NOTES ON RACING DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 128, 1 June 1935, Page 11

NOTES ON RACING

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB

(Special from "Rangatira.")

All eight acceptors went to the post in the Tararua Hack Hurdles, but after the second fence only half the field was left standing. Diamond Gold, the favourite, hit and toppled over the first fence, and Arctic Star crashed over him, and at the next fence Affliction came down, bringing Count Willonyx also to grief. Minos was left in charge, but Esteem ran past her going to the back, with Air Laddie in close pursuit and Salt Spray tailed off. Esteem was not going too generously, and Air Laddie, taking over more than half a mile from home,-ran in a comfortable winner by . two lengths. Salt Spray was a poor third, twelve lengths off, with Minos as far away again. None of the riders or horses was injured.

Sporting Song, backed down to a short price, duly materialised in the Kuku Maiden Flat Race after looking like a winner all the way. Night Lass was actually the first to begin, but Sporting Song ran up to the lead at the end of a furlong, with Meritor and Entheos on'his quarters, and Popette, Terry, Kia Tina, Count Roussillon, and Night Lass following next. With Meritor running wide, and Entheos beginning to tire as they turned for home, Sporting Song was left clear in front. He was not troubled, and went on and won by a length from Popette, who just kept second money from Eka Tere, finishing fast along the rail. Terry was right up fourth, with Garter Red, Entheos, Count Roussillon, Earl Colossus, and The Image next. Night Lass drifted back and back all the way, and was one of the last to finish.

Acceptable was the favourite for the ■Wfaitohu Hack Handicap, but was only a'' little better supported than Gold Mission and Debut. He was a big disappointment again, and seems to have lost the apparent solidity he developed in the autumn. He and Debut made the running to the straight, clear of Gold Mission and Merry Ruler, but Acceptable was a beaten. horse as soon as they were lined for home, and Debut, leading over the^ final half-furlong, failed by three-quarters of a length to stave off Gold Mission, who ran on solidly, if without particular brilliance. Two lengths back Merry Ruler was third after a slow beginning, with Acceptable a poor fifths It was Gold Mission's sixth recent win.

Favourite backers had a setback when Might failed to gain a dividend in the Raukawa Cup. With Might awkwardly placed on the outside of a bunched field passing through the straight Wilson decided to make an early run up to the leader, Trishna, going into the back, and a little further on Walton Park also moved up fast. Might took charge with over half a mile to go, with Walton Park passing Trishna and with the rest of the field still closely bunched just behind. Might fought on gallantly in the straight, but his early effort gradually took its toll and Walton Park wore him down to win by a neck from Lapel, who was finishing the best of any of them another neck in front of Might. Had the race been a few yards further Lapel would have been the winners Davistock was right up fourth, with Lady Ronald and Gainsfid handy, and Trishna beaten off..