NILOCH WINS AGAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25135, 17 March 1947, Page 4

NILOCH WINS AGAIN

GOOD FINISHING EFFORT Niloch repeated his first success when he won the Pacific Handicap by a neck in a close finish with Blithe Spirit and Sweet Nymph. Fifty yards from the post, tne three were practically in line; but Niloch responded to vigorous riding, and his final effort was just too much for Blithe Spirit, which was not travelling smoothly over the last half furlong. At the start. Niloch was hampered slightly by Master Fox, the smartest being General Victory from the outer, Blithe Spirit and Sweet Nymph, which led down to the course proper from Baby Gay. Niloch, Kartikeya and Prince Coronach. Into the straight Sweet Nymph, General Victory and Niloch were doing the best. There was little between them at the furlong, where General Victory had to be checked. The other three fought out a hard finish, Niloch producing an extra effort in the last 30 yards, and winning by a neck from Blithe Spirit, with half a length to Sweet Nymph in third place. General Victory was fourth, then came Master Fox, clear of Kartikeya and Prince Coronach. After the race the judicial committee decided to take no action on a charge of alleged interference by Niloch (ridden by L. J. Ellis) to General Victory (ridden by H N. Wiggins) near the finish.

Outstayed the Field After being last with four furlongs to run, Pola moved round at the home turn to trail the leaders into the straight. He headed Lady Welbeck just inside the final furlong, and won with something in hand by half a length. Pola has shown improved form recently, and leaves hack company with £ 1655’ to his credit. When the field settled down. Blue Moon and Iron Duke were not setting a very strong pace in front, and were followed by Lambro. Balcherrie, and Flak, with Lady Welbeck and Pola at the rear. Round to the mile. Iron Duke lost his position, and Balcherrie moved up to join Blue Moon. They were followed by Flak, Lady Welbeck, Lambro, Pola, and Iron Duke. There was no change' down to the halfmile, but approaching the straight entrance Lady Welbeck began to move up on the outside of Blue Moon and Balcherrie. and Pola also started to improve. Lady Welbeck soon worked clear of the leaders, but with a furlong to run Pola was challenging and soon- had her measure. He was being eased just short of the Ejst, and L. J. Ellis made a late dash on ady Welbeck, but it was of no avail. Three lengths back Iron Duke got up in the last stride to cut Balcherrie out of third place, and Blue Moon was next. H. N. Wiggins, the rider of Pola, was fined

£lO by the judicial committee for careless riding, aparently for easing Pola up near the post. ’ There seemed little justification for such action, as Pola was never in danger of defeat. Beat Moderate Opposition Voltaire had no difficulty in disposing of what proved to be very moderate opposition in the Ngaio Hurdles Handicap. He had Provider’s measure as' they jumped the last hurdle while the favourite, Par Avion, was struggling a long way from home. Whackie was the early leader, and he was followed past the stands by Rothnic, Provider, Par Avion, Voltaire, and Miss Cynthia racing in single file. Approaching the seven furlongs, Rothnic moved up to join Whackie, but ran off. Provider joined Whackie as they cleared the hurdle, with Voltaire four lengths back, and two lengths clear of Par Avion and Miss Cynthia commencing to tail off. Along the back, Whackie began to drift, and at the half-mile Provider was two lengths clear of Voltaire, with four lengths to Par Avion. Voltaire closed on Provider turning into the straight, and once theyi cleared the last hurdle drew out to win. easily by three lengths Par Avion was a poor third eight lengths away, with Whackie an even poorer fourth. It was Voltaire’s first win over hurdles this season, although he won four times last season. Showed Improved Form

Improving on his first day’s form, Ngakoti finished solidly jn the Belmont Hack Handicap to win by half a length from Sea Fury, which challenged strongly over the last furlong. Sheilwyn, which was back with Ngakoti at the half-mile, was also finishing well in third place; but King’s Ransom, which was a bare halfhead behind her, would have beaten her in another stride. King’s Ransom was finishing best in the last half-furiong. Salut d’Amour, Ring Scarf, and The Saddler were slow away. Beau Son and Clive Belle being the first to show out from King’s Ransom, Sea Fury, Ulatis, Ella Shields, and Ngakoti. Flare Path made a fast move up, and at the half-mile was leading with Beau Son, followed by Clive Belle, Sea Fury, and Our Jock together, then King’s Ransom, Czarina, Ella Shields, Ngakoti, and Sheilwyn. Round to the straight entrance Ngakoti moved up to follow Beau Son and Flare Path into the straight with Our Jock, Sea Fury, and Sheilwyn handy. The leaders weakened, and Ngakoti shot through to the front to be "two lengths clear of Sea Fury at the furlong. Sea Fury made a determined bid; but Nga- . koti still had a half length advantage .at the post. Sheilwyn held on for third with King’s Ransom just failing to get up for fourth. Then came Ella Shields, Oamaio, and Salut d’Amour, with Flare Path one of the last to finish.

Ngakoti is a brother to the Grand National Hurdles winner The Dozer, which was also a useful handicapper on the flat, and may run out middle distances well. Manawatu Rehandicaps The following rehandicaps have been declared for the first day of the Manawatu Racing Club’s autumn meeting next Saturday:—Woodhey Handicap, Ngakoti 9-0; Tamatete Handicap. Broiefield 9-3, Voltaic 8-3. Stonybroke 8-0. Johnston Memorial. Yasda 9-1, Voltaic 8-5, Fort Royal 7-12.—4P.A.)