TURF TOPICS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 93, 27 November 1939, Page 8

TURF TOPICS

"THE SPORT OF KINGS" AT TE RAPA (B3 r Zetland) The Waikato Racing Club's spring meeting at Te Rapa last week, Avas from practically all points of view, a pronounced success. The attendance of the racing public was large, the racing track in excellent order, but perhaps a little on the hard side the fields large throughout, and the racing full of interest.

Once again the weak point of the fixture was the starting, generally the despatches being of a straggling nature. This will ever be so until someday—in its wisdom, the New Zealand Racing Conference elects to alter the rule to moving up starts

Racing opened with a field of 25 lining out for the Trial Stakes. The favourite division comprised Mayfair and Flying Vixen (bracketed), Starbright, Estro, and Race Aawaj r . Flying Eagle Avas folloAA'ed in the early running by Kingcraft, Mayfair and Cornish. The latter hit the front half AA'ay down the straight, and Avon by three lengths from the Rotorua trained, Monte Cristo, with Mayfair third. The dividend on Cornish AA r as one of double figures.

Thirteen went out to contest the Waimai Hurdles. Ureklaw, a winner at Avondale, was made a firm favourite, and although he clouted the first obstacle, just to show his contempt for it, took up a good position early, trailed Ring Shot, Mia Fratollo and Wynardo to the three furlong mark, and then went to the front and won comfortably for the Rotorua sportsman, Mr J. Greenhead

The Hautapu Hack brought out a good field of 18. The favourite division included Greek Queen, Ruatiti and Bronze Step. In the early stagas Sebrof and May Song were in the lead. The former led into the straight from Proud Fox, Bronze Moth arid Ruatiti. A hundred yards from the post Sebrof (J. Day) and Proud Fox (Smith) joined issue and the latter gained the verdict by a head.

Then came up for decision the Waikato Cup of £500, one mile and three furlongs. The withdrawal of Hot Box, Scotland and Mataroa- left a field of eleven to. line up at the tapes. Highest in the estimation of backers were Birthday Boy, Golden Shield and Royevrus. As a matter of fact the hardness of th- going was not at all relished by Birthday Boy, Royevrus or Sly Fox. The early nace was set bv Royevrus, Golden Sheila, Windsor Chief , and Sly Fox. Running along the back "Wimlsor Chief was on terms with Royevrus, with Golden Sheila, Te iHai and Sly Fox close up. In a fine finish the For dell trained Taurangi came through from the bark to win by half a length from Balinavar, with Golden Sheila third. The time registered was 2.20 against Birthday Boy's 2.24 4-5 in the Avondale Cup. Taurangi ran right up to her Stratford Cup victory form, and showed her class. She is by Beau Pere — Barbacon, so is bred right for han-

dicap company

Gladynev and Homily were much in favour for the Claudelands Handicap. The issue was keen'v fought out between Full Hand and Gladynev victory going to the former.

The Tamahere Stakes, for two-year-olds, brought out 21 contestants, including a number of very highly bred juveniles, capable of rac ing in any part of the Dominion. The Rangitikei trained Rlack Robe, Sure Pay by Autopay, (said 1o be, superior in speed in short sprints to Our Jean) and Night Pilot, the stable companion to Night Beam, were most in demand. lint fate decreed that the inevitable oulsider

was to succeed on this occasion and the onlookers were treated to a splendid exhibition of speed on the part of Lou Rosa who won going away by four lengths in the brilliant time of 47 3-5 sees.

A fine lot of open class sprinters were saddled up for the Cambridge Handicap and solid sums of mono}' went into the legalised machine to be registered against the names of Valimeen, Suleiman, Our Jean, Farland, Race Call, Pirate King and Llangollen. The chances of several, including Pirate King were entirely spoiled by the straggling start, and Orwere showing a brilliant turn of speed headed off Farland and Race Call to win convincingly.

Saturday's racing concluded with the Taupiri Hack for which Scandal Foxmond, Odtaa and Te Takina "•ere in demand. Always well placed Penzance took the lead entering home turn, and stalling off p game challenge by Gamos, won nice'y with Town Section in third platv