THE WINTER FIXTURE

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19892, 22 May 1936, Page 10

THE WINTER FIXTURE

FINE FIELD IN CHIEF EVENT A Great Contest Promised RASOULI IS THE FORM HORSE PROSPECTS UNDER REVIEW

(By “ Martian” )

Record fields for this time of the year are entered for the opening day, to-morrow, of the Waikato Racing Club’s Winter meeting, at Te Rapa, and with favourable weather conditions on the day this progressive club should experience one of the most successful gatherings in post-war years. The racing surface at Te Rapa is in splendid order and the racing throughout should be of a highly interesting order. The principal event on the day’s programme, the Waikato Steeplechase, has attracted one of the finest fields in years and the presence of a strong Southern contingent will infuse the race with additional interest. A number of horses engaged here will be going on to the Great Northern meeting at Ellerslie and their showing to-morrow, on a racetrack that is recognised as one of the fairest in the Dominion, ' jrill be followed closely.

Valpssn, top-weight for the Waikato Steepleohase, will be improved by the racing he had at Hawera. At his bast he would take a lot of beating for •11 his 12.3, but It is questionable whether he la Just himself yet. ItMoull look* the part and that he la In great heart for to-mor-row’e angagement he demonstrated during the week at headquarters In an Impressive eohoollng bout In company with Royal Llmond and London. Jumping confidently and dashingly throughout he showed that he has lost none of his old 'ohaalng ability. He won at the Igmont meeting the other week and Is definitely on the upgrade again. What beats him to-mor-row should win. Royal Llmond, a double winner at Riverton, and a stablemate to Rasouli has the credentials to oommand every respect and like Rasouli he impressed the other morning. He should carry public confidence and if one is looking for a horse to beat Rasouli one need not go beyond the son of Llmond and Royal Exchange. His record at the Riverton meeting last month was a third and two successes, and on the last occasion he gave nothing else a chance in the deciding stages of the running. Thespis Is liable to make his presence felt, his success In the Autumn Steeplechase at Ellerslie last month being a fine performance, although the class was not particularly strong. Thespis will be well supported. Old Billy Boy is not the steeplechaser he was a couple of seasons back and Diamond is preferred to him. He fell In his last essay at Ellerslie, but bis earlier form held promise of better things. Forest Glow is handily placed and has run second in his last three starts, finishing behind Roxy in

BILLY BOY. the Mangere Steeples and running Thespis to a length In the Autumn Steeples on the second day of the recent Auckland meeting. Rasouli beat him at Egmont. Emancipation shaped like an Improver at Te Awamutu. Roxy, winner of the Mangere Steelechase at Ellerslie last -month and who won the Hack Hurdles at Te Awamutu on Saturday, should not fail to make his presence felt. His form at Ellerslie, where he beat Forest Glow and London, was good and it will not be on the score of condition if he fails to give of his best to-morrow. Spalpiko, Ardmanning and London comprise the balance of a good field in which the public fancies may include— RASOULI—ROYAL LIMOND THESPIS ROXY