AT OTAKI

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 130, 6 June 1927, Page 7

AT OTAKI

SHINING ARMOUR'S DOUBLE

IiOYAL GAME WINS TAIPUA

HANDICAP

Beautiful weather again favoured the Otaki Maori Racing Club for the concluding day of its winter meeting on Saturday, ihoiigh not f aa large aa that of the holiday, tho attendance was a good one, aud oiu enjoyable day's racing was witnessed. On the whole, form worked out well, three of the first day's winners leading their respective fields home after spectacular racing. Mister Gamp came from a long way back to score in the Ohau Handicap, and registered his second win of the meeting, and Shining Armour fully justified his selection by punters by winning the principal handicap in irreproachable style. The third horse to bring oif a double was Royal Game, who was well backed in the Taipua Handicap after his decisive win on the first day. There were two inquiries during the day, the first being into the mishap which caused the fall of Lady Passenger and Vexatious in the hurdle race. The rider oE Lady Passenger, H. Godfrey, received a slight neck injury and was taken to hospital. The stewards found that the occurrence was purely accidental. The second inquiry investigated a protest against Essential being placed first in the concluding event. S. Anderson, rider of Essential, was found guilty of interference with Romantic, who finished, second, and the two placings were reversed, Anderson bein^ also suspended for a. month. The totalisator figures for the day showed a decrease, and absorbed the £000 increase recorded on Friday, the decrease for the meeting being £20-13. The figures last year were £44,021. PUKEHOU HURDLES. Looking well, Peshwa, with fair form at tlio recent meetings at Hawkes Bay and Hanganui «s a recommendation, was the elect of backers for the Pukehou Hurdles. He was well placed all the way, and was disputing the lead at the final jump, but did not fence as well as Gauntlet. Although Peshwa finished the best, he could not quite reach Gauntlet. Gauntlet went an excellent race on Friday, but on the second day his effort was even better, as ho was always one of the leaders, jumping well and finishing most generously under pressure. Up to the point of hef falling, Lady Passenger lacked her good showing of the previous day. Alaric ran a very fair race, and is worth remembering for near events. Considering it was his initial effort over hurdles, Hymestrason gave a really good display, going to the lead almost from barrier rise, and leading till the final obstacle, at which he blundered and lost his rider. On the showing, Hymestrason may yet retrieve himself. TAINUI HACK. On her excellent showing on Friday Lady Cynthia was backed with confidence for the Tainui Hack. She again ran well, but over the last furlong had no chance with the Taranaki-owned Toapaiti, who raced in something like his true form, and in marked contrast to that of the previous day. Break o' Day was expected to do well, but failed badly, but Tauagra ran well, and with age will pay his way. Carngallen, as usual, showed speed for a thort distance. Tl TIMI KARA MEMORIAL HANDICAP. Backers preferred the chance of Tresliam for the chief handicap, but Shining Armour again hud a. big following. Pulling very hard over the first seven furlongs, Shihiit" Armour was just in behind the leaders, and he was taken to the lead before reaching the straight, where his superior condition, plus vigorous riding, stood in his favour. He ran on too well for the opposition. Merry Damon was differently ridden to-day, being always one of the leaders. He had Shining Armour doing his best over the last furlong, but on the day was not good enough. Tresham ran aii excellent race, but although he finished gamely, he was not doing quite as well as the winner over the last couple of chains. Merry Day came from some distance back to iinish just behind the stake earners. JJevis was one of the leaders racing into the straight, but theu failed to come on. RANGIURU HANDICAP. _ On the opening day Kilmezzo was raced iv the six-furlong event, but on Saturday he was saddled up for the mile and fifty-' Jive yards of the Eangiuru Hack. Going to the lead early, Kilraezzo ran out the distance really well, but had nothing in reserve when the post was reached. Merle, who was noticed finishing nicely the first day, improved considerably on the showing to finish a close second, while Closefire and Mountain Jean again produced consistent form to fill minor places, but the favourite, Highway, failed badly. TAIPUA HANDICAP. ' By carrying 8.5 to victory in the Taipua .Handicap, Royal Game proved that his first day's win was not. a fluke. His win-! nnig margin in the event on Saturday was .only a-neck,-butit could hay« been greater

