RACING AND TROTTING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21971, 21 December 1936, Page 14

RACING AND TROTTING

LATEST NEWS FROM FAR AND NEAR

RACING FIXTURES December 26—Hurunui Turf Club. December 26—Waipukurau J.C. December 26, 28—Dunedin J.C. December 26, 28—Taranaki J.C. December 26. 28, 29—Westland R.C. December 26. 28, 29—Manawatu R.C. December 26, 29. Jan. 1, 2 (19371 Auckland R.C. January I—Waiau R.C. January I—Waikouaiti R.C. January 1— R.C. January 1, 2—Stratford R.C. Januarv 1, 2—Marton J.C. January 1. 2—Hawke’s Bay J.C. January 1, 2—Wairarapa R.C. January 1, 2—Greymouth R.C. January 2—Oamaru J.C. Januarv 2. 4—Southland R.C. January 7, 9—Reefton J.C. TROTTING FIXTURES December 26—Ashburton T.C. December 26 —Gore T.C. December 26. 28—Wairarapa T.Q. December 26, 28—Westport T.C. December 28, 30, 31—Auckland T.C December 29—Winton T.C. December 30 —Westland T.C. January 1, 2—Canterbury Park T.C. January 4. s—Greymouth T.C. January B—Reefton T.C. January 9 —Cambridge T.C. January 16—Timaru T.C. January 23 N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. January 28, 30—Forbury Park T.C. January 30, February I—Nelson1 —Nelson T.C, February 4. 6—Wellington T.C. February 13—Canterbury Park T.C. February 20 —New Brighton T.C. February 20, 24—Auckland T.C. February 2§ —Marlborough T.C. February 27—Kaikoura T.C. February 27—Roxburgh T.C. TURF GOSSIP Reminders Acceptances for the first day of the Westland Racing Club's meeting will close at 5 pan. to-day. Acceptances for the first day’s programme of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s summer meeting will close at 5 p.m. to-day. Acceptances for the Waikouaiti and Oamaru New Year meetings will close at 8 p.m. to-day. Acceptances for both fixtures will be taken at either Waikouaiti or Oamaru. Acceptances for the Wairarapa meeting will close to-day. Track Work at Riccarton Conditions were ideal for training at Riccarton on Saturday. There was very little work before breakfast because of the absence of the horses sent to Auckland on Thursday. The outside of the trial grass provided excellent going, and most of the gallops were on it. as the plough has been out of favour since the rain earlier in the week. On Course Proper There was one special gallop on the course proper, in which Vintage and Tunneller were companions. They kept together throughout and ran a mile in Imin 46sec, the reverse way, the first half in 52 2-ssec. It was a useful task, but neither was out against time. Vintage’s recent lameness is considered by his owner, who was present on Saturday ,to be caused by the use of bar shoes which have tended to jar his joints, and a change to the ordinary shoes is to be made. On Trial Grass Of the early workers, Top Notch and Day Dress ran a mile in Imin 44sec. Paper Slipper galloped half a mile along the back in 49 3-ssec, and Thermidor followed in 50sec. while Lazybones afid Mulatto ran home half a mile in 50sec. Studley Royal, assisted by Catoma, was given strong work over six furlongs. His trip to Ellerslie is indefinite; but if he should be sent up, he will not race until next week. By Rapier Swordstick had a slight advantage from Polydora, at the end of seven furlongs in Imin 30sec, the first three in 37 l-sSec. The former will soon be seen to advantage, as he has been galloping impressively. He has been nominated for several places during the holidays, but nothing has been decjded about his programme. Second Innings ran five furlongs in Imin 5 4-ssec. This is the Winning Hit— Lady Clarenceux gelding in M. Conza’s stable, who is to race at Hurunui. Owl’s Gleam broke away in front of Cyclonic, starting a six furlong task, and kept in front throughout, the last five taking Imin 3 l-ssec. Nightbound and Gresham covered six furlongs in Imin 19sec, and Roy Bun beat Derive in similar time. Knockfin galloped seven furlongs well in Imin 30 l-ssec, the first three in 38 l-ssec, and half-mile in 51 2-ssec, She finished full of running, and gives indications of being partial to a middle distance. Rebel Chief and La France raced abreast over five furlongs in Imin 3sec, the last three in 37 2-ssec, Rousseau and Forum ran seven furlongs in Imin 30 4-5 sec, the last three in 39 2-ssec. Screamer and Oriental King were to have gone together, but did not do so, the former running half a mile in 52sec, and Oriental King in 51 2-sseo. Pink Abbey and Gold Label recorded Imin 18 2-ssec for six. furlongs and Palmyra’s time for the same journey was Imin 18sec. Willie Win was going better than Orange Bud at the end of six furlongs in Imin 17 3-ssec, the last three in 36 