MATAMATA FORM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 14

MATAMATA FORM.

GAY ROSE'S EFFORT. SEVERAL OVERDUE WINS. NOVICES LI KELT TO DO BETTER. Somp improving novicps were seen out. at, the .Mataniata meeting and more is likely to be heard of several of them l» t.ire the current season is over. Tin' win reciii iled b\ British \ation in tlio Hitinera. Handicap was considerably overdue, tor lie Imm been racing for two seasons and a hall, and it was his first sin ' ess. 1111u i>\ pi. he had been placed in ;i number of his races previously, and liis finishing inn on Saturday was rather llli pi esslve. liy tiiiisliing second to British Nation, tile Vital* tin ee-.v pal -old Kiis|iian put up a soiiiul pci lot iimiiiits lie was badly placed over the first part of the race. He finished \eiy fast over the last couple of fill longs, and his effort points to him being a likely winner the next time lie appeals in similar company. Val I.u was always in the firing line in (lie Hinueia Handicap, anil if he reproduces (hat form at the Ivntorua meeting he will be hard to bent in hack sprint events. Val ]„u has started thtec times tliis season tor two thirds and one second placing, and he should be worth following at the lountry meetings. Should Win Again. Mintiaw was making his third appearance ill public when he went out to collies! the I'litiiriu it Stakes, anil, judged by the manner mi which he won, more successes will come his way. He was never vol v far 11 iim the pacemakers, and when asked for a final effort he responded well and won lining away at the finish. Mintlaw had been showing a lot of speed on the Hack piior to the meeting, and the fact that he ran up to his trials on race dav is worth keeping in mind. He is engaged at the Kotorua meeting. Royal Ace and Nithmoiint. who finished set ond and third respectively to Mintiaw. both displayed promising form. Earlier in the season Koval Ace was located in the Hawkc's Bay district, where he registered

minor placings in minor events. Nithmount, who run third at the Ohinemuri meeting last October, has always had a reputation for speed, and slight improvement on hia performance last Saturday should enable him to reach the -winning liat. Nithmount is a half-brother to that proved handicap horae, King Rey, and is a good type of hack.

The Sprintars. After being at the rear of the field whew a furlong had been traversed in the Waharoa Handicap, Tooley Street unwound a brilliant burst of speed to get up and win by a narrow margin. It wan an attractive performance, and solid support will be accorded this sprinter if he goes to the post in the Tourist Handicap at Rotorua on Saturday. Maori Song had every clmnce in the Waharoa Handicap, as he was in a handy position when the field had settled down and ran to the front at the end of a couple of furlongs. He was well clear halfway down the running and looked to hav»e the race in safe keeping, but failed to hold off Tooley Street. Galilee and Royal Dance both showed their customary speed, and the former hung on nicely for third money, but Royal Dance Was well beaten when the final struggle began. Tosh had every chance and never looked like winning at any part of the contest. First Win This Smsoa. The victory gained by Gay Rose in the Cup was full of merit, as there were five horses in front of her as the field turned for home. She finished very gamely over the last furlong, and in winning repeated the form that enabled her to run second to Cheval de Voice in the Ralph Handicap at Ellerslic last week. It was the first win credited to Gay Rose this season, but she should soon extend her record. Forest Acre ran up to his promise of last spring when he followed Gay Rose home in the Cup. He put in a fast .run on the outside crossing the top and was in front half a furlong from tne post, but failed to hold the advantage. Forest Acre is a fit horse and more money looks assured for him this autumn. . After leading the field until tne final furlong, Black Musk had to be content with third place in the Cup. It was in keeping with his past form, and as he is in first-rate condition the son of Musketoon will have to be reckoned with in middledistance handicaps during the remainder of the season. Miss Appellant was handily placed when the field straightened up for home, but then faded out. Kena. making his first appearance since last October, put up a creditable showing and is sure to derive a lot of benefit from the race. He is engaged in the Rotorua Cup at the end of this week. Won At Right End. The win credited to Raceline in the Okoroire Hack Handicap did not come out of its turn, for he has been beaten in each of his twelve previous starts this season. However, he won his race at the right end on Saturday and will have plenty of friends the next time he faces the starter. Raceline is an acceptor in the Pohutu and the Geyser Handicap on the first day of the Rotorua meeting.