SPORTING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21976, 28 December 1936, Page 10

SPORTING

DUNEDIN EACES TUNNELLER WINS HANDICAP SUCCESSES FOR KNOCKFIN AND TOP ROW [From Our Own Reporter.] DUNEDIN, December 26. The Dunedin Jockey Club was favoured with perfect weather for the first day to-day of its summer meeting, and there was a large assemblage of racegoers, with, however, not as many visitors from outside districts as in previous years. The track was fairly holding for the first few races, but improved later in the afternoon. The racing provided some excellent contests, the finish of the concluding event being especially thrilling. The sum of £19,439 was handled, as against £17,721 on Boxing Day last year, an increase of £l7lß. Details of the racing are as follows: OTOKIA HURDLES, Of 150 sovs; second horse 22 sovs, and third horse 8 sovs from stake. One mile and a half. 3. I—J. S. and W. Hazlett’s b g BLAZON by Paladin—Heraldry aged 9-0 .. • • C. Hughes 1 1. 3—J. A. White’s b m Look Smart aged 9-8 .. • • B. Shand 2 2.2 E. O. Fee’s b g Chrysology aged 9-3 car. 9-4J .. .. R. Beale 3 4, 4 Silver Jest 9-0 W. McEwin; 5. 5 Octane 9-0 J. Richards also started. Won by a neck; five lengths between second and third. Silver Jest was fourth. No time taken. Winner trained by W. E. Hazlett, Invercargill. TRIAL HANDICAP, Of 120 sovs; second horse 15 sovs, and third horse 5 sovs from stake. Seven furlongs. 2. I—J.1 —J. Richards's b f BARLEY ALMOND by Lackham—Butterscotch 4yrs 8-10 .. •• A. Didham 1 4. 4 —w. E. Hunt’s ch g Trebleack 4yrs 8-6 .. .. .. C. Humphries 2 10. 9—T. J. Meade’s b g Trumpet Blast syrs 8-7.. .. C. Wilson 3 5, 5 Nightbound 9-0 D. O’Connor; 1, 2 Pink Del 8-13 J. Jennings; 6, 6 Natty 8-10 car. 8-11J W. McEwen; 3, 3 Rousseau 8-9 A. Messervy: 8. 7 Costume 8-8 car. 8-10 F. Voight; 12, 15 Astaire 8-7 W. Cooper: 15, 16 Brilliant Boa 8-7 J. Jenkins; 13, 13 Coming Star 8-7 A. Parsons; 17, 17 Gay Vixen 8-7 car. 9-4J B. Shand; 14, 14 Granvin 8-7 car. 8-9\ A- Mitchell; 16, 12 Restrain 8-7 R. Mackie; 9, 8 Rifle Range 8-7 car. 8-4 W. Dent; 11. 10 Lumiere 8-6 car. 8-1 P. Spratt; 7, 11 Petersham 8-6 H. Phillips also started. Won by three lengths: two lengths between second and third. Pink Del was fourth. Time. Imin 31sec. Winner trained by G. Bain, Riverton. DUNEDIN HANDICAP, Of 150 sovs: second horse 22 sovs, and third horse 8 sovs from stake. For two-year-olds. Five furlongs. 1. I—P. T. Hogan’s b c TOP ROW by Colossus—Hunt’s Up 9-0 J. Jennings 1 6. 6—W. Robertson’s b f Peony Rose 7-12 .. .. .. H, Phillips 2 3. 3—L. C. Hazlett’s ch c Stromboli 7-12 ... .. .. W. Cooper 3 2, 2 Auctor 8-1 R. Mackie; 3, 3 Camerino 7- C. Wilson bracketed with Stromboli; 5, 5 Gusto 7-10 A. Messervy; 4, 4 Heidelberg 7-7 P. Spratt also started. Won by two lengths; same between second and third. Heidelberg was fourth. Time, Imin 3 2-ssec. Winner trained by owner, Washdyke. FEDERAL HANDICAP, Of 200 sovs: second horse 30 sovs, and third horse 10 sovs from stake. Six furlongs. 2.2 W. Scott’s b m KNOCKFIN by Hunting Song—Knocklyn 6yrs 9-0 C. Wilson 1 1. I—J. Herlihy’s ch f Gold Boa 4yrs 7-12 car. 7-13J .. .. R. Mackie 2 6. 