AUSTRALIAN TURF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 235, 4 October 1937, Page 14

AUSTRALIAN TURF.

GOLD RODS EPSOM. STAKES TO ALLUNGA. MALA FINISHES THIRD. SYDNEY, October 3. The Australian Jockey Club's spring carnival was opened at Randwick yesterday in tine though boisterous weather. Cont'liunu* overnight rain was responsible for a sticky track and slow times. The attendance was .">I,OOO. Rands l'p gave a splendid exhibition of jumping in the First Hurdles. He was always handy to tho loaders and came nwav in the straight to win nicely.

Sir Regent, who was considered to hnve excellent prospect* in tho Metropolitan Handicap, whipped round at tho start of the Trial Stakes and took no part in the race. Country Party apponrod a likely winner, but weakened in the final stages.

Tho Australian Derby provided a thrilling Hniflh. Aja.x strode alontf in front from barrier-rise to the top of the straight, when- ho was joined by Una. Shortly nfterwardu Avenger camo on nitd joined the leaders, while he was closely pressed by Courteraft. Tn a desperate struggle Avengor assumed mastery .">0 yards from home, and secured the verdict by a length. Court-craft finished his run at tho distance, lie appeared tn lack the necessary condition, but should derive much benofit from the race, and may be a force to be reckoned with in the V.R.C Derby. Ouly Ono unci Highborn h'nshed well back.

A Sterling Victory. Gold Rod, who was mmle favourite for the Kpsom Handicap when the weights worn issupd several mouths ago, held that honour with Talking throughout, and fully justified the confidence reposed in him by registering a sterling victory. Gold Rod was one of the first to show out, but Mct'ai'ten restrained him and allowed him to run along smoothly in sixth position to the top of the straight, where he moved up smartly to tho leaders. Gold Rod assumed control at the distance, and finished strongly to win by three-quarters of a length. Tho jockey, McCarten, said his mount was always going well, and suited by tho conditions bad the race won a long way from home. Francis Drake faded out and finished in tho ruck.

Mala Disappoints. The Spring Stakes was run at a alow piico in tlii! early stages, with Lough Neagh in command from Brown' "Force, Brownfolt and Mala. The field bunched nt tho homo turn, where Mala appeared to bo doing tho bent. However, he appeared to faltor at the distance, where Allunga came on tho scene with a welltimed run. which secured him victory by a long head. Mala's failure wan a keen disappointment to hi* Metropolitan supporters, but it may have been caused by the slow pace set. He should do better if given suitable conditions in to-morrow's race. Beat! Ercil was first past the post in tne Kensington Handicap, but lost the race to Valboau owing to interference in the straight. A. R. Kno*, ride* of Bean Krcil. was held responsible by the stewards, who suspended him for three monfha.

Result*:— FIRST HURDLES of £300. About two miles. HANDS UP, br g. Byr«, by Night Raid —Redshank (Mr. A. B. Cooper), 0.7— R. T. Young 1 SILKY OAK, b g. iiiretl, by Sllvlim— Onklelgh Maid (Mr. N. MeKcnna), 10.3—A. Armsden 2 MUSICIAN, eh g, aged, by Violoncello— . \t\»n Martian (Mr. J. H. Abbs), 10,4—a. L. Sholl 3 Twelve itarted. Half a nock each wny. Time, 3.52 J. TniATi STAKES of £ 500. S|wi-tiil weights. One mile and a quarter. ROSSJOY, blk g. syrs. by Rossendale— .Tor queen (Mr. K. Hunter Bowman), B.7—D, Monro 1 COUNTRY PARTY (N.Z.*bred). on g, Byrs, by Chief Ruler—Podokes (Mr. O. Tauered). B.o—B. Bartle 2 OLD ROWLEY, eh g. 4yrs. by The Bussard—Syeeonelle (Mr. J. A. Scully). B.ll—A. R. Knox 8 Sixteen started, Including Golden Treasure. Neck ; length. Time, 2.10. AUSTRALIAN DERBY of USOOO. Three-year-olds; colts M.lO, Miles 8.5. One mile nnd a hnlf. AVENGER, br c. by Pantheon—Chatterbox (Mr. P. Miller), B.lo—B. Bartle 1 A.MX, ch <;, by Heroic—Medmenhnm (Messrs. B. I<. Italllleus A. \V% Thompson and "Mr. Constable"), 8.10 —M. McCarten „.. 2 HtJA, b c, by Herolo— Gladioli (Mr. B. B. D. Clarke), B.lo— R. Wilson .. 3 Alho started: Bourbon, Bristol, Only One (N.Z.), Courtcraft (N.Z.), Highborn, length ; half a head. Time, 2.36|.

EPSOM HANDICAP ofc £2600. One mile. !OLD ROD (N.Z.-bred), ch h, 4yrs, by Chief Ruler—Oreum (Mr. B. J. Watts), O.3—M. McCarten 1 MOHICAN, br h, Byre, by Monbltc— Lady Canberra (Mr. C. Humbly), 7.O—W. Glover 2 EVENING MIST, br m, aged, by Beau Fils —Misty Night (Messrs. T. D. and R. V. Gove), B.3—R. Wilson 3 Also started: King's Head, 0.6; Talking, 0.2; Prlttle Prattle, 8.11: Gay Chou, 8.6: Sal Volatile, Tucklar, 7.12; Panax, Royal Step. 711: Bed Thespian, Mltsul, 7.10; Barak, Francis Drake (N.Z.), 7.8; Black Laughter, 7.7; Bundar, Hamurah. 7.5; Brown Betty, 7.4; War Machine, Herarde, 7.0.

Throo-quartcrs of a length; half a length. Time, 1.40 J. SPRING STAKES of £1500. Weigh t-for-age. Ono mile and a half. ALLUNGA, br a, syre, by Inchaqulre— I1«-II(»IM- (Messrs. K. Hunter Bowman and H. Oakes). O.5 —D. Munro 1 LOUGH NBAGH, eh g, aged, by Bachelor's Porsse—Terentla (Mr. 1. J, Brosuan), 0.8 —F. Sheiui 2 MALA (N.Z.-bred), b h, 4yrs, by Laekhiim—Lucretla (Mr. A. E. Cooper), O.O—M. McCurten 3 Alho started: Brown Force, 9.3; Gay Knight, 9.2; Vaalmora, Gay Blonde, 0.1; Bmwnfelt, 0.0. Unnit head; two lengths. Time, 2.42}. KENSINGTON HANDICAP of 41850. Seven furlongs. VALBEAir, ch b, 4yrs, by Vallard— Beau Moult mare (Mr. F. Grlsdale). B.5—W. Cook J BEAU ttftClL, br o, ByrH. by Beau Flls— grcll (Mr. H. V. Coper), B.3—A. R. Knox 2 COOLSPBLL, b g, aged/ by HpeYthorne —Coolant* (Mr. N. B. Bowd), 0.314. Illckny g gficteen started, Including Alwul. Length each way. Time, 1.U74.