The Racing World. WILD CHASE’S ST. LEGER STAKES

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 142, 12 March 1937, Page 17

The Racing World. WILD CHASE’S ST. LEGER STAKES

Wellington Opening Day Marred by Rain

THOMPSON HANDICAP TO FRIESLAND Smoke Screen Registers Solid Win in Pacific Handicap (By The Watcher.) The opening of the Wellington Racing Club s autumn in e el " ■ ing at Trentham yesterday was marred by a wet- morning, which promised to keep up for the day. Consequently the attendance slumped very badly for a Trentham race day, with a corresponding decrease in anticipated totalisator turnover. The patrons who did make the trip found conditions at the course ifiuch better than in town, and just after the first race the weather cleared completely, the rest of the day being fine with bright sunshine. A cold wind from the south-east, however, came with the break m the clouds, and the atmosphere out of sheltered places was more like winter than autumn. All things considered the club did very well to escape a debacle, and the totalizator figures, while much smaller than they would have been, kept fairly well up to last year s off day.

Features of the racing were the wins of Friesland in the Thompson Handicap; Wild Chase in the St. Leger; Smoke Screen in the two-year-old handicap, and Dungarvan in the sprint. Favourites did not fare well, Wild Chase and Dungarvan being the only actual first picks to win. The run of dividends, on the other band, was not large, with the exception of the o;»ening event. Heavy overnight rain had made the going soft and it cut up a lot It improved as the day wore on, but it was always soft and slow. To some extent it must have affected the form, though in the main backers kept fairly well on the mark. Friesland’s win in the Thompson Handicap was a good performance, as he came brilliantly from several places back. He was the runner-up to Sliver Ring last year. It is the fourth time that the Hawera trainer 0. Cox has won the Thompson, though the first with a horse of his own, the other three successes going to Reremoana (twice) and Golden Hair, which he trained for Mr. G. F. Moore. Wild Chase Good Class. The St. Leger was a three-horse race, and the actual running confined to only two. It was thought in many quarters that Martara had a chance of defeating Wild Chase, whose stamina, on account of his being by Paper Money, was in doubt over the distance. The state of the going made it a more severe test also, but Wild Chase came through with flying colours, and gave a striking demonstration of the gap there is between class and handicap form. Wild Chase gave Sir Charles Clifford his first win in this event, though the stable, when controlled by his father, scored twice with Treadmill, and his great daughter Counterfeit. Sir Charles is having a very successful season. Wild Chase also gave G. Humphries his second successive win in the race, as he rode Entail to victory last March. Smoke Screen enhanced his reputation as a two-year-old of class by a■■ solid win in the Pacific Handicap. He did not handle the going with any confidence, but, taken out into the middle

of the track, he was finishing very solidly. He has won three times in ' four starts, and if the track is firm on Saturday he may run against Francis Drake in the Challenge Stakes. Dungarvan showed his class by winning the Railway Handicap in his usual solid style. He gave the lightweight, Sansfoy, a rare opportunity of getting home by running into the lead over two furlongs from the post, and Sansfoy made the most of his chance. He had Dungarvan pushed right out, but the latter was equal to that extra effort which only good horses can give. The totalisator returns were only £28,108/10/- (win £14,709/10/-; place £13,429). The meeting extended over three days last year, and there is really no comparison, but on the St. Patrick’s Day last March, £29,439/10/- was handled. Outsider Opens Ball. Backers started badly, an outsider in Laggard beating another neglected runiier in Red Sun in the highweight, with the place favourite Spender only third and the win favourite Wauanga well back. Laggard was always fairly well placed and so was Spender, and after Beau Gallante, Revival, and Wauanga had all shot their bolt in the straight Laggard came along to take charge and stall off a late run by Red Sun on the rails to win narrowly. Spender was a moderate third followed by Revival and he in turn was well clear of the bunch which Beau Gallants headed. Laggard appeared to handle the ground fairly well like most of the Lackhams. This is his first win since being purchased by his Wellington owner. Red Sun put up a good performance for a fresh horse. He did not appear to be very much at home in the ground but he stayed cu mni< too well for the others after tailing the field early. The favourites had every chance. Myriain’s Comfortable Win. Myriam won the Trial Plate very comfortably. She was always well placed, and after allowing the favourite. Nelumbo, to lead her into the straight, she moved forward to take sole charge and stay there without any difficulty. Sunbeam came

