AT WANGANUI

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 57, 17 September 1928, Page 7

AT WANGANUI

ECLIPSE STAKES TO LAUGHING PRINCE ROYAL GAME WINS HIGGIE HANDICAP (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post,") WANGANUI, 15th September. •\ deluge of rain in the early hours of Saturday made matters look anything but bright for the concluding day o£ the Wauganui Jockey Club's Meeting. Luckily it cleared off, and, although a couple of ]ight showers fell during the day, it did not interfere with a day of great racing. Naturally the track was soft, but it was not bad. The sum of £26,494 passed through the totalisator, representing a decline of £563 compared with the corresponding day last year. The Judicial Committee held an inquiry into thu running of Valkon in the Marangai Handicap on the first day, and after hearing 1 evidence of A. E. Cox, trainer, E A. Keesing, jockey, and W. Harper, father of I. G. Harper, the owner, who was not present on the first day, the committee were of opinion that the horse Valkon was not run on its merits, and that Cox and Keesing both had been .guilty of corrupt practice. Both were disqiiaiiiied for twelve months. Jhe owner (P. G. Harper) was exonerated from any complicity in the matter. Two events on to-day's card which were of particular interest were the Debutante Stakes and the New Zealand Eclipse Stakes. The former attracted a big field of very promising looking youngsters, who on breeding and appearances would be hard to beat anywhere. The Debutante Stakes was instituted iv 1919, and it has been contested since then by a number of horses which have taken high rank among performers in the Dominion-. ; The Eclipse Stakes made its first appearance on tlie programme in 1920, and the quality of tlie contestants has always been of.the best. In this connection to-day's field was exceptionally good, and the keenest intevest, was taken iv the meeting at weight-for-age of such great gallopers as Keremoann, The Hawk, King Lv, Mask, Kiosk, and Laughing Priiiee, not to;mention the thvee-yuar-olds engaged. Trespass -won the Eclipse Stakes the first year (1920), Amythas won in 1921, Trespass again in 1922, Razzlc Dazzle scored iv 1923, Royal Divorce in 192-1, Nigger Minstrel the next year, Reremoana in 1920, and Laughing Prince last year. Both Reremoana and Laughing Prince were in to-day's field, and the description of the race elsewhere will show how they fared. DEBUTANTE STAKES. The fifteen acceptors all lined up for the Debutante Stakes. Franeolin was made ■ good favourite, being entrusted with £*)9, with Clever £401 next in demand, and of the others Speed Light £29G 10s was most fancied. J'Yancolin drew the rails and was first to begin from' a fairly even start. C'ourtlike was in second position when they had settled down, with Coon Song and Clever together next. Crossing the top Francolin had Roman Lake as her nearest attendant, with Coon Song, Clever, and Speed .Light following in that ordoi*. As they tiintcil foot-, home VYancolin and Courtlike were together just ahcud of Coon Song and Speed.Light. At the distance I'Vancoliu was in ■ front, but Speed Light challenged and the pair fought out a great finish, Speed Light getting the verdict by a. short head from Francolin, who beat Courtlike by a length and a half. Clever was fourth, Courtlike fifth, and Cuellona next. Speed Light showed all the family speed and Courage. She began well but did not conic round the home turn at all well, running wide and losing ground, but her final effort was indeed impressive. Franeolin had every chance. She drew No. 1 at the barrier, a big advantage from that starting post. She also began very smartly and had a clear lead when the field had settled • down, so altogether Francolin's effort was somewhat disappointing. Courtlike surprised all. She began quickly and throughout the race was going practically as well as Francolin, so on this showing Courtlike looks certain to win races. Clever drew the unlucky 13 at the barrier, a big handicap on the course. She showed a lot of pace to secure a good position in the first couple of furlongs, but like some of the others she did not handle the turn well, but was running on at the finish. Whatever chance Modestrian and Roman Lake may have had waß extinguished by their failure to begin. GONVILLE HURDLES. There were nine starters in the Oonville Hurdles, Cohesion and Beaumont being equally backed. The most fancied of the others were Brigadier Bill and Vexatious. Beaumont led over the first obstacle from Whisogne, Troilus, Cohesion and Olympic. As ( they raced through the. straight, Whisogne was piloting the field, followed by Brigadier Bill, Olympic, Troihis, Vexatious, Cohesion and Polyphemus in that order. Going down the 6aek, Troilus and Beaumont were together, followed by Cohesion and Brigadier Bill, who were racing abreast. Crowing the top Troilus was in command, with Beaumont next, and then came Cohesion, Polyphemus, Whisogno and Vexatious. As they entered the straight the order was Troilus, Polyphemus, Beaumont, and Vexatious. In the run home Polyphemus caught the leader, and went on to win by a neck from Vexations, tho latter beating Troilus by four lengths. Beaumont vas fourth. Cohesion next, and then came Olympic, Kilburn, and Wliisogne. Polyphemus ran a fair race on Thursday, but his effort to-day was much better. There was merit in his performance, as lie came from a long way back. Vexatious was the unlucky runner, as when going particularly well five furlongs from the finish, the beaten Whisogne came back on to her. This caused Vexatious to lose at least a couple of lengths, and as she was only beaten by a short neck, the incident was unfortunate for her hackers. Troilus was rushed up to the lead very fast, but even then was disputing the lead at the last fence. Beaumont went well for half the journey. SPRING HACK HANDICAP. Rash and Black Maire were withdrawn from the Spring Hack Handicap, leaving ■thirteen starters. The most fancied were Te Atiawa, Desert Lad, Banket, and Dermod. When the barrier went up Upoko was left, Desert Lad being quickest to begin, with Banket and Cashier next. When they had settled down Banket was in front- from Cashier, Desert Lad, Callanmore, Monsogne, Denier, and Te Atiawa. As they entered the straight Jjimkflt wa» showing just in front, from Beset* Lad, jfith - psshie? skse ujv md