l-ssec. Glenavon and Palady took Imin 20sec. This was the latter’s first gallop for some time, as he did not race in Australia for four months before leaving for New Zealand. Redolent galloped a mile in Imin 48sec. He should earn some money on his Taranaki trip. Silver Slipper finished clear of Cape Gabo at the end of seven furlongs in Imin 31sec, the last three in 39 2-ssec. The Fastest Seven Gaysome made another smart effort in covering seven furlongs in Imin 29sec, the last three in .40 l-ssec. Ou the Plough The only gallop on the plough was by Davolo aud Weatherly, who finished in front of Rosa of Tralee’after taking Imin 32 l-ssec for seven furlongs, the last half-mile in 53 l-ssec. A Tractor Mare Among the later workers was an upstanding four-year-old mare by Tractor, owned by Messrs J. and O. Ballin. She has been in work at New Brighton for some time, and had her first sprint on Saturday, shaping in an encouraging manner. An Expensive Failure Polygraph, who has been held on lease by Mr P. Curtis for the last two seasons, has been returned to his owner. He invariably showed much promise in track work, but seldom reproduced such form in public. Mr Curtis is still represented in D. O’Connor’s stable by Gresham, who gives indications of turning out a useful stake-earner. At Awapuni J. Tomkinson has arrived at Awapuni with Emissary, and with the two-year-old Allspice, owned by Mr F. Armstrong. He had his own mare Gwennis engaged, but after her race at Hororata he decided not to take her north. Emissary should be seen to advantage on the trip provided he has firm tracks and favourable atmospheric conditions. Silver Ring The defection of Silver Ring from the Auckland Cup when acceptances were taken on Friday was not surprising, as he has had little opportunity of getting the necessary preparation because of continued soreness. There is a chance that he may be able

to contest the weight-for-age events, but he can hardly be at his best. A. E. Ellis is now without a mount in the Cup, but will have two good rides on Saturday in Namakia in the Railway Handicap and Winlona in the Robinson Handicap. * Below Standard Martara’s winning form during the last few months brought him into serious discussion as a Great Northern Derby possibility, and the opinion has been held by North Islanders that he is the one likely to cause most trouble to Trench Fight and Gustos. His failure at Otakl on Saturday, however, would cause a big drop in his stocks, and although there is a big difference between a mile and a quarter handicap event on a turning track like Otaki and a mile and a half race on the Ellerslie course, he ; s likely to go out of favour for the classic. Before Saturday’s race, Martara had not actually done anything to suggest he was a three-year-old of class and was entitled to a claim for classic honours, and probably he has been overrated from the latter point of view. The only argument in his favour as a stayer is that his sire won the Great Northern Derby in 1928. Martara’s defeat of Trench Fight in a novice handicap over seven furlongs at Trentham in October has been freely mentioned in viewing his prospects against the Chokebore representative on New Year’s Day, out there is no doubt the honours were with the latter that day. He was very unlucky to have been beaten by halt a length, after giving his rival in appreciable break turning for home. Good Prospects Hunting Queen’s progress since her appearance at the Feilding meeting, when she won the Kowhai Handicap over a mile and a distance, has been such that she is being referred to as a good prospect for an open handicap during the Christmas and New Year period. She ran a good second to Cuddle at Otaki on Saturday. She is on the minimum in the Manawatu Cup. and has been allotted 8-1 in the Grandstand Handicap, nine furlongs. A Hardy Marc Queen of Song is an interesting entry for the Christmas racing in the south. She had a hard campaign in Australia, but appears to stand up to any amount of work. In referring to the New Zealand mare a Melbourne writer says:—“ Queen of Song is the perfect type for the Australian Cup if her connexions decide to concentrate on the long-distance race at Flemington. It is never a really hard race to win, for the better stayers usually wait for the Sydney Cup at Randwick. Queen of Song is nothing if not a true stayer, and.'although the Victoria Racing Club handicapper is unlikely to take any risk with her, she is big enough to carry any reasonable weight.” Another Attempt After Golden Miller had covered two and a half miles of the Aintree course to finish second to