DEAD-HEAT IN BIG RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 308, 30 December 1929, Page 11

DEAD-HEAT IN BIG RACE.

KEPT WELL TOGETHER.

DISAPPOINTED.

CONCLIFF FINISHES WELL.

KOHARA AND PADLOCK.

ENAWAH VICTORIOUS AGAIN. MACHINE GUN'S SUMMER HANDICAP. Fine racing with close finishes was the order of the second day's sport of the Auckland Trotting Club's summer meeting at Alexandra Park on Saturday, and the race for the Champion Handicap, in which all the speed merchants lined up, provided a most exciting finish, when the brilliant Padlock just got up in the last stride to dead heat with Kohara. The Summer Handicap was won easily by Machine Gun, after an interesting contest. Great Peter scored for the first time at two miles, and Enawah once again proved she is a speedy mare by winning her second race a£ the meeting. The attendance was not large, the threatening weather no doubt bein<* responsible. The track was a trifle heavy and the times, recorded on the slow side. The Champion Handicap. Machine Gun was the only defection from the Champion Handicap, for which the public elected Peter Bingen favourite, entrusting him with £1360. Prince Pointer (£975) and / Kohara (£913) were also well backed. Dilworth ■began best from Bessie Logan, Linkiman, Kohara and Bonny Logan, but Dilworth left her feet early in the race end Kohara led past the stand from Bonny Logan, Bessie Logan, Jewel Pointer, Dilworth and Peter Bingen, with Linkman and Co'CL Jacket, who were breaking, last. Kohara was three lengths clear along the back, with the order of the others unchanged, and crossing the top he was showing the way to Jewel Pointer, Bessie Logan, Peter Bingen and Boriny Logan. Kohara was first into the straight, but he tired in the run home and Padlock got up in time to dead-heat with him. Peter Bingen was two lengths away third, then came Jewel Pointer, Bessie Logan, Prince Pointer and Dilworth. • The Trotters. Young Blake was the only scratching ( in the Christmas Handicap, a two mile event for trotting horses, for which Lady Fan (£1580), Floraline (£1137), and Gold Sovereign (£799) carried the bulk of the money. Lady Fan and Great Change broke at the start, and Sebisca began best from Lady Fan (who was galloping), Mutu, Floraline, and Gold Sovereign. Sebisca led past the stand, with lady Fan, Mutu, Great Change, and Tradesman, all bunched, and when they came round again Lady Fan, Sebisca, ' Gold Sovereign and Tradesman were racing abreast, with Floraline and Miitu just behind them. Along the back Lady Fan was attended by Tradesman and Sebisca, with Gold Sovereign handy, and as they turned for home Gold Sovereign moved up into second place with Sebisca next. In a splendid finish Lady Fan beat Sebisca by a neck, with Gold Sovereign a head away, third. Tradesman was fourth, with Floraline and Mutu next. Great Peter Again. Explosion, Riehore and Tony Victor were not harnessed up for. the Dominion Handicap, leaving six runners to contest that event. When the machine closed Sir; Author (£2256) and Great Peter (£1638) were best supported and they each paid a divide'nd. ifroin a good start Warplane led Great Peter, Sir Author and Evelyn Locanda, and passing the stand the first time the order was Sir Author, Warplane and Great Peter together, followed by Evelyn Locanda, two lengths away, and Elzear and Rockburn following. When they came around again Evelyn Locanda' was up second to Sir Author, with Great Peter and Elzear handy, and they raced along the back ■and into the straight with little, change in the running. Great Peter then put in a challenge, and in a tight finish beat Sir Author by a neck, with Evelyn \ Locanda a head away. Elzear was next to the others down the straight. The Summer Handicap. /"When the field paraded for the Summer Handicap Eockburn and Free Advice were missing, leaving ten runners to face the starter. Betting was brisk, with most money (£1625) invested on Ma- ' chine" Gun, next in request being ( Nelson Tasker (£1611) and Torpedo Huon (.£1280)* -Genuine was slow to move, and Carmel was soon in front from Torpedo Huon, The Shrew and Nelson Tasker. Passing the stand the first time, Carmel, The Shrew and Torpedo Huon were in line, followed by Nelson Tasker, Genuine, Machine Gun and Native Prince. When they came round again .Genuine had charge,: attended by. Carmel and-Machine Gun, then came Torpedo Huon, The n Shrew and Concliff. Along the back Machine Gun moved up behind Genuine, and he was in front crossing the top, and turning for home the .order ' was' Machine Gun, Genuine, The Shrew, Torpedo Huon and Concliff, who had moved up fast. Machine Gun held his own in the run to the judge and got the verdict by a length from Concliff, who beat Torpedo Huon by two lengths. Peterwah was fourth, the same distance away, with Genuine and Nelson ...'Tusker following.

