SENSATIONAL PLUNGE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 89, 9 January 1936, Page 13

SENSATIONAL PLUNGE

The Win of Sporting Blood

The moans and groans of bookmakers were audible to even the very deaf after Sporting Blood had romped home in the Denham Handicap at Raiidwica on December 28, says an Australian writer. Sporting Blood, who had finished last in the Villiers a week earlier, and only tenth in the Summer Cup two days earlier, was backed in reckless manner. During the last five minutes of operations, ring men were in a panic, as they had been caught by the Sporting Blood commissioners, who had secured the long odds, and they were rushing round frantically to try and ea.se their liabilities with each other. But it was futile pursuit, as none of them could lay Sporting Blood for another penny. There were several happenings during the race uhich appeared to give the sensationally backed New Zealander anything but the worst of the galloping argument. Sporting Blood secured an uninterrupted passage* each time young Maher made for one, and several of the runners Went very wide when making the home turn. Perhaps their riders were seeking the better going on the outside. In view of Sportiug Blood’s two inglorious efforts at Randwick during the week, it was little wonder the ring men were not prepared for such a colossal onslaught. He got easily the best of the start, but Cherry King soon bounced to the head of affairs and had control passing the mile to Miss Nottava, Repere, Sporting Blood, Whittingham and Measure. Between the mile and the six-furlong post Repere and Tingalba were fighting for the van. with Cherry King, Whittingham and Sporting Blood together next, with Measure handy, but not going generously. Cockpen was last at this stage, not far behind Limyris. Repere was still with Cherry King at the half-mile, with Tingalba trailing along in third place and Whittingham aud Sporting Blood most prominent of the others. Limyris commenced to make up ground at this point, Measure having dropped back. Cherry King and Repere looked very cheap cattle once Sporting Blood challenged them, for the New Zealander bolted to the front and was lengths clear at the half distance. Though young Maher did not bother kicking out Sporting Blood, he had four lengths to spare over Limyris when they went past the judge, Whittingham being third two lengths further back and well clear of Repere, Cockpen and Cherry King.