Royal Mail In the Becher Steeplechase on November 11, his trainer, Owen Anthony, stated that his charge, who will turn 10 years old on January 1, would be entered for the Liverpool Grand National again. He has already run m four nationals. He won in 1930, but has disgraced himself the last two years. Best of his Colour The chestnuts by Lunond were few, and for a long time there was a prejudice against them, as they were supposed to be inferior to the bays and browns by the same sire. Lynch Law probably would have realised more than 500 guineas last January had he been other than a chestnut, for he was a handsome yearling then, and has grown into a splendid two-year-old now. Honour was a wonderfully smart chestnut two-ycar-old by Limind, but, unfortunately, he developed respiratory trouble in his three-year-old season. Other Limond chestnuts have not been in the same class as Honour, though Forestry, Episode, and Golden Hair were all good horses for the short period they were at their best. There is a reasonable expectation therefore that Lynch Law may be the best of all the chestnuts. Auckland Cup Results Horses of undoubted stamina have been rare in New Zealand in recent years, and no better 'evidence of this could be found than in the Auckland Cup for speculators have seldom been far astray in summing up the probabilities, as indicated by the order of favouritism on the totalisator. Supporters of the favourtie have been in the money no fewer than 12 times in the last 20 years. Between 1915 and 1919 the favourite was second three times. Wishful 7-0, Sasanof 9-6, and Uncle Ned 8-8. The fate of the elect of the public from 1920 is as follows; — 1920 Firpt Salute 8-4 .. Second 1921 Vagabond 8-6 .. Unplaced 1922 Insurrection 8-3 .. Second 1923 Highland 9-0 Unplaced 1924 Musketoon 8-9 .. Unplaced 1925 Count Cavour 8-3 Second 1920 Te Monanui 9-1 .. Third 1927 Count Cavour 9-6 Second 1928 Count Cavour 8-12 Unplaced 1929 Star Stranger 8-12 Second 1930 Nightmarch 9-13 Unplaced 1931 Admiral Drake 7-8 First 1932 Fast Passage 8-11 First 1933 Rocket 7-7 .. Unplaced 1934 King March 8-1 Second 1935 Cuddle 9-0 .. First The greatest outsiders to win during the period were Malaga (1921) and Motere (1930). Both were eleventh favourite, and the latter paid a dividend of more than half a century. At Wingatui Class is well represented in the Otago Handicap, to be run on the first day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s summer meeting, writes “Sentinel,” in the “Otago Daily Times.” The top-weight, Vintage, won the Auckland Racing Club Handicap with 9-6 in 2min 32 2-ssec, the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Metropolitan Handicap with 9-0 in 2min 30 2-ssec, Dunedin Cup with 7-10 in 2min 36sec, and the Wellington Cup with 9-9 in 2min 30 j sec. Queen of Song won the Riverton Cup, Great Autumn Handicap, Wellington Cup, and at weight-for-age in Australia, in addition to being fourth in the Melbourne Cup. Silver Streak won the Auckland Racing Club’s Railway Handicap. the Stewards’ Handicap, and has winning form up to a mile and a quarter. Travenna has winning form up to a mile and a quarter. Tauramai won a Dunedin Cup, Great Autumn Handicap, and Dunedin Guineas. Guarantee won the Southland Cup run last month. Polydora has winnings on the flat and over hurdles, finished third in the New Zealand Cup, and fifth in the Metropolitan Handicap run at the New Zealand Cup meeting, finishing in front of Travenna when meeting at even weights. Gay Circle won up to a mile and a quarter in Australia in fast time under a lightweight. Davolo has been a good but somewhat unlucky performer with placed form, including a second in the Stewards’ Handicap Ip Knockfin. At the Wellington spring meeting he was third with 8-0 to Argentic 8-4 and Hunting Cat 8-6 in the Wellington Racing Club Handicap, and second to Gay Boy, with 8-2 in the Watkins Handicap. Knockfin is a winner of a Stewards’ Handicap, and Tunneller’s wins include a Midsummer Handicap and the Banks Peninsula Cup. The Surgeon won the Mosgiel Handicap run at the Wingatui spring meeting. Great Star has greater racing experience than anv other horse in the race and has won from six furlongs up to a second to Fast Passage in the Auckland Cup. Daring Deed and the others that follow should help to make the racing interesting, although she may bo selected as the best of the lightweights. It will be seen that the race has attracted quite a good claps field, and even if a shrinkage takes place with the declaration of acceptances, it will provide a fine sporting spectacle and something well worth seeing.