I through from the false rail with a good run and while he was unable to reach the winner he was a decisive second, and Nelumbo just failed to stall off at late run ; by Southern Blood, who snatched third money on the post. Good Sun and Peacock , were the best of the others. The winner handled the ground very well and was always travelling freely. Nelumbo showed a lot of pace and should be bard to catch on top of the ground. Wild Chase on His Own. The confidence that was put in Martara to beat Wild Chase in the St. Leger proved sadlv misplaced. He had no chance at. all with the Clifford colt, who outclassed him once it came to the real race home. . . Martara as usual bowled away in trout and at the end of about five or six furlongs made an attempt to get a break, but Humphries was alert to the possibility and lie kept Wiki Chase well within striking distance. He did not move up until they were entering the straight, and getting on terms before they reached the stretch, he then went right away to score a very easy win, easing up. Cerne Abbas was outclassed. The distance and the state of the going proved no barrier to Wild Chape, who won like a high-class colt, and his time, 3.0}, under the track conditions was a verj' good effort. A Narrow Victory. Backers placed most confidence in Haughty Winner in the Pacific Handicap. He ran quite a good race, but at the finish he weakened into a good third. He was always well up, Relative showing most early pace with Only One from Haughty Winner and Screamer, Smoke Screen further back in the bunch. Haughty Winnerand Only One drew to the front at the false rail and were having a good tussle at the last furlong., where Smoke Screen began his run out in the centre of the track. Only One had the better of Haughty Winner a fair distance off the post, but Smoke Screen, finishing verj resolutely, got. up to head him narrowly but decisively. Haughty Winner in turn was clear of the bunch, which was headed by The Crooner, Accomplice and Royal Chief. Smoke Screen acted up to expectations raised by his excellent form at Woodville and he looks like making a good three-year-old. Only One’s performance was in keeping with his earlier promise in Sydney and, like the winuer, he is by Limoud, eo that next season’s prospects for him also look good. Haughty Winner was far from disgraced. Royal Chief ran just a fair race, and although The Crooner and Accomplice also showed up they were not good enough. Top Row was one of the early leading bunch, but he also fell back over the business stages. Thompson to Friesland. Friesland scored a very decisive win in the Thompson Handicap. The first to begin from a moving-in start from a perfect line were Alby, Paper Slipper, Chief Ranger, Debham, Travenna, and Haut Monde, Silver Ring, Rona Bay, and Enta 1 soon tailing off. At the end of a furlong Debham had run to the front and he piloted the field thereafter all the way round from Haut Monde, Alby, Epris, Chief Ranger, and Paper Slimier, these being fairly well bunched, witn a gap of a couple of lengths back to the others, who were headed by Friesland. Debham.. Haut Monde, Alby, Chief Ranger, Epris, were still prominent running for the straight, and at the false rail Haut Monde anti Chief Ranger were beginning to sort themselves out. A little later, however, Friesland put in an appearance out in the middle of the track, and finishing very resolutely over the last furlong, be soon put the issue beyond doubt, going away for a decisive win over Chief Ranger, while Arctic King finished with a great burst of speed into third place, just cutting out Haut Monde and Paper Slipper with Travenna, Debham, Brazen King, and Silver Ring next. It was a clear-cut win on the part of Friesland, who gave all the leading bunch a start, and then cut them clown decisively. Chief Ranger put up a good performance, and Arctic King finished very well. Haut Monde had every chance and so did Paper Slipper and Debham, but. the going hampered Ihe first-named pair.