6—T. Hobbs’s br m Silver Sail 4yrs 7- H. Phillips 3 4, 4 Viking 8-5 J. Jennings; 5, 5 Half Note 8-2 car. 7-11 H. Powell; 3, 3 Bon Tray 8-1 car. 7-10 M. Caddy also started. Won by a head; four lengths between second and third. Bon Tray was fourth. Time, Imin 15sec. Winner trained by Mrs J. Campbell, Riccarton. OTAGO HANDICAP, Of 500 sovs; second horse 75 sovs, and third horse 25 sovs from stake. One mile, two furlongs, and a half. 2. 2—D. McFarlane’s b g TUNNELLER by Winning Hit—Counterscarp syrs 8- .. .. .. C. Wilson 1 1. I—P. T. Hogan's b m Queen of Song syrs 9-8 .. J. Jennings 2 4. 4—P. Campbell’s b g Davolo 6yrs 8-6 .. .. .. A. Didham 3 2, 3 Travenna 8-12 W. McEwen; 5. 5 Guarantee 8-10 R. Mackie; 6, 6 Polydora 8- A. Messervy: 7, 8 Gay Circle 8-8 C. Humphries; 8, 7 The Surgeon 8-1 W. Cooper; 10, 10 Great Star 8-0 W. Jones: 11, 11 Grand Finale 7-9 car. 7-10 i A. Parsons; 9. 9 Amy Johnson 7-7 H. Phillips also started. Won by three-quarters of a length; half a length between second and third. Gay Circle was fourth. Time, 2min 16 2-ssec. Winner trained by Mrs J. Campbell, Riccarton. MILBURN HACK HANDICAP, Of 120 sovs; second horse 15 sovs, and third horse 5 sovs from stake. Seven furlongs. 2.4 G. Kain’s b c STOLEN MARCH by Nightmarch—Satisfy 3yrs 8-8 car. 8-3 .. .. j. O’Connor 1 8. B—P. T. Hogan’s b g Stratosphere aged 8-5 .. .. J. Jem.ings 2 5. 5—H. Nurse's b m Palmyra syrs 7"13 .. .. .. A. Messervy 3 1, 2 Linguist 8-7 A. Didham; 3, 1 Araboa 8-6 J. Jenkins: 7, 6 Gambler’s Luck 8-1 car. 7-11 H. Powell; 4. 3 Orange Bud 8-1 C. Wilson; 6, 7 Ilithyia 8-0 A. Parsons: 10, 10 Sir Rosenor 7-7 W. Cooper; 8, 9 Mutus 7-7 H. Phillips also started. Won by two lengths; a length between second and third. Ilithyia was fourth. Time, Imin 28 4-ssec. Winner trained by G. A. McKay, Wingatui. BURNSIDE HANDICAP, Of 150 sovs; second horse 22 sovs, and third horse 8 sovs from stake. Seven furlongs. 7. 9—A. Ferguson’s b g McHEATH by Lord Quex —Polly Peachum 6yrs 8-2 A. G. Parsons 1 2. 2—Mrs M. A. Fox's Gaysome 6yrs 8-4 .. C. T. Wilson 2 9. 7—J. R. Brown’s Song Boy syrs 8-3 .. J. W. Jenkins 3 11, 11 Osculate 9-8; 10, 10 Trivet 8-4; 3, 3 Double Shot 8-5; 1, 1 Wild Career 8-2; 4, 4 Silver Lark 7-10; 8, 8 Southdown 8-1; 12, 12 Surge 7-13; 5, 6 Last Link 7-9; 6. 5 Poniard 7-8 also started. Won by two lengths; a head between second and third. Time, Imin 28 4-ssec. SALISBURY HACK HANDICAP, Of 150 sovs; second horse 22 sovs, and third horse 8 sovs from stake. One mile. 2. 3—D. Grant’s br g REBEL LAD by Robespierre—Keel Row syrs 9-1 „ , _ R. Mackie 1 4. 5—J. A. White’s br g High Glee 6yrs 8-7 car. 8-2 .. P. Spratt 2 1. I—l. Coop’s b g Willie Win syrs 8-2 .. .. .. F. Voight 3 6, 7 Superex 9-0 J. Jennings; 3, 2 Convivial 8-6 A. Messervy; 5, 4 Jack Ahoy 5*4 c - Humphries: 7, 6 Vantoon 8-2 A. Didham; H, 11 Great Empire 7-12 W C°O o p er: 10, 10 F reguard 7-8 H. Phillips; 8. 8 Radio Star 7-7 J. Jenkins; 9-9 Waltham 7-7 car. 7-9J A. Parsons also started Won by half a head; three lengths beSe S? nd a ? d third. Convivial was fourth. Time. Imin 43 2-ssec. Winner trained by E. J. Ellis, Washdyke. NOTES ON THE RACING The Hurdle Race Speculation was fairly evenly divided amongst the five starters in the Otokia Hurdles, and a close finish resulted. Chrysology set a fast pace well in front until he hit a fence hard five furlongs from home, and Look Smart then took charge. The latter had a slight advantage coming to the last fence from Chrysology, with Blazon joining in. Look Smart was first oyer the obstacle, but was soon tackled by Blazon on the flat and in c.sustained struggle. Blazon outstayed his rival, to beat him by a neck, Chrysology just hanging on to gain third money from Silver Jest. Blazon jumped badly early, but improved over the last six furlongs, and his pace on the flat enabled him to be handy at the last fence. Look Smart owed her defeat to one faulty effort at the six furlong post, losing a lot

