AT TE RAPA

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 4 May 1926, Page 5

AT TE RAPA

TOP WEIGHTS' DAY

.WINNING FORM GOOD TO FOLLOW.

(By Talegraph.^-From "Vedette.")

The,Waikato Racing Club's Autumn Meeting was concluded yesterday in practically fine. weather, one or two very light showers of rain not being sufficient to cause discomfort to anybody. There had been some very heavy rain over the .week-end, however, so that the track was decidedly holding in places, but provided perfectly safe going. The attendance was quite good. The totalisator handled £27,393 10s, making a total of £57,231 for the. meeting, an increase of £3252 over last year's investments. : A remarkable,' if not quite unique, happening 'was the success of every topwctfrht, sir winners' carrying No. 1 saddlecloth, and in the other two races the topheight in the book" having been withdrawn No. 2 proved a very reliable deputy. As a natural corollary the first day's winners were well to the fore, Ned Kelly, True Blood, Ruapapa, Serang, and Tuki all- scoring again, while King Smock implied ;fr6m 'second placing to - ifirst. Backers' thus had a very simple ''system, and there is no doubt that King Merv and King Smock in the last two events owed a .good deal. of support to the successes of top-weights in the earlier races. There was an inquiry into interference by Macrooni with True Blood in the Eureka. Handicap, and;, -into interference by Bright Day with Gold Jacket in the Te-Rapa Handicap, but no action was taken. It was shown that W. S. Bagby on Bright Day lost an iron, thus losing control of his mount temporarily. RAGLAN HURDLES. Kendal, Knighthood, and the Hokioi- ; Wedding March", bracket Carried the bulk jof money. Hokjoi led to the first fence ifrom Greekson;'and passing the stands they,were still in front, followed by Pendennis, Star of the East, Penniless, Kendal, and Knighthood. The two last-named closed up going down the back, and two i.fences from home Hokioi led Knjghthood, Kendal, Star of the East, and IPendennie; and Kendal just led Knighthood ;at the last fence, with Pendennis ; handy, Kendal staying on best to beat Knighthood by two lengths. Pendennis was two lengths away third, with Hokioi fourth, and Star of the East, Greekson, and Penniless last. Kendal was well suited by the going, and stayed on too well for Knighthood, who ran an improved race. Pendennis was) 'a good' third, without ■■ being really dangerous. Hokioi failed to see out the •journey, but was going strong at a mile ' and a half. Star of the East lost a winning chance by faulty jumping; Greekson also* was not too sure at his fences. Knighthood and Kendal should be . worth keeping in mind for the winter racing. OHINEWAI HANDICAP. Queen Comet, and Cocoanut were fairly ■ evenly backed, with Ned Kelly a sound \ «econd choice. .Praiseworthy, Ned Kelly, •'and Te Kawana began best, but Ned . Kelly_ soon opened up a big break from .Xu'cy:,.GKtt'efsf 'Te*. Kawana, and ": Red Comet, the field being strung out for about half a furlong. Ned Kelly won pu/liag. up.-bjr about Eix lengths. There was a good race for second place, Queen Comet coming through to beat Star Comet,■■•who also finished well, by a length. Westslip was fourth and Te Kawana, Royal Flight, and Scot Free next. . ' , So far as the winner was concerned it was not a race. Ned Kelly, who is described as a gelding 'by Quin. Abbey, from a Bona Fide mare, is a compact gelding, who looks capable of much better. thing 3 ; in, soft ground. Queen Comet!,stayedon .well, and Star Comet alsccame on full of running. Both are by Day Comet", whoso stock" seem to go well in the mud. Royal Flight, a three-year-old by Swift Flight from Newland, looks a likely, improver. Cocoanut again failed. \ . .•- EUREKA HANDICAP. True Blood was a very hot favourite, with Value and Macroom fairly well backed. Value received "all the best of the start and: led out from Maeroom and True Blood, with Lunette lest. The order across the top was Value, Macroom. Miss Sphinx, and Some Lad, True Blood having beeri'-squeezed back to last. True Blood made a run'a.t. the-turn, and settled Value at the distance,' but had to be kicked ou£ to beat Macroom by a length. Value was four lengths away third, with Some Lad and Miss Sphinx next. True Blood,is ,a very useful two-year-old, and although' lie did not handle the go- - ing over well was a class above his opponents. True Blood resembles his dam, ! Bonny Helen, his sire being Archery. Macroom, who is a useful filly by Archiestown from Gwendoline, is a fair galloper. Value stopped rather badly at the end. TE RAPA HANDICAP. Hipo was a hot favourite, with Princess Ronnie, Town Bank, and Tall Timber best backed of the others. Gala Day, Town Bank, King Lv, Hipo, Tall Timber, Muscari, and Tinoppno led past the seven-fur-long post, with Doleful Ditty last and Barometer falling back. Gala Day and Tall Timber led across the top from Town Bank, Matinee, Muscari, Hipo, and King Lv, with Doleful Ditty last. At the turn Tall Timber, Matinee, Town Bank, Hipp,