Won from the Back,

The hack seven looked like Old Surrey most of the way, as be lay handy to the pacemaker, The Bigot, all the way, and took charge in the straight. However, Gay Hunter, who had been last of the field early, came through on the rails and challenging Old Surrey over the last bit got the better of him. Imposture was a fair third after being prominent throughout, and Sanhedrim was fourth with Earl Colossus next. Old Surrey lost some ground by running out wide into the straight, but it probaldy did not make the difference between winning and losing as Gay Hunter onee he got to him won fairly decisively. The Bigot failed in the going. A Handsome Win. 1 Dungarvcn won the Railway Handicap like a champion. He was always prominent, and though he pulled himself to the front much too early for a top-weight, taking charge from Knockfin tie they ran into the straight, he was good enough to tight off a strong late challenge by the lightweight Sansfroy, Knockfin weaken, iug into third. Karl and Laughing Lasa, who had run with the leaders early, weakened, and the other pair, Acceptable and Deficit, were well back. Dungarvan is a great horse up to hi« distance, though possibly he did not beat a strong field yesterday. A Solid Finish. Still another favourite went down in the last race when Roaming failed to UH place. He was prominent throughout and put up a creditable effort, but he was done with in the straight. Reipar ran to the front at the end of a furlong and endeavoured to win all the way. He looked likelv to succeed when he increased his lead at the half and landed well clear into the straight, but Catalogue, sustaining a determined challenge on the rails, got up in the final stages. There was very little in it, and Reipar seemed to bo doing it a bit the better again at the finish. Reipar bud carried the others along to difficulties

at the end, and Lady Siegfried was a moderate third only clear of Stratosphere and Roaming. Catalogue's win was due on his recent form, but on his record well overdue. He in improved. Reipar appeared to like the going. Lady Siegfried runs consistently. Details of the Racing RIMU HIGHWEIGHT HANDICAP, of £300; second £7O, third £35. One mile and n quarter. 8/7 F. Kettleweli's b. c. LAGGARD, by Lackham—Regard, Syrs., 9.0 (P. Burgess) 1 7/C J. W. Lowe’s b. g. RED SUN, aged, 11.4 (A. .Tonkins) 2 2/1 A. E. Neale’s b. g. SPENDER, syrs„ 9.8 (C. Carroll) 3 Also started: 3/3 Beau Gallante, 10.12 (C. Thomson); 4/4 Revival, 9.7 (J. Leach): 1/2 Wananga, 9.5 (S. Anderson); 5/8 Brigadore, 9.2 (W. J McDowell); 6/5 Lady Wessex, 9.0 (C. McGovern). Head; two lengths. Revival was fourth. Time, 2.17. (Winner trained by D. McCauley, Trentham.)

TRIAL PLATE, of £300; second £7O, third £35. Weight, 8.5. Seven furlongs. 4/4 Mrs. W. A. Fuller's ch. f. MYRIAM, by Lord Warden—Alyson, 3yrs. , (W. J. Broughton) 1 7/6 W. A. White’s b. g. SUNBEAM, 3yrs., car. 8.6 (D. Hall) 2 6/5 Mrs. P. M. Flan’s b. g. SOUTHERN BLOOD, 4yrs. (B. H. Morris) 3 Also started: 8/8 Galteemore (G. Tattersail) ; 3/2 Good Sun (C. Goulsbro), 10/10 Haupangi (C. Burgess); 1/1 Nelumbo (S. Wilson): 2/3 Peacock (E. Rosewarne) ; 5/7 Rapa Waiata (P. Atkins); 9/9 Waitohu (D. Mansfield). Two lengths: one length. Nelumbo was fourth. Time, 1.321 (Winner trained by W. J. Wood Trentham.)

N.Z. ST.. LEGER STAKES, of £400; second £BO, third £4O. For three-year-olds. Ono mile and three-quarters. 1 Sir Chas. -Clifford's b. c. WILD CHASE, by Paper Money—Wild Hind, 8.10 (G. Humphries) 1 2 C. W. Boyd’s ch. c. MARTARA. 8.10 (G. Tatersall) 2 3 C. N. Draper’s b. f. CERNE ABBAS, 8.7 (C. Goulsbro) 3 Five lengths- twelve lengths. The only starters. Time, S.bj. (Winner trained by H. and A. Cutts, Ricearton.)

PACIFIC HANDICAP, of £500; second £lOO, third £5O. For two-vear-olds. Six furlongs. 2/2 Russell Graces b. g. SMOKE <■ SCREEN, oy Limond—Curtain, 8.11 . (B. H- Morris) 1 6/8 A. E. Coupe, and J. S. McLeod’s ch. C. ONLY ONE, 7.10 (S. Wilson) 2 1/1. Sir Chas. Clifford’s ch. c. HAUGHTY WINNER. 9.4 (G. Humphries) 3 Also started: 3/3 Royal Chief, 9.4 (A. Russell); 9/9 Top Row, 8.5 (.1. W. Jennings) ; 5/5 Relative, 8.4 (P. Atkins) ■ 4/4 The Crooner. 8.4 (G. Tattersail); 8/7 Lazvboneß, 8.0 (R. Marsh); 7/6 Screamer, 79 car. 7.10 (C T. Wilson); 10/10 Accomplice, 7.7 (C. Goulsbro); 11/11 Mother-In-Law, 7.7 (J. McCauley).. Head; length. The Crooner was fourth. Time, 1.16. (Winner trained by D.'.T. Marks, Fordell.)

