NEW ZEALAND'S DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 200, 24 August 1928, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND'S DAY.

CANTERBURY PARK MEETING. PRINCE HUMPHREY'S SADDLE SLIPS. With a little more luck followers of «T. T. Jamieson's stable would shaye <»iven the ring- a hard blow at Canterbury Park ou August 11 (say* a Sydney writer). Perception landed a substantial stake in the firet division of th® Three-Year-Old Handicap, Ibut an insecure saddle on Prince Humphrey in the Flying Handicap made all the difference. Prince Humphrey's saddle slipped during the race and he deadheated with another New Zealander, First Acre, but hfe backers either lost or broke even.

Jamierion was not at the course to see his horses win, as he left for New Zealand on the Friday with the intention of • returning to Sydney on the same boat. Before he left, he withdrew In the Shade from the August Handicap. but he made arrangements for Perception and Prince Humphrey to fulfil their engagements, .and no doubt the wireless acquainted him of how they fared. The support for Perception was heavy, but this did not frighten admirers of Clarmal. Clarmal took sole charge after going a couple of furlongs, and looked like maintaining her advantage when she led into the straight, but Perception, who is an awkward-looking galloper, finished resolutely and won easily. Circuline lost ground after being well placed at the turn. Gay Crest, who came from New Zealand as a galloping companion for Limerick, waa a runner, hut lie was not fancied to any extent, and finished fifth in a field of eight. Heavy Wagering. Prince Humphrey looked a fair thing for the Flying Handicap after his second to Royal Tune at the Farm a week earlier, and his warm favouritism was assured. First Acre's price also firmed, and he and Prince Humphrey had the finish to themselves. Displaying fine dash, First Acre was never further back than second after the field had settled down, and hitting the front soon after the half-mile post, he led round the home bend from Prince Humphrey. His backers despaired when he ran wide at the turn, and Barry shot Prince Humphrey through the opening, but in a thrilling finish the judge could not separate them as they flashed past the | winning post.

From the official stand it appeared as if Prince Humphrey had just won, but people in the grandstand favoured the outside horse, and were equally certain that First Acre had won. Under the new rule, which came into operation on August 1, the owners of Prince Humphrey and First Acre had no option but to divide the prize.

But for his saddle slipping there is little doubt that Prince Humphrey would have won, but that was puor consolation for his backers. First Acre's rider, T. Webster, was censured severely by the stewards for looking around and thereby allowing his mount to leave the rails. Eden Hall won on the same day.