TROTTING NOTES

Reminders Acceptances for the Waikouaiti and Oamaru meetings will close to-day. Acceptances for the Canterbury Park meeting will close next Monday. Jottings A three-year-old sister to Grand Mogul, by Adioo Guy—Logan’s Mission, is a recent addition to P. Gallagher’s team. Double Great is the ruling favourite for the Gore Trotting Club Handicap. The acceptances for the Gore Trotting Club’s meeting on Boxing Day will make an attractive card. The fields engaged create the impression that the club will have a record meeting. A Dunedin nqwspaper says that Mr G. Aitcheson, who previously held Southern Smile on lease, has now completed the purchase of this mare. The price is reported to have been £SOO, not a big sum for such a brilliant pacer. At a sale of trotting slock at Studholme Junction last week a big number of young pacers and trotters were disposed of. Yearlings averaged from five guineas to 47£ guineas, two-year-olds from four guineas to 15 guineas, three-year-olds from 12 guineas to 18 guineas, and brood mares from six guineas to 16 guineas. Erin s Guy was sold for 15 guineas and a trotter by Giro for 16 guineas. Horses recently registered with the New Zealand Trotting Association include;—Bilbah. three years, b g by Wrack—Carbinca; Captain Potts, three years ch g by Jack Potts—The Shrew; Coal Tar, two years, b f Jack Potts —Tarcol; Mankind, three years, b g by Grattan Loyal—May Locanda; Peter Sterling, three years, b g by Peter Bingen—Peter Moko mare; Traveltone, four years, b g by Happy Voyage— Jessie McKinney; and William Direct, two years, by Rey dc Oro Edna. Preparing for Records The Ashburton Trotting Clubs meeting on Boxing Day is expected to draw a record crowd; but the cluo does not intend to be caught unprepared through lack of transport, admission, or totalisator facilities. There will be three special trains from Christchurch and such complete arrangements for the transport of passengers has not been made for many years. At a number of previous meetings the arrival of the special trains has been followed by congestion at the gates, and it is pleasing to note that arrangements have been made for the admission of a record crowd. Previously only one gate has been opened, and grandstand patrons have had to pay admission to the outer enclosure before paying a second fee to the lawn. In the general scheme of improvements to the course, a turnstile entrance to the lawn has been installed from Racecourse road. The club intends to make an honest endeavour to observe the rule about the 35-minute interval between races, and every selling and pay-out window will be available to the public. The totalisator will be closed promptly to the time shown on the indicator. Last year £21,751 was put through the machine; but this sum is likely to be far exceeded at what promises to be one of the best meetings held in the South | Island. i To Drive Key Spec At the conclusion of the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday next R. B. Berry, after driving Parisienne. Lucky Jack, Trampfast, Dundee, and Chechahco, will leave for Auckland, where he will handle Rey Spec in the Auckland Cup. j Labounrnan’s Prospects The Methven-trained Labourman has given evidence of being a good pacer, and his work during the holiday racing will be watched with interest. In tiie Wakanui Handicap, 3min 43sc: class, at Ashburton he will meet a number of very speedy pacers, and ho will have to improve considerably on his time to win. If he is unsuccessful there, however, he will be given a further chance at Greymouth, where he is on the end of the Electric Handicap, of eight furlongs and a half. 2min 24sec to the mile class. A Strong Team It is almost certain that one stable will supply the favourites for each of the two big handicap races during the Christmas holidays, for