THOMPSON HANDICAP, of £750; second £l5O, third £75. One mile. 2/2 0. Cox’s br. g. FRIESLAND,- by Frlarsdale—Fluency, syrs., 8.6 (S. Wilson) 1 3/3 A. Young’s ch. h. CHIEF RANGER, Gyrs., 8.1 (B. H. Morris) 2 6/4 W. J. Wood’s b. g. ARCTIC KING, syrs., 7.11 (W. J. Broughton) 3 Also started: 10/10 Silver Ring, 10.6 (A E. Ellis); 1/1 Paper Slipper, 8.11 (G. Humphries); 7/7 Travenna, 8.4, ear. 8.7 (R J. Mackie); 8/8 Epris. 7.13 (C. T. Wilson); 4/6 Haut Monde, 7.10 (P. Atkins); 5/5 Debham, 7.9 (C. Goulsbro); 12/13 Rona Bay, 7.8 (R. Marsh); 9/9 Alby, 7.7 (G. Tattersnll): 11/11 Brazen King, 7.7, car. 7.9 (L. H. Clifford); 14/12 Darecourt, 7.7 (H. N. Wiggins); 13/13 Entail. 7.7 (R. W Savage).

Length and a half: two lengths. Haut Monde was fourth. Time, 1.43|. (Winner trained by Owner, Hawera.)

TINAKORI HACK HANDICAP, of £300; second £7O. third £35. Seven furlongs. 3/3 H. K. Swan’s b. c. GAY HUNTER, by Hunting Song—Fall o’ the Year, 3yrs., 9.2 (P. Burgess) 1 4/4 L. II Collinson’s b. g. OLD SURREY. 3yrs., 8.5 (G. Tattersall) 2 7/7 G. M. Currie’s b. f. IMPOSTURE, Syrs., 7.13 (W. J. Broughton) fl Also started: 6/6 Earl Colosus, 8.4, car. 8.2 (P. Williams) ; 5/5 Sanhedrim, 8.4 (C. Goulsbro); 2/1 The Bigot, 8.3 (B. H. Morris); 1/2 Alunga, 7.9 (S. Wilson); 8/8 Sunny Blonde. 7.7, car. 7.9 (P. Atkins). Three-quarters of a length ; two lengths. Sanhedrim was fourth. Time, 1.32. (Winner trained by J. W. Nixon, . Gisborne.)

RAILWAY HANDICAP, of £450; second £9O, third £45. Six furlongs. 1/1 J. C. Kennedy's br. g. DUNGARVAN, by Colossus —Tlkima, 4yrs.. 9.3 (L. A. Pine) 1 0/5 Mrs. G. 18. Wood’s b. g. SANSFOY, Cyrs., 7.7 (J. Forsyth) 2 3/4 W. Scott’s b. m. KNOCKFIN. Ovrs., 8.5 (C. T. Wilson) 3 Also started: 2/2 Laughing Lass. 8.7 (P>. H. Morris); 4/3 Karl, 8.2 (P. Atkins), 7/7 Acceptable, 7.7, ear. 7.9 (S. Wilson); 5/6 Deficit, 7.7 (C. Goulsbro). Neck; length and a half. Karl was fourth. Time, 1.15. (Winner trained by W. Pine, A.wapuni.)

SILVERSTREAM HACK HANDICAP, of £300; second £7O, third £35. One mile. 3/4 E. L. Barnes’s b. g. CATALOGUE, bv Lord Quex —Catalan!. 6yrs„ 8.8 (P. Atkins) 1 7/7 J. A. Todd’s b. g, REIPAR. Oyrs., 7.10, car. 7.5 (S. Edwards) 2 4/2 B. Burgess’s br. m. LADY SIEGFRIED. 4j-rs., 8.4 (C. Goulsbro) 3 Also started: 1/1 Roaming, 9.0 (A. E. Ellis); 6/6 Lucullus Lad. 8.9 (R. Marsh); 5/5 Stratosphere. 8.5 (J. W. Jennings) 2/3 Rousseau, 8.0 (G. Humphries); 8/8 Sea Wrack, 7.9 (S. Wilson). Half a neck; two lengths. Stratosphere was fourth. Time, 1.451. (Winner trained by Mrs. A. W. McDonald, Awapuni.) Handicaps For To-morrow