of valuable ground. Silver Jest jumped the first two fences well, but then made mistakes. He, however, finished up his work well, and would have been third in another stride. North Island Bred Barley Almond and Pink Del disnuted favouritism in the Trial Handicap. and both took part in the finish. Lu. liere took charge at the end of a furlong and led into the straight from Trumpet Blast and Barley Almond. The last-named made a fast forward move commencing the run home, and soon placed the issue beyond doubt, winning in a very easy manner from Trebleack. who finished solidly to beat Trumpet Blast. Pink Del was a length away in fourth place. Restrain and Rifle Range headed the remainder. The winner was purchased a few months ago bv the Riverton ownertrainer. G. Bain, and is a well-grown filly likely to have a very successful career in the south. Trebleack, by Woodend from Morse Signal, impressed by his finishing effort. Trumpet Blast was always handv, but Pink Del, after being one of the first to show out, was somewhat disappointing. Rousseau was slow away and was never prominent: Nightbound was always a good way from the leaders. Top Row Wins Easily With Silver Bond out of the Dunedin Handicap, Top Row was made a short-priced favourite, and jumping nut first, was never in danger of being overhauled. He was followed into the straight by Heidelberg, Camerino, and Peony Rose, with Auctor bringing up the rear. Peony Rose finished very fast to gain second money from Stromboli, who outstayed Heidelberg and Camerino. Top Row outclassed his weak opposition and could have made the margin much wider. Peony Rose is a smart looking filly by Robespierre from Paigle, by Night Raid from Rose Lady, and is closely related to Red Lancer. Stromboli, who _ was slow away, ran a very creditable race. Auctor shaped badly, while Gusto was the slowest away and never made up much leeway. Knockfin Stays On The Federal Handicap provided an exciting struggle over the last furlong between the two best supported, Knockfin and Gold Boa, who took charge early and raced abreast in front throughout. They were well clear of Bon Tray, Silver Sail, and Viking turning for home. With the finish to themselves, there was little between them at any part, and Knockfin got in the deciding stride to win by a heaci. There was then a good gap to Silver Sail with Bon Tray next and Viking last. Knockfin got well away from a moving start and always had Gold Boa doing her best. This was Knockfin’s second win for her present owner, the previous one being at Trentham in October. Although second favourite she paid a remarkably good price owing to Gold Boa being a pronounced favourite. The field raced in a bunch for the first furlong, but after that the two leaders had matt- s their own way. Tunneller Returns Investors were again successful in the Otago Handicap, the second choice, Tunneller, beating Queen of Song, who was a very