NUKUMAI COMES INTO FAVOUR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 399, 6 July 1928, Page 5

NUKUMAI COMES INTO FAVOUR

PROSPECTS FOR TRENTHAM JOTTINGS FROM HEADQUARTERS (Special to THE SUN) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Despite the smallness of the field in the bis' steeplechase, rarely has there been as keen interest before as there is at present, and a highly successful gathering is anticipated. For the time of the year the weather has been good in the last few days, and the tracks at Trentham are in fair order, though on the heavy side. This morning’s work was conducted under better conditions than is usual just before the midwinter meeting. One of the latest to arrive is Comical, looking at least as well as he did when he competed at the Auckland winter fixture. He did only pace work on the sand track this morning, but in all probability he will be put over the steeplechase fences on Saturday morning. The present intention is that he will be ridden in the Wellington Steeplechase by Mr. R. Russell, who was his pilot at Wanganui and Ellerslie. A number of the Southern horses are expected here on Sunday morning, and Beau Cavalier and Kawini are expected to be on the track to-morrow morning. Ring Boy Well One of the most pleasing efforts this morning was that of Ring Boy, who finished in front of Black Mint and Dancing Star in a four furlong sprint along the back of the course, a portion of the track which was being used because it provided somewhat better going than was to be’ found anywhere else. The time for the half-mile was 53 2-5, and though beaten Dancing Star went well for one who is practically a novice. Battle Torque, who is engaged in the Trial Plate, was sent over the last four, of six furlongs with Star Ranger. The half-mile was covered in 55, and Star Ranger’s time for the full six furlongs was 1.23. Both went well, and finished up strongly. Historic pleased when he went three furlongs in 42 in company with Minotus, and Catkin ran half a mile, some of the watches making his time 52 5, a fairly good gallop. Decoy Bird was not extended in runiflng half a mile along the back in 55. The Jumpers

Radiate galloped very freely in company with Panorama and Lady Gay, and was too good for either of his companions. Matu. looking greatly improved, ran seven furlongs in company with Rotowhero in 1.37 2-5. Standard jumped four hurdles in fine style. He went in company with Wheel, for whom he was too good at the obstacles. Since the acceptances for the Wellington meeting have been received Beau Cavalier has become a warm favourite for the Wellington Steeplechase, and unless he does something that cannot be forseen he will be favourite when the total isator closes on the event. Tuki, Maunga, Kawini, and The Babe, also have good followings, but Beau Cavalier appears to dominate the market, and no one seems to consider that he has a chance of being beaten. Weights In the Trial One of the more interesting ra.ces on the Wellington winter programme always is the Trial Plate, and this year again is contains the material for a contest of more than ordinary interest, and it may be advisable to state the weights of the various ca.ndidates as they have been announced by the club this afternoon. They are as follow: —Historic, 9.11; Battle Torque, 9.11; Cold Air, 9.11; Gold Cure, 9.11; Rameses, 9.11; Le Champ, 9.11; Mark Mint. 9.11; Solgele, 9.11; Sir Spear, 9.3; Consent,, 9.0: Dancing Star, 9.0; Just So, 9.0; Lucky Light, 9.0; Roscrea, 9.0; Tea Rose, 9.0; Tripos, 9.0; Toxeuma, 9.0; Water Spear, 9.0. The statement was made some time ■ago that B. H. Morris, L. G. Morris and J. Barry, who are away on a trip to the Islands, would not be back in New Zealand until after the Wellington, meeting, and. therefore, would not be available for that fixture. However, advice has been received from the trio that they are due in Auckland on Monday, and if the boat runs to time will bo riding at Trentham. Nukumai’s Prospects Nukumai has done good work on his home tracks of late, and there is no reason to expect that he will be neglected on the machine in any of his engagements at Trentham next week. It will be remembered that he won a great treble at the last Wellington winter meeting. It may be too much to expect the old fellow to repeat the performance this winter, but it is fairly certain that he will run well, and more than likely he will start one of the favourites for the Winter Hurdles, if not the actual favourite. Another who is in big demand for the Winter Hurdles is Red Fuchsia, and there will be no more fit horse in the contest than the All Red gelding, who in all probability will have the services of Alan McDonald. Silvermine is still one of the first fancies for the open six furlong race, and there is a wide choice in the Whyte Memorial as far as the public is concerned, nothing having been made a pronounced favourite. However, it may be found that toward the day of the race there will b© an Increased volume of opinion in favour of Nukumai. It is not known yet who is going to ride him, and if it is announced that W. Bowden has been engaged to again take the mount he will still further advance in favour.