MANY SCRATCHINGS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 74, 29 March 1943, Page 5

MANY SCRATCHINGS

BAY OF PLENTY CLUB

POWYS-BABROW SURPRISE

The scratching pen was worked overtime at Paeroa on Saturday, when, the Bay of Plenty Racing Club held its annual meeting and, incidentally, brought the 1042-1943 country circuit (gallops) to a close. No fewer than 110 horses were withdrawn from their engagements, and this enabled the club to avoid four divisions, for which provision had been made. Nevertheless, three of the races were divided, and this had an adverse effect on the totalisator returns, which amounted to £45,251. No meeting was held last year, but on the first day of the 1941 fixture at Tauranga investments were £33,970 10/. OUTSIDERS TO FORE Three win favourites — Verus, Sweet Biscuit and Volifox — were successful, and Olga's Pal, All Glory, Kentish and Water Vixen, second favourites, also scored for punters, but Powys, winner of the Alf Brown Memorial Handicap, and Babrow, which took the second division of the Tauranga Cup, both paid double figures, Bafbrow over £20. WINNING RIDERS The Ellerslie jockey, G. Cameron, who had a run of "outs" until quite recently, was again in good form, and he added two further wins to his record. These were All Glory, Mrs. G. M. Kay's Tiderace filly, and Olga's Pal, also a member of A. Cook's team at Te Awamutu. J. Williamson, who has been having a fine run of success, won another two races, the first on the hitherto disappointing Verus, and the first division of the Presidents Hack on Water Vixen. IN THE RIGHT ORDER The chestnut gelding Red Warden is not being allotted any serious tasks but is in great fettle. He will contest hack events at the Auckland meeting next month, and on his Te Rapa form his prospects have to be considered. FOR G.N. OAKS The New Zealand Oaks winner Alethea resumed racing at the week-end and was narrowly beaten in the Longburn Handicap after appearing a likely winner at the last furlong. Aluthea has filled out since she last raced, and was in need of the outing she had on Saturday. She has been taken along quietly since the spring, as her trainer has the Great Northern Oaks in view at Easter. LIKES THE GROUND SOFT Since racing at the Te Aroha meeting, where he accounted for a strong maiden field, Hunting King has done nothing in the way of fast work. R. G. Stennlng has the big Hunting Song gelding in first-rate order but does not intend to over-race him while the ground is in the present hard state. When the winter season arrives Hunting King will have plenty of opportunities to extend his record. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT ST. PATRICK, March 17.—Re Irate: s You are entitled to full dividend.