RETURN OF SEVEN-STONE MINIMUM.

Shannon News, 3 September 1929, Page 3

RETURN OF SEVEN-STONE MINIMUM.

At Marton Spring Meeting.

Good Fields for To-morrow,

The club have every reason to be pleased with the acceptances receiyed for the opening day, an excellent response being given by owners, while from point of view of class, the fields ranks as high as is often met with at the more important meetings. The sprinters in particular, represent the very best class, six of which have been nominated for the N.Z. Cup, while thirteen nominees for the Dominion’s prin-cipal-handicap are due to race at this meeting to-morrow. As it is Within easy reach both by road and rail, the fixture is a very popular one with local racegoers, and several intend making the trip. Fine weather is all that i 3 needed to assure a successful gathering. Racing will commence at 11.30 a.m. Trial Plate. Proceedings commence with the Trial Plate which has a field of 27. Aeora, a winner at Dannevirke, is not eligible to compete. The form of'Juggle at Trentham makes him stand out as a very likely winner and if he prefers this engagement to the later race, he will probably be elected favourite. His credential is a third _to Mark Mint and Havering. , Next in order of merit appears to be the form of Aus-, terity who ran a good second to Tourist at Dannevirke. Place getters at that fixture were Don Quixote, Potoaform, Glenison, Retract, Whenuatonga and Kotahi Eki, all of which are entitled to some consideration. Outside of these, Arrowzone has a fourth to Last Mark, Roundelay and Air Laddie at Wellington, while Equitant was a consistent two-year-old during the past season. There is an assortment of form for speculators to “juggle” with, but in the finish it should work out in favour of Juggle Austerity. First Hack HurcUes. Sixteen have fully paid up for the Hack Hurdles in which Peshwa has been risen 141 b. on _his handicap, for his Dannevirke win, but the amount is only an actual 21b above the allotment with which he won last week. On the way he scored at the Hunt fixture he must be given a (hance to-morrow. Royal Damon meets him at a 61b. better handicap, Royal'Elm 51bs and Lady Gay 61bs. On the face of their last performances, the latter will be the hardest one for Peshwa to beat. Star Shell, who hag not raced for a considerable period, is a fair sort and is shapings well in his work. Modern, on 'her performances at 'Otaki in June will also have to be considered, bui she was beaten by Lady Gay at Trentham. The going on that occasion was considerably different to what may be expected to-morrow. Ned Kelly and Glena Bay are both, good jumpers, but may need the race. . A very likely lightweight is Hard Gold who ran a creditable race into at Dannevirke, but the more experienced jumpers will find most favour and the form pair are Peshwa Lady Gay. Spring Hack Handicap.

An even dozen are carded for the principal hack race with Hopwood heading the list with 9.3. The Bisogne gelding is probably one of the best hacks seen out during the winter and I though Royal Black will have a res- ’ pectable advantage in regard to poundage as compared with the handicap at Dannevirke, the top-weight will keep the Foxton horse busy. Black Maire and Bold Front are fair, with a preference for the latter on form. Fine Acre runs out a good mile but may not be as'good as the pair at the head of the list. Elysianor will have friends while 'Curtsey is a possibility. Mt. Shannon with 7.Q may prove a tough proposition. He ran fourth to Hopwood, Goodwill and Royal Black in a close finish on Wednesday last. Money Mint will probably be reserved for the concluding event. On 'the machine there will probably be a preference shown for Royal Slack , Hopwood. Marton Handicap.

The chief flat race at the fixture has drawn eleven acceptors. Gold Cure, who is- at ihe head of the handicap with 8.3,. has had three races this season for a third in Winter Cup, first in August Handicap, and unplaced in the Selwyn'Handicap at the Grand National fixture. At Trentham he ran second to Otairi in the Winter Oats and with the' services of B. H. Morris tomorrow, he will be one of the chief

' (By Silken .Rein). The resumption of the seven-stone minimum at Martpn to-morrow marks the commencement of another flatracing season, a period of the year which proves to be the most difficult one from the punters’ point of view. The abundance of both old and young material emerging from winter retirement often includes some well forward runners and the unexpected results which follow indicate that form cannot be relied upon. In the case of to-mor-row's fixture, Winter racing should stand well to the majority of runners and with the exception of one or two races, form should be fairly reliable.

