CHIEF EVENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1940, Page 8

CHIEF EVENTS

(By "Hurry On.")

POLAND CUP CONTEST LLANGOLLENS'S TASK

As the last meeting in the north before the big spring gathering of the Auckland Racing Club, the Ohinemuri | Jockey Club's fixture during the coming week-end is attracting a good deal of | interest. The principal event, the Poland Cup, has drawn a fair field, while many of the best sprinters in the north figure in the Flying Handicap. I Mazir, who heads the list in the Poland Cup, has not shown form for some time, while Cheval de Volee, who is in receipt of seven pounds from him, usually requires racing before being seen at his best. The Avondale Cup' winner Clinch will claim a lot of attention with 8.3. His win at Avondale was full of merit and the smaller field and longer distance of this event appear likely to favour him. Clinch is one of the most promising handicap horses in the north. Besiege and Mintlaw. Besiege did not race at Avondale, but on the occasion of his last start he beat a good field in easy fashion at Matamata in July. A repetition of that form would see him taking a hand in the finish. Valamito is likely to be all the better for the racing that he had at Avondale, but he has yet to indicate that he is back to his old form. Mintlaw raced well enough at Avondale to suggest that he may be prominent in this event. He was a useful performer last autumn, when he showed his ability to run out a mile and three furlong journey. Fair Recent Form. Though Raceline failed at Avondale, he ran good races at New Plymouth and Rotorua. An easing of the tracks would enhance his prospects. Sunny Downs, who was second to Besiege at Matamata, is a recruit from the hack ranks who stavs on solidly. Hunting Bee has raced

well enough in hack company to be accorded prospects, while Coronation did well enough at Avondale to suggest that he may be in the picture. Kilcash, who scored at Ellerslie in June, is a possibility, but Day Wind is likely to be at a long price. The main fancies may be Clinch, Besiege, Mintlaw and Raceline. The Sprint Event. With 9.10 to carry, Llangollen is faced with a stiff task, but she is a- great mare who showed at Rotorua that she is far from being a back number. Though Proud Fox is better known as a middle distance performer, his fine effort in the Admiralty Handicap at the Pakuranga meeting demonstrated that he must be respected as a sprinter. At his best Corato is a smart sprinter, but waywardness at the barrier has been against his chances, and he won only one race last season. With 8.13 he appears to have his full share of weight.

Good Autumn Form. Pirate King displayed good form during the autumn when he.downed Orelio and Kathbella in the sprint at Avondale in April. He has not had any recent racing, but has raced well fresh in the past. Lornacre, though not likely to reach the best class, is useful in this company, but Te Takina makes more appeal. During the winter Te Takina showed greatly improved stamina and won races in dashing fashion at Te Rapa and Te Awamutu. A fast beginner, Te Takina is likely to make a bold bid with 8.5. Silver Quex, who also showed good form in the late autumn, is likely to require a longer distance to show her best form. Prominent at Avondale. Bronze Moth and Orate have no recent form, but Gaymiss drew marked attention to her prospects by her fine showing on the final day at Avondale. In the open sprint she made a gallant attempt to lead all the way and weakened into fourth place only in the last furlong. As that race is likely to have improved her, she may make a bold bid in this race. Valimeen and Maxam showed speed at Avondale and Maxam has raced well at Paeroa in the rast. Olympus is reported to have worked well at Te Rapa and came in for support at Avondale. Dinky Di showed enough form as a two-year-old to be accorded respect with 7.4. Of those on the minimum Miss Te Koura has plenty of speed, while Town Section, Paxeno and Sir Robin have useful hack form. Sure Pay showed promising form last season. Among those in request may be Caymiss, Te Takina, Dinky Di and Proud Fox.