Early Fancies for the Wellington Double

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 558, 10 January 1929, Page 8

Early Fancies for the Wellington Double

With a good many horses weighted for Trentham on opening day that were seen in action at Ellerslie recently, more than the customary cursory interest is evinced in the adjustments framed by Mr. H. Coyle, the Wellington R.C. handicapper. The two events holding more interest than the others are the Cup and the sprint. With Rapine on deck again, it was obvious what would lead off in the Cup, and with 9.4 the Martian gelding is not overburdened, for on his Hastings showings he is more forward than generally thought, although he may not be fit enough to win a race like the Wellington Cup. He is 81b above Mask and Hynanna, the former having shown a glimpse of his best form last week. Mask is to run over his best distance, and therefore of the three at the top of the list he will be preferred. Count Cavour is not liked, for he looks to be on the down grade. Oratrix is a prime fancy, for her finishing

run on the final day at Ellerslie was an eye-opener—last four furlongs from home, to finish third in a big field, only a head behind the dead-heaters. What beats" Oratrix in the Wellington Cup

deserves the stake. She has her share of weight, with 8.3. and is handicapped right up to her performances. Vertigern. is a good sort, although going up in the weights now in good company. Hoylake failed twice at Ellerslie, and this was not his true form. On Riecarton running he is a good horse without a doubt, and may soon make amends. Set Sail and Pink Note are two worthy Southerners, and both ba,ve recent wins to their credit. It will be remembered that this pair played prominent parts at this same meeting 12 months ago. First Sight is sore, and may not be quite tuned up for a hard race. Star Area is a fine horse now, and even in this company should do well. Transformer is not very consistent, but his second in the A.R.C. Handicap cannot be overlooked. Joy Bird won in Sydney recently, and it was in this race last year that she registered one of her best performances. Catkin finished a good third in the Auckland Cup when injudiciously ridden, being made too much use of, and he is nicely in. Panther and Historic are a good pair for one stable to have, with the latter preferred. However, Historic is not a boy’s horse, and much will depend on the jockey. Concentrate scored brilliantly at Ellerslie after covering a bit of extra territory, and if he is improving then he must stand a royal show. In Concentrate and Oratrix, Mr.- Murphy holds a particularly strong hand. Talisker appears to fall a bit short of the best, but he is thoroughly seasoned, and as a second string to "V ertigern will be handy. White Jang, Beau Geste, Royal Saxon, Toxeuma, Papatu, Star God, Blimp, Teri and the well-treated Yoma may be the pick ot those lower down. . It is a difficult race to sum up at this early stage, and the task may not lighten much by the day of the event. However, half a dozen that can be commended are Mask, Oratrix -Concentrate bracket, Vertigern—Talisker bracket (both brackets are expected to be sure starters), Hoylake, Star Area and Catkin.