BAD DAY FOR FAVOURITES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 51, 24 November 1930, Page 16

BAD DAY FOR FAVOURITES

Only One Registers a Win at Levin Meeting

IMATEAGIRL AND FIRST MONEY SCORE

Sydney Form Good: Bay Acre Wins Last Race

(By

"The Watcher.”)

Favourites had a poor day at Levin on Saturday, only one... Nightmare, scoring in the whole of the programme. Three winners paid oyer double figures. There was, nevertheless, some very keen and interesting racing, and considering the unpleasant weather and prevailing conditions, the club has reasou to feel satisfied with the result of the fixture.. Close finishes with head margins, and even closer, were in evidence in the majority of the races, a tribute to the work of the handicapper, Mr. H. Coyle. Imateagirl won the Levin Handicap practically all the way, while First Money was one of the first out in the McDonald Memorial and once he reached the front, showed his opponents a clean pair of heels.

The weather was fine but overcast and threatening, while a fresh westerly breeze had a very keen edge. The track was in good order. There was a large attendance. and visitors were hospitably entertained by the club, headed by Mr. IV. G. Vickers. The Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Labour, and Messrs. W. H. Field and J. Linklater, district members of Parliament, were among the guests of the club, and at the stewards’ luncheon there was an exchange of compliments during which the guests expressed their pleasure in attending the Levin race meetings each year, and stated that it was a club which would always have their support. There was a division in the maiden race, which made nine races during the day, and with big fields engaged in some of the other races the programme was unavoidably late in finishing. The work of the officials was capably carried out, and the staff under Mr. F. Nicholson are deserving of a word of praise for their efforts. The totalisator staff also did smart and efficient work. The turnover for the day was £14.327, compared with £18,341 last year, a decrease of £4014. Acco by a Nose. The form in the maiden divisions was nothing to enthuse over. Both winners were flat out a long way from the post to score by narrow margins. The first division resulted in a surprise, the little-fancied Acco getting the better of the second favourite Joie de Vai in a desperate finish. Acco led practically all the way. Joie de Vai, who had drawn the outside position, went up to her at lhe turn, and halfway up the straight had headed her off. Acre came again, however, and lauded the stake by the barest of margins, paying a good double-figure' dividend. Salt l J ot, who was unsighted in the early running, put in a good dash to just beat Mythology for third money three lengths away. Gueress and Tar Baby were next, Tar Baby having taken part in Lhe early, running. Had Joie de Vai. drawn a little closer in, thus saving the early pressure to get. a position, she would probably have won. She again seemed to gallop very greenly in the straight. Acco, who is out of the former good Fordeli galloper Kinsem, showed speed and tenacity under pressure. Salt Pot indicated improvement and Mythology ran a good race, for she got away very poorly. It was surprising to find Tar Baby being made favourite. A Solid Performance. Kothen put up a solid performance to win the second division, for he was hard ridden for a couple of furlongs to' get the better of Attar and Gold Sand, who led him into the straight. He got through on the inner and' beat Gold Sand by a neek. The field closed up in the run home, Attar giving way to Seneschal, who was third a length away from Gold Sand, with Elizabeth fourth, then Attar . and King Hal. Both divisions were thus won by progeny of Acre. Rothen was bred by Mr. J. P. Thorpe, the owner of Acre, and is out of the Soult marc Gold Top. Rothen has been improving for some time. Gohl Sand showed speed. On the whole the form was not very impressive. Favourites Fail. Quite a number appeared to be prepared for the win of Easterly in the High-weight, but on form her success was a surprise. Equally surprising was the failure of one or two of the better backed form horses. Callamart and Reflecto made the early running from Adventus and Easterly, then Tunbridge, with Auctioneer tailing the field. They began to close up at the half, where Auctioneer put in a run that took him right round everything and landed him into the straight i on terms with Callamart. Here Tunbridge got blocked and Easterly putting in a run on the outer went on to win by a length from Auctioneer. Tunbridge got clear in time for third money a couple of lengths away, with Callamart fourth then Spearform and Spearopa. Easterly won decisively at the finish, but Tunbridge was very unlucky. Winner Too Good. Nightmare, favourite in the big field of IS in tne hack seven, was awkwardly drawn m the middle of the field, but hard ridden out of the barrier she was in a handy position behind King Acre and Okapua as they reached the first turn, and thereafter she was always doing it comfortably and going like a winner. Okapua lost his position half way througn the running, King Acre being attended by Nightmare on the rails behind him and up on the outer were Bon Acre, Desert Lad, and Lady Spear. Some Acre put in a fast run at the half, and on the turn was up with King Acre, who was obviously hanging badly, as Nightmare had no difficulty in ranging up with him on the rails. King Acre came wide into the straight carrying out Some Acre. Nightmare forged through the gap and won by four or five lengths. There was a desperate finish for second between King Acre and - Some Acre, which was still indecisive at the post, a dead-heat being declared. Auckland Gas, unsighted early, came fast into fourth place, with Half Acre, Desert Lad, Fallow, and Royal Flyer next. Nightmare was lucky in the run she got, but she would have won in any case. She is improving fast and will end up in good-class company. Some Acre was unlucky. He got badly away and then got carried off the course by King Acre. He should have been second as easily as Nightmare proved the winner. King Acre ran well and but for hanging out would have been troublesome. Auckland Gas finished very well from a long way back, and with Some Acre shared the real bad luck of the race. One for the Judge. Another desperate finish was staged in the hack sprint, the margins being just sufficient to separate the first three. Arajean owed her win to her early brillance, in which she gained a distinct territorial advantage over the favourite, Projection. Quinola, Arajean, and Lady Rene began best. Dignified March being last away, while Tea Queen and Statuary were also poorly off. It was not long before Arajean was in front, and she led clear round the turn and into the straight from Lady Rene. Quinola, and Dancing Star. Tea Queen put in a run on the turn, but it was a short-lived effort. Projection being the one from the ruck that was looking dangerous at that 'stage. Arajean was clear of Lady Rene entering the straight, but the latter stuck well, and then Projection put in a great run on the rails. Arajean was stopping at every stride, but she just struggled to the post a bare half-head in front of Projection, with Lady Rene a head away. Quinola was fourth, with Dancing Star handy, then Statuary, Royal King, and Great Lady. i Arajean was lucky io beat Srojection,

