SPLENDID PROSPECTS.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 October 1942, Page 6

SPLENDID PROSPECTS.

MASTERTON RACING CLUB’S MEETING

AT OTAKI TOMORROW.

REVIEW OF THE FIELDS,

Followers of the turf should have a splendid day’s outing before them if they contemplate attending the Masterton Racing Club’s meeting at the Otaki racecourse tomorrow. Record fields are carded and the club’s hardworking secretary (Mr Norman James) and his band of stewards have capably completed all arrangements lor the successful running of the meeting. Favoured with fine weather the club should experience a highly successful gathering. The first race is timed to start at about 11.45 a.m. The Opaki Trial Stakes will probably be run in two divisions. An interesting starter in the first division is Dash Up, which ran a close second to Sun Blaze at Marton recently and appeared a trifle unlucky. In the same division is Patu Ra, in whose appearance interest is being shown locally. Patu Ra is a chestnut gelding owned by Mr J. P. McMaster, of the Lower Valley, and trained at Otaki by W. Morrison. Gay Falcon is also a prospect. In the second division Po Huka, owned by a steward of the Masterton Racing Club, Mr W. R. P. Cooper, and trained by B. J. Kelleher at Opaki, should have a host of supporters. Po Huka is a well built gelding and in view of his meritorious second at Otaki last Saturday, should make a bold showing. Donegal Bay is also expected to run well. Home Rule and Gamble, two locally-trained horses under T. R. George's care, will also have followers. On form however, the public fancy may be:—First Division: Dash Up, Patu Ra. Second Division: Donegal Bay, Po Huka. The Blairlogie Highweight Handicap (12.30 p.m.) should be another interesting race. Talenta and Siglow may be well supported. Kinsman is a dual acceptor at the meeting and might not start in the highweight. Straight Left and Acrobat read the best of the rest, with Arabic and Dusky Morn possibilities. Straight Left has double engagements and might not be produced. The public will probably favour Talenta, Siglow, Acrobat. Provision has been made for the third race on the card, the Macara Handicap (1.15 p.m.) to be run in two divisions, but it is not anticipated that it will be necessary. Ex-Pupil, Theatre and All Bunsby will be hard to oust from a place. Belle Fox represents class, however, while likely speed merchants in Piko Piko and Pompit are in fine racing fettle. Foreign Princess's recent second cannot be ignored. However, on track form the most heavily backed may be: Theatre, Ex-Pupil, Piko Piko or Foreign Princess (if a division). The principal race on the card, the Masterton Handicap (2 p.m.), has attracted some first-class performers which include such top-rankers as Gladynev, Centrepoise and Noble Fox. Gladynev ran a useful race at Otaki last week which will stand him in good stead tomorrow. From the good track reports which have come from the Manawatu, Gladynev is just about right. Centrepoise is not a definite starter but if he is fit after his trip down from Auckland, where he scored a fourth in the Mitchelson Cup, he will be a possibility. Noble Fox has been a consistently placed horse, having run first, third, fourth and first in its last four starts. Among the lightweights, Enrich. Sanction and Don Quex have been running consistently well and will dispute placings with the top weights. Triple Crown has had a bad run of late and Cheddington has earned a reputation for producing his best' on his home course at Hastings. Fining the field down popular fancies may be: Gladynev, Sanction, Centrepoise or Noble Fox. The Gladstone Hack (2.45 p.m.), should provide patrons with a thrilling finish. Prominent runners should include Daljarrock, who has a second and a first to his credit this season in two starts. Theolateral has also been consistent and should take a share of the stake money. Sunblaze has had a fourth, a first and a second in three starts this season. Rink, Great March. Golden Acre, Prairie Girl and Leisurely read best of the rest, but on the daj’ the most favoured by the public will probably be: Theolateral, Daljarrock, Sunblaze or Leisurely (if run in two divisions).

The open sprint, the Solway Handicap (3.30 p.m.), of six furlongs, will present punters with a real problem. On paper the Wings of Song-High Class bracket and Augment read well, but with horses of the calibre of Poutatau( owned by the popular president of the club, Mr J. James), Sil- Crusoe, Dominate, Palora, Hasten, and Vivid Night, the issue is indeed a clouded one. Hasten, who is raced by a steward of the Masterton Racing Club, Mr J. Mulvaney, is in splendid fettle. Dominate, one of Mr T. R. George’s charges, is looking very fit just now and it has to be remembered that he was proved better than his former stablemate, Indian Sign. Palora and Parlato are both speedsters, while Sir Crusoe is just about ready. Public fancies may be: High ClassWings of Song bracket, Poutatau and Sir Crusoe.

The Champion Hack Handicap (4.15 p.m.), should provide a keen finish. Kinsman, if produced here should fill a place but will have a hard proposition in Straight Left, First Edition and Sir Fox. Prospective candidates to salute the judge should include: Straight Left, Kinsman, Sir Fox. If the last race, the Lansdowne Handicap (5 p.m.). is run in divisions the following should attract attention: First Division: Golden Acre, Moderate. Second Division: Broiveine, Ring Scarf.