NOTES ON THE RACING

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 58, 6 September 1917, Page 4

NOTES ON THE RACING

(ft "KR LANCELOT.")

Early in the day a couple of showers fell, but did not interfere with the success of the meeting. The going was very heavy, arid the fields quickly got strung out. Scratchings were numerous, and reduced the big fields. The chief stipendiary steward (Mr. John M'Mahon) was laid up at Palmerston North, and there was no substitute present. Another * well-known figure, at .Marton meetings missing was Mr. J. Bull, whose colours were carried by Colorado and Golden March. Tho attendance was very satisfactory. Ten withdrawals from the Hack Hurdles reduced the number of runners to seventeen. The Hawkes Bay-owned Swinton was best backed. Gay Guard ran off at the first fence, where My Pal parted company with his rider. Passing the stand Postillion wa-s well clear, but he dropped into the ruck at the back and finished well back. Colorado and Cajais were in front, just clear of Mattock and Swinton. At the last fence Mattock joined Colorado, and, finishing best, won by a length. Swinton was the same distance away. Then came Combustion and Tatim'i. Mattock is locally owned and trained, and his success was popular. He proved useful in flat events at the hunt club meetings last season.

The Trial Hack Plate brought out a field of twenty-two. The Karamu representative (Piano) was sent out a hot favourite, but never got in the front division. The Fordell bracket (Coolpan and Rude) was a good second favourite. The colours of Torukohe and Coolpan were prominent from the start, Matilda being at the head of the others. Coolpan was in front at the turn, where his stable-mate joined him. They were out in front at the distance, and looked like running first and second. In the last hundred yards, Signorella (Signor—jCrucinella) came through And passed Coolpan, but could not reach Rude, who won comfortably. The Trentham-train-ed Matilda was fourth, and Little Ann was next. Rude (Cyrus—Cheeky) is one of Mr. W. Duncan's New South Wales purchases, and was making his first appearance.

Chaban was the only withdrawal from the Hack Steeplechase, leaving in nine runners. The race saw numerous alterations in the running. At the second obstacle—a double, in front of the stand— Paid Iti and Fashion Plate parted company with their riders. Pawereiwere and Aratiatia were in charge, but before the back of the course -was reached Union Jack was out in front. He was still in fronlt at the stand, where Arataitai had dropped back beaten. At the back of the course the last time round Merry Jack and Sabrenui took charge, but ran off when leading half-a-mile from home. This incident' left Bodenham in charge. At Ithe iast fence he was joined by Coalition. *the Trentham representative had m.«jt left in, and in the" run to the post drew out and won by half-a-dozen lengths. Pawere-wei'e was a poor third. Union Jack and Aratiatia also finished. The winner returned his supporters a double-figure dividend. This was to have been his last race, but J. W. Lowe may now be induced to go on with him. Kilfcess and Chuckle were the withdrawals from the Mar-ton Handicap. Orleans delayed the start, but Mr. O'Connor eventually got them away on even terms. Pawing the stand, with two furlongs gone, Crawford, Flying Camp, and Lady Louisa comprised the leading division. Orleans, who was favourite, and Goldstream were both badly placed. Crawford still had charge as they raced along the back, where Flying Camp was lying second. Crawford led into the straight, but half-way down the running [ceberg came with a sterling run on the outside, and won by a length from Lady Louisa, who headed the tiring leader in the la-st few strides. Maniaroa, Orleans, and Detroit were next. Roumania was last to pass the post. The grey gelding is a good finisher. He won the Junipers' Flat Race at Trentham. Goldstream improved his position after they had gone six furlongs, but was unable to reach the leaders. It was a good betting .race, half-a-dozen of the runners being evenly, backed.

The Channel, who had started earlier in the day, was the only neratchir.g for the Rangitikei Steeplechase. Sandy Paul acted us pacemaker, with Golden Glow, Nita, and Collector at the head of the others. Sandy Paul was still in charge passing the stand the second time, where t!>o top woijjbt lud m»de up ft Ift of ground, and was in a, bandy position.

Sandy Paid got into a couple of fences, and was beaten six furlonga from home. Here Collector and Kurapai were in charge. Master Strowan drew up to them at the bend, where Kurapai had' taken Collector's measure. At the last fence Kurapai held a slight advantage, but in the run home Master Strowan , headed him, and Won by a couple of. lengths. Collector was a fair third. Nita, Sandy Paul, and Marton finished in that order. Master Strowan thus scored his fourth successive win, and he got a good reception on returning to weigh in.

There were fourteen runners for the Electric Hack Handicap. Acre (from Fordell) was in charge when they had gone a hundred yards, and with Impediment was prominent "Js they raced) round the home. bend, fc the straight Impediment, on the outside, and Vladieau, in the centre, joined in, the latter prevailing by a narrow margin. Silver Tongue, who probably covered 1 more ground than anything else in the ra-ce, finished close up tliird. Polynesian, Gaycium, and Robur were all close up. Pall Mall finished well back. Vladieau (a full sister to Vladirieau) scored her first win in the raca. The winner was one of the least-fancied and paid a 1 sensational dividend. She is trained locally by J. Morris, and was ridden by his son. The runners in th« Railway Handicap included Lady Louisa, runner-up in the Marton Handicap earlier in the day. Her stabk-mate, Sweet Tipperary, was also in the field. Bivouac and Petruchio weve prominent for two furlongs. The field was strung out at half-way. Centre was in front half-way down the running. In the last, few strides Elocution got up and won by a neck. Hushaby© was close up third. Then came Baimsdale and Avon Park. Elocution carries the same colours as Silver Tongue, and is qne of. the useful Demosthenes breed. .Two of them vyere. placed in the previous event. A. Reed rode the winner. C. Reed was on Mascot, who was never prominent.

For the concluding event, Tutaenui Hack Welter, the good field of 21 saddled up, with the Australian-bred Lady Beaufort favourite. « Alteration and Woodlark were also well supported. A most exciting finish saw Golden March and Sleepy Jack pass the winning post together—the judge could not separate them—with Woodlark only a bead away.