Ruapapa, and Bright Day were almost in line. Ruapapa came away a furlong from home, where Charlady, Barometer, Bright I Day, King Lv, and Lord Star were all making good efforts. Although Charlady linished fast, she failed to reach Ruapapa by a good head, with Bright Day a neck away third. King Lv was fourth and Barometer, Lord Star, and Gold Jacket all well up. Euapapa won in great style with his 8.13 up, but probably he was lucky that Charlady, Barometer, and Bright Day were not better placed early. This applied particularly to Barometer, who made up a good deal of ground over the last two furlongs. King Lv stayed on best o£ those prominent in the early stages, Gala Day, Hipo, and Town Bank all failing badly at the end. Doleful Ditty, who looked big, raced well enough to be kept in mind for a welter, possibly at the Great Northern Meeting. TE RORE HACK HANDICAP. Serang was backed1 down to a very short price, with New Moon the only one of the others backed to any extent. Constellation was actually the first to break the line, and with Te Koroke led down the back from Serang, Quincardia, Quinsilia, and Zanna. Constellation and Te Koroke led Serang at the turn, with New Moon and Maveelish handy. Serang gathered in Constellation with ease in the run to the post, and won very comfortably by half a length from Constellation. Te Koroke was three lengths away third, with Ohinemuri fourth and Maveelish, New Moon, and Quinvardia next. Serang, who is now almost a class three-year-old, simply played with this field and won with ridiculous ease. He has now won five out of his last six races, and his last four on end. Constellation ran his best race for some time, and with Te Koroke, the Humbug—Tigritiya three-year-old, was always well clear of the main body. Ohinemuri, Maveelish, and New Moon went fair races. I HUNTLY STEEPLECHASE. Tuki was a good favourite, with Pittsworth best backed of the others. Poter Maxwell led down the straight from luki, Peter Amarie, and Pittsworth, with Glenotus last. Peter S.mans came to grief at the fifth fence, the first solid one, it being logs against the first, four simple brush obstacles. Tuki had taken charge at the stands the nest time from Pittsworth, Peter Maxwell, and Glenotus. Peter Maxwell lagged behind going into the back straight, where Pittsworth and Glenotus went in pursuit of Tuki. Tuki and Pittsworth were practically on terms at the last fence, but hi :ttie run in Tuki stayed on best and beat Pittsworth by three-quar-ters of a length. Glenotus was a. hundred yards away third, with Veter Maxwell almost in line with him. Tuki stayed" on easily: best, but unfortunately pulled-up showing signs of lameness. Pittsworth was; the: soundest of the four to finish, and-should be very fit by the time of the Northern- Meeting. Glenotus went, a fair race. Peter, Maxwell appeared to cover' a • good: deal more than the' advertised distance of the race, and at some stages :he:and /his' rider did not appear-to be of the same mind. He should be.kept well in,omnd. for events ahead. FLYING HANDICAP. The Polyphemus-Killocra bracket was backed as if unbeatable, with some support for Merry Damon and King Merv. Kingfield and Heisler began best and led Loch Abbey, Gold ,Rain, Bright Knight, and Merry Damon, with Polyphemus in the middle of the