Grand Mogul will command that support in the Auckland Cup and the Cloudy RangeTempest bracket will have many followers at Ashburton. All three horses are in F. U, Dunlevy’s stable. Grand Mogul did not perform well in the New Zealand Cup; but track conditions were held responsible for his temporary loss of form. On the concluding day, however, he gave a taste of his quality when he fairly outclassed the field in the Louisson Handicap, after racing over two miles in 4min 21sec, his stablemate, Cloudy Range, being in second place. Both horses have come on well in the meantime, and they will strip in great order for immediate engagements. Dunlevy looks like having a fair share of success within the next week or two, for besides Grand Mogul he has Bittersweet and Rongomai engaged at Auckland, while Ashburton engagements will be entrusted to Cloudy Range, Tempest, and Iraq. It is a particularly strong team, nicely placed in the different classes. Gamble Nominated Gamble, whose engagements at Addington last month were cancelled because of an injury to one of his legs, is now in regular work, and will possibly he given a race at the Canterbury Park meeting. At one stage last season Gamble looked like being one of the best pacers bred in the Dominion, and it was a big disappointment to his many admirers that he failed to survive the final payment in the Cup. Auckland Notes The arrival of the South Island horses, Red Shadow, San Michele, Rey Spec, Bingen Palm, Logan Palm, and Aircraft, at Epsom yesterday created a deeper interest in the Auckland trotting meeting, telegraphs our Auckland correspondent. They were not worked, but the visitors looked none the worse for the trip, Red Shadow and Rey Spec being particularly bright. The outside of the course proper was open, but outside of Star Pronto, a mile and a half in 3min 30sec, the last half-mile in Imin 7sec, Munga Tangi, Smin 33sec, Baron Grand, 3min 34sec, and Parrish Belle, Smin 34sec, there was nothing to enthuse over. The course will be availabe on Tuesday when, in addition to the southern horses, F. J. Smith will bring his team from Takanini, Interest will be taken in the showing of King’s Warrior. Luck of the Draw With 24 horses on the limit of the December Handicap at Auckland, the post positions have been drawn, and two of the most fancied candidates in Molly Direct and Frank Best are In what appears to be a third row. However, Elthorpe and Gloster have been scratched, and two more defections will leave only two rows.

OTAKI-MAORI E.C.

CUDDLE WINS HANDICAP (PKESS A3SOCIATIOK TELEGRAM.) OTAKI, December 19. For the Otaki-Maori -Racing Club’s meeting to-day there was bright sunshine with a light breeze. Later there was misty totalisator handled £8931 10s. as against £5629 10s last year. The attendance was satisfactory and the course good. Results: — PUKEXOI HACK HURDLES. Of 100 sovs. One mile and a half. 2 BEAU GALLANTS 10-11 L D c. Thomson 1 3 Midacre 9-10 • • Burgess 2 5 Count Willonyx 9-2 • • Lord 3 1 Otaura King 10-7: 6 Contract 9-0; 5 Miss Hushabye 9-0 also started. Won bv four lengths; three lengths between second and third. Time. 2mm 48 2-sscc. MANUAO MAIDIEN PLATE, Of 70 sovs. Six furlongs. 2—MEA MEA 8-7 .. A. Jenkins 1 I—Southern Blood 8-7 .. P. ® ur S e ss 2 4_Trimden 8-7 •• L - J- J 9 Crown Acre 8-7; 5 Alanga 8-7; 7 Party R. - 6 Lufra 8-7; 10 Golden Sheen 8-7; 3 Gay Ruby 8-7; 8 Clear Vision 8-7 also St Wo G n by a length; same between second and third. Time, Imin 16sec. PUKEKARAKA HACK HANDICAP, Of 85 sovs. Six furlongs. 1— MAZZINI 7-8 • • W. Broughton 1 2 Golden Chest 7-12 .. Kimira 2 3 vonia Park 7-8 Chaplin 3 5 Mittle 9-2; 2 Going Gay 7-7 also St Won by a head; a length between second and third. Time. Imin Msec. HERE NEKITINI MEMORIAL HANDICAP, Of 150 sovs. One mile and a quarter. 