who would have won had he been better placed for his run home. At the same time, Arajean showed plenty of speed, and could have received more assistance from her rider in the desperate finish. Lady -Rene ran another solid race. Quinola showed speed, but failed to run it out. Dancing Star ran fairly well, and Statuary’s showing after getting so poorly away was very creditable. A Handy Mare. Imateagirl won the Levin Handicap in practically the same fashion as she scored three weeks earlier at Carterton. She went to the front at the end of a couple of furlongs, and with no serious challenge ever developing from the favourites, Fernden and Paiko, she was able to hold off Black Mint nicely at the finish. Fernden''was first out. but going out of the straight Imateagirl had charge from Fernden, Black Mint, Paiko. Balloon, Blimp, Keddar and Mountain Heath. Both favourites were pulling their heads off, the pace being slow. Mountain Heath went up fast approaching the half, Blimp and Keddar drifting to the rear. Imateagirl and Black Mint led into the straight from Fernden, Mountain Heath, Ballon, Paiko, and Keddar. Keddar was the only serious challenger to the pair in front, but he had too much leeway to make up. Imateagirl hanging on to win by a neck from Black .Mint, with Keddar a length away. Then came Mountain Heath, Fernden, Balloon, and Paiko. Blimp crossed his legs entering the straight, and fell, but his jockey, R. Reed, was unhurt. Imatea_girl deserved credit for her win, and she stayed on too well for Black Mint. There is no doubt that Keddar was unlucky. He lost a good early position, and was last on the turn. Better placed for his run he would have won. What Happened to the Favourites? The surprise of the race was the utter failure of the favourites, Paiko and Fernden, and the public which so strongly supported them are justified in asking why their form was so strikingly in contrast to their latest previous efforts. Fernden ran fourth to Love Song, Marjoram, and Mount Boa in the AVainui Handicap at Wellington, and on Labour Day won the Waverley Cup. So well had he done since then that his owner, Mr. W. Jury, expressed the opinion before the race that he had never been so confident of the issue so far as his horse was concerned. • There is this to be said, however: He coughed a good deal afteg the race, so that a cold may be developing. But surely the public were entitled to this reasonable explanation through official channels. Then what of Paiko? Here is a solid little horse that at Otaki beat Pahu over the same distance, and had behind him Vertigern and Merry Damon. On the second day it took Vertigern’s best effort to beat him by a head. Pahu won the Wellington Handicap at his next start, while both Merry Damon and Vertigern proved the value of Otaki form at Wellington and Riccarton, where Black Mint and Imateagirl were second-raters. Yet on Saturday Imateagirl and Black Mint pay the dividends and Paiko finishes last. As in the case of Fernden, there may be a perfectly reasonable excuse for the contrast in the form, for horses are not macaines, but public confidence in racing will wane if these incidents pass without ..■iiieial explanation. Here, too, Mr. Whiteman, owner of Paiko. was just as puzzled over his horse’s performance as was Mr. Jury. Outsiaer all the Way. Playground in the hack distance event provided another instance of the conspicuous failure of a solid favourite to run up to his previous very consistent form. He got out well and occupied a good position in the running but over the business stages his characteristic solid finishing run was absent. An outsider in Arrowhead led practically all the way and stalled off a strong challenge by the well backed second favourite Dainty Ways, whose consistency made the running of the favourite show up very badly by contrast. Playground and Arrow head led to the half from Kiriana and Lady Alopben. Here Dainty Ways went up on the outer and Playground began to drift. Arrowhead led into the straight clear of Dainty Ways, and despite Gray’s efforts beat her'by half a neck. Three lengths away there was a desperate finish for third money, Kiriana, Kilorell and .Spearform in that order being practically in line. The winner, who now carries the colours made famous during the winter by Aurora Borealis, looked greatly improved in condition and he bore it out by the race he ran. He has always been expected to show much better form than he has shown hitherto, but now that he has made a start he may go on with it. Dainty Ways was the only one who had any chance with the winner and she was not good enough to give him a stone. First Money’s Brilliance. First Money's improved appearance and good recent track work were not belied by his race in the McDonald Memorial, and he scored a decisive victory. Hunting Call got squeezed out at the start and lost ground, otherwise they went away in perfect line, being headed by Just an Idea”, First Money, Mandy and Coon Song. This quartet did not break their line abreast until over a furlong, when First Money settled down in front from Mandy, Coon Song, Just an Idea and Malayan. Just an Idea began to drift soon afterward, and on the run was going right back. First Money turned for home first from Mandy, Coon Song, Malayan and Broad Acre. First Money could not be reached and won by a length and a half, Broad Acre coming with a rush at the finish to snatch second money from Malayan by half a neck. Hunting Call was close up fourth, and then came Mandy, Make Up and Green Linnet. Despite First Money's recent improvement many of his former adherents let him run, preferring to see him do it first rather than be let down again. He was never in danger of defeat, and if he is consistent in his form he should soon get some more stakes, for there is no doubt he is a brilliant sprinter. Malayan looked unlucky not to run second. He did not get the best, of the early running, and had lie not tried to get up on the inner in the straight he would have paid a dividend. Broail Acre held to his recent consistency, and was running on at the end. Coon Song, who was a good favourite, disappointed, but he went out wide coming into line. Hunting Call’s fourth at the finish indicates what a good race he ran after missing the jump-out from No. 1 position at the post. He is not going to be out of his class in open company. Mandy had every chance. The connections of Just an Idea were disappointed at his failure. Make Up ran quite a good race for a hurdler. He Surprised Backers. Bayacre’s .Sydney form entitled him to serious consideration in tho concluding hack; scurry,, ior it rciu'csenteii much