staunch favourite. _ Great Star was the first to find his feet from another moving in start, and with half the journey covered had a three lengths’ lead from Tunneller, Gay Circle, and Queen of Song, with Amy Johnson, Grand Finale, Davolo, The Surgeon, Travenna, Guarantee, and Polydora following in that order. Great Star was still in charge turning for home, but did not last long, and Tunneller rushed to the front from Queen of Song and Gay Circle together, with Davolo and Polydora improving their positions. Queen of Song made a game effort to get up to Tunneller, and wa? overhauling him at every stride, but suffered defeat by a short length. Davolo finished on the rails with a burst of speed and cut Gay Circle out of third money on the post. Great Star was next, in front of Amy Johnson and Polydora, the last to finish being The Surgeon and Travenna. Tunneller struck a track to suit him and was always going like a winner. Queen of Song appeared to leave her run a little late. Hers was a wonderful performance, as she conceded Tunneller no less than 201b. Davolo did his best work at the right end, and will be soon more in evidence. Gay Circle finished well, and will improve, as this was his first race for some weeks. Great Star made his usual bold showing, and can be ticked off as a winner on the trip over a shorter journey. Disappointments were Polydora, Travenna, Guarantee, and The Surgeon. Never in Doubt Stolen March was allowed to pay a good price in the Milburn Handicap. He was the first to show out from an even start, and was always out in front. He led Orange Bud, Ilithyia, Palmyra, and Linguist into the straight and maintained his position, to record a very easy win. Stratosphere came from well back to gain second money from Palmyra, with a gap to Ilithyia, Linguist, Mutus, and Orange Bud. Stolen March had a decisive win, and the best has yet to be seen of him. Stratosphere put up a solid performance. while Palmyra would have been more dangerous but for being carried out wide turning for home by Orange Bud, who stopped badly after being in a commanding position to the straight entrance. McHeath Prevails The surprise of the day was provided by the result of the Burnside Handicap, the winner, McHeath, paying a very big dividend. Song Boy rushed to the lead from the start, and was three lengths in front of Surge, Poniard, Wild Career, Double Shot, McHeath, and Gaysome rounding the home turn. Song Boy still held a useful lead entering the straight from Surge, Poniard, and Wild Career, but inside the distance McHeath put in his claim and soon had the measure of the leaders, to win comfortably by two lengths. Gaysome, one of the last away, put in some telling work in the straight, to get up to snatch second money from Song Boy in the last stride. Wild Career was two lengths away, and was followed by Surge, Southdown, and Silver Lark. This was McHeath’s first start for his new owner, and he won as if he may carry on in the same strain. Gaysome, on her best behaviour at the barrier, was practically flat-footed when the field was dispatched, and lost several lengths. Song Boy and Wild Career failed to stay on. Double Shot, Last Link, and Trivet lost any chances they possessed by being slow away. A Narrow Margin The supporters of Willie Win in the Salisbury Hack Handicap were once