1— CUDDLE 10-0 •• L. J. Elhs 1 4 Hunting Queen 7-9 .. S. Wilson 2 e Terrv 7-7 • • J - Leach 3 6 Hazoor 9-4; 2 Martara 8-4; 3 Sunee 8-1. 7 Hunting Mars 7-7 also started. Won by half a length; length between second and third. Time. 2min 6 4-oscc. OTAKI HACK HANDICAP, , Of 85 sovs. Seven furlongs. 2 EXPORT 8-10 • • P. Williams 1 1 — Essex 8-12 .. C. Coulsbro 2 4 —Le Toquet 7-7 ■ ■ J- 3 3 Cricket 9-0; 5 Colcnso 7-9; 6 Blue Mauritius 7-7 also started. Won by a length; same between second and third. Time, Imin 20 3-ssec. WAIRONGOMAI HANDICAP, Of 120 sovs. Seven furlongs. 7—JUBILEE SONG 8-3 .. A. Jenkins 1 2 Lord Moutoa 8-1 • ■ Burgess 2 6 Hunting Lodge 7-7 W. Broughton 3 1 Darecourt 8-4; 3 Fulojoy 7-12; 4 Geite] 7-10; 5 Full Throttle 7-10: 9 Vinco 7-7; 8 Ingenuity 7-7 also started. Won by a head; same between second and third. Time, Imin 26sec. RAIIUI HACK HANDICAP, Of 90 sovs. One mile. 1— REVIVAL 7-11 .. L. J. Ellis 1 7 Free Gold 8-0 •. S. Wilson 2 3 Earl Colossus 7-7 .. Williams 3 6 Whetuma 8-0; 4 Windward 7-13; 2 Nlghtlass 7-9; 5 Gold Nymph 7-7; 9 Scooter 7-7; 8 First Spec 7-7 also started. Won by half a length; length between second and third. Time. Imin 41 l-ssec. REKE REKE HACK HANDICAP, Of 85 sovs. Five furlongs. 4 HUNTETTE 8-1 .. S. Anderson 1 6—Alloa 7-7 * C. Goulsbro 2 2 Lifeguard 0-1 • • 3 I Hlne Ra 8-11; 3 Maryborough 8-10; 7 Etiquette 8-0; 5 Mazzinl 7-10 also started. Won by a length; same between second and third. Time, Imin Iscc. NOTES ON THE RACING [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, December 19. Chief interest at the Otaki meeting to-day centred in Cuddle, who greatly enhanced her Auckland Cup prospects by her win under a welter weight in the principal handicap. The Hurdle Race Though the opposition did not prove formidable, Beau Gallante scored a very easy win in the hurdles. He lost ground at the start; but at the end of half a mile he had run up handy. He took sole charge over the last five fur-

longs and finally won up. Otauru King and Miss Hushabye, the early leaders, were done with a long way from home. The Maiden Mea Mea won the maiden e Y®P* 4®' cisively, but he was responsible for hugging in badly on the field as he made his run home, interfering baoiy both with the runner-up, Southern Blood, and the third horse, Trundlcr. The last-named suffered more tnan once and was very unlucky. First Success The promising Mittie paraded very sore for her engagement in the naut six, and backers showed a for Mazzini. Vonia Park and Goiaen Chest led to the straight, where Mazzini took advantage of an opening on the rails. In this she was fortunate, as Golden Chest pushed her all the way to the post, where the winning margin was small. Mittie was doing better when warmed up, but was unable to reach Vonia Park for third. This was Mazzini’s first success and also the first for her owner, Mr A. Giorgi, 01 Hastings. Cuddle Returns to Form Cuddle clearly demonstrated her class by carrying her 10 stone to victory in the principal handicap in her best style. She lay fourth or fifth early, the pace bqing made by Hunting Mars from Martara and Hunting Queen. Cuddle went up fast at the five furlongs and took sole charge. Hunting Queen was the only to give her a race home, and aiuiougn Hunting Queen hung on well. Cuddle was always doing it a little better. Terry, who lost a lot of ground at the start, was a fair third, just beating Martara, and there was a big gap to Sunee and Hazoor. The time 2min 6 4-ssec, hardly accords with the circumstances, as Terry, wh? had got badly left owing to the barrier not going up on his side, was with the field at the end of a couple of furlongs and improved to get a creditable third. To do so if the time was correct he must have run an Australian and New Zealand record from post to post. Still, this did not detract from the merit of Cuddle’s win. Martara was