Young Blake Wins" Epsom,

' Sister Beatrice was the only defection in the Epsom Handicap, for which the bracket Western Voyage and : Young Blake carried £2014, Peter McKinney (£1010) v/as second choice, and Rose Eingen (£994) next best supported. Peter UcKinney was-first out from Rose Bingen, Kemptbn, Western Voyage and Young Blake, and passing the' stand he was ten lengths clear of Rose Bingen, with the others in the above order. When they passed the stand the next time Peter McKinney had an advantage of four lengths with no change in the Tunning of the rest of the field. Along the back Peter McKinney broke and Rose Bingen ran up to him and they turned for home together from Kempton and Young Blake. The last named put in a strong run over the last furlong and beat Rose Bingen by a short head, with Peter McKinney two lengths further back, iollowed by Western Voyage and Kempton.

Wrackler Takes Ranfurly.

Goldman, Vendome, Bessie Lagan and Bonnie Logan were withdrawn from the Ranfurly Handicap, the concluding -event of the day. The pool wae a and when betting ceased Wrackler (£3150), Free Advice (£1394) ■ and Wilma Dillon (£1142) were, accorded most support. Free Advice broke at the start and Tony Victor, Wilma Dillon and CaVrnol were the early leaders, but W-- mon orok?. ;:o:h- the mile • •■■—-••; ' > pawing the 1

stand from Tony Victor, Gold Dial Carmel, Acre and Wrackler, all S e -n- t ? gether ' ■•■ Alon S tte ba <* told. Dial was just behind All Bell, then came Tony Victor, Imprint, Carmel and Wrackler racing in close ■ order. Wiackler put in a fast run at this stage and led into the straight from All Bell, imprint Carmel and Free Advice, and he went on to win by a length from All f l l' l Wh^ beat Carmel Vtwo and a half lengths. Stanmoor was fourth, then Adric Dial, ImTOint and fre* The Totalisator. During the day the sum of £52,256 wag. put through the totalisator, compared with £56,074 for the corresponding clay last year, a decrease of £3818. For the two days the sum of £113,965 has been put through the totalisator, and compared with £116,914 for the first two days last year this shows a decrease or £2949. Results;— 0A Wc HANI^IC^ P ' of 300SOVS, for trotting horses only. two miles. Limit 4.30 .^WRITER, ch g, s yrs, by Author 5" lon--«nby S. (Mr. E. Morgan), 48yds—C. S Donald 1 3-TA.MAHINE, blk m, syre"(MrV J. R tthta^*! I^, 24 y fl s—W. Hughes 2 6—KOLMAR, br g, aged (Mr. sf G. Larcom), 24yds—W. Willetts .. 3 Also started: 9 R Qma Bingen, 5 Wild Nut, 4™ lt; pi arble Star > limit ' and Wimmera t£ B '£ y £ S, coupled; 4 Peterson, 12yds; 1 Linnett the Great, 48yds; 8 Anseline, 60yds.

