Prospects for Waipa Fixture

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 845, 13 December 1929, Page 14

Prospects for Waipa Fixture

THE prospects for the annual meeting tomorrow at Te Awamutu of the Waipa Racing Club are of the brightest, and keen contests seem assured. Prodice is the ruling fancy for the Te Awamutu Cup, but the other events promise to take some picking. “Early Bird’s” review of an interesting programme is given below.

The course at Te Awamutu, which incidentally is situated handy to the train stopping-place, is such as to provide good footing in any but the worst weather.' A start is to be made with the Pirongia Hurdles. The topweight, The Lamb, is one of the most notable of recent recruits to the hurdling game, but with his big inpost the course might beat him. Catonian ran first and second at Elerslie in the spring, and on that showing is a real good one. The conditions may suit him to a nicety. Ramblin’ Ivid has not shown good form for some time, and Archeen, a clever fencer, will take some catching if he gets away round these bends. Waltzer too can go fast, and Whaka King displayed ability at Te Rapa. Spalpiko in his last few starts has not fulfilled expectations, and the stable may rely on Catonian. Mashoor raced fairly well at Te Ivuiti, and Red Day at the same place might have got in the money if he had not been made too much use of. It is an interesting field, with the best backed pair probably CATONIAN THE LAMB. Kihikihi Handicap Several engaged here claim later engagements. Sir Russell is right at the top of his form, and his weight may not stop him. Flying Prince has his share, being on the same mark, but his Takapuna form was good. Ti Tree is not a weight carrier and yet she won so well at Te Kuiti that she may beat them all in what may be a small field. Macroom is preferred in the sprint. Black Maire should be suited by this race, although racing right-handed he may give trouble to be kept on the course. Gemlight ought to be improved as the result of his Takapuna outing. On the other side of the handicap there are the Tinker pair, Valuation and Lunette, and Storm Fiend. Valuation is liable to be a dangerous candidate, for he won at Te Kuiti without being extended. Favourites may be VALUATION SIR RUSSELL. Waipa Plate With this big field, containing as it does so many unknown quantities, the winner is going to take some finding. F. Loomb’s stable appears to have a strong hand with Illuminagh and Biddy Comet, while other likely ones are Perennis, Praetor, Asmodeus, Tenakoe, Prairie King, Norval Tea and Derry Belle. Most money should be forthcoming for PRAETOR BIDDY COMET. Te Awamutu Cup It is likely that outside of the three at the top of the handicaps betting will be rather restricted, for this trio —Prodice, Corinax and The Lover — are entitled to monopolise the market. Prodice won with considerable dash the second day at Takapuna, and on that occasion she was much more forward in condition than when she appeared at Riccartcn. Fhe will be racing on her home course tomorrow. Prodice was fancied a good deal for this event 12 months ago. but her companion Desert Glow pulled it off for the stable. Corinax has a big weight, a factor that can be said to be in a measure responsible for bis failures subsequent to his last Auckland Cup success. His stable companion The Lover is unlikely to run. Transformer lias shown flashes of form, and Flying Juliet, too, seems to be improving slightly—not quite sufficient pqrhaps to beat this field, but racing is a funny game. Thursby is not fancied to any extent, and Micrometer has not yet struck form. Marble King is being tried over the middle distance, for which lie may be not quite seasoned. King Emerald has been galloping well at lHadquarters, and of those on the minimum (there are six out of the nine) he appeals most. However, it is likely that the primo fancies will be PRODICE CORINAX.

Paterangi Handicap The penalty earned by Hakanoa would appear to put him ouc of the running, but lie may still bo capable of a good effort.Wenday looks as if she is returning to form, and Glena Bay, too, is on the up grade. Quincoma showed some of his old speed at Takapuna, and Tanagra did not. Cybele followed up two good races at Takapuna by winning at Taumarunui, and Motere has his chance here. The latter will be on his home course, but he is usually so slow over the first part that he will find it hard U win. None of the others appeal to any extent. Probably the best backed will be GLENA BAY WENDAY. Orakau Hack Handicap Of the two heading the list Richfield is strongly fancied, for he is in very light. It is a big field, in which others that possess chances would appear to be Awamutu, Patere, Te Hoia, Cruaclian, Lucky Alice, The Jack

Jumper, Joy Girl, Antique, nose Lupin, Snow Prince, Prince of Orange and Perennis. Speed out of the barrier will be responsible for a lot, but apart from this the money should be forthcoming for RICHFIELD TE HOI A. Flying Handicap Recent form should play a big part in this event, for winners of late are Mervette, Leitrim, Town Bird Macroom and Joy Germ, with others such as Awarere, Tea Time, Storm Fiend, The Begum and Volimond to make it interesting. There does not seem to be any particular reason for backers to go outside the two at the top of the handicap in searching for the favourites: MERVETTE LEITRIM. Ohaupo Handicap There are nine accepted for in the concluding race, but with no less than eight engaged in earlier races it is a problem to know just what horses will face the starter, least of all to nominate the probable favourite. Archieleen is the only stranger, and she may be equal to the occasion; a lot of course depends on the composition of the held. Probably there will be a good deal of money on hand for LUNETTE FLYING PRINCE. The following arc some of the riding engagements announced for tomorrow: E. A. Keesing.—Leitrim, Tc Hoia, To Ngakoe, and Black Maire. H. Goldfinch.—Ti T ree, Hakanoa and Prince of Orange. J. Cammick.—Thursby and Paterc, R. Olive.—The Lamb. K. Gill.—Sir Russell. L. Du lieu.—St. Warrigal. E. Ludlow.—Welcome Boy. R. McTavish.—Corinax, Praetor, Gemliglit and Tliurnus. W. H. Jones.—Archileen. Micrometer and Norval: Tea. H. Dulieu.—Mashoor, Glena Bay and Townsman. A. Tinker.—Z.lervette, Valuation and Lunette.