The Plunket Medal

This time-honoured and inspiring contest will be run in the Town Hall on Saturday, July 18, at 8 p.m. The starter will be Mr. W. J. Mountjoy (jun.), and the judges are Judge McGregor, Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P., and Professor G. W. von Zedlitz. For the benefit of punters we give some criticism of the various contestants Where possible we give their previous performances;

O—2—R. J. Reardon.—Training hard and the stable is very confident. Has drawn a bad place at the barrier, but the Irish are always dangerous in races of this description. Not a good bet as he is inclined to be unruly at the starting barrier.

A. F. T. Chorlton.—A maiden performer with plenty of staying capabilities. Has good track work, but hard to say how he will go with the colours up.

2—Z. Henderson.—Has done a great number of preliminary canters this year. Is in good hands and has come on marvellously well in last few weeks. Her trainer knows all the tricks of this contest.

H. J. Bishop.—Another maiden. Might go well but a slight swelling in the hocks was noticeable at his last public performance.

0—0—G. Crossley.—Neighing with confidence. One for the ladies. Will be a bit unlucky if he fails to salute the judge.

2—0—C. Forde.—The most experienced candidate. The ruling favourite and is our best bet for the week. Seems to be home on the bit.

M. Riske.—A brilliant but erratic performer. This is an imported animal with plenty of Cossack strains. Trained on vodka. A determined effort was made to nobble this starter and he is now being guarded by detectives armed with hockey sticks.

Summing up this is a difficult contest. Owing to lack of public form of many of the runners, anything might happen. Still we are of the opinion that the following will be the order at the finishing post.

• 1—Forde.
• 2—Riske.
• 3—Crossley.