MASTERTON RACING CLUB

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 69, 22 March 1920, Page 11

MASTERTON RACING CLUB

NOTES ON THE FORM,

(BY "Bin LANCELOT.")

The Masterton Racing Club's Autumn Meeting was held at the Opaki racecourse on Saturday. Favoured with fine weather, there was a large attendance, the motor traffic being very heavy. Spetiilation on the totalisator was brisk, the sum of £23,614 being handled during the afternoon, compared with £18,358 last. year. Some disappointment was .expressed by Wellington patrons of the club who made the journey at the nonappearance of Sasanof and other members of Mr. W. G. Stead's team. The scratching pen was freely used during the afternoon, and in only four races were two dividends paid. The fields, however, were all round better than twelve months ago. Notwithstanding the sniallness of the fields the racing wae as interesting as could be expected. Details in connection with the meeting were carried out in a satisfactory manner by Mr. A. Hathaway (secretary), assisted by Mr. J. Griffiths (Wellington).

The biggest lield of the day, twelve, contested the Trial Stakes. They included five .two-year-olds, who received more support than any of the older division, and three of them tilled 'the places. The colours of Gold Pan (Peter I'aii—E-lfreda), a half-brother to Elcullus, were prominent when they had gone a furlong, Kildee being best placed of the others. In the straight Fortune Teller came through and had the race in safe keeping at the distance. Celmisia finished well and reached . the post in time to beat Kildee out of second money. The al6o-started division included Blackhead (All Black—Gossip), two-year-old half-brother to BobrikofT, trained at Hawcra by XV. Pine for Mr. XV. Higgine. Fortune Teller (Bezoman: —Sea Queen) was bred by a local sportsman, who won races with her dam, who also produced Some Kid. Fortune Teller is trained at Trentham by J. M'Laughlin, who has not had much luck for some time, but now that he has broken the spell it is hoped he will win again before the season has much further advanced.

The numbers of Cashmere, Gientour, and. Pa-karaka appeared on the scratching board, leaving eight runners in the Telephone Hack Handicap. Although she had not won a race for nearly twelve months, and had only raced once (at Wanganui) since her return from the other side, Miss Gold looked more classy than her opponents, and monopolised the betting, carrying more tha.n a> third of the total on the race. She held a prominent position throughout and scored in good style from Mosthenea and Probate, both of whom ran prominently at Dannevirke. After the held had gone a. couple of furlongs Galore and Parorangi fell, and the riders (T. Pritchard and J. Olsen) sustained injuries which prevented them from riding again during the afternoon. An'inquiry was held, and it was found that the occurrence was purely accidental, and was caused by Galore galloping on the heels of a horse racing in front of her. Messrs. C. P. Vallance and J. M'Mahou (chief stipendiary) inspected the track where the accident happened and foundthat it was in good order.

Only five of the nine acceptors were paraded in the Flying. Chimera, who carried over four figure:;, and Astinome were, the popular picks. The latter began best and was allowed to'gfct a break. Chimera Vas steadied instead of being allowed' to run along. She put in some good work at the finish, and managed to dead-heat with Torfreda for second, but failed to reach Astinpme. J. Olsen was to have riden Astinome, but A. Reed got th-e mount owing to the former rider being incapacitated. Astinome will •be rehandicapped for Rangitikei. The Autumn Handicap also brought out five runners, including the bracketed pair Wishful and Multaine. Dainty Step, a stable mate of the previous winner, was actual favourite, while Ribbon was bettor supported than pose Wreath, who went down short. The latter went out to make the pace and was in front for six furlongs, . where Dainty Step got her head in front. The field was bunched at the turn, where Rose Wreath started to go back. Halfway dowp lied Eibbon drew out won comfortably from Dainty Step, who had to be kept going to beat Multaine for second money. W. Garrett informed me that Red Ribbon had not done well since the fall she had at Auckland at Christmas. She had nothing much to beat on Saturday. It was Dainty Step's first appearance in open company, and, considering it was her first attempt over a, distance of ground, she ran quite well. A. Reed rode Astinome and Red Ribbon.

