WELL DESERVED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 29, 10 December 1945, Page 7

WELL DESERVED

RAKANUI'S SUCCESS j HAS WON £10,785 STAKES The nine-year-old Hunting Song gelding Rakanui got a great ovation at the Waikato races on Saturday, when he finished brilliantly on the outside to win the £1000 Hamilton Handicap narrowly from Air Port and Billy Peach. And he deserved it, too, for he has been a most consistent galloper ever since he first graced the turf at the age of three.

His was an auspicious debut, for he won first start, a feat he emulated in his next two seasons, and lie has been a high-class performer ever since, except during the 1944-1945 term, when he wasn't raced owing to unsoundness. When he contested the Hamilton Handicap on Saturday, Rakanui was making his sixtieth appearance on the turf, and he has been in the money on no fewer than 40 occasions, his record showing 17 firsts, 15 seconds, six thirds, and two fourths for £10,785 in prize-money. His principal victories include the Wellington Racing Club Handicap and W.R.C. Autumn Handicap, the Avondale Cup, H. O. Nolan Handicap, and a division of the Cornwall Handicap, while he also has a third in the New Zealand | Cup to his credit. Rakanui is from the Psychology marc Golden Opportunity, who was from Orcum, by King John —Desert Gold, by All Black—Aurarlus, by Malster—Aurous, by Wallace, so, in building up such a fine record, he has only been doing the deccnt thing by his family. Billy Peach Just Failed ! In his race on Saturday, Rakanui was giving Billy Peach a good start commencing the final quarter, and it was not until the field was well down the home stretch that his prospects were really good. He was then overhauling Billy Peach and Air Port with every stride, and he had their measure just short of the winning post. He has incurred a 31b penalty for the Auckland Cup, bringing his weight to 8.10. and, if he stands up to his final preparation, will have many admirers on Boxing Day. Billy Peach went a surprisingly good race, making the pace almost from barrier-rise, but although he hung on in grand style when challenged, first by Air Port and then by Rakanui, he was not quite good enough. Representative gave a fair performance, but once again failed to live up to expectations, while his stablemate, Expanse, never gave his supporters any ground for enthusiasm. However, he appeared to pull up allright. and should be a uetter horse by the time the holidays come along. Hippodrome was conspicuous at the tail end of the field making the home turn, and he was equally conspicuous, but in a much better position, shortly before the winning post was reached. He was fourth then, and going strongly, so that he should not lack supporters in future engagements.