AUCKLAND FORM

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24988, 24 September 1946, Page 4

AUCKLAND FORM

DESERT LAD’S BIG DIVIDEND

Good races were seen at Epsom on Saturday and, in spite *of the monotonous failure of first favourites, a large crowd enjoyed the keen contests and exciting finishes. Desert Lad, Characteristic, and Nero (second start) were surprise winners. Desert Lad, Gamble King, and Heliopolis fought out a fine finish in the September Handicap, the first-named (which paid close on two score) getting a nose decision over the hot favourite, Gamble King. Heliopolis, after losing a handy position at a critical stage of the race, finished well after making an unsuccessful attempt to push through on the rails. In the circumstances, her performance was a splendid one as she finished only a head behind Desert Lad and Gamble King. Sandstone, which went away badly, was fourth, and the rest were well back.

The little-fancied Characteristic gave a solid display to win the Takanjni Handicap frortf-end'to «nd; -hut her task was., made’ easier when ..the favourites, Great Belwin and Lucky Loyal, lost eon*, sidetable ground .at th& start. Galvena, never further back than third, finished orr well in second place. Lucky Loyal and Great Belwin, which had improved their position* in the back straight,, had a rare battle for third ; money, Lucky Loyal winning by a head. Double Peter, which was in second place at the home turri, faded out in . the - sprint down the straight. After taking the<iead with a mile covered, Captain Gaillard won the Orakei Handicap from the favourite, Single Direct, which looked like making a close finish of it until he went to a break in the last 70 yards. Single Direct was well back with a mile to go, but he put in a fast run over the last three furlongs. Improved by his racd in the Introductory Handicap, Nero led practically all the way to win the Royal Oak Handicap. Little Hero kept Nero doing his best over the final stages, but he could not head him, while Keen Blade gave a good display to earn third money after yaking a slow beginning. The favourite, Ena Parrish, broke badly at the start. Jottings C. A. White appeared fortunate to escape injury when he was dislodged from behind Gallant Sylvia at the entrance to the straight in the Geraldine Trot on Saturday.

Mahari Dhu, which finished in third place to Shamus O’Brien and Bay Jack in the Wakefield Handicap at Nelson on Saturday, is a four-year-old mare by Grattan Loyal from Lucy Parrish. Driven by his trainer, L. J. Mahoney, N?ro was allowed to pay a surprisingly good dividend when he won the Royal Oak Handicap at Auckland on Saturday. An aged gelding by Robert Earl from a Worthy Bingen mare, he had a record of two wins and seven minor placings last season.

Palava lost his chance when he was slow away in the Orari Trot at Geraldine on Saturday. After his third placing to Noble Ginnie and Emily Volo In the Murchison Handicap at Nelson, Taranga was sent out favourite for the Stoke Handicap, but he was not in the first four to finish. Answer to Correspondent "Curious,” Westport: Five. Well-known Breeder The death occurred at New Brighton on Sunday of Mr ■. B. Westerman, who bred and raced many high-class light-harness horses during the last 50 years. Mr Westerman also took an active part in the administration of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club and of the New Brighton Trotting Club. He joined hhe Metropolitan Club in 1902, and, after serving as a committeeman and steward from 1910 to 1936, he was elected a life member in i 937. Mr Westerman was one of the oldest members of the New Brighton Trotting Club, on which he served as a committeeman and steward from 1904 to 1946. He was elected president and a life member of the club in 1943. Mr Westerman bred Doraldina, the winner of the first New Zealand Sapling Stakes, and from that mare he bred two fine pacers in Daphne .de Oro and Dusouna. From Daphne de Oro he bred winw°rthy, Special Edition, Latest Edition, and Great News, and from Dusolina he bred Gold Chief. Other smart pacers bred by Mr Westerman which have won in recent years include Donard, Becky Logan, Dollar King; and Graham Direct. Large Entries The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club has received 259 entries of yearlings for the 1948 New Zealand Derby Stakes. Turco’s Prospects - attempt to qualify Turco for the 4mm 20sec class New Zealand TrottingCup, the Rey de Oro gelding has been nominated for the 4min 28sec class President’s Handicap at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday Now assessed on 4min 22sec, Turco will be conceding starts of up to 72 yards to some smart pacers, and he would need everything in his favour to be successful. Finished Fast GlenweUyn appeared to be hampered at the start of the first division of the Geraldine Trot at the Geraldine Racing Club’s meeting on Saturday, and with five furlongs covered he had eight horses in front of him. D. Townley gradually improved his position with GlenweUyn to follow Rural Lady, Kahurangi, Coral Princess, Blue Revue, First Shot, and Dillon View into the straight. Once straightened up for the sprint home, GlenweUyn finished fast on the outside of the track to beat all but Rural Lady. Owned by Mr C. H. Breeze and trained at Tinwald by R. Townley, he is a four-year-old gelding by Dillon Hall from Aroyale and, on Saturday’s display, he should prove an early winner. Promising Trotter pie Reefton trainer, Q. Murcott, is working a promising three-year-old trotter which will race as Bonny Gamble. A sensible youngster, he is by Gamble from the Great Audubon mare, Flying Kate,

which left a family of winners including Kate Bmgen, Little Audrey, Rival Chief Rivette, and Loyal Flier. -.mi. At Washdyke Besides the handicap horses, Tom Gundy, Bel Hamed, and Notus, T. H Gunning has some promising youngsters' J^ ashd Z ke L incll, ding a sister to Daisy Gold, a brother to Lord PeterS uite ? ure from Dame nmte a wlnn er in Scarlett O Hara), and Super Scotch. Although Super Scotch was unplaced in his six races last season, he attracted attention as a likely type, and may eventually develop into a good performer. By U. Scott he is out of Escapade, which took a reyears°ago nln 27 I_ssec as a hotter several Broke Up ♦u ßa £ ked , <? ow “ to 5-4 in the betting on at the Geraldine Rac.S'lub s meeting on Saturday, Thelma Grattan began well and was disputing the until slle broke and 4- d S ck the field with about thyee furlongs to go. New Brighton TX/ d Withdrawals for all events at the New T °IS I / Club’s meeting, to be held on the Addington course on Satur-t-day € ( ; TueTd'^). t,e receiv « d by s A S™;