COMMENT ON FORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22774, 7 July 1937, Page 11

COMMENT ON FORM

WIN FOR BOYAL DANCE FINE EFFORT BY TUDOR JOHN CHARLES BEATS LORD VAL [by telegraph—from archer] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The Aucklander, All Irish, made a bold bid for victory in the Mariri Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase, only to ho outstayed in the run from the last fence by Burglar, who finished soundly after jumping well throughout. All Irish also gave a fine display, although he jumped several fences rather high. Hunting Go made a very creditable showing for third and he may do a little better before the meeting concludes. Croydon looked as if lie would be difficult to beat when going well about five furlongs from home, but ho weakened near the end. Battleground was going on solidly in fifth position and he seems to be regaining form. Chang made an effort to overtake All Irish with about half a mile to go and ho was still prominent until reaching the straight, but he was well beaten when he fell at the last fence. The form of the others was not good. The improving three-year-old, Maori Song, was installed favourite for the Woburn Handicap, and ho justified the support by winning very easily. Maori Song took the lead quickly and was always travelling well in front, to go right away when his rider gave him a few kicks in the last furlong. Maori Song May .Repeat

The maimer of Maori Song's victory indicated that lie is likely to score again before the meeting is over. Rebel Mate did not appear to jump out cleanly, but he was handy at tho turn. Once the pressure was applied ho made a game effort, without being able to make any impression on the winner. Maahanui was not prominent until passing the false rail and he came home soundly for third, just defeating Joviality, who appeared to be certain to be in a place until the last little bit. Mishna was closer at tho finish than at any other stage. Square Acre drew one from the outside at the barrier and was never sighted. Te Huia loolccd a place possibility at tho false rail, but he tired very quickly. The each-wav favourite, Iddo, attempted to lead all the way in tho Vittoria Hurdles, but ho cried enough in the run homo and could finish only fourth. Donegal went with Iddo after crossing tho second fence and stayed solidly to gain .a narrow victory from Blue Tiger, who had his head in front about 100 yards from the post. Donegal registered a sound performance, although he chanced a couple of fences. Blue Tiger made a very determined efFort at the finish and he seems to be more solid than formerly, so that he may get a turn soon. Giggleswick looked like being very dangerous when ho moved up at the turn, but his weight steadied him near the end. Silver Sight was prominent until reaching the last fence and then he faded. A Decisive Victory Patiently ridden by L. Clifford, tho sixth fancy, lloyal Dance, scored a decisive victory in the Stewards' Handicap, for which Grey Honour and Pakanui were best supported. Royal Dance lay in behind Pakatiui and Merial while they were out forcing the pace and he came through iii great style on tho rails in the last furlong. Merial and Pakanui had most of the field in trouble by the solid, pace they set and they beat one another also. Merial staving on the better for second. Their form was good and thev again demonstrated their ability in heavy going. Grey Honour started from the extreme outside and was fairly wide out entering the straight. With a better post position he may have been closer. Greek Gold was another who had to travel 011 the outside and lie tired after looking a place possibility near the false rail. Notium was never dangerous. Only five of the 10 runners finished in the Wellington Steeplechase, in which Santoft brought off a surprise. He was the outsider but one of the field and paid ovfir a quarter of a century on the win machine. The way Was made easier for him by the misfortunes that befell the other runners, but he gave a sound showing on the heavy track and he may have won in any case. Early Casualties

The race was robbed of much of its interest when the each-way favourite, Streamline, and Manawatu ran inside a flag and were pulled up before going once round. Streamline was in front and travelling well at the time, but it was too early in the race to form any idea as to how he would have fared otherwise. Palm, vigorously ridden by L. Dulieu, ran his best race for some time and Tudor made a gallant showing under his heavy weight, which steadied him near the end. Trisox would have been very dangerous only for a bad jump about four fences from home. He was going well in second position at the time, but he settled his chance by his blunder. Don Erma. was beaten a long way from home and so was Valpeen, who eventually was pulled up. Sky Pilot was going well until ho stifled a fence and he came in very lame behind. . Supporters of the favourite Lord Val were on good terms with themselves when he dashed up on the rails to wrest the lead from John Charles and Clarion Call at the last obstacle in the Trentham Hurdles, but his weight steadied him and John Charles came again, to win going away. John Charles gave a sound performance and his pull in the weights enabled him to outstay Lord Val and Clarion Call. Lord Val ran to his best form'and Clarion Call also performed in fine style, even although he tired in the last furlong. The wellsupported Signaller lost ground at several fences and finished well back, his effort being disappointing. Collision was not quite at his best, but he was a fair fourth and may improve with the race. The form of the others was not encouraging. A Thrilling Set-to The Whvte Handicap produced a thrilling finish between Enge and Ponty, who dead-heated fdr first. Enge ran to the front after going about two furlongs and it was only near the post that Ponty, who secured a fine run on the rails throughout, got up to share the honours. The form they revealed was good, and an interesting feature was that they returned dividends of almost similar proportions on both machines. Arctic King and Catalogue ran good races, the former making a solid effort on the outside over the last three furlongs. Pukeko and Alby also shaped well, being prominent throughout, and a slight improvement should give them prospects in later engagements. Valmint was prominent until reaching the straight and then faded. Korero was running on at the end and so was Brazen King. Boomerang became badly placed early and was too faiback at the turn to have much chance of success. ....... ... It was with a solid finishing eliort on the rails that Tidewaiter gained a narrow victory in the Te Aro Handicap, Tidewaiter was not well placed in the'early running, but he moved into a bandy position before reaching the turn and just outstayed High Test, who was always prominent and failed onlv in the last little bit. Master Limond - ran one of his best races for third, after being in the picture throughout and lie paid a fine price for a place. Huskie put in some good work in the straight to get fourth. Cape Gabo was also running on. llio win favourite, Balmenter, was handily nl-iced in the middle stages, but failed to' finish with the dash expected. Fossicker made a very creditable showing and may do better before the meeting concludes.