i Q 3S, n K 7 * two len S th s. two and a half lengths between second and third. Times: 4.u6, 4.08 4-5, 4.59 4-5. Winner trained by C. S. Donald, Belfast. TRAMWAY HANDICAP, of 300sovs.. One mile and a half. Limit 327 ' I—ENAWAH, ch m, syrs, by Peterwah —Ena Bell (Mr. W. Johnstone), A. McMillan 1 6—WAKSPITE. b a aged (Messrs Averill Bros.), limit — C. Fairmun .". J .... 2 4—HAL CHIMES, b g, aged (Messrs'. A. Wheeler and L. Booth), 24yds —A. Broughton "... 3 (Warplane was bracketed with Warspite.) Also started: 3 First Flight, limit, and Nella Dillon, limit, coupled; 7 Hostess, 5 Purser, limit; 6 Warplane, 24yds; 11, Concertina, 8 Limosa, 10 Lord Nepean,' 0 van Rich, 12yds; 2 Mountain Dell, 48yds. Won by two and a half lengths, third horse two lengths away. Times: 3^36 3.37 and 3.35 4-5. Winner trained by R.-A. McMillan, Tamahere. CHAMPION HANDICAP of 600sovs. One mile and a quarter. Limit, 2.431. 3—KOHAKA, br h, aged, by Cathedral Chimes—Bright Alice (Messrs. J. R. Corrigan and J. L. Webb), 12yds— A. J. Corrigan • 4—PADLOCK, br g, aged, by Hal Zolock—Rawene (Mr. J. A. Mitchell), 48yds—W. Hughes . • I—PETER BINGEN, br h, aged (Mr. W. Johnstole), 48yds— J. J; Kennerley .:.................. 3 *Dead heat. Also started t 6 Bessie Logan, 7 Dilworth, 8 Linkman, limit; 9 Bonny.Logan, 12yds; 10 Jewel Pointer, 24yds; 2 Prince Pointer, 36yds; 5 Gold Jacket, 48yds. Dead heat, third horse two lengths away.. Times: 2.51 2-5, 2.48 2-5, and 2.49 2-5. Dead-heaters trained by W. Dwyer (Kohara), W. Hughes (Padlock).. CHRISTMAS HANDICAP ol'3sosovs. For trotters only. Two miles. Limit, 4.44. I—LADY FAN, b m, aged; by Great Audubon—Lady Irving (Mrs. F. ,- C. Allington), 12yds—L. Thomas. 1 S—SEBISCA, b R, aged (Mr. G. T. Mitchell), limit—Owner 2 3—GOLD SOVEREIGN, br h, aged i (Mr.'-CJtB. feacocte), 48yds—T. Roe :... 3 Also started: 2 Floraline, 36yds; 6 Tradesman, 48yds; 7 ; Great Change, 4 Mutu, 60yds. vWon by a neck, third-horse a head away. Times: 4.52, 4.53 1-5, 4.49 2-5. . / Winner trained by L. O. Thomas, Yaldhurst.' DOMINION HANDICAP of 400sovs. Two miles, Limit, 4.37. 2 —GREAT PETER, br h, 6yrs, by Nelson Bingen—Bertha Bell (Mr. J. W. Tims), limit— J. T. Paul .; 1 I—SIR AUTHOR, b h, 6yrs (Mr. A. Anderson), 12yds—-C. Donald ..2 3—EVELYN LOCANDA, b m, aged (Mr. E. H. Cucksey), 60yds— J. Bryce . ./. .-. 3 Also started: 6 Warplane, limit; 5 Roekburn, 72yds; 4 Elzear, 96yds. ; Won by a neck, third horse two lengths away. Times: 4.50, 4.49 1-5, 4.46 2-5. Winner trained by J. '£■ Paul, Mangere. SUMMER HANDICAP of 900sovs. Two miles. Limit, 4.32. I—MACHINE1 —MACHINE GUN, b g, aged,, by Machine Brick —Thora (Mr. R. A. McMillan), 48yds—Owner . 1 &-<CONCLIFF, ch h, aged (Mr. G. J. Barton), 48yds—W. Tomkinson 2 3—TORPEDO HUON, br h, aged (Mr. E. J. Parkes), 24yds—A. Bryce . 3 B—PETERWAH, ch \ aged (Mr. R. ■ C. Fisken), 72yds—Owner .... 4 Also started: 4 Carmel, limit, and Native Prince, 36yds, coupled; 7 Genuine, 12yds; 5 The Shrew, 24yds; 2 1 Nelson Tasker, 36yds; 9 The Abbey, 48yds. Won by a length, third horse two lengths away and fourth a similar distance, back. Times: 4,43 1-5,-4.44, 4.46 4-5, 4*13 2-5, Winner trained by owner, Tamahere.

