TENTERDEN'S STAKES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 92, 20 April 1931, Page 4

TENTERDEN'S STAKES

A CONVINCING VICTORY

Tenterden demonstrated how true his Tauherenikau form was when he scored a. most convincing victory in the Hawkes Bay Stakes. Within the distance it looked for a moment that Simba was going to close on him, but B. H. Morris had only'to touch him and he drew away again from the challenger. His success was the third- in succession for Wairarapa winners, and was the second in succession for his stable, as Eichborough, his two-year-old full-brother, had just previously lead the Nursery field home. After the race he was decorated with the blue ribbon that is attached to the race. The start was by flag, and Simba obtained the best of it. However, when the iield settled down Gallant Fox had charge from Tenterden, Simba, Chrysology, White Squall, Oratorian, Lady .Quex, and Kahikatoa. There was little change at the straight entrance, but Gallant Fox- -was weakening' slightly at the false" rail, where Tenterden ran to the lead. Over the final furlong Simba lodged a strong challenge, but Tenterden held him off by a length and a half, with Lady Quex coming down the outside to oust Gallant Fox in the last strides from third place another length away. Next after Gallant Fox were Chrysology, Kahikatoa, Oratorian, and White Squall. Lady Quex was made a much better favourite than Simba or Tenterden, but on the day she .was no match for them. Her effort under the full penalty was a creditable one, but it" would appear that she has passed her peak form at present, for •within the week prior to Saturday she had failed twice at Avondale. Simba made a bold bid for the honours in the straight, and the manner in which he flashod tip when asked to go after the leader illustrates how much he has improved during .the last six weeks. Gallant Fox was easily the best of the two-year-old division, for even after being headed off he hung on desperately and, lost a deserved share of the prize-money only at the post. Had he been started in the two-year-old race he would probably have fully extended Richborough. Supremacy did not make the trip south owing to a change of intention pn the' part of hia connections, and he was scratched for the race at 7.45 on Friday evening.