better class than hack form here, but when Webster put up a little-known apprentice, H. Stokes, from his stable, Bayacre was neglected, Open Cheque being backed as a certainty. Stokes, however, has had considerable riding experience in Sydney, and in the race he had Bayaerc well placed all the way and eventually brought him home in line style, to pay a double-figure dividend. Hunting Boy, Leisure, Rule Britannia, Bayacre, I’ass On, and Open Cheque were most conspicuous early, Ephialtes getting away poorly. Rule Britannia took charge round the turn attended by Leisure. Hunting Boy, Bayacre, Open Cheque and Pass On, with Ephialtes making a run on the outer. Rule Britannia led into the straight, wher; Bayacre challenged. He gradually drew up and won by a head from Rule Britannia, who was two lengths in front of Pass On. Ephialtes was fourth, and then came Leisure. Tapestry, Hunting Boy and Open Cheque. Bayacre's price was a false one. He looks like winning plenty of races. The unlucky runners were Pass On and Ephialtes. Both got bad passages, Pass On in particular being crowded out on the turn and again in the straight. Open Cheque also failed to get a good run. Details of the Racing MAIDEN RACE, of 100 sovs. (50 sovs. to winner of each division). Weight, 8.7. Six furlongs. First Division. 13 K. JleK. Duncan’s b. in. ACCO. by Acre —Kinsem, 4yrs (R. Reed; 1 2 Ebb Simpson’s hr. f. JOIE DE VAL, 3yrs (H. Gray) 2 M Mrs. S. Boyle's b. g. SALT POT, 3yrs (W. Broughton) 3 Also started: b Dick Whittington (R. MeTavish), 15 Enter (T. Webster), 15 General Assembly (A. Jenkins). 10 Gueress (J. M. Pine). 11 Mythology (It. J. Mackie). 21 Pompadour (R. Marsh). 1 Tar Baby (B. H. Morris), 25 Little Thrush (C. Goulsbro). Nose: three lengths. Mytbologj- fourth. Time. Iniin. lusec. (Winner trained by L. Knapp, Awapuni.) Second Division. 3 B. Dooley’s b. g. KOTHEN, by Acre —Gold Top, 3yrs (T. Green) 1 G W. K. Simpson's blk. f. GOLD SAND, 3yrs (S. Wilson) 2 20 Marshall and Pearce's Ch. g. SENESCHAL, 3yrs., car. 8.7 (L. J. Jarvis) 3 Also started: I'-’ Altar (E. Manson), 5 Elizabeth (K. F. Robinson), 18 Gambler (L. Dulieu). 6 IHiiewai (J. Barry). 8 King Hal (K. Voitre), TJ Taura Lad, car. 8.1 ((-_ w. France), 4 Valrcwa (H. N. IS igS1 Neck: half length. Elizabeth fourth. Time, Imln. lalsee. (Winner trained by J. Olsen, Trentliam.) MANAKAU HIGHWEIGHT HACK HANDICAP. of 120 sovs.: second 20 sovs., third 10 sovs. One mile and a quarG t‘ 01 F. Rolling’s b. m. EASTERLY, bv Acre — Sausoverin, 4yrs.. 9.0 J (K. F. Robinson) 1 1 B. T. Bennett's b. g. AUCTIONEER, Gvrs 9.10 (II- Dulieu) - 2 H. C.’ Noble's b. g. TUNBRIDGE. oyrs. 10.3 (A. Jenkins) 3 Also started: 7 Adventus. 10.3 (R. E. Mlles)' 3 Spearform. 9,9 (L. Dulieu). 4 C'lllamart 9.5 (C. Broughton); 3 Spearopc. 9.0 (A. McDonald); S Retleeto, 9.0 (M. H Lmigth: two lengths. Callamart fourth. Time. 2min. 12 4-sscc. (Winner trained by F. J. Carmont, Foxton.)

