A CLEAR-CUT VICTORY

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 9, 10 July 1935, Page 8

A CLEAR-CUT VICTORY

HORdWHENUA WINS, WHYTE

So even appeared the issue in the Whyte Handicap, yesterday's principal fiat I'iftsin, -that one ' would not -.'• have cared* to -forecast the.,iavourite, but it was certainly in the .nature of the unexpected .to: find Horowhenua safely ensconced, in that position on both machines' when the betting' ceased. And, as with Prince Acrefci the open sprint .earlier, in1 the day, the public were very decidedly on the mark, for Horowhenua. scored one of the easiest of recent wins in the race. Though favourite, howeveo, Horowhenua was at a remarkable win price, probably the-best, favourite.-return for. many years on any .course in the Dominion.

Hprpwhenua's victory was clear cut. He was again attractively handled by his;recent Auckland rider, the Awapuni apprentice J. Mclnally, another of R. E. Hatch's proteges, who kept him running smoothly during the first two-thirds of the race in a clear space over near the rail, then sent him along with his claim at the right moment as some of the leading horses had begun to drop back beaten just after entering the head of the straight. Curie momentarily went with him, pvet near the fence, but the fight was short-lived, and Horowhenua slipped away in the last furlong to score by three lengths. : ■•-.." The expectation of Horowhenua's many '• supporters. was based on his good win in the mile York' Handicap on the final day at Ellerslie last month. During the spring months" he was in solid winning form, and it is now evident that he has returned to that form, or even better. A four-year-old chestnut gelding by Acre from the Sylvia Park mare Country Picnic, he is a full-brother to Manawhenua and a half-brother to Taneriri, . Hoariri, and-Wild Country, all good winter performers, and, as they were, he is owned and trained, by his breeder, H. Rama, who is now settled at Riccartoh. Taneriri wag twice second in the Whyte Handicap, so' it is fitting that Horowhenua should now have gone the necessary point better. Horowhenua's record to date consists of nine wins and four minor placings in 39 starts, with stake-earnings' amounting to exactly £1100, of which £843 has been won this season.,,,

1 Curie ;also put'tip a fine'performance, especially for^a horse attempting to stage a come-back in top'flat company. He-was always ithird; or fourth in the running, and for a moment in the straight it looked; as if he might continue on to notch his second Whyte success, but' the winner proved to have too much in reserve for him at the difference in-their weights. ' On this showing he will have to be reckonedwith on the next two days of the meeting, and his owner-trainer (W. M. McKinnon) t may now: be regretting that he: did -not enter him" for the Winter, Cup. ;'..''. . , ■'.'■'■'.

Lord Val came on'the scene over the closing;stages and just managed toget into'the. dividends a. length and a half behind Curie. He drew . wide and was poorly placed in the early part: but he was sweeping: round the field on the quarters of Lapel, who was making a ■ similar movement, as they were' 'swinging into the straight,.. and, missing—some trouble- that occurred' half-way down the stretch, he finally just- cut Boi;doir'.:<iut v of third money. Boudoir!. rushing lip j-vjast in 'the, straight and crowding thi*- horses behind the leaders, looked for a'mqment like playing a part-in the finish, but she-had expended her energy in that short dash and was unable even to keep a placing. The horse she most seriously checked was Lapel, who was making a steady and sustained run 'at the time and might have been, second at least if Boudoir had not effectually chopped him out. As it was he was finishing on fast again when clear in fifth place at the post, and he must be accounted the nfost unlucky horse in the race. - '.' ~ Another horse who came on the scene late and was doing good, work at the end was Korero,who on this effort may be a prospect for tomorrow's Parliamentary if he is- an/ . acceptor. • Mercian Prince,1 a' very wellbacked runner, was also some way back early but he was up with Korero at the close, so he too should bear watching if he steps out in the liamentary. „ ~.. , Glenvane and Lady Ronald, - who finished next, were always fairly .well up in the running without improving. Pladie was third to the straight, but he then "began to fall back and was one of those involved in the trouble half-way down the stretch. Miss Hushabye and Wino, the leaders into the straight, tired one after the other, but 'they should be improved with the race. -Wast Tor and Water Power were .the nearest of the remainder at the post. ■ . , ■ The great disappointment was Croupier, who was almost as well supported as-the winner but who proved a complete failure, tie began well ifrom a wide draw, but simply dropped back and back as the .field went along and was one of the last horses to finish. As this was the fourth time in succession ho has so failed, after, galloping brilliantly in private- it-would sepm that he. must have turned sour uncV?r colours. None of the unmentioned runners ever came into any real prominence.: After the race an inquiry was opened into-the interference met with by Lapel and other horses in the straight, and it was adjourned till tomorrow.