BESIEGE WINS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 172, 22 July 1940, Page 11

BESIEGE WINS.

MATAMATA EVENTS.

ALLEGRETTO THE STEEPLES.

VAL lAJ TAKES SPRINT.

There were some good dividends at the winter meeting of the Matamata Racing Club on Saturday, the best being that of Besiege, who, after leading practically all the way, won the Centennial Handicap, tJhc chief flat event, from Ei-lick and Sunny Downs. This was his best effort over the' distance.

the Corbctc Steeplechase attracted eight runners, but Half of them failed to complete the course, the winner being Allegretto who recurt.ed his riivrt success since winning the *e Kapa Steeplechase in 1U37 Makoi was twenty lengths away second, and Lomlou a further nve lengths back third. .Makoi was giving the winner over a furlong start, with about six furlongs to go, and though he made up ground he hud no chance of reaching the winner. London, only for making a mistake in the last round, would have been much moro difficult to beat. The judicial committee held an inquiry into the running of Makoi, and after hearing the evidence decided to give the owner, Mr. J. Hamilton, and the trainer, K. s. Bagf>y, the benefit of the doubt, but disqualified the rider, M. Ritchie, for three months.

Joan Peel, after being prominent all the way, won the second division of the INiirere Hack Handicap from Glen Council, who was in front for the greater portion of the journey, with the little fancied Face Value right up third, and Star Vaal only inches away fourth.

Karotonga, the favourite for the Okauia Hurdles, never flattered his supporters at any stage. I.ittle Huso, the winner, was lying second to King Musk as they erossedi the top, with Campy and Kacewhip next, and once over the last fence Little Kuse had no difficulty in scoring by five lengths fro-m Kacewhip. who beat King Musk by six lengths. Then came Cappy, Mungacre and Karotonga.

Esquire, who had run third over six furlongs earlier in the day. wifs favourite for the To I'oi Hack Handicap, with Bronze Trail and Rival next in demand. These three fought out the issue, finishing as named, with a length and a half between them. I'leuron, Master Ace and Hunting Bee were next.

There was a good finish' In the Taihoa Handicap, the open sprint, th» favourite, Val Lu, scoring from the second favourite, Young I'addon. while Hunter's Night, who was at a good price, was third. Heads separated the trio, with Bronze Step fourth.

The weather was fine, there was a good attendance, and the track was good for this time of the year. During the dny the sum of £ 2(5.908 was put through the totalisator. eompared with K 27.054 in 1938. There was no winter meeting last year. Later results are :— Corbett Steeplechase, about three miles. H-o Allegretto. 11.12 (A. McGregor). 1; 1-1 Makoi. 9.13 (M. Ritchie), 2; «-0 London, !1.2 (I<\ Cleaver), 3. Scratched: Air Commodore. Twenty lengths; five lengths. Time. 6.12 3-o. Winner trained by A. McGregor, Hamilton. I'airere Hack Handicap, six furlongs.— 2-1 Joan reel, 8.5 (C. G. Goulsbro), 1; 3-4 Glen Connell. 8.1. cnr. 8.3 (G. Smith). 2; 7-0 Face Value. B.!>, car. 8.3 (O. Evans), 3.

Scratched: Douglas Hyde. Half a length: a head. Time. 1.16 2-5. Winner trained hy owner, Matamata. " Okauia Hurdles, about one mile and three-quarters.—o-4 Little Kusc. 0 0 (D. McKinnon). 1; 2-2 Racewhip. 0.6 (Sklffing-

ton). 2: 11-10 King Musk. 9.0. car. 9.2 (B. Kowhai). 3. Scratched: Allmetic, Well Ariiv. Five lengths: six lengths. Time. 3.19 2-5. Winner trained by owner, Matamata. Te Poi Hack, nine furlongs.—l-3 Esquire. 9.0. car. 8.9 (11. Collett), 1; 2-2 Bronze Trail. 8.5. car. 8.0 (Beguley). 2; 3-1 Rival. 5.4 (M. Kerr). 3. Scratched : Expellant, Radiant Boy. Length and a half each way. Time. 1.59. Winner trained by R. H. Martin. Matamata. Taiboa Handicap, seven furlong* and a quarter. —1-1 Val Lu. 9.0 (O. Evans), 1: 2-8 Young Paddon. 9.1 (O. Mclnally). 2; 10-10 Hunters Night. 8.0. ear. 8.4 (N. R. McKenzie). 3. Scratched: Erllck. Calorie. Head each way. Time. 1.34. Winner trained by R. J. Mateer. Matamata.