SIGNAL OFFICER

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24867, 6 May 1946, Page 7

SIGNAL OFFICER

GOOD WEIGHT CARRIER WINNINGS FOR SEASON NOW £3250 For his size and conformation, Signal Officer carries weight remarkably well, and his win in the Ashburton Handicap on Saturday with 9-5 was a first-class effort. When the field settled down Kiloney and Signal Officer were in the rear with Amorlad and Foxhaven. At the mile Kiloney shot away in front, and .at the six furlongs had opened up a gap erf eight lengths on Authentic and Hamish, racing together, and Honest Sal, with Signal Officer, Amorlad, and Foxhaven in the rear. Round the top Kiloney started to tire and come back to the field, but the pace was still very solid. Signal Officer improved his position from the halfmile onwards, and when the straight was reached he was in’ third position behind Kiloney and Authentic. Authentic had Kiloney’s measure in a few strides, but approaching the distance Signal Officer put in his claim and had the race won startihg the final furlong. Amorlad finished on quite well, but was still two lengths away at the post and a similar distance ahead of Foxhaven. Honest Sal was a head away fourth, fbUr lengths clear of Authentic, while three lengths further back came Kiloney and Hamish, with Justitia, which bolted during her preliminary, tailed off. Signal Officer has won £3250 so far this season, the result of five Wins, two seconds, and a fourth placing. He has carried 9-0 or more to success four times during the season, no mean performance for a smallish-framed and rather lightfleshed horse, ahd it is ample testimony to his ability and gameness. An Impressive Win Though Sanskrit was having her first race since she ran in the New Zealand Oaks last December, she made an exhibition of the field in the Eiffelton Hack Handicap. The first four horses to finish. Sanskrit, Notary, Legal Label, and Legal Rose, all began well, but Legal Label and Legal Rose soon sorted themselves out in front and led round the top from Notary* Espadrille, Sanskrit, and Velvet Slipper, with a feW lengths to the rest, which had no chance. Legal Label had worked clear of Notary and Legal Rose at the straight entrance, where' Sanskrit'ran a little wide. Notary Wad nd sbonei gbt the better of . Legal Label than Sanskrit put in a brilliant run and swept past him to win by three lengths. Legal Ldbel Was two lengths behind Notary, with a similar distance to-Legal Rose, which was clear of Velvet Slippet, Money Bird, Montello d’Oro, and Espadrille, with Abduction, which had been last away with Money Bird, last to finish. Sanskrit was ridden by R. Brunell, Who is apprenticed to F. A. Roberta, and it was the boy’s first winner. A. Game Little Two-year-old The two-year*old gelding. Re volte, had too much to hand for the rest of the field in the Trial Stakes, which he won attractively. He was the first to break the line, but he was soon steadied in behind Pacific Star, Hine ReA and Fonso, the leaders round the top. At the straight entrance Pacific Star was still in front from Hine Rei, Revolte, Palomino, and Pandosto, with the favourite. Panademonium, at the head of the others. Revolte soon worked his wav to. the front, and his rider kept him going for a comfortable win by three lengths, from Palomino, which was two lengths clear of Hine Ref. Pacific Star was a head away fourth. Then came Lovemorn, Pandemonium, and Springwater. On his running at Riccarton Revolte looked a good prospect for the race as the field was not strong. As he is of the small ready-made type Revolte may be a difficult horse to place next season, but he is a good galloper - and a game finisher. However, he would have to be another Bruce to win in good company as horses of Revolte's size are at a considerable disadvantage. Easy for Test Pilot Had I. Waither not lost both stirrup irons when Test Pilot put in a very good jump at the five furlbngs, it is difficult to say what his winning margin would have been. As Required and Commemorate were the leaders at the first hurdle, from Boloyna, Test Pilot, Prince Dolomite, and Turnstile. As Required ran out as he came to the fence, and took Commemorate wide also, and again hampered Commemorate at the second jump, where Turnstile dropped his rider. R. Hawes, oh Commemorate, dropped in behind along the back and Boloyna Weht up to join As Required in front. With Test Pilot in fourth place and Prince Dolomite last. Test Pilot moved up to the leaders ap* proaching the five furlongs, and out* jumped them all to take the lead several lengths clear of Commemorate. The latter closed up on Test Pilot at the last hurdle, but had no chance of catching him, being thiee lengths behind at the post. Prince Dolomite was plodding on five lengths back, with Boloyna fourth. A Good Finish Sir Bernard ran another good rflee when he won the Apprentices Handicap narrowly* but Well. He raced in behind Highland Dance, Scotty McCabe, Mister John, Siegffitm, and Siegwood until the half-mile was reached and then gradually worked his way up to third place behind Highland Dance and Siegform round to the straight entrance. Siegform had charge from Sir Bernard at the distance, and the pair had no sooner worked clear of the rest than Falconbridge, which had been well back for five lurlongs. made a good run co the outside and divided the pair, Sir Bernard winning by a neck. Siegform was only a head away with Highland Dance, which did not improve in the straight, in fourth place. The win favourite, Lalla Meer, ran wide entering the straight and finished eighth. This race provided easily the best finish of the day. South Canterbury J.C. * Nominations for the South Canterbury Jockey Club s winter meetings to be held on May 18 and 25^close Tb*day (Monday), May fl, at 9 p.m. —Advt. Amberley Racing club Acceptances (racing events), and withdrawals (trotting events) will close at the Canterbury Jockey Club rooms at 5 p.m. to-morrow Advt. Late Dividends

Arrangements have been made by the Ashburton Racing Club for late dividends to be paid at the totalisator department of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, 90 Armagh street, Christchurch. To-day, Tuesday, and Wednesday (Christchurch patrons only). Advt.