SPORTING

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23848, 18 January 1943, Page 7

SPORTING

WELLINGTON R.C.

CUP WON BY THE JOKER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, January 16. The Wellington Racing Club’s summer meeting opened at Trentham to-day in cloudy but fine weather. There was a large crowd and the track was in particularly good order after recent rain. As the result of a fall in the Apprentices’ Plate when Sea Quex came down about a furlong from the start, I. Galvin suffered a fractured right arm and dislocated shoulder. The inquiry was adjourned until next Saturday. The Wellington Cup resulted in a thrilling finish between two South Island horses. The Joker just shading Royal Lancer on the post, with the third horse over a length away. The Wellington Stakes maintained its ’run of successes for two-year-olds when the Wellington-owned horse Sea Spi won in easy fashion. Palora’s success in the Telegraph Handicap was expected and fully merited. The totalisator handled during the day £146,080, compared with £77.822 10s on the corresponding day last year, making an increase of £68,257 10s. Results :

TRENTHAM HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP, of £400; one mile and three furlongs.—3. 3 NIGHTRAY 9-12 L. Dulieu 1; 15, 15 Madame Rachel S-13 P. Brady 2; 9. 6 Nightglass 10-2 L. Walther 3. Scratched: Kinsman, Grecian Flame. Head; bead. Peter’s Wife was fourth. Time. 2min 22jsec. WELLINGTON STAKES, of £700; for two and three-vear-olds; five furlongs.— 4, 4 SEA SPI car. 7-1J W. F. Ellis 1; 7. 7 Theolateral 8-6 W. J. Broughton 2; 12, 11 Duncroon 8-3 L. H. Clifford 3. Scratched:’ Clarice, Palora, Barras, Carnforth, Keltehe, Slavonik, Lady Nahleen, Royal Glory. Two lengths; length. John Gay was fourth. Time, 59sec. APPRENTICES’ PLATE, of £350; special weights; seven furlongs.—l, 1 ROYAL MERIT W. Caddy 1; 5. 5 Good Scout and 14, 14 Snowman car. 8-2 V. Sellars deadheat 2. Scratched: Midian Star, Debretts, Banco, Cramond Bay, Hippodrome, Tavern Light. Three-quarters of a length; dead heat. Water Vixen was fourth. Time, Imln 27ij sec.

FITZHERBERT HANDICAP, of £400: for two-year-olds; five furlongs.—lo, 9 MASTER DASH 8-5 C. A. Bowry 1: 9, 8 Gulf Stream 8-3 J. Williamson 2; 1. 1 Barras 8-5 L. J. Ellis 3,

Scratched: Virtuoso, Mr Valiant. Length: half a neck. Marram was fourth. Time 60sec.

WELLINGTON CUP, of £3000: two miles.—4. 4 THE JOKER 7-2 A. Messervy 1; 2, 2 Royal Lancer 9-3 W. F. Ellis 2; 6, 5 Foxola 7-11 V Dye 3. Scratched: Greek Dancer, High Class. Head: length and a half. Time. 3min 23sec. RUAPEHU HANDICAP, of £400; seven furlongs.—9, 6 SIR BRADBURY 8-4 L. J. Ellis 1; 7. 10 Glenfalloch 8-0 C. A. Bowry 2; 6, 7 Flying Hawk 8-10 P. Burgess 3. Scratched: Sal, Great March, Makarora. Half a neck: two lengths and a half. Kahuranaki was fourth. Time. Inrn 27s?c. TELEGRAPH HANDICAP, of £1000; six furlongs.—2, 1 PALORA 7-10 N, Holland 1: 4, 7 Necnah 9-0 M. Caddy 2; 3, 3 Beau Vaals 8-10 V, Dye 3. Scratched: Autolite. The Champ. Length; neck. Poutatau was fourth. Time, Imin llfsec. '* ANNIVERSARY HANDICAP, of £600; one mile.—3, 2 MOUTOA BOND 8-10 P Burgess 1: 11, 12 Tuatara 8-0 P. Carroll 2; 9, 9 Sir Crusoe 8-13 M. Caddy 3. Scratched; Tutere, Shikari, Daljarrock. Length: head. Grey Night was fourth. Time, Imin 40sec.

