Favourites Fail at Alexandra Park

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 308, 29 December 1937, Page 12

Favourites Fail at Alexandra Park

WILLOW WAVE.

TAKES CUP EVENT.

AUCKLAND MEETING OPENS.

RONGOMAI'S SPRINT SUCCESS

A feature of the first day of the Auckland Trotting Club's summer meeting, which opened at Alexandra Park yesterday, was the defeat of Fremont in the first division of the December Handicap. He started the hottest win favourite on record, ami when the machine closed was paying lc*« than a pound on the win machine, while backers of the horse for • place received much less than their money in return. Not one favourite was successful on the day. The Auckland Trotting tup provided a splendid contest, in which the Southern pacer Willow \V ave registered a fine perfor.'.iance to win by a narrow margin. Unfortunately Lawn Derby was not seen at his best owing to breaking twice at the crossings, and this put him out of the contest. The track was in splendid order, and fast times were recorded in the majority of races. There was an attendance of 18,000.

In winning the Auckland Trotting Cup Willow Wave registered the best performance of his career. He was lxitieutly driven by O. E. Hooper, and when called upon for an extra effort in the strai-ght responded splendidly, to win narrowly but decisively. King's Warrior made a great effort to repeat his last year success, and only just went under, while Lucky Jack was battling on for third money. Indianapolis failed to finish on under pressure, while the same applies to Roi 1 Or.

A rare finish was provided in the Christmas Handicap, and the result was in doubt till right on the post, where i oung Pointer left bis feet, thus enabling yr © to gain the verdict by a narrow margin. Eyre fought out the issue very gamely, and is a much-improved pacer. Young Pointer should probably have won, and may make amends on the second day! Boy a I Doiil ton was not far away third, but the others never looked like taking part in the finish.

Although she made a break seven furlongs from home Parrish Belle camc away over the final furlong of the Rowe Handicap and won decisively. It was her first success for some time, and was well deserved. .Bittersweet made a fine effort over tlie last bit, and it was no mean effort to trot 4.31. Tan John made the pace for most of the journey, and hung on for the minor position, while Wah ran a useful race. Te Kahu bepan to feel the pinch about two furlongs from home, and did not natter hie supporters.

Sir Frank was responsible for a splendid performance in winning the Akarana Handicap, and he fought on courageously in the straight when tackled by Baron Grand, who also ran a fine race. But for becoming badly placed with a round to go. and then striking interference as they turned for home, Bexley Girl would probably have won, and she should nearly make amends to-morrow. Ropata and King Country made fine showings after losing ground at the start, but Chili Bean broke ft hopple at the end of two furlongs and was pullerl up.

Rongomai and Gold Dredge fought out a great finish in the St. Helier's Handicap, ancl the result was in doubt till the post, where Rongomai made a dab to gain the verdict. Nervie's Last appeared to be hampered for room halfway down and did well to gain third place. Fernbrook Lass ran a good race considering she has not started for a long time.

T'ne total isator handled the mim of •£•>2.5-* 10/, compared with £48,525 for £40"3 la6t yGar ' 3n *" creM ®

