SILVERMINE SUCCEEDS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 63, 16 March 1931, Page 4

SILVERMINE SUCCEEDS

SURPRISE IN THOMPSON

WHY LAUGHING . PRINCE - LOST

■ Silvermine provided a severe reverse for investors when he won the Thompson Handicap, the big-miler at Trontham . on Saturday, narrowly from the topiveight, Laughing Prince. He had been doing brilliant track work before lie left Hawera, but he made a poor showing in a trial with 1 Eaglet at Trentham on Friday, and as a result was left out of calculations by the general public. However, Silvermine was probably very lucky to win, for Laughing Prince would almost certainly have beaten him had he not made" his'TUn so" soon. L. G. Morris snatched at an opening just after the field had entered the straight, and, with a phenomenal run, he had Laughing Prince in front at the distance; but the effort was expended before the post was reached, - and Silvermine, always going smoothly, worked along the rail to the lead again, in the final strides. It eoiild hardly have been an error of jiitfginenfon the part of so capable a, rider as Morris, and the likeliest explanation is that the opening he was waiting for came to him too soon. He had to take it, else risk being effectively shut in by the seven or eight horses still in front of him at the time. Without detracting from the merit of Silvermine's win, otherwise" than by stating that it was probably a stroke o£ fortune that enabled' Him" to lead the topweight home, it must be added that he owed something of his success also to the excellent handling of his rider, A. E. Ellis. Ellis moved him out very smartly from number nine berth, and was able to take him over on the rail before the field had gone far. Thereafter he had him always well placed^ and he. kepi.him.clear oFany'trouble. 'Had Ellis made but a single mistake, Silvermine would not have won. In the race, the first to break the line •were Arrow Lad, Silvermine, Laughing Prince, Monalof, Eaglet, and Paganelli, but Pakitere quickly raced to the front, and, passing the five furlongs, was leading Refresher, Silvermine, Paganelli, Arrow Lad, Eaglet, Royal Parade, Historic, and Laughing Prince. Pakitere still had charge as they swung into the straight, with, Refresher, Silvermine, Paganelli, Arrow Lnd, Historic, Eaglet, My Own, and Laughing Prince her nearest attendants. Laughing Prince made a phenomenal run through just beyond the false rail, and was in command at the distance, but then he began to weaken under his big weight, and Silvermine, pressed-for a final efforts gamely responded, and managed to forge along the rail to the lead again and win by half a head. Arrow Lad was a length back third, with. Mount Boa finishing fast into fourth place. Next were Historic, Eaglet, Refresher, Pakitere, Paganelli, Black Duke, and Monalof. Eaglet, who was more than twice, as well backed as any other horse in the race, was rather disappointing, for she never at any stage raised much hope in her array of supporters. She did not suffer in the dispatch, and was in front of Laughing Prince most of the way, but she did not infuse any dash into her work when it waß expected she would be doing her best. Paganelli, the second choice, was slow away, and the rush he made for position early left him without energy at the end. He finished very weakly, but had he been allowed to race along more easily over the first few furlongs he might have done better. Arrow Lad was responsible for an excellent effort, and so'was Mount Boa; both will be .dangerous;if ."started .to-mor-row. Historic, Refresher, and' Pakitere all went fair .races. ■..Monalof, a. recently promoted hack, finished strongly, and is likely to improve during the next few weeks. The performances of the others were not impressive.