Early Fancies for the Pakuranga Double

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1054, 19 August 1930, Page 12

Early Fancies for the Pakuranga Double

Jellicoe Handicap and Dunedin Handicap

Early speckers on the Pakuranga double event, the Jellicoe Handicap and the Dunedin Handicap, have a good deal of public form to go upon, this for the first time in very many years. In the first place, there have been two extra meetings at which Northern horses have had the opportunity of competing, these being the Waipa and Manawatu gatherings, and the form revealed there has an almost direct bearing on next Saturday’s two principal flat handicaps. Since the Great Northern meeting over ten weeks ago good form in the middle-distance flat handicaps has been shown by True Blood, a, winner at Trentham; Nancy Lee, placed in three starts at Riccarton; Paddon, a winner at Awapuni: High Pitch, placed at Trentham; Standfast, placed at To Awamutu; .Hannibal, placed at Te Awamutu; and Prince of Orange, placed at Trentham. Jellicoe Handicap With the exception of the last mentioned, all the above horses are accepted for in the Jellicoe Handicap, one and a-quarter miles, at Ellerslie next Saturday. True Blood has been left at the top of the handicap with 8.13, and he is not at all badly treated, for his Trentham form was excellent, and appar-

ently he is a good weight-carrier. Maori Boy failed at Trentham, and Nancy Lee. despite her second at Riccarton in the Winter Cup last week, does not appeal over ten furlongs. Nevertheless, her showing over that journey will be more than a bit interesting. Paddon ran third in the sprint the first day at Trentham, and going on to Awapuni was beaten by both Marjoram and Best Friend after being unlucky in the running, and two days later ho turned the tables on Marjoram, defeating him convincingly. .Paddon may be the favourite on the day. First of Season Desert Glow had recently been schooled over tho sticks, according to southern provincial reports, and he may not be quite ready. However, it is said that the members of F. Loomb’s stable are all forward, and this is just the sort of race that Desert Glow could pull off, if the going is at all firm. High Pitch ran a great race in the Trentham Parliamentary Handicap, being defeated narrowly. That was his best showing for some time, and a repetition will see him a dangerous candidate. However, he will be suited by the conditions, although he cannot be strongly recommended. Standfast has raced very consistently since the late autumn, and a win for him is quite due. Ho beat all but Eager Rose at Te Awamutu, having all the worst of the running, whereas his conqueror had a beautiful run throughout. Standfast may do the trick on this occasion.

About Pompeiua Pompeius was a very tit horse when brought up from Te Rapa for the A.R.C. Cornwall Handicap at the Great Northern meeting, and although his form then was not convincing, a bit of luck on his side may see him prominent. * Barometer is suited by winter conditions, and Hannibal is a fine recruit to handicap company. He was third to Eager Rose and Standfast at Te Awamutu, and for his first showing in this class it was a most impressive effort. Hannibal has been kept going at headquarters and has done everything asked of him. Sir Archie is too unreliable and Bennie may bo better. Daylight won over hurdles at Trentham, but this race is a very different proposition. Thursby is nothing more than a mudlark, and can always be considered to an extent where the company is short of good class and the mud is thick. A Good Field Taken all round the field is a good one, a bit better than is usually seen out so early in the season, thanks to the extra winter meetings staged. At this juncture, with today's and Thursday’s gallops to wind up the preparations for the Jellicoe Handicap, the following five horses appear to

dominate the situation in next Saturday’s big handicap: TRUE BLOOD. MAORI BOY. PADDON. STANDFAST. HANNIBAL. So far as the open sprint, the Dunedin Handicap, is concerned, there is really little form for backers to go upon. Gold Money is not out of it with her 9.0, for she won a double at the Great Northern meeting with the 9st minimum in operation. Royal Ruler is a speedy fellow, and from all accounts he is forward. Prince of Orange had Havering extended at Trentham over this sprint distance, and that will bring him into favour. Indeed. Prince of Orange’s form is the most recent of all those engaged in this event. So far as the others are concerned, a good word can be said for Lady’s Boy, Kingfield. Lucy Rose, Chrcunadyne Flying Prince, White Wings. Grand Spirit, Awamutu, Honiton, Valstreet, and Footrule. In this contest the quintet that makes most appeal comprises GOLD MONEY. ROYAL RULER. PRINCE OF ORANGE. CHROMADYNE. HONITON. As all except the first-mentioned'are trained in the country, there may not be much of a guide in the way of track work forthcoming for backers, who will therefore have to rely on past form.