TUNBRIDGE IN FORM

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 11, 13 July 1931, Page 6

TUNBRIDGE IN FORM

OUTSTAYS ROYAL' MINT

Iheie was verj neaily a big suipiise 111 the sVittona. HutSle Handicap, for Royal Mint, who was having his fiist laco over the fences and also his fiist start for neaily twche months, essajed to go out m fiont and stay theie all the way, and ivas fi ustratcd in his gamble only by the better 'staying ability of TunL-idge, who has been iacing 111 good foim foi some months Tunbridge was a good thing beaten m tho Hawkes Bay Huidles last Satmday week, but lie went moie generously on the bigger Trentham course. Whereas at Histings he fought with his. rider and ian out -very wide, on Saturday he did not show this fault. His fencing is much impiovcd, and he looks like turning out a vciy Übcful huidlrr. ', , < Rojal Mml, Callapah md Com met led caiiy m tho race iiom Llandiidno, &tagIniiitoi, 'lunbiid^c, Laudmaik, Okapua, and Unnco, but Timbiidgc, Landmailv, and Uuoco impio>ed wilh fast mns alou,; the back, and weie ne\t behind Rojal Mint and Callapat at the half-mile. Laudtnark tipped out .it the a second-to-last fence, and Royal Mmt a'pproaehed the final obstacle* hotly pursued by Tunbridge. and Unoco, with Callapat also there, but weakening. Once over, Timbiidgc cune at the leader, and although tho lattei hung on tenaciously, Tunbridge outstayed him and won by a good hali-length. Urioco was third two lengths tuither back, and Callapat was a poor fourth. Okapua, Llaududno, and Nassock were best of the lest.

, Tunbridge was third favourite, and paid a rather betfer dividend than might have been expected. He'is in great form now, and as he has acquired confidence in fencing he should soon be found playing a conspicuous part in-open company. Royal Mint's showing was" surprisingly good, but he. was in going that he has. .always liCcd, and ho may not do so well on a firmer track. ' Unoco is worth remembering, and js a distinct prospect for a 'race at the meeting. Landmark was going particularly well when he fell, and with a standup would -probably. , have been in -the money. Staghuhter , fell at the final fence, but he was tiring at the time. Callamarfc was all at sea ia the mud. Llan'dudno went only a fair race.

SECOND FOR STABLE

PRINCE YAL'S ' STEWARDS-

To bring two horses to the meeting and to win with both, of them on the opening day was tho enviable experience of the Matamata owner-trainer, Mr. J. Clothjcr. After Lord Val had outclassed his opponents in the hack six furlongs, ho produced Prince Val,'a1 year older son o£ Valkyriiin, in the Stewards' Handicap, the open sprint ovent, and this representative was just as easily the victor as his team-mate had been. ■' Both horses 'won at the Great Northern'Meeting'at their last starts, and in tho form they arc in at present they should not be forgotten in the immediate future. A. E. Ellis had both the mounts--. In the race everything except Royal Game appeared to get away well, and Fitzquex, Portray, Coon Song, Prmce Val, Royal Finance, and Moa. Bird were among those early conspicuous. As they crossed over on to the course proper Fitzquex, on the rail, .was tho leader from Prince Vsvl, Portray, and Inevitable, but Prince Val soon took the measure of the loader, and, although determinedly challenged by Inevitable from the distance, Was never in any danger of defeat, and ran home a convincing, victor by three lengths. Fitzquex was six lengths behind Inevitable in third place, and Royal Finance was a poor fourth, with Head Serang finishing on well next. After a gap came Royal Saxon, Coon Song, Royal Game, Moa Bird, Tobaccoland, and Manawhenua, with Portray last. Prince Val was second favourite, but was at a fair price- owing to the strong supportl accorded Tobaccoland. The litter, was the disappointment of the race. Ho was-never in, the hunt, and his poor showing after his j'ccenfc fine galloping and on a track to suit him was not easy to understand.' Tho ouly reasonable explanation can be that ho is not yet equal to the best open class. ; Still, ho may not be very long in making amends. Inevitable went another fine race, but again he had to be satisfied 'with second- place. Fitzquex should bo improved with the run, which was the first he had had since Easter. Royal Finance, for her size, carried her weight well. Head Sevang is coming backto form. Royal Saxon and Manawhenua did not race up to expectation.