DUNEDIN JOCREY CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 131, 4 June 1924, Page 12

DUNEDIN JOCREY CLUB

MEETING OPENS IN DULL

WEATHER

COMMENTS ON THE SPORT.

(BJ TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL TO THE POST.)

DUNEDIN, 3rd June.

The Dunedin Winter Meeting opened in dull.but fine weather. The track was sticky and holding. CAPTAIN SARTO'S SUCCESS. ! Captain Sarto was established a good -favourite for the Trial Hurdles, and he justified the confidence by practically winning all the way. Frisco Mail looked dangerous when he tipped out at the six furlongs post. Red Kriss also seemed to hold a good chance when he ran up to the favourite three furlongs from home, but he failed to go on. Sfcrathglass was always handy, and ran a fair race, and so did Adjutor and Cliquot, but Mazama and Raconteur did Hot appear to be able to pace it with the leaders, and never looked dangerous. A SHORT-PRICED FAVOURITE. The imported colt Last Dart was elected a short-priced favourite for the Brighton Handicap, and although he won it was ' under strong pressure' when he came out to outstay and down Marmont, who had taken charge over three furlongs from home. Bon Skirl Tan a good -race, but Solferite and Brilliant Hope both failed to stay on after being prominent in the early stages of the race, and the same remark applies to Gqld Spinner and Obligio. BIRTHDAY HANDICAP TO PALESTRINA. The pen went through the names of Bonnie Winkie, Lady Blissful, and Coastguard for the Birthday Handicr/J. As soon as the betting opened Scion at once became a fairly pronounced favourite. Palestrina. was the only other to receive really solid support. Francaise soon assumed the role of pacemSker, and was joined by Boadicea, with the rest of the field in close order, Palestrina bringing up the rear. Boadicea was in front at the far turn, and led into the straight, where Palestrina arrived on the scene, and, finishing strongly, came on to win by almost three parts of a length. Scion was always well placed, but a bit wide all all through the race. He looked dangerous three furlongs from home, Kut was settled more by the sticky going than anything else. Kilfano ran a good race, as ho was always weir placed, but finally failed to stay on under his weight. Mantua, ran a.good race,'and so did San Salvador. Francaisc-found the distance, lipyoiid her tether. Boadicea stayed on better than generally, expected, and after disputing tliq leadership for tlie bulk'ot tlie . journey beat Cheni all but tho winner. Palestrina was staying on, ...and,, handling -the going better than anything, the "further they went ths farther she r.-ould have won