field and Killocra nearly last. Kingfield led across the top and into the straight from Heisler, Billikins, Merry Damon, and Master O'Rorke. Kingfield hung on well, and Merry Damon and Billikins threatened danger, but King Merv came with a great ruu to beat Kingfield by a length. Merry Damon was a length away third, with Billikins fourth, Dayguard fifth, and Heisler and Master O'Rorke next. ',' King Merv was responsible for a great performance, for he drew No. 16 at the barrier, and was well back m the early stages. He finished at a great rate and passed the opposition as if they were anchored. Kingfield is a useful galloper, who stayed on better than was expected, and Merry DamOn ran a very solid race. Heisler found-the long straight too much for him..: MasterI'O'Rorke and Day Guard were both finishing on. Killocra and Polyphemus .were never possibilities at any stage. ..-.. RANGIRIRI HANDICAP. King Smock wag 'always-, favourite, but a solid run oh - Golden' Krist made him second choice, with: plenty pf support for Wenday. Ripon Abbey began very smartly and led down the back, from Rarangi, Hangawera, King Smock, and Pcgaway. Ripon Abbey was still in • charge passing the half-mile post from Rangatahi, King Smock, West Abbey, Golden. Krist, and Quincoma. At the' turn Ripon Abbey, King SmockV West Abbey, and Wiltshire were practically pn terms. Wenday came fast in the straight, ana when he joined King Sinotk the pair drew away, King Smock beating Wenday by a neck. Quincoma was three lengths away third, with Wiltshire fourth and Rangatahi, Rarangi, and West: Abbey next. King Smock appeared to go out to meet Wenday over the last half-furlong, and there was a protest, but the. judge's placings were not altered. Wenday finished on from a good way back. Quincoma and Wiltshire both went very fair races, but Golden Krist was never prominent. Pegaway and Ripon Abbey , faded out rather badly over the last two furlongs. Results;— . Raglan Hurdles Handicap, of 200 soys; one mile and three-quarters.—l Kendal, 9.d, 1; 2 Knighthood, 9.2, 2 ! 6 Fendennis, 9.5, 3. Scratched: Peter Rosa nnd Ahurlrl. Time, 3mln 22 Ohinewai Handicap, of 150 soys; six furlongs.—3 Ned Kelly, 8.5, 1; 1 Queen Comet, 8 3 2; 7 Star Comet, 7.11, 3. ■ Scratched: Last Watch, Hilmar, Miss Comet, Taurlmu. Time, lmln 17 2-ssec. . . . Eureka Handicap, or 150 soys; six furlongs.— 1 True Blood, 8.12, 1; 3 Macroom, 7.2, 2; 2 Value, 8.6, 3. Scratched: Miss Joyce. Time, lmln 18 2-ssec.. Te Rana Handicap, of 500 sots; one mile.—-S Ruapapa, 8.13,-1; 3 Charlady, 7.0, 2; 10 Bright Day, 7.3, 3. Scratched: Eh Timi, King Smock, New Moon. Time, lmin 43 2-ssec. v To Rore Handicap, of 150 sots; seven furlongs.—l Serang,'B.l2, 1;..5 Constellation, 7.6, ;• 7Te Koroke, 7.2, 3. Scratched: Genetra. Time, lmin 30 2-ssec. Huntly Steeplechase Handicap, of 250 soys; - about three miles.—l Tuld, 11.6, 1; 2 Pittevvorth, 10.1, 2; 5 Glenotus, 11.4, 3. bcratched Sea De'il. Time, 6mln 23sec. Flying Handicap, of 300 soys; six furlongs -3 King Merr. 8.12, 1; 9 Kingfield, 7.0, 2; 2 Merry Damon, 8.1, 3: Scratched: Merry Jest, Archeen. Time, lmin 17 l-ssec. Rangirlrl Handicap, of 150 soys; one mile.— 1 King Smock, 9.5, 1; 3 Wenday 1.12, 2; 6 Quincoma, 8.1, 3. Scratched: p t Timi, Maveelish, Royal Archer, Zanna, Red Comet. Time, lmin 45sec.