Backers selected Canyon a3 the best of the five runners for the Juvenile Handicap. She carried more than. Rileuse and Little River,' wiho weir© next fancied in that order, put together. Canyon began brilliantly, and had the field well strung out when they had gone half way, with Rieuse clear of the others. This pair were first into the straight, but failed to hold the advantage gained when Raceful put in a claim inside the distance. He outstayed the other pair, and scored decisively from Little River, who cut Canyon out of second pla.ee in the last few strides. Rieuse was fourth, and Vivation (Provocation —Declination) carrying the colours of her breeder, Mr. W. E. Bidwill, last. Raceful (Martian—Rosa Red) was allowed to pay a false price, considering he ha,d run second at Dannevirke on his last previous appearance. He is a halfbrother tot Sir Ralph, Red Rock, and Risingham. Raceful cost Mr. W. R. Kemball 320 guineas at the Bumside sale, and scored his Srsfc win ou Saturday. Probate and Stutter, who had raced; earlier in the day, were saddled, up again in the Masterton Hack Handicap. Ilallowvonia, a stable mate .of Astinome and Dainty Step, was solidly supported, carrying over four figures. Rebuff, coupled with Negambo, received most support of the others. Hallowvonia drew inside position, hut was headed off, and knocked back soon after tho start, and was badly placed when she recovered. Stutter got a break, and with Probate and Risingham were well placed at the homo bend. Tho latter outstayed the other pair, and won' i» good style. This was another winning mount J. Olsen would have had only for the accident previously mentioned. It was Risingham's first success in the colours of Mr. W. Higgins. The winner paid a good price, as also did Stutter, who had nob previously been seen to advantage.in a. longer journey than six furlongs. Hallowvonia made a great effort to get the leaders, but was beaten into third place. Piisingham is engaged at Raugitikei on Wednesday next.

There were only four runners for the Stewards' Handicap. Affectation went down scratclnly in the preliminary gallop, and backers went for Penury Rose, who hud been doing good track work. Tlis race dues not require much description. Affectation was taken ro the front and never headed, while Penury floss was ;tt the tail end of the lield most of the way. and finished last. Those backers who stuck to .\ffeci3tioii pot n. reinarkiihly good prire. He is to race at Rrineitikei next week.

As is generally the case, the Dash Hack Handicap, with which proceedings ter-

.minuted, proved .the best betting race of the day. Sweet. Memory was actual favouriie, but Prince Randall, Timidity, and Import received nearlj as much support. The latter began best, but was never allowed to get a break on Sweet Memory, who headed her opponent at the turn, and had the race in safe keeping a iurlung fvon-i home. Sweet Memory conceded her opponents a lot oi weight, and a decisive beating. She made the fourth winner during the afternoon engaged at Rangitikei. J. O'Shea, who rode Sweet Memory, also scored on Miss Gold earlier in the day. The horseman named retains his form well.

The following are the results after The Post went to press on Saturday :•—

Autumn Handicap, of 300 soys; one mile and a-quarter.—2 I l'. Dorset's eh m Red Ribbon, aged, by Elevation —Blue Eibbon, 8.3 (A. Reed), 1; 1 Dainty Step, 6.7, 2; 3 Hose Wreath, 8.2, 3. Also started : 4 Wishful 6.13 (E. Lazar) : Multaine 6.9 (K. Tucker). Wishful and Multaine were bracketed on the machine. Time, 2min 8 l-ssee.

Juvenile Handicap, of 150 soys (for two-year-olds) R.-. Kemball's b c Raceful, by Martian—Rose Red. 7.3 (K. Tucker), I; 3 Little River, 7.11, 2; 1 Canyon, 8.1. 3. Ako started : 2 Rieuse 8.8 (R. S. Bagby) : 5 Vivation (C. Reed). Time, lmin 2sec.

Masterton Hack Handicap, of 125 soys; seven furlongs.—3 W. Higgins's b g Risingham, 4yrs. by Rokeby—Rose Red, 8.11 (A. J. M'Flynu), 1; 7 Stutter, 8.4, 2; 1 HaHowvoiiia, 8.4, 3. Also started : 4 Probato 7.11 (F. Corlett), 2 Rebuff 7.6 (E. Ferguson), 2 Negambo 7.4 (K. Tucker), 6 Sweet Song 7.5 (A. M'Cormack), 8 Ohifci 7.2 (Garrett), 9 Elevate 6.7 (Johnson), Pakaraka 7.7 (R. S. Bagby). Rebuff and. Negambo were bracketed on the machine. Time, lmin 28 l-ssee.

Stewards' Handicap, of 150 soys: seven furlongs.—2 A. M'Donald's be Affectation, 3yrs, by Kilbroney—Simper, 9.1 (R, S. Bagby), 1; 4 Scornful, 7.4, 2; 3 Matatua, 7!7, 3. Also started : 1 Penury Rose 7.1 (A. M'Cormack).

Dash Hack Handicap, of 125 soys; five furlongs.—l Jeffrey Mack's br m Siveet Memory, 4yrs. by Maniapoto— ■Helen, 10.4" (J. O'Shea). i;: 3 Import, 8.3. 2; 2 Timidity, 8.9. 3. Also started : 4 Prince Randall 9.Q (A. J. M'Flinn), 7 Bayswater 7.5 (W. M'Ewan), 6 Miss Land 7.5 (Ferguson), 5 Silk Rein (A. M'Cormack).