by.. Boadicea must be very dangerous over a shorter course at the meeting. THE STEEPLECHASE. The Otagb % Steeples was robbed of some interest by the withdrawal of Master Peter. Pamplona was regarded as the bet of the day, and with his stable mate, Galway, was always disputing the leadership, but there was not much.pace on. Mettle Drift's rider appeared to be courting trouble by pulling his horse about too much, and he found it at the socl wall, where he was bumped off. Whipcord found the leaders going along the back, whilst, touched in the wind. Ruddy Gold dropped away. The leaders presented a fine racing spectacle as they sailed over the post and rails and water jump, but then 'Whipcord dropped out, and although Galway led over the last fence his fellow standard-bearer came along and won handsomely. It was an interesting race,. and went to show that large fields are not necessary, to make a. good race. WELDONE'S WIN. Kerb, Laughing Eyes, and In the Pink were struck out of the Tradesmen's Handicap, in which The Harp was made a good favourite,-' with Bloom and Corn Rigs in close demand.l They got aiva| from a fair start, but Eatop Bells was a b.t slow on her legs. Bloom could not go with them, and had dropped' back last before Teaching the far turn. Racing1 past the three furlongs post, Corn Rigs, Avispado, and Eaton Bells were running in line in front of The Harp. Once in the straight Weldone came through, and, Wearing down the leaders, won by a short length from Avispado, who beat Bloom a short half-length. Bloom was badly placed in the first three furlongs, aiid then could not give away ground to those in front of him. Weldone, however, was never in the first four until he hit the straight. Corn Rigs, Bella Lake, and Eaton Bells failed to stay, | and The Harp was in practically the same position. . '. A DEAD HEAT. ' : As soon as the field settled down Sher. lock at once assumed the role of pacemaker in. the St. Clair Steeples, and went on well until he bashed into the first of the stand double. Kipling led along the back, and was joined by Cassells as they went round the top. Kipling and Cassells came over the last two jumps together, but on landing over the last jump the former pecked, and lost ground. A good race home saw the leaders flash past the post together, and the judge's verdict was a dead-heat. The pair were "out on their own," and finished about 20 lengths in front of the third horse. Sherlock was remounted and completed the course. A LONG NECK VICTORY. There was not much-in point of favouritism between Gamecock, Penury Rose, and Le Forte in I;he Jumpers' Flat. Bodyguard made the pace and led to the. straight from Matatua, and Le Forte. Once in line for home Le Foi'te1 and' Penury' Ro"se put in their claim, and in good finish Lo Porte staved off Penury Rose, and beat him by a long neck. Matatua finished a moderate third, just in front of Bodyguard-. A complaint was laid by the rider of Londonderry against the rider of Matatua for interference as they turned out of the straight. The stewards, after considering tho matter, did not think it necessary to inflict any punishment, as they considered any trouble that arose to be purely accidental: THE WINTER WELTER. Askari and Guncase were picked out as the best in the Winter Welter. They got away from-a fair line, except that Lady Blissful had to. stand up the others some ground. Valdamo soon became conspicuous from Guncase, Coastguard, and Osterman. Valdamo led on to the straight, but here Radial came on, and won by three parts of a length from Vice 'Royal, who just beat "Valdamo. Guncase was a good fourth, and then came Osterman and Golden King. Askari never got dangerous, and Valdamo, after I'ooMng a sure winner ■ a furlong from home, failed badly in the last bit qf his task. "~ The totalisator investments were i£36,556, compared with £32,782 for the first day last year. Details:— •Trial Hurdles, of 225 sovs; one mile and a half.—Captain Sarto, 11.2 (3?. Johnston), 1; Red Kriss, 10.5, 2; Strathglass, 10.6, 3. Also started: Mazama 12.3, 'Frisco Mail 10.9, Clicquot j 9.6, Raconteur 9.0, Adjutor 9.0. Time, 2min.;56 4-ss.ee. . \ Brighton Handicap, of 250 sovs; one mile.—Last Dart, 8.8 (Emerson), 1; Marmont, 8.8; 2; Bon Skirl, 7.7, 3. Also started: Solferite 9.0, Gold Spinner 8.5, Red Cherry 8.3, Boughleen Dhoun 7.12, Beau 7.11, Brilliant Hope 7.11, Obligio 7.10, Fabriano 7.7,. Time, lmin 45 l-ssec. Birthday Handicap, of 600 sovs; one mile and a half.—Palestrina, 9.0 (G. Young), 1; Boadicea, 8.6 (Emerson), 2; San Salvador, 7.0 (O'Connor), 3. Also started: Filfane 9.4, Scion 8.12, Mantua 7.13, Francaise 7.2, Kukume 7.0, Wapping 7.0. Time, 2min 41 4-ssec. Otago Steeples, of 750 sovs; about three miles.—Pamplona, 12.2 (A. E. Ellis), 1; Galway, 9.11 (Mackie), 2; Whipcord, 10.9 (Humphries), 3. Also started: Mettle Drift 10.4, Ruddy Gold 9.7. Time, 6min 32see. Tradesmen's' Handicap, of 350 sovs; six furlongs.—Weldone, 7.4 (F. Voight), 1; Avispado, 7.0, 2;' Bloom, 8.5, 3. Also started: Corn Rigs 3.3, The Harp 8.0, Eaton Bells 7.0, Bella Lake 7.0. Time, lmin 13sec. St. Clair Steeplechase, of 250 sovs; about two miles and a half. —Kipling, 9.7 (Corlett), and Cassells, 9.4 (Ellis), dead heat, 1; Taproot, 9.0, 3. Also, started: Flag Lieutenant 10.5, Malincourt 10.0, Sherlock 9.0, Rapid River 9.0. Time, 6min 34sec. . Jumpers' Flat, of 250 sovs; one mile and a quarter.—Le Forte, 8.4 (Humphries), 1; Penury Rose, 9.7, 2; Matatua, 9.10, 3. Also started: Gamecock 10.12, Londonderry 10.2, Bodyguard 9.8. Time, 2min 18 4-ssec. Winter Welter, of 350 sovs; one mile. —Radial, 9.6 (G. Young), 1; Vice-Royal, 8.3, 2; Valdamo, 8.8, 3. Also started: Guncpse 9.12, Vasilkov 8.12, Askari 8.12, Lady Blissful 8.8, Coastguard 8.3, Osterman 8.0, Golden King 8.0. Time, lmin. 44 3-ssec.