TURF GOSSIP

Wellington Cup Royal Lancer was responsible for a sterling effort in the Wellington Cup. He w'as ahvays well placed and was pulling hard when the home turn was passed. He followed Arctic Dawn and Indian Princess into the straight, but with more than a furlong to go he w’as in front with Arctic Dawn, Indian Princess. Lou Rosa, and The Joker all handy. Royal Lancer gradually drew away and seemed to be set for another win until The Joker appeared with a characteristic final run. The latter gradually drew up to the top weight, and although Royal Lancer stuck to his task The Joker got up in the last stride to beat him. Foxola stayed on for third clear of Lou Rosa, Battledress, Gladynev, Yogi, Indian Princess, ‘and Classform, the last two to finish being Arctic Dawn and Enrich The Joker had to make a long run to get up, and was ridden to a very vigorous finish by A. Messervy, who thus recorded his most important success in the North Island. The honours of the race undoubtedly were with Royal Lancer, who. conceded The Joker 291b. Royal LSn.cef’S 'rider" Wa'S"'(sHtitlSCd -T6f' rush'-' lug' Id the front sd"'edlly"'ll‘i" the 'fun home, but his mount was ‘ going 1 well under restraint up to this ' point with horses all round him, and by giving him his head he was certain of securing a clear run home. Ellis, on the other hand, appeared to ease up on his mount a little too soon, Arctic Dawn ran a very creditable race for three-fourths of the journey, and should do well next Saturday. Eulogist w'as well placed throughout. but never threatened to be a danger.

A Speedy Hack Sir Bradbury, a three-year-old by Leighon from the former Riccartontrained mare Miss Bradbury, gave L. J. Ellis Ms first win for some weeks when he won at Trentham on Saturday. He had the race in hand a good way from the post, but Glenfalloeh got to within a neck of him. The latter is by Kincardine from the Colossus mare Mcmnon. and was recently taken over in Taranaki bv the Riccarton trainer J. McLean. Sal, who would probably have been the favourite for this race, was not produced because of a slight leg ailment. Chances Spoilt The Telegraph Handicap at Trentham was robbed of some interest by the early leader Celebrity coming in from wide out and squeezing up a bunch containing the favourite, Whackie, Fur Coat, Poutatau, and Scottish Dale, who were all sent back from forward positions. Wlvackie suffered another setback when on the way again and finished last with Fur Coat, who was one of the leaders for the first furlong. Neenah was also checked, but finished very fast into second place to Palora, who, in spite of going out wide at the false rail, won in attractive style, while Poutatau did well to get up for fourth place. Dinah Dhu was prominent turning for home, but drifted, while Mauretania was about the middle of the field throughout. An inquiry into the mix-up was instituted and adjourned until next Saturday.

Consistent Juvenile John Gay ran a sound race in the Wellington Stakes, but his stable-mate, Soncy, was never prominent. John Gay, First In, Kol Ragi, and Olga’s Pal were practically in line entering upon the course proper, but with a furlong to go Sea Spi drew past them, and went on for an easy win. John Gay held on to second place till near the post where he was passed by both Theolateral and Duncroon, the last-named beating him by half a head for third. The winner’s record to date is three wins and four second placings in seven starts.

Should Have Won Good Scout was definitely unlucky not to win the Apprentices’ Plate at Trentham on Saturday. He was the last of a big field to leave the barrier, and was still in last place at the end of the first furlong. His rider then set out to make up lost ground quickly, and was up with the leaders turning for home. He appeared a likely winner a few chains from the post, but it was not surprising that he weakened in the final stages. His stable-mate, Grey Night, was also a little unlucky not to gain a place in the Anniversary Handicap. He was tucked in behind the leader, Tuatara, in the last 50 yards, and when Moutoa Bond and Sir Crusoe drew up to Tuatara he was deprived of any chance of getting through. As it was he was beaten by a very narrow margin for third. This performance will bring Grey Night into favour for the Douro Cup next Saturday. High-priced Yearling Notwithstanding that a half-brother to Indian Princess was one of the last two lots offered at Friday's yearling sale at Trentham, he was keenly competed for, and at his price of 900 guineas he shared the honour of being the highest priced yearling .of the day's sale, with the Battle Song—Chiefava colt. He is a big chestnut by Lang Bian from Love of Silver, by Silverado from Antoinette; and was bred by Mr H. Hassall, of Hastings, who thus secured the highest figure he has received since he started his stud. Over the final stages competition was confined to two bidders. Mr A. M. Rennie, of Te Awamutu, owner of Indian Princess, and Mr S. J. Newland, of Wellington, owner of The Champ, and the latter outstayed his rival. Favourite Compounds Botany was sent out a good favourite for the Anniversary Handicap at Trentham, but his followers had the unpleasant experience of seeing him finish down the straight. He was in about fourth place passing the home turn, but then began to drift and was nearly half a furlong in the redr when the first horse crossed the line IJe pulled up all right and was examined fn his box by the club’s veterinary surgeon, who reported that he could not find anything wrong with the Riccarton colt, His stable certainly had a bad day. as Stourbridge was one of the last to finish in the Apprentices’ Plate.