EPSOM.HANDICAP of 500sovs. „ For trotters only. Two miles. Limit, 4.37. I—YOUNG BLAKE, br g, aged, by Wildwood Junior —Daphne Dillon (Messrs. M. O'Brien and G. J. Barton), 96yds—W. Tomkinson . 1 3 —ROSE BINGEN, b m, aged (Messrs. C. and W. Johnstone), 48yds—A. Julian • • : 2 2—PETER McKINNEY, br g, aged (Messrs. R. A. McMillan and C. Moran), 12yds—R. McMillan ..3 Also started: 4 Kempton, Western Voyage, 72yds (coupled with Young Bl Snby a short horse gro lengths away. Times: 4.48 3-5, 4.<w ?••>, 4 ' Winner trained by W; J. Jomkinsqn, Addirigton. "v ' ; - ■- i "'< ' RANtfURLY HANDICAP of 3 - One mile and a quarter. Limit >2.4 i 4.

I—WRACKLEK, b g, 4yrs, by Wrack— Trix Pointer (Mr. H. F. Mcoll), 36yds—M. Holmes ........... •••, - 1 7—ALL BELL, br g, aged (Mr. W. B. . Cockbill), 24yds— Owner •..-••• - 6—CAKMEL, ch g, 6yrs (Mr. W. Land),; 24yds— J. Shaw • [° Also started: 8 Acre, 0 Gold Dial, 10 Tonr Victor limit; 11 First Carbine 4 STnmoor 3 Wilma , Dillon 12yds; 2 Free A 'Wds; 5 Imprint, 36yds. \ Won bv a length, third horse two lengths and a & awaf: 'Times: 2.53, 2.54 3-o, and 2 'Winner trained -by D. Warren, Ashburton; ■'■'"'«

THE CHAMPIONS. The treat of the afternoon was provided by that brilliant speed merchant, Padlock, in the Champion Handicap, when the son of Hal Zolock —Rawene, from 48 yards behind, went round the whole field of horses, and finished strongly to get up and dead heat for the- chief honours with Kohara. Padlock is not much to look at, but he can turn on the speed, and at one stage it looked impossible for him to get to Kohara, who had a commanding lead. A. Corrigan got such a bad run in the Cup that he was taking no chances on Saturday, and as soon as the field left the mark he stepped to some tune and kept going till he had a decent lead. The pace he set early began to tell a couple of furlongs from home, but he hung on gamely though tired, and it was only in the last stride that Hughes got level with Ms horse, Padlock. • . WRITER JOGS HOME. After Writer made easy of oie opposition in the Oak Handicap there were a few at the rails bordering the birdcage who showed they were not altogether satisfied with the chestnut's running on the first day, when he failed to get into the money. The stipen-diary-steward, Mr. R. T. Eeid, stated that when Writer was beaten he had the driver, C. S. Donald, before •the Judicial Committee. Donald explained that ttie horse took a long time to get properly on his feet, and tickets were produced to show that the connections had f 100 on him. The explanation tendered was accepted as satisfactory. ~., ' MACHINE GUN EASILY. I The Tamahere owner-trajner, R. A. McMillan, has no reason to regret exchanging the trotter, Bingen Starr, for Machine Gun and a consideration last season. On getting the son of Machine Brick McMillan was in no huiTy to win races, and he . preferred to allow the •gelding, to .take a bit of time before asking him a real question. This method has proved .most successful, as the gelding has won two good races for him, besides, getting placed money. Yesterday he. went a stirring race and deadheated, for .third place in the Cup with Padlock,, but with'the elite missing .on Saturday. Machine Gun had little trouble in taking.the Summer Handicap, the best stake of the afternoon. Machine Gun pulled up well, and may be difficult to dispose of again on Tuesday. CHANCES SETTLED. - Several horses in the Tramway Handicap had their chances ruined through accidental interference or mishaps. At the start Purser refused to go away, and it would have been, much better had his driver pulled him up and taken no part in the race, rather than make a burlesque of the incident, simply going at little better than, a walk a furlong behind' the field' and talking with F. Smith,' whose' drive, First Flight, had also gone to pieces early. Mountain Dell when in a handy position just before turning into the back stretch the last time fell. ■ Driverless she galloped on and collided with Van Rich, capsizing the latter's sulky. Limbsa was also intefered with, '< and Concertina broke up badly after going half a mile.:

