THE TURF.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 27, 13 November 1935, Page 2

THE TURF.

METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB. SUCCESS FOR) BINGEN PALM. (Special to the “ Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was not in luck’s way in the opening of the spring meeting yesterday, for heavy rain overnight and in the forenoon had badly affected the track, and trotting form generally is governed by performances' in fine weather. The attendance in consequence was seriously affected, and the public did not show the usual confidence in supporting well-known pacers on a treacherous track. It was not a good opening for the leading trotting meeting in New Zealand, and perhaps the whole blame cannot be attributed to the weather. A drop of £5577 in the totalisator . investments as compared with the opening day last year must give the Metropolitan Club food for serious thought, and some part of the reduced turnover may perhaps be attributed to lack of modern totalisator equipment. The .sum of £36,786 10s was invested on the eight races, as compared with £42,363 10s on the corresponding day 12 months ago. Concluding results: — Yaldliurst Handicap, of 500 sovs; two miles—l Ganjble 12yds (S. A. Edwards) 1, 6 Willow Wave 12yds 2,2 Rey Spec 24yds 3. Won by three lengths; a neck between second and third. Times—--4.50 3-5, 4.51, 4.50 1-5.

Dominion Handicap, of 600 sovs; one mile and a half—l Sea Gift 36yds (E. J. Smith) 1, 6 Stanley T. 24yds 2, 11 Lough Guy scr 3. Won by twci lengthsj. three lengths between second and third. Times—3.34 2-5, 3.35 4-5, 3.38 2-5.

Riccarton Stakes, of 250 sovs; one mile and a half—l Double Great (J. Bryce, jun.) 1, 5 Pot Luck 2,2 Superior Rank 3. Won by four lengths; half a length between second and third. Times—3.3B, 3.39 3-5, 3.39 4-5. Victoria Handicap, of 400 sovs; two miles —3 Bingen Palm 36yds (J. R. Simpson) 1, 7 Prince Author scr 2, 6 Sylvia Sydney 12yds 3. Won by two lengths- four lengths between second and third. Times—4.4s 4-5, 4.49 2-5, 4.49 2-5.

Hagley Handicap, of 300 sovs; one mile and a quarter —11 Gold Tinge 12yds (M. Stewart) 1, 9 Taxpayer 12yds 2, 12 Kingcraft 24yds 3. Won by a neck; a head between second and third. Times—2.sl 1-5, 2,51 2-5, 2.50 3-5.

MEETING POSTPONED.

POOR CARTERTON ACCEPTANCES

MASTERTON, ‘November 12. Because of poor acceptances, the Carterton Racing Club has decided to abandon the. annual meeting set down for November 16.

SYNAGOGUE’S WIN.

HITS THE RING HEAVILY. Just the bare £60,000! That is the amount which Sydney bookmaker Jt. Vandenberg estimates Synagogue s Epsom victory took out of the King, not all by himself, but with the aid of ■Oro, reports a Sydney scribe. There was a remarkable run on Synagogue on the course, money pouring in for the Victorian toward the end of the betting operations. G. T. Godby, who trains Synagogue, expressed great confidence in tbe four-year-old’s chance. Early in the week he watched the marshalling of the clouds with growing concern. He knew Synagogue's prospects would be remote on a wet track, but when Friday arrived and the forecast was favourable for Epsom day, Godby informed his friends that tbe Victorian was certain Of victory . It may not be drawing the long bow to say that Synagogue would have started an even money favourite had he drawn the rails. Even when his position, No. 22, was semaphored his admirers did not lose "hope, and Godby repaired to the stands to watch the race with equanimity. Before the field lined up Godby summed up the position as follows: “There is a straight run for nearly three furlongs, and I .know Synagogue is possessed of the brilliance that will carry him to near the front in the first few furlongs. He will then be able to settle down in behind the pacemakers till the serious stages begin. He will not fail as a miler. He is in the pink'

and will battle it out as well as any rival.”

This assumption . proved correct. Synagogue began with rare brilliance, was soon in a winning position, and he drew away in the straight to win narrowly, though in more convincing style than his narrow margin indicated. Godby says that he was convinced that Synagogue would win the Epsom after his smashing final trial at Warwick Farm on the Thursday. *’ll6 Rabbi horse sped over four furlongs in 48sec, figures that have never been bettered in a training gallop at Warwick Farm.

Asked whether he regarded Synagogue as the best miler be has trained, Godby said that the Victorian was certainly in the first flight, though he seriously doubted whether he was the equal of Wedge. Godby went on to say that Synagogue was one of the easiest horses to train that has passed through his hands. He is no trouble at all in the stable. He dislikes spurs, and these are never used on him.

TIBERIUS AT THE STUD. On account of the death of his sire (Foxlaw), the great stayer Tiberius has been retired to the stud. It had been intended to race him for another season (he is a four-year-old), but the premature death of Foxlaw caused his owner, Sir Abe Bailey, to change his plans. Tiberius did not attract a great deal of attention untiChe scored such a surprising and decisive victory in the Ascot Gold Cup, among his victims on that occasion being Brantome, the “wonder horse” of France, unbeaten in his own country, and said to be valued at £IOO,OOO. Later Tiberius won the Goodwood Cup. He was backward at two years and did not win a race. At three years he won four races, but was beaten into second place by Windsor Lad in the St. Leger. Many fine stayers have come from the Son-in-Law family in. recent years, and probably Tiberius was the best of them. He is by Foxglove (son of Son-in-Law) from Glenabatrick, by the Derby winner Captain Cuttle (son of Hurry On) from Jura, by Gainsborough from Maid of the Mist (Cyllene—Sceptre), dam of Craig an Eran and of Buchan’s dam Hamoaze.