NGAIO HIGHWEIGHT HANDICAP, £.300. One mile and a quarter. of Red Sun .... n 8 Revival 9 6 Beau.Gallants 10 9 Wananga 9 2 Soho 10 6 Brigadore . 9 0 Earl Colossus fl 12 Windward .. 9 0 Taillight i) 12 Black Fox .. 9 0 Spender u 9 Haupangg . 9 0 PLUNKET NURSERY HANDICAP, of £250. Fiv e furlongs. Smoke Screen 9 7 Lazybones 7 12 Courtcraft 8 fl Screamer 7 9 Nuclei .... 8 6 Accomplice . 7 9 Top Row ... 8 3 Mother-in-Law 7 7 The Crooner 8 3 Peach King . 7 7 Only One ... 8 -L Raroa .... 7 7 Relative s o St. Cedric ... 7 7 Airaiu .... 8 2 Barricade ... 7 7 Son and Heir 7 13 Quexona AUTUMN HANDICAP, of £600. One mile and three furlongs. Silver Ring . 10 •1 Arctic King . 7 12 Wild Chase . 9 () Alby 7 7 Argentic 9 4 Debliani 7 Queen of Entail 7 7 Song it 0 Geitel 7 7 Marta ra 8 10 Haut Monde 7 7 Loweuberg . 8 « Korero .... 7 7 S11 nee 8 A. Last Refrain 7 7 Hazoor 8 — Mandamus .. 7 Chief Ranger 8 1 Master Cyklon 7 7 Travenna ... y 13 Pukelto 7 Tunneller ... 7 13 Phidie •••• 7 7 Rig- Book ... 7 12 Kona Bay .. 7 7 Taitoru 7 12 CHAMPION HACK CUP. of £500. One mile and three furlongs. Gav Hunter . fl 3 Old Surrey . 8 0 Brazen King 8 13 Rcipar Y 11 Catalogue 8 12 Earl Colossus 7 11 Cerne Abbas 8 7 Laggard 7 11 Roaming 8 y Sanhedrim .. 7 9 Soho S 7 Spender 7 9 Terry ..... 8 5 Rousseau 7 7 Barley Revival 7 Almond 8 5 Ladv Wessex 7 Maestro 8 u Raepata Y 7 Luculius Lad 8 Rapa Waiata 7 Ladv Siegfried 8 0 Sea Wraek . 7 Stratosphere . 8 0 Wananga * 7 SUBURBAN HANDICAP, of £150. Six furlongs. Dungarvan . 0 11 Hen Braggm 9 Gold Boa ... 9 1. Acceptable i Emissary 8 <1 Darecour.t I Triune .... 8 n Deficit 7 Knock flu 8 G Flaminarion . 4 Karl 8 0 Hunting Mars 7 Sansfoy 1.’ BELMONT HACK HANDICAP, of >00. Six furlongs. Catalogue ••• 9 : i Neluinbn 10 Collodion s 11 Sunny Blonde 7 7 Old Surrey . y It Good Sun .. 7 7 Myrlnm 8 4 Rapa 'Waiata 7 7 The Bigot .. 8 ■1 Galteemore . 7 Imposture .. 8 0 Gay Artist .. 7 7 Sunbeam 7 12 Ilaupauga .. 7 Sea Wrack . 7 10 Peacock 7 7 Alunga 7 10 Waltohu 7 HUTT HANDICAP. of £100. One mile. Dungarvan . 9 9 Haut Monde 7 9 Friesland ... 9 z Mandamus 7 9 Triune .... 8 7 Darecourt 7 7 Chief Ranger 8 6 Dobham 7 7 Big Dook ... s 4 Deficit .... 7 7 Concert Pitch 8 •1 Entail .... 7 7 Plato 8 4 Pukeko / 7 Travenna 8 4 Sanhedrim .. Arctic King . 7 1.3 Rona Bay .. 7 I Epris 7 11 Al by I'ladle 7 11 Beau Gallaute 7 Gay .11 outer « 7 10