AT AWAPUNI

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 73, 27 March 1930, Page 7

AT AWAPUNI

SIRES' PRODUCE TO GESTURE

VERTIGERN'S GOLD CUP

(By Telegraph from "Vedette.") Those who looked forward to great races in the two classic events at Awapuni yesterday were disappointed. Certainly Gesture demonstrated her superiority amongst the two-year-olds in the Sires' Produce Stakes. Even though Cylinder lost his rider, early in the race, he would lave had a hard task to beat Gesture. She fairly cantered away over the last 50 yards to wiu pulling up. B. H. Morris gave her two or three kicks in the straight and that was all that was required to send her to the front of Hard Words. Although she had not had a race since January H. B. Lorigan had her in excellent order, and she should get some easy money in Sydney if the trip eventuates. The Gold Cup was one of the' worst races of a long list of unsatisfactory •weight-for-age events. The slow pace caused endless trouble in running, and 'Vertigern was a very lucky horse to win. linn over again at a sound pace the' result would have been different. The sprint event provided one of the greatest finishes seen on a course, and was a. triumph for the handicapper, Mr. J. E. Henrys. Seldom have so many horses been concerned in a close iinish, and the judge had an unenviable task. Considering the card on offer there was a disappointing attendance. The track was hard and last and a good fall of rain would have been appreciated. Tho totalisalor returns were £20,015, compared with ,£'_'l,7o2 last year. As anticipated, backers had a tough day. The winners of the two principal handicaps, The Swell and Consent, were rank outsiders, and apart from Gesture all the weli-backed horses came to grief. KARERE HURDLES. Red Fuchsia was a very decided favourite despite his big weight, Omeo being returned at decent odds, lied luehsia, .hed Bank, Omeo, and Airtight led to the first fence and lied Bank and Vivo led down the straight from Red Fuchsia, Oineo, and Diana's Lad, with Aurora Boreahs nest and Pine Acre last. There was little change right round to the three furlong post when Omeo and Diana's Lad moved up and Omeo just led Diana's Lad, Ked Bank, and Vivo at the last fence. Omeo, under pressure, came on to win by two lengths from Diana's Lad, who .beat. Vivo by three lengths. Red Fuchsia was halt a length back fourth and lied Bank, Airtight, and Aurora Borealis next. ' Omeo was under pressure hall a mile from home, and stayed on in great style. He is a promising jumper. Dianas Lad ran a really good race and finished well. Vivo showed plenty of dash and was m h galloping humour, lied Fuchsia was jusc beaten out of a place under Ins li.ii. Red Bank again failed to stay and the hard track settled both Aurora Boreahs and Fine Acre. Owing to L. Diilieu being indisposed no rider was available lor, ■Whenuanui, and he was withdrawn at the last minute. AUTUMN PLATE. Pedestal, Fitz Quex, and Ben Hur were the only ones backed to any degree. Kilhcrcw jumped out smartly from Ben Hur, Zephyrus, Fitz Quex, Star of Gold, l'ont dOr, and Rioghail. Ben Hur soon ran to the front and led down the back irom Zephyrus, Killigrew, Fitz Quex, Star of Gold Spearform, and Bon Acre. Ball Dress ran round her field approaching the turn, and at the straight entrance Ben Hur just led Zephyrus, Spearform, Ball Dress, and Fitz Quex. Ben Hur drew out in the run home to win comfortably by a Jength ;md a half from Ball Dress, who beat Pedestal by a neck. Spearform was fourth and Robbie's Mistake, Zephyrus, litz Quex, and Mount Shannon next. Ben Hur, jumping out smartly from .No. 1 position, had all the best of the running and won very comfortably. Ball Dress drew No. 19. Her effort was really good and she pleased by the way she ran on tor her inexperienced apprentice. Pedestal came from well back into third place and is undoubtedly improving. Ho should have at least been second. Zephyrus and Fitz Quex were always well up, but did not receive the best of passages. Both shaped fairly well. Mount Shannon was one of the last away and then reached a prominent place. Kobbie's. Mistake and Killigrew both ran well enough to be»membered. Spearform ran a very fair race. PRINCE OF WALES HANDICAP. Panther, Vali, and Full Feather were the favourites, but The Swell led the lield home, if only by a narrow margin, and returned a solid double-figure dividend. After a long delay at the barrier Silvermine led out from Vali, Ruamu, Juggle, Panther, Dolomite, and Ballooii, with Shrewd and Full Feather last. Juggle was in charge at the seven furlong post trom Silvermine, Panther, Vali, Dolomite, Ruanui, and Balloon. The Swell made a last move up the back and was in trout with Silvermine at the half mile, with Juggle, Dolomite, and Vali handy, and Panther, Balloon, and Kuanui next. Silvermine led The Swell into the straight, with Dolomite, Juggle, and Balloou on their heels, j and Ruanui, Vali, and Panther next. The! Swell held Silvermine in the run to the post with Vali putting in a great effort, Paitonu coming fast on the rails, _ and Merry Damon registering his finishing run. The Swell beat Silvermine by half a head, with Vali a head away third, a neck in front of Paitonu, with whom Ruanui and Merry Damon were almost level. Panther headed the rest. It was a great finish, and The Swell just outstayed Silvermine. Both registered creditable performances, but they were lucky to beat Vali, who received a bad passage and should have won. Paitonu received a very lucky run on the rails, but for which he would not have been in the first, half dozen. Merry Damon was too far back at the half mile, but finished at a great rate. Ruanui was not too lucky and Panther did not race generously. Full Feather was always in the rear. Balloon and Juggle dropped right out at Hie busi-ness-end of proceedings. I WOODHEY HACK HANDICAP. ! Cadland was backed dowu to a short ijftrice, with a fair measure of support for '^iuerelia and Just an Idea. Paiko, Cook.

