STRONG FIELD

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1940, Page 8

STRONG FIELD

(By 'Hurry On.")

SLY FOX AND OUR JEAN PROSPECTS DISCUSSED

With most of the best handicap horses in the north engaged, the Avondale Cup, which is to be run on Saturday, is attracting considerable interest. It is really the first big spring race. Golden Sheila is topweight with 9.0,.' but it is not likely that she will be accorded strong support. She has not won a race since last November and usually takes racing before being seen at her best. Royal Appellant has had the necessary racing during the winter to fit him for the task. He was second to Valmint in the Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie in June, and a repetition of that form would find him pvominent at the finish of this event. Mazir and Floodtide. Mazir represents good class when at his best, but it is a long time since he has shown his real form. Nevertheless he had a race at the Pakuranga meeting, and is reported to have gone the right way since. Floodtide has not won a race for over two years, but at Ellerslie last November he filled third place behind Birthday Boy and Balinavar. On a holding track he is always entitled to respect. Last season Beau Repaire proved himself a high-class three-year-old by his fine races at Ellerslie and Trentham during the summer. He may be all the better for the outing, but with 8.3 is not likely to be neglected. I Fancied Candidates. Despite his defeat in the Higgie Handicap at Awapuni on Saturday Sly Fox will command a big following. He had none of the luck of the running at Awapuni and that race would improve him. At this meeting last year he won the Plumpton Handicap, carrying 8.9 in easy fashion on the second day. The fine finish that Our Jean put in to secure second place in the Admiralty Handicap at the Pakuranga meeting last month was impressive, demonstrating that she is back to her best form. As Our Jean beat Fils de Vaals over, a mile and a quarter at Ellerslie last January she is likely to be able to stay the distance. Flying Acre and Kena. Few horses in the north have made more improvement during the last few months than Flying Acre. He beat a good field at Te Rapa in June, and at the Pakuranga meeting only just failed to catch Te Kawhiti in the Jellicoe Handicap. As the winner of the Parliamentary Handicap at Trentham in July, Kena reads well with 7.9, especially as he usually races well on the Avondale track. His chances would be enhanced by a holding course. After the big weights that he has been carrying in sprint events Aero King will find 7.8 a luxurious impost, and if he can see the distance out he might be capable of a1 surprise. Winner at Te Aroha. Though Gamos may not be fully tuned up, as the winner of the Herries Memorial at Te Aroha last season, he is entitled to respect. He is a solid sort who stays well. Erlick has had plenty of winter racing, but his form after his stylish win in the York. Handicap1 on iV.e final day at Ellerslie in June has been . below expectatiqns. Valamito was a good performer two. seasons back but may require racing before being seen at his best. Mintlaw registered some solid performances in the autumn when he was second to Gamos j in the Herries Memorial at Te Aroha. As he is reported to be training on well he may not be neglected. Last Year's Winner. Blonde Princess also claims an engagement in the sprint, and that is likely to be her mission, as the stable has Sly Fox in this event. Last year's winner "The Gardinal has not distinguished himself in the interval, with the result that he has 31b less weight this time. Nevertheless he ran a creditable race in the open sprint at the ■ Pakuranga meeting and may make a bold bid to repeat his last year's performance. New Plymouth form points to good efforts from Raceline and Clinch. Raceline appeared to be unlucky to be beaten in* the Halcombe Memorial, while Clinch finished fast into fourth place in the open sprint on the first day. Of the others on the minimum Coronation. Silver Glow and Eastern Heir' may do • best. The race bears an open appearance, but the main fancies may include Sly Fox, Our Jean, Flying Acre and Raceline.

Takanini Gallops. Track conditions were very heavy at Takanini when the fast work was carried out on the middle grass, 10 feet out. . Among the Avondale candidates to please were Airport, Classic, Mysito, Valamito and Flood Tide. The best five furlongs of the morning was credited to Gold Money Song (McMirin), who recorded 1.6 3-5s after running the first two in 25 3-5s. Surella (Beguely) finished half a length in front of Glen Connell (Cameron) at the end of six furlongs. They both appeared to work well, but were not timed. Gamos (Wiggins) and Valamito (McMinn) were sent a mile, running the first half in 53s, and the full distance in 1.51.' Valamito finished a length in front. Flood Tide (T. Green), who had the assistance of Inver (Stockley) over the last six furlongs, ran a mile in lm 49 3-5s, Inver being a shade in front at the end. Airport (Spinley) was responsible for a good effort over half a mile, recordmg 53 3-5s. The two-year-olds Cambria (Smith) and Verus (Green), were associated over three furlongs, " the former revealing improvement to defeat Verus by two lengths in 39 2-5s. Route March (Smith) and Nettarian (McMinn) took 39 l-5s, both working well. Queen City (Coker) and River Plate (Wiggins) also pleased while running three furlongs m 39 4-5s, both going nicely, particularly Queen City. Classic (McMinn) and Mysito (Jackson), after showing fine speed early to run their 'first three furlongs in 37 3-5s, completed Six in 1.22, the oair crossing the line together. Other gallops were:— Three1 furlongs: Grand Vaals (Parsons) and Gayjax (Beguley) 42s. Kotori Pai (Beguley) 44, Silvsr Clarion (Parsons) 41 3-5s. Sealaw (Smith) and High Sea (Jackson) 40s, Full Hand (Curwen) ... and Cornish (Jackson) 41 2-5s,. Kawariki (Cleaver) and Court Favourite (Gray) 43s. Namara (Gray) and Cillas (Cleaver) 43 3-5s, Payette (Spinley) 40s. » Half-mile: Foxola (Wiggins) and Hineiti (Quedley) 55 2-5s, Onetea (Quedley) and Princess Nassau (Bond) 58 3-5s, Lovaals (Stockley) and Princess Val (Beguley) 57s, Te Kawiti ' (Wiggins) and Heroic Star (Coker) 56 2-5s, Maxam (Spinley) 57s, Silver Quex (Beguley) 58s. Five furlongs: Orelio (Green) and Arvakur (Curwen) 1.7 4-5s, Sunola (Beguley) 1.9, Palustre (Walters) 1.12, Gaymiss (Green) 1.8 3-5s, Mazir JPetley) last five of six 1.8 3-5s, Valimeen (Quedley) 1.9 4-5s, Lady Pay (Parsons) 1.11 l-5s-. Six furlongs: Venture (Jackson) 1.24 2-5s, Grandora (Beguley) 1.22 l-5s, Hunting Bee (Mclnally) . 1.22 -4-5s, Tellsom (Beguley). and Estro (Spinley) 1.22 2-5s.