SCOTLAND SURPRISES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 40, 17 February 1939, Page 4

SCOTLAND SURPRISES

ROTORUA CUP SUCCESS PROSPECTS AT TE RAPA (Special to “Chronicle.”) AUCKLAND, Feb. 16. Scotland's surprise success in the Rotorua Cup was his first win since he scored in the Avondale Cup nearly eighteen months ago. A week earlier, in the- Matamata Cup, he went with his field for nearly a mile. This was his best effort for a long time, and this scarcely paved the way for success on a turning track. Now that Scotland has shown he is not a “has been” he may win again shortly, for he is to compete in all the big autumn handicap events in the province in the next few weeks. Heroic Maid was a very hot favourite for the two and three-year-old race at Rotorua on Saturday and her form suggested that in this company she should be unbeatable. So it proved, for she ran away with the stake, giving nothing else a look-in. Raised 131 b. on the second day, the filly did not get away brilliantly and after being in front at the turn she weakened. Heroic Maid should be a capital sprinter next season and she may be a bargain for her owner, for she was purchased at the Sydney yearling sales last Easter for 100 guineas. She is by Marconigram from the Heroic mare Heroic Belle. Llangollen’s Sprint.

Llangollen’s fine effort in winning the sprint at Rotorua under 9.10 was an outstanding effort and as this completed the stable double Scotland having captured the Cup—there must have been some rejoicing in the camp. For some time now this fine mare has been more than holding her own under big weights on the provincial circuit and from now on she will be on hand at the bigger fixtures. She should take some beating, especially as the class is so much better and this has brought about a drop in weight. Llangollen may take on the Herries Memorial Cup at Te Aroha after competing at Te Rapa and with 8.2 in the former event she is nicely placed. Kena is not engaged at Te Rapa on Saturday next, but he has been entered for the Herries Cup and the open mile on the first day of the Te Aroha fixture the following Saturday. He went a fair race in the Matamata Cup and finished strongly in the Rotorua Cup to take second place to Scotland, so ft really looks as if he is getting back to his fine form of the early spring. Kena has held out promise of being a fine stayer and the eleven furlongs of the big rase at Te Aroha should not find him wanting. When she finished almost up with the placed horses in the Rotorua Cup it was not surprising to find Star Artist fairly well backed for the handicap contest on the second day, and she won well. She had improved considerably by her outing ar Matamata and now she is in excellent order to contest coming events. Of late Star Artis has also been entered for hurdle events and she has been paid up for in this class on Saturday at Te Rapa, so with her pace it will only be necessary for her to fence reasonably well to be a problem for thee other jumpers on the circuit. It is pleasing to note that this mare is no»v staying on much better than formerly.