had not his rider taken matters somewhat easy, thus allowing Kaiti to almost get on terms. The latter finished really well to cut Mirensonta out of second place, Deluce again went a fair race and was just behind the performers mentioned. OHAU HACK HANDICAP. Avro was looked on by many as practically unbeatable for the Ohau Hack. He had every chance, being well placed all the way, and with a good lead in the straight he looked a certainty. Avro responded well in trying to stall off an electrifying ran by Mister Gamp, but was just beaten. With five fuvlongs to go Mister Gamp was a bad last of a strung-^ut field, and was giving-' Avro quite a dozen lengths' start, so that the merit of his performance can be seen. Tanagra and Calhma again ran excellent races, but the well-backed Oratrix never looked to have a winning chance. WAIKANAE SCURRY. For the Waikanae Scurry, Romantic was backed as if a certainty for the event. He | began well, but at the end of a furlong suffered through Essential coming over too quickly. The incident cost Romantic quite | four lengths, and as he again got within a neck of Essential crossing the line, it would appear that the judicial committee were acting justly in taking first place from Essential and placing Romantic in that position. Tavneterangi was also unlucky in the running, and as he was within a length of the winner, it is possible he may have won had no interference taken place. Hodren ran a fair race, and Star Chamber showed some speed for a few furlongs. CONCLUDING EVENTS. I In the Taipua Handicap Mireusonta was first out, but Deluge soon took charge and led Kaiti, Mireusonta, Buoyant, Ladyfingers, Kilperon, and Royal Game up the back. At the half-mile post, Buoyant was just in front of Mireusonta, with Kaiti, Kilperon, and Royal Game following. Three furlongs from home jUireusonta went to the front again, with Buoyant, Royal trame; and Kaiti his nearest attendants Mireusonta was just in front of Royal Uaine- at the ■ home turn, with Kilperon, Buoyant, and Deluge next. In a good finish Royal Game ■ beat Kaiti by a neck, Mircusonta being third, one and a half '■ lengths away. Deluge was another length back fourth, with Riverna next. When the topes rose in the Ohau Hack. Handicap, Avro immediately went to the iront from Calluna, Tanagra, Inoe, aud Aloepai. Racing up the back, the order was Avro, Calhma, Bonny Marion, Tanaera, Moepai, and Paitonu, with Mister (-.amp last. At the half-mile post Avro was just in front of Calluna, with Bonnie Marion and Tanagra close up, and Joyeuse and Paitonu heading the others. "Racing •to the home turn there was little betweeu Avi-o and Calluna, which pair were followed by Bonnie . Marion and Tauagra. Once in a line for'" the post, Avro looked like winning, but Mister Gamp, coming with a great run, got up to win by half a head from Avro. Tanagra was three I lengths away third, with Calluna a close-.' i fourth, followed by Oratrix, who headed a big bunch. The early running .in the Waikanae Hack Scurry was made by Romantic, who led Star Chamber, Essential, Hodren, and Tnmeterangi.' After a short distance, Star Chamber took up the lead from Essential, [ Romantic, Tameterangi, and Claveas. Raci ing into the straight, Star Chamber was m front from Essential and Romantic. Essential was actually the first to turn for home, just in front of Romantic and Tameterangi. . Over the last furlong Romantic challenged strongly, but Essential ran on well and won by a neck from Romantic, who beat Tameterangi by three-quarters ot a length. Hodren was three lengths away fourth. As the result of interference at the half-mile post the judge's decision was reversed. Romantic being placed first, and Essential second. S Anderson; rider of Essential, was suspended for a month. Results :— Pukehon Hack Hurdle Handicap, of in(t sovsouo milo and a half.—3 Gauntlet. 10.8 (F. CorAlso started: 4 Lady Passenger 11.1, 2 Vexa--8 Attractive 9.1, 7 Hymestrason 0.0: Time, 3min 1 sec. Tatnul Hack Handicap, of 120 soys; six furr US t S,r T 7T 1 0, Hp? itl- Tl° <P- Adl!"n>. 1: 1 lady Cynthia 7.12, 2; 9 Tanagra, 7.5, 3. Also started: 3 Carrigallen 8.6, 2 Break o' Day 8.1, 5 Coot 7.10, 11 Butterscotch 7.3, 8 Arrow ho} 7.9, 6 Polonaise 7.0, 10 Bonnie Marion 7.6 4 TanKcrim 7:6, 12 Hyama 7.3. Time, lmiu 19 4-ssec. TA TIMI KARA MEMORIAL STAKES HANDICAP, of 300 sots; nino furlongs. 2 Russell Grace's b g Shining Armour, ny Groyspear—Sunglow, fiyrs, 8.4 (J. S. Potter) . j 3 Mrs. E. Hall's or g Merry Damon, 4y7s" 5.7 (E. Manson) 2 1 J. A. Taylor's br g Tresham, syrs, 8.8 (J. Barry) .., 3 Also started: i Rouex 7.10, 6 Merry Day 7.8, 7 Bovis 7.6. 11 Lady Anslruthcr 7.6 10 Modern 7.2, 13 Pop Off 7.0, 9 Road Hog 7.0, 12 Captain Gazeley 7.10, 14 Othon 7.0, 8 Miss Hupana 7.0, 5 Matinw 7.10V4. Time, lmln 59 3-ssec.

Rancluru Hack Handicap, of 120 sots; one nii;o ai .55 yards.—3 Kllmezzo, 8.2 (S. Ander-

eon), I; « Sferlo, S.O, '2; 2 CJoseflre, "it 3 Also started: 9 Twlnk 8.3, i Acred B.S, 8 Hcnni 7.10, 1 Highway 7.«, 5 Sir Moment 7.0 7 iioun tain Jean 7.1, 10 Gourmet 7.3. Time, lmin 52see. Taipua Handicap, of 200 sots; sue furlones 2 Eoyal Game. 8.2 (V. Carroll), 1; 6 Kaiti, 8-3 2; 4 Mireusonta. 8.13,. 3. Also started: 1 Deluge 8.6, 5 Buoyant 8.1, S Papaponga 7.10, 3 Ladyangers 7.4. 9 Miss Hupana 7.2, 7 Kilperon 7.2, 11 Biverna 7.0, 10 Our Jack 7 0 Time, lmin 18 3-sscc.' Ohau Hack Handicap, of 130 soys; scTen furlongs.— l sas»er Gamp, 8.13 (J. Barry). 1; 1 Avro, 8.13, 2; 6 Tanagra, 8.0, 3. Also i started: 5 Paitonu 10.5, 3 Calluna 9.1, 8 lnoe S.B, 7 Jloepal 8.7. 2 Oratrlx 8.6, 10 Molto 8.1, 9 joyeiiso S.I, 11 Bonnie Marlon 8.10. Time, lmin 33 2-ssec. Waiitanae Hack Scurry; welght-for-age; five furlongs.—l Romantic, 9.0 (L. G. Morris), 1; 2 Kssentla.l, 9.0, 2; 5 Tameteranei, 8.11, 3. Also started: 7 Ciavers 8.12, S Star Chamber 8.12, !i Borselene S.ll, 6 Hodren 8.11, Golden Prospect 8.2, 5 Littlo Queen 5.9. Time, lmin (j 2-55ec.