Golden Shadow, and Austerity .began smartly, but Just an. Idea soon van to the front, and showed the way down the back from Patearoa and Cook, then coming Abbey Queen, Golden Shadow, Paiko, Caclland, and Winloch. Just an Idea and Patearoa turned for home ahead ol Cook, Golden- Shadow, Cadland, Austerity, and Lord Thomond. Goldeu Shadow and Patearoa had the measure of Just an Idea a furlong from home, with Golden Shadow doing best. Then Lord Ihomond camu through and won going away by three-quarters of a length from Golden Shadow, who beat Just an Idea by a. similar margin. Patoaform was tourtli, with Patearoa, Austerity, and Cadland U<Lord Thomond finished particularly well, and justified in some measure the good things broadcasted about him. His performance was impressive. ■ Golden Shadow also ran on well. Just an Idea was used up early to gain a position, and this may have told against him in the fanal pinch, for he was going easily in front at the turn Potoaform finished particularly well, and Patearoa ran a great race for five furlongs. Cadland ran a t al r race, with again the luck against him. Austerity showed up all the way. General Gas was cut out at the start, and Lucretia was not sighted. Cook shaped well to the turn. SIRES' PRODUCE STAKES. Gesture was at odds on, with Cylinder showing little better, tlie rest being uegleciud. Hard Words began best aim led from Sir Limond, Gesture, and Autouay Cylinder was running up wheu lie galloped on Jenny Diver's Heels and Stumbled, dropping Ms Pil? 4', Wiggins. Hard Words led avthe five furlongs Irom Autopay and Gesture, with Jenny Diver, Sir Lhnoud, and Lineage following at intervals. Hard Words led Sir Limond and Gesture at the half-mile, with Autopay and Jenny Diver some distance back. Gesture went past Sir Liuioud. racing tor the turn, and, "heading oft Hard Words half-way down the straight, she came on to win easily by two lengths. Jenny Diver was a length and a halt away third, with Sir Limond fourth and Lineage and Autopay following. ■ The mishap to Cylinder spoiled the race to some degree, but Gesture won so easily that it is doubtful if she would have been beaten anyway. Hard Words showed all his dash, although he went down cramped in his preliminary. Jenny Diver finished on. Sir Limond and Autopay showed some pace, but were outclassed at the finish. Lineage showed no pace at any part of the race. AWAPUNI GOLD CUP. Although Star Stranger was favourite, it was a great betting race, with My Own tho only real outsider. My Own set a slow pace down the straight from Historic and Eaglet, with Vertigern and Waterline next and Concentrate and Star Stranger at the tail of the iield. My Own was two lengths clear of Eaglet and Historic at the seven-furlong post, with Waterline and Vertigern a length away and Star Stranger, Rapier, and Concentrate following. Rapier went up and joined My Own five furlongs from home, .with Historic, Eaglet, and Vertigern following. Racing for the straight the field bunched, with Star Stranger last. Rapier, Vertigern, and Waterline turned for home just ahead of My Own and Historic, with Star Stranger, Eaglet, and Concentrate on their heels. Vertigern and Waterline disposed of Rapier, and Historic joined in the tussle, with Star Stranger making a desperate- effort to get through on the rails. Vertigern just beat Waterline by a head, with Historic half a length back third. My Own was fourth, just ahead of Star Stranger and Euglet, with Rapier well in front of the last horse; Concentrate. It was one of the worst races seen for some time, due to the muddling pace. The first furlong took losec, two furlongs 28sec, and five furlongs on a fast track lmin 6%see. As a. test the event was worthless, and .V.ertigcvn must be adjudged a lucky, winner. AVaterline finished well enough, but both he and Vertigern were fortunate in being well placed at the turn, where both Star Stranger and Concentrate were smothered in behind. Historic came through in the straight, to run a good third, and there