserved, will find friends, in view of his Taranaki win, but there may be some difficulty in his seeing out* the distance. He is bred that way, however. Scrap Iron secured second money behind Handy at Dannevirke, with Birkbeck filling third place. Ma-' taipuke showed consistent form at the Grand National meeting, but in hi* trip to' the north has not registered a success. His opportunity should come in this event as the field is not a particularly strong one. Hats Off and Terehu have had several unsuccessful f| outings lately but the experience gained may tend to make an improvement, , Captain Wai reads best of the others. Several no doubt r will have difficulty in , successfully negotiating the obstacles, but a trio that should stand up to see out the finish are—

Fikimai, Scrap Iron, Mataipuke.

Kvwitea Hack Hurdles,

The majority of the runners due in this event are more or less novices, so far as the public are concerned and on that account the proved performers will find the support. Beaumont in his first. public appearance in this branch ran second and' in his next start at Wanganui was unfortunate in losing some of his gear, finishing out of the money. On'Saturday he was supported to win, but failed over the final stages to finish fourth. The furlong shorter to morrow will be in his favour. * Olympn has deteriorated a good doal in tin estimation of the public, but on Wei lington form he should holcU his own in this company. Othon has his Dannevirke win as a recommendation, while Chrissarto has an-earlier engagement in which he will be more suited. Tl consistent running of Lieutenant B' should find him oil the winning list shortly. His performances read one second and three thirds in his last foui\ starts. On performance a trio that should account for the stake money are —

Lieut. Bill, Beaumont, , Olympic.

Flaxbourne Hack Handicap,

Vigilance, wh.ose weight has been increased to 9.1, heads the list of 14 due to face the starter in the concluding event. If she is reserved for this race,- she will be accorded the support her Wanganui win entitles her to. Spearmiss would be better favoured with a little more racing. Desert Lad is one that will have to be taken into consideration in view of his consistent form at Wanganui. The son of Acre should have no difficulty in running out the extra furlong. Boy is in at a handy weight and a reproduction of his Canterbury form would find him near at the finish. Both Grand National were among the placed horses ou both days at-Dannevirke and of the pair the latter will find most support. Tanagra has a third to Moutoa Treasury and Knightlike at Marton as a'• recommendation. Shining Star and Volplane will, in.all probability, race earlier in the day. Those seeking recovery will favour —

Desert Lad, Boy,Grand National.