more unlucky, as shortly after the start he was sent back to the rear position and then, after an interrupted passage in the run home, he filled third place. Vantoon, Superex, and Great Empire were the early leaders, and, rounding the home turn, High Glee had taken charge from Vantoon, Superex, Radio Star, and Rebel Lad. High Glee had a clear lead entering the straight, and, maintaining it past the distance post, he looked likely to record one of the easiest wins of the day. Rebel Lad, however, tackled him 50 yards from the post, and although his task seemed hopeless in that limited space, he caught the leader in the last stride and crossed the line with a half-head margin. Willie Win was three lengths back, two lengths in front of Convivial, who was not prominent until the closing stages. Rebel Lad just got there, High Glee stopping almost to a walk in the last few strides, whicli created a wrong impression that his apprentice eased him up too soon. Willie Win appears to be dogged with ill-luck. He got away well enough on this occasion, but soon met trouble, and was sent to the rear. He made up a lot of leeway during the middle stages, but was disappointed trying to get through on the rails in the straight. Both he and Convivial will benefit from the race,

and are likely to be winners before their southern trip ends. Superexwas short of work, but nevertheless showed an encouraging effort. 0 PROGRAMME FOR TODAY [From Our Own Reporter.] DUNEDIN, December 2(5. The acceptances for the concluding day’s programme on Monday are very satisfactory, and include several fresh horses. Provided no rain falls in the meantime, the going will be much improved. The following horses can be expected to race prominently;— Taieri Hurdles; Look Smart and Blazon. Novice Handicap; Pink Del, Trebleack, Trumpet Blast. Juvenile Handicap: Top Row and Peony Rose. Grandstand Handicap; Gold Boa and Song Boy. St. Andrew’s Handicap: Tunneller, Davolo, Great Star. Fernhill Hack Handicap: Linguist. Palmyra, Orange Bud. Allanton Handicap; Gaysome, Stolen March, McHeath. Farewell Hack Handicap; Willie Win, Rebel Lad, Convivial. The acceptances are as follows: 12 noon— TAIERI HURDLES, of 150 sovs. One mile and a half. st. lb. st. lb. Blazon ..10 0 Silver Jest 9 0 Look Smart 913 Octane .. 9 0 Royal Pal 9 6 Larry Resta 9 0 Chrysology 9 5 12.38 p.m.— NOVICE HANDICAP, of 120 sovs. Six furlongs, st. lb. st. lb. Pink Del .. 813 Restrain ~ 8 7 Trebleack 8 11 Radio Star .. 8 7 Natty .. 810 Lumiere .. 8 6 Trumpet Petersham ..8 6 Blast 8 9 Joy Boa .. 8 6 Rousseau .. 8 9 Lord Byron 8 6 Brilliant Boa 8 7 Pride of Corban ..87 Central 8 6 Granvin .. 8 7 Rotui ..86 Green Boa ..8 7 Vallock ..8 6 1.16 p.m.— JUVENILE HANDICAP, of 180 sovs. For two-year-olds. Five furlongs. Top Row .. 9 9 Stromboli .. 712 Silver Bond 8 4 Circular Note 711 Peony Rose 8 0 Gusto .. 7 7 Auctor .. 7 12 Heidelberg ..7 7 I. p.m.— GRANDSTAND HANDICAP, of 200 sovs. Six furlongs. st. lb. st. lb. Lochlaggan B 8 Bon Tray .. 7 13 Gold Boa ..8 3 Song Boy .. 7 10 Half Note .. 7 13 2.32 p.m.— ST. ANDREW’S HANDICAP, of 300 sovs. One mile, st. lb. st. lb. Queen of Polydora .. 8 8 Song 9 11 Davolo .. 8 7 Vintage ..9 9 The Surgeon 713 Tunneller .. 8 10 Great Star 7 13 Travenna .. 810 Amy Johnson 7 7 Guarantee 8 8 Wild Carer 7 7 3.10 p.m.