The Christmas Handicap, for middleclass trotters, proved a most interesting race. There were seven starters, and when half a mile had been covered they were all bunched, and without any material alteration they were still in a heap when the last round was commenced. Mutu had put in one bad break, but. made up his ground again, but another tangle along the, back si retch settled him. Floraline also broke twice, and Tradesman was right in the thick of the argument with three furlongs to go, when he put in a particularly bad break for him, as he usually gets down again quickly. This time he lost four or five lengths, and he spoiled a good chance. Lady Fan, the winner, trotted-a solid race, but was doing her best at the end to win by a neck from Sebisca, who came on again after losing his position a quarter of a mile from home. But for this he would probably have won.

FINISHED LAST. Despite the fact-that Gold Jacket was handicapped on the same mark as Peter Bingen and Padlock in the Champion Handicap his party were confident the Cup winner would go well. However, the Gold Bell gelding was seen on one of his bad days when (he does not do his pacing right, and he went to a bad break passing the stand, and when entering upon the last lap. He lost any possible chance he had then, and A. Bryce did not bother to go after the field when pursuit was hopeless. Gold Jacket has been a great moneywinner for his owner, and the gelding is to be given a 'spell after this meeting. He is now handicapped so tightly that in the approaching races he would be asked to concede too much start to give •him a chance of winning. A GOOD PERFORMANCE. That good trotter Young Blake has always showed good form at Alexandra Park, and another good performance went down to him when he won. the Epsom Trot from 96yds behind. At one stage Peter McKinney had a commanding lead, but he was not trotting -so well as usual, and an occasional skip, while not losing him much ground, was gradually bringing him back to his field. His worst skip was at the end of the back stretch the last time, which allowed Rose Bingen to range alongside, while Kempton and Young Blake were not far away. Roee Bingen looked a winner a furlong from the post, but Young Blake then appeared on the scene and, finishing strongly, he won without much effort by a short head. As he was handicapped on a 4.29 mark, his performance was rather a wood one, and he can rank among the eelect square-gaited horses seen: out in the Dominion. . WRACKLER SOME SPRINTER. Close observers who saw Wrackler finishing on at the end of the mile and a quarter on therfirst day, when he was just outside a place,"would not hear of him being beaten in . the Eanfurly Handicap and he probably carried what is a record amount for a horse at Alex-, andra Park. As soon as betting opened the money poured on his number and at one stage he was showing well under evens. At the wind-up he was still at odds-on and his number on the machine showed him to be carrying 6301 halfsovereign tickets. He proved the good thing anticipated and had the rac.» won at the home turn, at which stage he was in front. All Bell, who !S a hardy annual, can still beat plenty of good ones, and he 'brought off a surprise by finishing a good second, with Carmel close up. Wilma Dillon broke up early, but the unlucky ones were Free Advice and Stanmoor. Free Advice did not settle down at the start and lost a lot of ground, while Stanmoor also tangled and then finished fourth.

Although Peter Bingen never really looked like winning the Champion Handicap, and eventually finished in third place, a 'couple of lengths, behind the dead heaters, the horse may have been a little more trouble had Kennerley not been disappointed when he made a dash to go ■ through an opening just after entering the top stretch and making for the home turn. At this stage Kohara was well out in the lead but tiring, and Jewel Pointer was second, and holding on with A, Julian, flicking him up to his job. Kennerley tried to shove Peter Bingen through between Jewel Pointer and the rails, but he was disappointed and this might have made a big difference to him, although he may not have done better than fill third place.

While Machine Gun scored a verycomfortable • win -in the Summer Handicap the race for second was quite interesting. Concliff secured the position when the line was crossed, but Peterwah may have been there had'he not left his feet a few strides from the post. Torpedo Huon went a fine race, but was on the rails all the way, and had none the best of the going. This would not be in his favour, and' his run suggests ]io should be remembered for future events.