was some merit in his effort. My Own and Rapier had every chance, especially Rapier. Eaglet had an indifferent run. Concentrate was badly galloped on, and his Sydney trip is doubtful. This accounted for his poor effort at the finish. - J. M. JOHNSTON MEMORIAL HANDICAP. The Raider was slightly better backed than Ceremony, but backers once again had a setback, for the dividend-payers, Consent and Dobbin, were at long prices. Richfield and Broad Acre were badly away from the barrier, and Malayan and The Raider shot oiit from Consent, Ceremony, Dobbin. Ridgemount, and Benzora. Malayan and The Raider led round the top from Consent, Dobbin, and Ceremony, wi,th Benzora and Ridgemount next, and Melissa heading the rest. Consent and Dobbin headed off the leaders when once the straight was reached, but it was a wonderful race, with about twelve horses spread across the course charging at the judge. Consent won by half a head from Dobbin, who beat Royal Duke by a head, with Ceremony, Benzora, and Ridgemunt only heads away, and Richfield, Llanore, Head Serang, Malayan, and Melissa right Consent, ridden right out, just won after a sterling performance, and Dobbin shaped really well. Royal Duko finished faster than cither, while if Benzora or Ridgemount had had an ounce of luck they would have been more troublesome. Ceremony possibly needed the race, but went well. Head Serang should soon do better. Malayan and The Raider showed some pace. TE MATAI HANDICAP. Palm was f, .cry hot favourite, with Royal Opera it a false price- Marica was first out, and led down the back from -A-ir Force, Latakia, Royal Opera, Belle Star, Pahu, and Mothplune moving up. Marica and Air Force were in charge at the half-mile from Royal Opera, Latakia, Tunbridge, and Pahu. Marica and Air Force turned for home ahead of Tunbridge, Royal Opera, Latakia, and Pahu. Pahhu came through at the turn, and Royal Opera strode to the front, the latter, ridden right out, beating Pahu by a length. Tunbridge was a length back third, with Latakia fourth and Mothplanc, Air Force,, and Belle Star next. . Royal Opera finished too well for lalui, -vho was not lucky on the turn. Tunbrid"e was well back early, and then ran round his field. His was a decent effort. Latakia had every chance. Mothplane was another to come from a long way back Belle Star was very unlucky, and if she had been able to get, through at the turn would have been hard to beat. Itcsulls :-- Karcre Hurdles Ilnmljnip. nf 2r.0 soys: ono mile and three-quarters—3 Onico, 0.0 (L. J. .TiUTis), 1; 5 Diana's Lad, 9.0. 2; 7 Vivo, O.li. ■! Also started: 1 Red Fuchsia 11.11, 4 Fine Aero 10.7, 8 Kcd Bank 0.3, 2 Aurora Bureaus 9.0, 0 Airtight 9.J. Time, Smin 11 2-ssee. Autumn Plate, of 130 soys; maiden conditions; special weights; seven furlongs.—2 lion Hur, 7.11 (E. Burgess), 1 : 8 Ball Dress. 6.12, 2; 1 Pedestal, 7.12, 3. Also started: 10 Adventus 7.11, in Ao Marama. 7.11, 19 Bou Acre 711 4 Gipsy Fate 7.11, 9 Jiu Jazz 7.11, 20 Killlgrew 7.11, 7 Mount Shannon 7.13, 13 Volnt dOr 8.3, 11 Robbie's Mistake 7.11, 17 Royal Mission 7.11, 5 Kioghail 7.11, 18 Spcarwood 711 10 Spearform 7.U, 3 Fitzquex 0.11, 1-1 Joio de Val 6.12, 9 Star of Gold 6.12, 0 Zepliyrus G. 12. Time, lmin 29 l-sscc. PRINCE OF WALES HANDICAP, of 400 sots ; nine furlongs. 10 R. Jolinson.'s b g The Swell, by Rangltiro—Tanglmoana, aged, 7.12 (R. Drinkwater) 1 7 A. Alexander's b g Sllvermine,-aged, 8.3 (L.-J. Ellis) 2 2 Colin \V. Anderson's b g Vali, 3yrs, 7.8, car. 7.10 (T. Green) 3 Also started: 4 Merry Damon 8.11, 5 Paitonu S.O, 3 Full Fentlier 8.4, 1 Panther 8.3, G Iluamil 8.2, 13 Speannlss 7.8, 9 Dolomite 7.0, S Balloon 7.1, .12 Shrewd 7.1, 11 Juggle 7.0. Time, lmin 54 l-usec. Woodhey Handicap, of 200 soys; hack conditions; six furlongs.—l Lord Thomond, 7.0 (W. ! Brougliton), l; 0 Golden Shadow, 7.8, 2; 3 Just an Idea, 7.7, 3. Also started: 5 Hurly liurly 8.9, 1 Cadland 8.9, 10 Austerity 8.6, 7 l'aiko. 7.10, 12 Abbey Queen. 7.5, 14 Potoaform 5.3, 3 Lucretia 7.7/9 General Gas 7.0, 11 Cook