i Denier, Skypoiut, and Callanmore at the head of the others. Desert Lad van into the lead, at the distance, but was tackled by Cashier, and the pair fought out a groat finish, flashing past the post locked together, the judge declaring it ;i dead heat. Callanmore was throe lengths away, third, and then came Banket, JEonsognc, Maricii, and Denier. Desert. Lad, improved slightly on his good showing'of the opening day, and | finished well under punishment. lie will ido well this season. Cashier auain showed great courage, and In: finished belter than any of his opponents. -Judged on his two races at Wanganui, Cashier will win over :i longer course when more sea- | soncd. Callanmore docs not now begin as quickly as.of yore, but is staying on bettor. Banket showed plenty of bpced,

but tired. Dermod was well supported, but owing to his rider getting some dirt iv an eye the gelding was hampered. ECLIPSE STAKES. The nine acceptors all lined up lor the New .Zealand Eclipse Stakes, Laughing Prince, £852%, being most in dcinaiid.and of the others Reremoana .C7BSMi, Kiosk £521, aud King Lv £440 Ms were the most fancied. From an even start King Lv was quickest into his stride1, followed by Laughing Priuce and Kiosk. As they entered tho back stretch Kiosk was iv charge from King Lv, with Tlie Hawk, Lucky Light, Mask, . Reremoana, and Laughing Prince following in that order. Crossing tho top Lucky Light led from Kiosk, and then came Mask, Reremoana, Tho Hawk, and Laughing- Prince. Entering the straight Kiosk was just in front of Lucky Light, and then came Reremoana, Tlie Hawk, and Mask, with Laughing Prince moving up next. Kiosk was galloping in fine stylo at the head 01. affairs at . the distance, ' but Laughing Prince came with a line run, and an exeit--1 i'lg finish resulted in favour of Laughing Prmeeby half a head from Kiosk, with Mask a short neck a way, third. King Lv and Reremoana were close to the placed horses, and then came Staghunter, Lucky Light, and The Hawk. Laughing Prince repeated his performance of last year in the same wee. There was a good 'deal of merit in to-diiy-s performance, as he gave Kiosk a fair start over the last couple of furlongs. Kiosk ran a surprisingly good/race, and considering his leg trouble, his ■ performance was full of merit. Mask registered a feat that few thought him capable of over such a short course. Ho was always close to the leaders, but covered more ground than any of the opponents. Rercmioanu could not show his best in the soft going, but Kins: Lv galloped up to his best form. RAILWAY HACK. Singleton was installed favourite for the Railway Hack, being entrusted with £lvio more than Holus Bolus, wh'u was second choice, while Vigilance was almost, as well supported as Holus Bolus. When the tapes rope Green Acre began smartly to lead Vigiliance, Avoncourt, Bas'kicr, and Holus Bolus.over.the eitrly stages. Racing to the straight, Green Acre was,still galloping weir in the lead, being followed by Vigilance, Holus Bolus, and' Singleton, lv the, run down tho straight Green Aero struggled on gamely, but Singleton finished too well and beat her by half a nock; while Lucy Rose, coming with a great run, got within a head of Green Acre, and the unlucky Soveua was literally /lying in fourth place. Singleton began much better in this i event than was the case on Thursday, and < finishing in good style won nicely from Green Acre. Green Acre went a surprising good race, aud only weakened over the last couple of chains. Her connections were unlucky in having to meet such a well-seasoned performer as Singleton.

Lucy Rose-began reasonably well, but her rider allowed her to loaf during the middle stages of the race, and she was asked to make up too much ground at the finish. Sovena lost a dozen lengths at the start, but finished at a great vale.