WELLINGTON MEETING.

Shannon News, 1 February 1929, Page 3

WELLINGTON MEETING.

NOTES ON THE RACING-. (By Silken Hein). Cimiabue in the Limelight. Cimabue, on previous occasions has been somewhat unreliable on account of his inconsistent form, but with a third, fourth and first at Trentham ho has at least been regular and will be more sought after in his next outing. In beating the hot favourite, Gascony, by two lengths in the City Handicap, he will be firmly established as a good one in the minds of many speculators who witnessed his clear cut win. A Promising Three*-Year-Old. Arikinui who won the Kaitoke Handicap on Saturday has had four races to date, winning two, second on one occasion and once unplaced. His first start was at Otaki in the Trial Plate on the second day when he ran second to Richfield. The son of Chief Ruler-Celmisia won easily at Wairarapa and his win from good company in 1 min. Oi sec. on Saturday suggests he is a colt above the average. Unlucky Historic. All the chances Historic had pf winning the Wellington Cup were spoilt by his bad start. He made up a lot of the lost ground, however, and finished on Well. Bad luck seemed to follow him right through the meeting, Yoma beating him by a head in the W.8..C Handicap and he had to be satisfied with second to White Fang in the Consolation Handicap. The lot lie beat, nevertheless, is good enough to' suggest Historic, will with luck, win some good handicap events during the present season. Consistent.

The opening event at Trentham found Zeuxis, twelfth selection, finish into fourth place, but all things, considered, it was a good effort and consequently he was better supported on the second day, in fact was the prime fancy, but again finished fourth. The third day he went back a good deal in public estimation, but still "'finished in his usual place. If consistency is worth anything Zeuxis should be a winner shortly.

A South Island Youngster. t The South Island trained Francplin has shown in her Trentham outings that she is consistent, but appears to lack the necessary finishing efforts. Her fourth/to Honour, First Money and Childsplay ,in the Stakes was a very creditable- performance, particularly as the beaten lot included Ceremony. She followed this up with a third’behind Gay Ballerina and Equitant and on the concluding day was again third in a big field,to "Night Lad and Equitant. The necessary finishing touch which Francolin -lacks, is probably due to too much racing, which is certainly not advisable in the case of two-year-olds. Summer Handicap Winner.

The win of Royal Saxon in the Summer Handicap on Saturday was a well deserved one. The five-year-old son of Saxby-Heatherlass started, in the Cup and the W.R.'C. Handicap on the two previous days and after leading the field for the major part of the journey on each occasion he was unable to see it out and finished in fifth position on both days. The fact that he was pacemaker in both of those events did not apparently carry much weight with speculators and he was neglected to fourth selection, resulting in a good return to supporters. On his Trentham form Royal Saxon does not appear ready to see out a mile and a half, though his win in the Invercargill Cup proves his ability to go the mile and a quarter and he looks likely to prove a useful winner at Southern meetings in the near' future.