Woodville Track Work

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 42, 19 February 1937, Page 4

Woodville Track Work

YESTERDAY’S PROGRAMME WAS SURPRISIN’GLY LIGHT

HAUT MONDE AND MANDAMUS NOT STARTING IN HANDICAP.

With the races only a couple of days away it was expected that there would be a very interesting programme of track work at Woodville yesterday. The weather was fine and the course in first rate order but there was very little galloping, most of the horses with engagements on Saturday being given easy pace work. The course proper was open and the trestles were over thirty feet out from the rails.

Among those that were speeded up were Courtcraft, Convivial and Mandamus, also Brown Oak, but the only trial of a serious nature was that in which Convivial and Mandamus were associated. It was over six furlongs and Convivial won it, moving as if she really liked the going. It was announced that Haut Monde, an acceptor for the Woodville Handicap, would not be a starter the first day, and that Mandamus would start in the open sprint in preference to the Woodville Handicap. Another scratching announced ia Rolling Home, and his defection will obviate the chance of a division in the Maiden Plate for which there were 21 acceptors.—one over the safety number for six furlong races at Woodville. Geira, who comes in on the second day at Woodville, was worked on the plough and she fought for her head. There was a fair amount of comment by track watchers about the weights accorded the Woodville youngsters entered the Juvenile Handicap at Te Aroha. Geira has been given 9.7 and Aiwai 9.3, and it has been found hard to appreciate the handicapper ’a reason for requiring Geira to concede Aiwai 4lbs. Geira has won two races to date, neither of which was worth more than £55 to the winner, yet she is asked to give away weight to Aiwai who won the Avondale Stakes, two races at Wanganui and a £250 race at Trentham. Courtcraft, Mr. W. H. Gaisford’s big eolt, who is to make his racing debut in the Sapling Stakes, was sprinted two furlongs down the home stretch, and he moved attractively. Haut Monde was exercised on the plough. He looks very well.

WOODVILLE SCRATCHINGS. Haut Monde and Mandamus were scratched at 9.30 yesteraay morning for the Woodville Handicap. . Day Dress was scratched for the President’s Handicap at 3 p.m. yesterday.

Race Call, with C. McGovern in the saddle, was given a couple of rounds of steady pace work on No. 1 grass. He is an acceptor for the Maiden Plate and he looks a picture. lie will be ridden by L. H. Clifford. Convivial (M. Casey) and Mandamus (N. Cavaney) were partners over six furlongs and Convivial got the better of the start. The pace was soon on and with Convivial about a length in front, they broke 39 for the first three furlongs. Mandamus challenged at the home turn but could make little impression on Convivial and the Riccarton mare, galloping very kindly, drew away over the last bit to complete the distance in 1.17. She was galloping without apparent effort and she was three or four lengths to the good at the post. She will be ridden by S. Wilson tomorrow.' Francis Drake and Bumble were worked on the plough. Cenotaph, owned by Mr. R. G. Smith, who was there to see the work, was sprinted a couple of furlongs with Blue Tiger, and he moved well for a novice. At the end of two furlongs Cenotaph was pulled up but Blue Tiger went on to complete six furlongs as if he had recovered from his fall. King’s Lancer (M. Gilmore) and Appendage (Cavaney) were sprinted six furlongs. King’s Lancer got the better of the start ad he set a pretty fair pace, getting to the three furlongs in 395. Appendage made a bid for it at the bottom of the straight but King’s Lancer finished too solidly for her, being timed to complete in 1.20. Brown Oak (C. N. Essex) was sprint ed three furlongs on his own and he was not loafing at any part to get to the finishing line in 37 3-5 secs. Additional riding engagements for Woodville are: B. H. Morris, Karl; L. H. Clifford, Race Call; C. McGovern, Otaki; S.' Wilson, Convivial. Alteration in Order of Races. There is an alteration in the order of running on Saturday and the Kumeroa Handicap will be the seventh race on the programme and the concluding event will bo the County Hack. NAMES REGISTERED. The chestnut mare by Gainscourt out of Bess Laddo, nominated by J. Duggan for the Novice Stakes on the second day of the Woodville meeting, has been named Vienna. The chestnut, Lackham—Merry Sarto colt, nominated by Mr F. S. Easton for the same race, has been named Rahotahi. RACING DATES Feb. 19, 20 —Winton J.C. Feb. 20, 22 —Woodville D.J.C. Feb. 20, 22—Waikato R.C. Feb. 26, 27 —Gore R.C. Feb. 27 —Waiapu R.C. Feb. 27—Opunako R.C. Feb. 27, March I—Te Aroha J.C. March 4, 6 —Napier Park R.C. March 6—Rangitikci R.C. March 6—Banka Peninsula R.C*