RACING AT RANDWICK

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 240, 10 October 1934, Page 15

RACING AT RANDWICK

THE SPRING MEETING.

FOUR IN A LINE.

GREAT METROPOLITAN FINISH.

In one of the greatest finishes seen in the race, the etoutly-bred four-year-old Waikare won the Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick last week by a head from Journal, with the New Zealander Nightly only a head further back, and Sarcherie, the fourth Jiorse, practically in line with this trio. In the last half-furlong the race underwent remarkable changes, for a few strides back the lightly-weighted Sarcherie had what seemed an almost unassailable lead, and was being hailed as the winner from all parts of the course. She continued smoothly, and, although she appeared to be travelling fast, she was beaten out of a place, Waikare, on the outside, and Journal, making particularly strong runs. Nightly also made another effort, and this secured him the minor money. Many pleasing features were attached to Waikare's success. It marked the second victory by Mr. E. J. Watt, who had returned Pershore in 1920, the first occasion in which the race was run over a mile and five furlongs, and gave his trainer, G. Price, his second winner in the race, that Randwick mentor also having trained Jocelyn for Mr. John S. Brunton in 1928. Mr. E. J. Watt has been a lavish supporter of the turf here since he came from New Zealand several years ago. He has a stud property at Molong, and in addition to racing many of his own breeding in three States he frequently goes into the open market for a thoroughbred to carry his colours. Although Waikare is the first horse trained by Price for Mr. Watt, these sportsmen have had what might be termed long associations on the turf, for Price rode horses for Mr. Watt many years ago in New Zealand. The associations were renewed when Mr. Watt gave Price a commission to purchase a New Zealand-bred yearling, and the Randwick trainer's choice was the Limond—Waterwings colt, for which he had to pay 650 guineas. That colt was Waikare.