Later results were: —

AUCKLAND TROTTING CUP of £1500 Two miles. Limit 4.25. S—B—WILLOW WAVE, b g. aged, by Waverley—Hack mare (Messrs. D. Windle and W. McDonald), limit—O. E. Hooper 1 I —I—KING'S WARRIOR, blk g, aged £ M ""- w Hosklng), limit—F. J. Smith 2 2 2 LLPKY JACK, ch h, svrs W T - r - ow e), 12yds—R. J K. Berrv "3 3—-3—TEMPEST, b g. aged (Mr. G. J. Barton), limit—D. C. Watts 4 Also started: 1-1 Bonny Azure, limit; t'i £ n , w " 30yds: 3-3 Indianapolis. 6-0 Roll' Or. 60yds. Brackets: Bonny Azure and King's Warrior, Tempest and Indianapolis. Won by a neck, two lengths between second and third, with the fourth horse a length and a half further back. Times: 4.20 2-5, 4.20 3-5, 4.20 2-5, 4.22 1-5. Winner trained by O. E. Hooper, Rakala. CHRISTMAS HANDICAP of £200. One mile and a half. Limit 3.39. 2—3—EYRE, b m, 3yrs, by Great I'nrrlsli—Great Eyre (Mr. J. T. •Paul), limit—Owner 1 I—I—YOUNG POINTER, b g, 4yrs (Mr. It. Young), limit—R. B. Berry . ..' 2 B—2—ROYAL DOULTON, b m, syrs (Mr. G. J. Barton), limit—J. Fraser, jun 3 •Also started : 10-9 Gloster, 4-4 Petite Jewel, 9-10 Roman Chief, limit; 6-6 Greatfast. 8-8 Our Summer, 5-5 True Trust, 12yds; 11-11 Fisher, 24yds; 7-7 Bronze Queen, 36yds. Won by half a head, third horse neck away. Bronze Queen wa® fourth. Times: 3.27 1-5, 3.27 2 5, 3.27 3-5, 3.24 4-5. Winner trained by owner, Mangere, UOWE MEMORIAL of £300. For Trotters. Two miles. Limit 4.46. 2—2—PARRISH BELLE, b m, aged, by Guy Parrish—Belle Bingen (Mr. A. G. Pillenger), 30yds— Owner 1 B—4—BITTERSWEET. b m, 6yrs (Mr. O. J. Barton),. 96yds—J. Fraser. jun. 2 4—6—T.VN JOHN.: ch g, aged (Mr. W. Heglnbothnm), limit — Owner 3 Also started: 2<-2 Audo Patch. 7-8 Wah, 12yds: 8-5 Young Rodney, 24yds: 6-7 Impostor. 3-3 Native Tree. 1-1 Te Kahu, 48yds. (Audo Patch and Parrish Belle were coupled.) Won by two lengths ; third horse length away. Wah was fourth. Times: 4.34 3-5, 4.31. 4.39 3-5. 4.41 3-5. Winner trained by C. G. Lee. Epsom. AKARANA HANDICAP of £225. One mile and a half. Limit 3.35. 7—S—SIR FRANK, b g, 6yrs, by Frank Worthy—Aggie Bell (Mr. E. R. Smith), 36yds— Owner •. 1 S—C—BARON GRAND, b h. syrs (Mrs. F. H. Piper). 36yds—A. Garnett 2

I—I—BUN LEY GIRL, b f. 4yrs (M essrs. M. G. Pezaro nnd E. (!. Bridgens), 12yd.s—F. J. Smith 3 Also started : 8-9 Bedford, 13-13 Charters Bay, 11-11 Kaitawa, 9-8 Lucky Love, limit ; 3-3 Chili Bean, 4-4 King Country, 14-14 Lady Amanda. 2-2 Ropata, 6-7 Royal Jewel. 12yds : 1-1 .Mountain Flight, 10-10 ltanfurly Lass, 12-12 Handicapper, 48yds. Bexley Girl and Mountain Flight were coupled. Won by half a length, third horse a neck away. King Country was fourth. Times : 3.23 2-5, 3.23 3-5, 3.26, 3.26 1-5. Winner trained by owner, Hamilton.

ST. HKLIKK'S HANDICAP of £300. One mile, and a half. Limit 3.24. 3— 3 —1!< >.\'(;Oil.\l. 1* in, syrs. by \ l:un lii'rli.v —I'earlie Chimes (Mr. <1. .1. Barton), 24yds—D. Walts 1 2 —2 —(iul.li I > ill'" I)(; K t 1, in, aged. (M.s C McGregor), 24yds— Clifton 2 I—l- NHUVIE'S LAST, b g, aged (Messrs. E G. and F. A. Brldgens), 48yds— F. J. Smith . 3 Also started : 1-1 King's Guide, 4-4 Nnl.ie i'l.nce, 5-5 Star Pronto, 12yds; 6-6 Frmbrouk Lass. 3'iyds. Br icket : King's Guide and Nervle's Last. Won by half a head, third horse a length nv.'.v. Tl»•••*: 3.1 (S 3-5, 3.10 4-5. 3.15 1-5. Wliii : r lTniiv.l by J. Fiascr, jun.. Add! atiui.