7 11, 12 Leisure 7.0, 2 Patearoa 7.4, 15 Winloch 7.0, 17 Grand Jury 7.0, 15 Gueress 7.2%. Time, lmin 15sec. MANAWATU SIRES' PRODUCE STAKES, of 700 sots; second; horse 100 sots and third 50 soys from tho stake; nominator of siro of winner 75 soys, nominator sire of second horso 25 soys; for two-year-olds; special weights, with penalties and allowances; seven furlongs. I R.'j. Murphy's b r Gesture, by Chief Ruler —Xottawa, inc. 141b penalty, 8.11 18. H. Morris) /• * 3 F. Earl, X.C.'s b g Hard Words, by Diacquenod—Mazabuka, Inc. 51b pen., 8.5 (R. S. Bagby) J •••• - 0 J. S. M'Leod's b f Jenny Diver, by Lord (luex—Polly Peachum, 7.11 (T. Webster) '...-• 3 Also started: 2 Cylinder, 8.5, 4 Autopay S.O, 5 Sir Limond 8.0, 7 Lineago 7.11, car. 7.12. Time, lmin 27 3-ssec. AWAPUNI GOLD CUP, of 600 sots (including 100 sots gold cup; second horse 100 soys and third 50 sots from tho stake; weight for age; one mile and a quarter. 4 C Elgar's b g Vertigern, by Rossendale — Pansy, fiyrs (9.0 (A. K. Ellis) 1 6 Sir George Clifford's Ml! E Waterline, 3yrs, 5.4 (R. E. Coveuy) 5 V. Riddiford's eh g Historic, syrs, 9.2 (B. 11. Morris) 3 Also started: 7 Rapier 9.2, 1 Star Stranger 9.2, 2 Concentrate 0.0, 3 Eaglet 8.1, car. 5.2 ; b My Own 8.1. Time, 2min 8 2-ssec. J. M. JOHNSTON MEMORIAL HANDICAP, of 300 sots;, six furlongs. S T. A. Duncan's br s Consent, by Acre — Lucky, 4yrs, 8.5 (B. H. Morris) 1 II G. Johnston's eh g Dobbin, aged, 7.7, car. 7.4 (E. Burgess) - 9 It. J. Murphy's b g Royal Duke, 4yrs, 7.0, car. 7.10 (S. Wilson) o Also started: 2 Ceremony 9.0, 3 Benzora 5.9, 1 The Raider 8.9, 6 Richfield 8.3, 4 Ridgemount 5.2, 12 Keddar 7.3, 7 Head Serang 7.5, 13 Callanmore 7.7, 10 Malayan 7.7, 15 Melissa 7.2, 14 Broad Acre 7.0, 10 Cuticle 7.0, 17 Pass Book 7.2. Time, lmin 13sec. To Matal Handicap, of 200 sots; nine furlongs.—4 Royal Opera, 8.9 (A. E. Ellis), 1; 1 Pahu, 88, 2; 2 Tunbridge, 7.9, 3. Also started: 7 Kilorell 8.3, 5 Belle Star 8.3, 6 Airforce 7.13, 5 Latakia 7.12, 10 Limosa 7.2, 11 Marica 7.2, 8 Mothplane 7.0, 9 Myola 7.3%. Time, lmin 54 3-ssec.