WERAKOA HACK HANDICAP, of 110 ’ sovs.; second 20 sovs., third 10 sovs. Seven furlongs. I 1 L. H. Collinson’s b. f. NIGHTMARE, by Shambles —Skydream, 3yrs., 8.2 (B. H. Morris) 1 ■ 2 M. Millar’s br. g. KING ACRE, 8.8 (H. Gray) f 13 G. W. Johnston’s br. g. SOME ACRE, syrs.. 8.2 (C. Goulsbro) t fDead-heat for second place. Also started: 16 Royal Flyer, 8.13 (C. Broughton); 5 Banbridge, 8.11 (S. Gerrand) : 6 Desert. Lad, 8.8 (K. Reed); S Accredlty, 8.3 (W. Broughton); 9 Lady Spear, 8.2 (T. Green); 3 Auckland Gas, 8.0 (J. Gunn) ; 7 Okapua. 8.0 (J. Barry) ; 10 Bon Acre, 8.0 (,T. M. Pine); 11 Braggart, 8.0 (K. Voitre); 12 Fallow, 8.0 (T. Webster) ; 14 Honewhero (R. J. Mackie) ; 4 Half Acre, 8.0 (S. Wilson); 17 Pimple, 8.0 (R. MeTavish); IS Transact. 8.0 (W. N. Tavlor): 15 Valquette, 8.0 (W. H. Jones). Four lengths. Auckland Gas was fourth. Time. Imin. 30 l-3sec. (Winner trained by J. T. Morris, Marton.) MAKO.MAKO HANDICAP, of 110 sovs., second 20 sovs., third 10 sovs. Six furlongs. 3J. Sullivan’s br. f. ARAJEAN, by Arausio—Jeanno Laddo, 3yrs., 8.0 (E. Manson) 1 1 J. J. Corry’s br. g. PROJECTION, syrs„ 7.10 (H. N. Wiggins) 2 2A. Goodman’s b. m. LADY RENE, 4yrs.. 8.8 (R. J. Mackie) 3 Also started: 6 Statuary. 8.4 (T. Webster) ; 4 Tea Queen, 7.12 (K. Voitre); 12 Dermod, 7.10, car. 7.13 (T. Green): 10 Dancing Star, 7.7 (S. Gerrand); 8 Evening Hero, 7.G (W. Broughton); 5 Royal King. 7.G (W. N. Taylor) ; 13 Great Lady. 7.G (W. H. Jones); 9 Quinola, 7.6, car. 7.1 (C. W. Brodie) : 7 Dignified March, 7.5 (J. Gunn); 14 Queen of the Orient, 7.5, car. 7.8 (G. Lamb): 10 Rangimahoe, 7.5 (J. M. Pine). Half head; head. Quinola fourth. Time, ; Imin. 14sec. (Winner trained by owner, Woodville.) LEVIN HANDICAP, of 250 sovs., second 50 sovs., third 20 sovs. One mile and ■ a quarter. 4 J. ,T. Corry’s b. in. IMATEAGIRL. by Tea Tray—lmaribbon, syrs., 7.13 (K. Voitre) 1 8 W. H. Ballinger’s b. g. BLACK MINT, aged. 8.6 (R. J. Mackie) 2 3 E. Barnes’s br. g. KEDDAR, Oyrs., 7.11 (H. N. Wiggins) 3 Also started: 2 Fernden, 8.11 (T. Green) ; 1 Paiko, 8.8 (11. Gray); 7 Balloon. 8.6 (J. Gunn) ; 5 Blimp, S.G (R. Reed, fell) 6 Mountain Heath, 7.11 (N. Davis). Neck: length. Mountain Heath fourth. ; Time, 2min. fljsec. . (Winner trained by T. George, Awapuni.) LAKE HACK HANDICAP, of 110 sovs.; second 20 sovs., third 10 sovs. One mile and a distance. 7 F. R. Waller’s br. g. ARROWHEAD, by Arrowsmith—Orange Blossom, 4yrs.. 7.7 (W. Broughton) 1 2 R. P. Lees's br. m. DAINTY WAYS, Gyrs., 8.7 (H. Gray) 2 4 Mrs. L. Sleightholme’s b. g. KIRI- . ANA. oyrs., 7.2 .... (S. Gerrand) 3 Also started: 1 Playground, 9.2 (K. Reed): 9 Merry Melody, 8.3, ear. 7.12 (J. Nicholson); 3 Robbie's Mistake, 7.9, car. 7.13 tT. Green): 5 Spearform, 7.9, car. 7.4 (C. W. Brodie); 6 Kilorell, 7.6, car. 7.HJ (C. Goulsbro); 10 Fallow, 7.0, car. 7.61 (F. ' Colgate); S Lady Alophen, 7.0, car. 7.1 (K. Voitre). ' Half neck; three lengths. Kilorell fourth. Time. Imin. 58 3-usec. (Winner trained by E. T. Yulle, Levin.) MCDONALD MEMORIAL HANDICAP, of 180 sovs.: second 30 sovs., third lo sovs. Six furlongs. 2 J. J. McGrath's br. g. FIRST MONLI, bv Paper Money —Peronilla, 4yrs., 8.1 (H. Gray) 1