a disappointment. He began to drift when on the rails at the halfmile, but when later pulled to the outer he was running on again. Sunee was a failure, and Hazoor too big to do himself justice. Altogether Cuddle did not get the opposition she appeared to be faced with on paper. Favourite Unlucky Essex, a hot favourite for the Otaki Hack Handicap, was kept in behind 100 long and although he made a strong run home in the straight, Export had the race won. Export’s recent form has been very consistent, but Essex was a good thing beaten. Le Toquet and Cricket did best of the others. A Narrow Margin A very close finish was staged in the Waiorongomai Handicap. Fulojoy set a fast pace to the straight, where the field closed up. In a rattling finish Jubilee Song and Lord Moutoa, who had been handiest to the pacemaker all the way, ran on best, with little between them at the post, with Darecourt next. The result was a vindication of recent form. A Close Call The favourite Revival duly scored in the Rahui Hack Handicap, but he had a close call from the three-year-old Free Gold, who had not raced since Wanganui in September. Free Gold gave an indication of coming to the form expected from his two-year-old showing. A Decisive Win Huntette won the last race decisively. She followed Lifeguard and Etiquette to the straight, and then ran cn to win comfortably. Alloa, who had stood behind the field at the start, finished very strongly for second. Hine Ra began slowly, but was finishing on better than anything at the end.

WINGATUI NOTES

USEFUL GALLOPS *[THE PRESS Special Service.] DUNEDIN, December 19. The tracks were in splendid order at Wingatui this morning, and most of the fast work was done on the plough-tan track. McHeath, looking big and well, was not out to make time over four furlongs on the course proper. New Note galloped half a mile on the plough-tan track in 50sec. Pink Del ran right away from Paladino at the end of five finishing 10 lengths m front in Imm 2 2-ssec. Half Note was under restraint over the last two furlongs of six to keep back to Roseman in Imm 25sec. Astaire beat Rotui over five furlongs on the course proper m Imm lOsec. Lumiere beat Decisive and Vallock over six furlongs on the same track in lm s!!k PaSr“iook Imin 25sec lor the same task. . . Song Boy made a poor pick up at the six furlong post on the ploughtan. and Viking led him toroughout. beating him by six lengths m Imin 15 3-ssec. It was Viking s best performance to date, and he finished on Jest (W. MeEwan) was schooled fast over four hurdles and Sh Waltham was going better than Vantoon at the end of a mile on the course proper in Imm 52 3 ' 5 5. ec ; . Linguist easily held Latitude throughout a five furlong gallop on the course proper in Imin Usee. Chrysology ran nine furlongs on the plough in 2min ssec. He was ridden by R. Beale, who will ride him m next Saturday’s hurdle race. Octane was scratchy in his action in half-pace work on the plough-tan. Greenboa was going slightly better than Natty at the end of six furlongs on the course proper in Imin 23 l-ssec. Daring Deed had a good pull in the weights over Grand Finale in a gallop over nine furlongs on the course proper. The latter finished strongly but Daring Deed just won the gallop, the last mile taking Imin 50sec. Radio Star ran half a mile on the plough-tan in 50 4-ssec, and is improving. The two-year-olds Stromboli. Circular Note, and a filly by Gallant Fox

were accompanied by Hanlon in barrier practice and jumped out well. Red Lance. Brilliant Boa. Norseman, and Last Link were let off with halfpace tasks. A E. Didham has been engaged to ride Gay Circle in the Otago Handicap and Wild Career in the Burnside Handicap next Saturday. Royal Pal was an absentee Irom the tracks this morning, and is an unlikely starter in the hurdle race next Saturday.