MALAHAT AND CHOPIN

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 81, 6 April 1932, Page 6

MALAHAT AND CHOPIN

How difficult form is to follow has been given further example by the recent meetings of Malahat and Chopin at Tauherenikau "and at Hastings respectively. Judged through their Wairarapa showings one would,have expected Malahat to account for Chopin last Saturday, but the latter won well and the former could do no better than third, over a length from the winner. In-the Easter Handicap, one and a quarter miles, at Tauherenikau, Malahat and Chopin were both on 7.7, and Malahat started with' 7.4, 31b of an available 51b apprentice allowance having been claimed. Malahat was slow in getting going and after being last to the straight finished on well into second place. Chopin was the leader at, the straight entrance, but badly, weakened into sixth place at the finish. iJOnAihe-second day in the Autumn Handicap, ,nine furlongs and SO yards, Malahat was weighted at 8.4 and Chopin at 7.6. On this occasion Chopin, ridden by Malahat's first-day pilot (G. Gomm), claimed an allowance, and his ■Height at starting was reduced to 7.2V4. Malahat was,made full-üße of, and after, following PaganelH to the straight then cutting him down,; finally just succumbed to a late run from Foghorn. Chopin this time canie from well back along tho fence, for third money just behind Malahat. Though many considered that Chopin got up in time for- the second dividend, Malahht's supporters would have.been most unlucky to 'have-lost all their investment. On Saturday at Hastings, in the Hawkes Bay Cup, one and a quarter m;lcs, Malahat had 8.5 to carry and Chopin 7.13, and. no allowances were claimable. One would have thought that Malahat must at least have beaten Chppin again. However, ridde.n,.at the back as oni-'thfe first,day at. Wairarapa, lie could not get within a length of him at'the finish, though -lift was then going much the better of the pair. The apparent reason is that Malar hat's rider made an error iri judgment in n6t 'coming sooner, but iKen Malaliat Ms' a ,horse that does not go generously i£ hustled along !tob soon: • '- I Their next •meeting will probably be at Hawkes Bay again on .Saturday) where,over another mile and a quarter, Chopitj has ~ B.G -and Malahat '. again 8.5. •At half ,a "stone terms than last Saturday^ it may now prove Malahat's-turn" as between them.- There is_ also 'a like pound between their weights' .at a- loweii point in. the handicap- in the Masterton Gold pup, to-be decided'next week,'and again the handicap (without" possible ie-, handicap) would appear'to favour'Malahat. • ' , "