7 W. White’s b. g. BROAD ACRE, aged, 8.7 <K. F. Robinson) 2 6 B. H. Editing's b. h. MALAYAN, 4 yrs., 8.9 (S. Wilson) 3 Also started: 8 Mandy. 8.7 (R. J. Mackie); 9 Make Up, 8.0 (K. Voitre); 1 Coon Song, 8.0 (T. Green); 10 Dobbin, 7.11 (W. Broughton); 3 Just an Idea, <.lO (C. Goulsbro); 5 Green Linnet. 7.10, car. 7.5 (H. Stockley): 4 Hunting Call, 7.6 (b. Gerrand): 11 Wanderlust, 7.3, car. 7.5 (J. Nicholson). Length and a half; half neck. Hunting Cali fourth. Time, Imin. 13 4-osee. (Winner trained by P. Murtagh, Trentham.) HOKIO HACK HANDICAP, of HO sovs.; second 20 sovs., third 10 sovs. Five furlongs. , T , . „ 9 Mrs. L. Sleightholme s b. g. BAYACRE, by Acre—Bayana, Sl3 1 (H. Stokes) 1 3 W. T. Bailey’s ch. tn. BULE BRITANNIA, 4yrs., 7.3, ( Car. v 7.0 Bro(jje) „ 4 br. f. PASSION, 3yrs, g Also started "2 Hunting Boy. 8.11 (R. Reed): 7 Ephialtes, 7.11, car <.!3 (R. J. Mackie); 3 Leisure, 7.11, car. “ 13 < 3 .- Barry); 1 Open Cheque. <.9 (K. 11 He Whangs, 7.2, car. 7.0 Me. Dowell): 10 Elizabeth, 7.0, car. (C. Goulsbro); 12 Rangimahoe, 7.0 (J 1 - Stock- . 14. Snrincvale, <.O, car. (J. uunni, 7O, car. 7.1 (W H. Jones ; 5 Tapestry, 7.0, car. 7.2 (W Broughton); S White Doe, 7-0 (S. Gerrand). Headl twi lengths. Ephialtes fourth. Time. Imin, 2 2-ssec. Webster (Winner trained by.A. D. Webster, Otaki.) FEILDING ACCEPTANCES Acceptances for the first day of the Feilding Jockey Club’s spring meeting, to be held on November 29 and December 1, will close to-night at 9 c.clock, when final payments are also due for the Zotu Feilding Stakes. FIXTURES. Nov. 29, Dec. 1— Takapuna J.C. Nov 29. Dec I—Feilding J.C. Dee. 5, 6— Taumarunui R.C. Dec. 6 —Ashburton County- R.C. Dec. 9, 10 —Woodville Dist. J.C Dec’. 13—Waipa R.C. Dec. 26—Walpukurau J.C. Dec 26. 27—Westland R.C. 2(< 27—Taranaki J.C. Dec 26, 27 —Dunedin J.C. Dec. 26, 27, 29— Manawatu R.C. Dec 26, 29, Jan. 1, 2—Auckland R.C. Dec. 31, Jan. I—Greymouth J.C. Jan. I—Waikouaiti1 —Waikouaiti R.C. Jan. I—Wyndham R.C. Jan. 1, 2—Hawke's Bay J.C. Jan. 1, 2—Stratford B.C, Jan. 1, 2—Marton J.C. Jan. 1, 3—Wairarapa R.C. Jan. 2, 3—Southland R.C.