Napier Cup

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 914, 6 March 1930, Page 16

Napier Cup

CLASS FIELD ENGAGED Tomorrow’s Programme Reviewed THE big event at Xapier Park tomorrow is the Xapier Cup, which has attracted quite a brilliant field of haudicap horses. "Early Bird’s” review of the card is appended.

It is indeed pleasing to see such good fields paid up for at the opening of the Xapier Park meeting at Greeni meadows tomorrow. The quality is all there, and the events promise to be keenly contested. First item on an interesting bill of fare is the Omaranui Hurdles Red Bank reads well in this company if the distance does not prove beyond him, in which case -Ten will have his chance. King's Jest is just the type of hurdler, and if he jumps at all well should keep the opposition busy both days. Diamond Lad has not raced for some time, but Essential is a promising sort. Raukaponga has not shown winning form for a while, and Rouex and Heather Blend will have to improve on past showings. FavQuritcs will probably be KIXG’S JEST RED BAX K JEX Esk Hack Handicap Winning form points distinctly to Royal Opera, who, however, is now well up in the weights. Belle Star, too, has i.aced consistently, and at the difference in weights she may be better than Royal Opera. Tourist has not shown much form of late, and Brown Sugar appears to have gone oft'. Abbey Queen is now at her best, and Iven was unlucky at Dannevirke. Cloyne and Corneroff may be the pick of those farther down. Backers may declare in favour of BELLE STAR KEEN BROWX SUGAR Sapling Stakes With a big field of a score the barrier draw will have something to do with it. Cylinder has a big weight, but he is good. Kahikatoa is the makings of a smart galloper, and the recent successes of Henry of Navarre and Jenny Diver indicate that they will be dangerous. Hawkshaw is a speedy youngster in the making. Running Over lias won at' Gisborne, and of those farther down a word can be said for Outward Bound, Manuiri, Rapallo, Star of Gold and Warworn. It is a regular puzzle, but this trio should be in demand: JENNY DIVER KAHIKATOA HENRY OF NAVARRE Napier Cup A strong field of 15 will be on hand to contest the big event, with that good horse Star Stranger at the top of the list, and not overburdened with 9.9. Toxeuma has a big weight, and ( despite his good form he has a stift job in front of him. Oratrix will be more at home under her weight here, and Great Charter should see it out. His form six weeks ago was excellent. Merry Damon and The Hawk are on the same mark, and despite the former's Woodville success The Hawk is preferred. for his Taranaki and Wanganui showings were full of merit. Singleton is handsomely treated, and if anything like his midsummer form, when he followed up a couple of good races at Awapuni by winning the Marton Cup,

he will be a possibility. Blimp, too has been racing more solidly of late’ and then there is the vastly-improved filly’ My Own. who proved herself able to hold her own in the rough race for Dannevirke Cup. The Swell has not been doing as well as expected in hi* recent outings, and of those on the bottom Shrewd and High Court have quite, good prospects. However, the machine fancies may be THE HAWK SINGLETON GREAT CHARTER Autumn Handicap There are only seven left in ! open seven, and it is not going to be |an easy race to sort out. At first i glance the three-year-olds would t pear to have a lot in their favour. They !n re Admiral Drake, Head Sorang j Hunting Day and Te Awlia. The Swell f carries weight well, and if caught just : right there will have to be some respect : tor Merry Mint. Moa Bird has been, finishing so w ell in her races that the distance will be in her favour if she can carry’ the weight. Favourite? will, probably be HI’NTIXG DAT HEAD SERAXG ADMIRAL DRAKE Maiden Scurry Despite the fact that the season is now well advanced, there are still plenty of horses about eligible for maiden races. Of the 3 5 carded for the Malden Scurry tomorrow’ Don Quixote. Minter. Manifesto, Corneroft. Merry Melody and Blackpool may be the best, although there are some of the unknown quantities who no doubt have shown private trials good enough for this lot. The best backed may be MANIFESTO DOX QUIXOTE CORNEROFF Flying Handicap Most of the sprinters seen in opposition at Dannevirke will meet again. Kailioro is now on the same mark as Ridgemount. and the latter’s stablemate Bonogne is also left in. The elect of this pair will be dangerous. Aston goes very fast, but five furlongs appears to have been his limit, yet in this event he may' hang on well enough. Royal Parade is now fulfilling his early promise and is now to be classed as at least useful in this class. Royal Duke. Huikai and Cuticle complete an interesting field, in which the bettine market may favour ASTON ROYAL PARADE KAIHORO Redcliffe Hack Handicap The top weight. Fine Acre, has been mixing hurdling and flat, racing of lato with success, and he is in great form. Goldlike will be at home over this distance, and Rich Harvest is a distinct possibility. Others likely to be in demand are Tourist, High Society. Crown Link and Merry Melody. Machine favourites will probably be GOLDLIKE RICH HARVEST FIXE ACRE