fancies. There is some doubt as to whether he is ready to stay the full distance and it will depend a good deal on the early pace as to whether he will accomplish it. Barometer has his Pakuranga win a 3 a recommendation, but he will not receive the support of the Trentham bracket if they are allowed to start. Royal Game’s consistent form at Riccarton and Black Mint’s recent success make them a- very attractive proposition. Another engagement is listed for Royal Game, but he reads well in this event and will probably take his place in the field. Mint Leaf and Mountain Heath will not be supported as well as Nucleus who is entitled to some respect, in view of his win on Thursday last. Of the others Kawhakina is best, in fact he may prove a very troublesome light-weight. The candidates who appeal are Royal Game—Black Mint Gold Cure.

Hunt Cup Steeples. They are not a very good lot of ’chasers listed to contest this event and the form at Taranaki may be tak-. en by speculators'as a guide. The winner,. Waitaunaha, is an absentee from this collection, and the placed hoyses after him were Rayonnant, San Fera, Huirangi Girl and Pikimai and on weights Rayonnant looks the pick. At a point-to-point meeting at Manawatu recently, Risk accounted for Rayonnant in a mile race and has since won a similar event at Marton and ran third in a hunter’s hurdle race. He reads a possibility for to-morrow. Revel and, Olympic will need to improve, while Askari and Mataipuki who have minor -placings in their favour may do better.* Harrowgate ran consistently at Dannevirke and with a better finishing effort would be hard to beat. There was a surprise in this event last year and there is a likelihood ot a similar happening to-morrow. It may come from ' * Risk Harrowgate. Tutaenui Hack Handicap. Seventeen" are due to face the starter, four of which have other engagements. On Dannevirke running, Goodwill will have a good following and if he reproduces the form of last week he will take some beating. Roi de Val i 3 a hack above the average, but he may need the race. Of the remaining ruuners Vinella has the best recent recommendation, a second to Royal Opera on Wednesday. A runner in whom a certain amount of interest will be .taken is G. New’s 3-year-old gelding Tigrano (Grandcourt-Tigritya) which is ex.pected to develop into a useful performer during the season. Relying on form the best pair are undoubtedly Goodwill Vinella.. Railway Handicap. The class of runner engaged in this race is exceptionally good, but recent form is not well represented. While placed on several occasions Reremoana did not get on the winning list last season, but with the absence from the Dominion of a number of the best horses, he may be luckier this year. Prince Humphrey has not had a public run since being injured shortly after winning the A.J.C. Derby, but he is reported to be training on satisfactorily and may go well to-morrow. Star Area is having a, run for the first time this season and Avhile he is not seriously considered for this event, he should turn out a good distance winner during the season and the . N.Z. Cup is a race that he could, with a little improvement on last season’s form, go dangerously close to winning. Star Stranger does not appeal for a race of this class and Panther may need a run. Bonogne has his Riccarton and Taranaki form as a guide and Blimp has had no racing recently. The latter, however, generally races well when fresh and he may* repeat last year’s performance. Dobbin is entitled to every consideration after his good showing at Dannevirke. Eaglet at her best would be hard to beat , while Maui is a consistent and reliable sort and should run a igood race. He was unlucky at Riccarton. Moutoa Treasury generally races well after a. spell and Hopwood, if started, will be dangerous with 7.2. It i 3 a very open race and the new comers are likely to cause a surprise. Blimp may be able to win it again, but form is in favour of Dobbin Maui. Electric Hack Handicap. The concluding race has a big field which includes a number of new com-

ers. Knightlike won in his first start last season and then ran second in.the open sprint at this fixture. On account of his absence of form, lie will have to be taken on trust. _ The three-year-olds, Gleiiartney, Admiral Drake, Valpre ana Hunting Cry are a useful quartette with a preference for Admiral Drake who will have the benefit of the racing at Dannevirke; Money Mint, a winner at Trentham, should be hard to beat if that form is at all reliable. Grattan, Claremore and Juggle are most likely of the others. Speculators may look for a recovery in Admiral Drake Money Mint.