— FERNHILL HACK HANDICAP, of 120 sovs. Seven furlongs. st. lb. st. lb. Stolen March 9 3 Orange Bud 8 0 Superex .. 813 Ilythia .. 8 0 Linguist ~8 6 Great Empire 711 Final Bell 8 2 Barley Vantoon ..8 1 Almond 7 10 Palmyra .. 8 1 Mutus .. 7 7 Gambler’s Coming Star 7 7 Luck 8 0 3.48 p.m.— ALLANTON HANDICAP, of 150 sovs. Seven furlongs, st. lb. st. lb. Viking .. 811 Silk Paper 8 0 McHeath .. 811 Stolen Gaysome .. 8 9 March 713 Trivet .. 8 8 Surge .. 713 Grand Finale 8 5 Last Link .. 7 13 Silver Lark 8 1 Poniard .. 713 Southdown 8 1 Araboa .. 7 13 4.26 p.m.— FAREWELL HACK HANDICAP, of 175 sovs. One mile and two and a half furlongs. st. lb. st. lb. Rebel Lad .. 9 9 Bay Biddy 8 3 Willie Win.. 9 4 Fireguard -.7 7 High Glee .. 810 Waltham ~7 7 Convivial .. 8 5 Rousseau .. 7 7 Jack Ahoy ..83 HURUNUI TURF CLUB enjoyable picnic meeting The Hurunul Turf Club's annual meeting was held on Saturday. There was a good attendance and interesting racing was witnessed. Results are as follows; MAIDEN STAKES, Of 9 sovs. Weight 9-0. Five furlongs. H. D. Leaman’s b g SECOND INNINGS by Winning Hit-Lady Clarenceux 3yrs • • .. E. Radmond 1 J. J. McHugh’s ch g Testator syrs Ayre 2 L R. C. Macfarlane’s br g Array aged 9-0 .. •• Evans 3 Wallard, Adieux, and Rearm also started. Time. Imin 3 2-ssec. • MASON’S FLAT HANDICAP, In saddle. Of 8 sovs. One mile. W Plaisted’s br m WAR BRIDE by Man o’ War—Blush 6yrs scr Saxon 1 J. McConnell’s b hj Tangatu aged 120 H. Thompson 2 Mrs M. M. Friedlander’s ch g Portlight aged 60 .. .. J. Lindsay 3 Harold Locanda scr and Karoro scr also started. Time, 2min 20 4-ssec. HURUNUI CUP HANDICAP, Of 251 sovs. One mile and a quarter. G. Power’s ch g GRAMPIAN by Robespierre—Watermint aged 9-7 L. Johnston 1 H. D. Leaman’s b m Chaste aged 10-0 E. Redmond 2 J. W. Devine’s b g Kalmuk 9-0 J. W. Cook 3 Time, 2mln 12sec.MEDBURY HANDICAP, Of 15 sovs. Six furlongs. G. H. Loffhagen’s ch g TOP RANK by . Chief Ruler—Comedy Queen 6yrs 11-3 .. .. J. Lindsay 1 Mrs H. O. Baker’s ch g First Course syrs 9-2 .. .. G. Murfitt 2 J. J. McHugh’s br g Proscenium 6yrs 9-5 J. Olive 3 Conception 9-7; Wallard 9-0; Array 9-0; Rearm 9-0 also started. Time, Imin 17sec. HAWARDEN HANDICAP TROT, Of 15 sovs. smln lOsec class. Two miles. W. J. Smith’s br g GRATTANELLA by Grattan Loyal—Sarella 4yrs scr S. Smith 1 W. Plaisted’s br m War Bride 6yrs scr Owner 2 Mrs D. Murfitt’s b m Willa 6yrs scr E. Murfitt 3 Time, smin 5 3-ssec. . WAITOHI STAKES HANDICAP, Of 12 sovs. One mile. G. Power’s ch g GRAMPIAN by Robespierre—Watermint 10-p.. Johnson 1 H. D. Leaman’s b m Conception ,syrs 9- .. .. E. Redmond 2 J. W. Devine’s b g Kalmuk aged 9-9 J. Cook 3 Time, Imin 44 l-ssec. WAIKARI HANDICAP TROT, Of 12 sovs. 3min SOsec class. One mile and a half. W. J. Smith’s br g GRATTANELLA by Grattan Loyal—Sarella 4yrs scr Smith 1 C. King’s b f Karoro 4yrs scr P. Holland 2 Mrs D. Murfitt’s b m Willa 6yrs scr H. Murfitt 3 Harold Locanda scr also started. Time, 4min 51 3-ssec. PUBLICANS’ HANDICAP, Of 15J sovs. Seven furlongs. J. J. McHugh’s br g PROSCENIUM by Solwit—Stagefright 6yrs 8-9 J. Olive 1 G. H. Loffhagen’s ch g Top Rank 6yrs 10- .. .. Lindsay 2 H. D. Leaman’s b m Chaste aged 9-10 E. Redmond 3 Time, Imin SOsec. “The Press” Classified Advertisements are read at the breakfast table, and are sure to deliver results during the day—l2 words Is, 3 insertions 26 6d. ’Phone 33-358 —6