MANAWATU MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 154, 27 December 1935, Page 4

MANAWATU MEETING

OUTSIDERS' OPEN EVENTS

INCREASED INVESTMENTS

[ (Special from "Rangatira.")PALMERSTON N., This Day^ After p. threatening morning the weather was fine and sultry for the opening day of the Manawatu Racing Club's Summer Meeting at Awapuni yester- . day. There was not much sunshine, but the temperature was very pleasant and1 there was very little wind. It was an ideal day for enjoyable racing, and the fare provided was always of a high standard. The course was ,in great order, with the grass still very green. A large and enthusiastic attendance was attracted to the meeting, and the totalisator returns were always ahead of last year's figures. The investments for the day amounted to £25,227, as against £21,626 10s on the corresponding day last year, an increase of £3600 . 10S. .■•■,:■.-. The Manawatu Cup, which drew one ' of the best-class fields in recent years, provided a surprise result, the winner turning up in the rank outsider Hunting Cat,,who had done his pre- ' vious racing among the hacks. Hunt-: • mg Cat came at the right end, but • Werohia, whom he beat byjhree-quar- > ters of a length, was probably unlucky m being asked to do so much and then , being only, narrowly defeated. The " Fitzherbert Handicap also provided a big surprise when the little-fancied Land Tax came home at the head of the field, her price being half as large again as Hunting Cat returned. In the other open event, the Grandstand Handicap, Passion .Fruit gave favourite supporters another reverse. The favourites had a mixed innings, but they started the day well with two " successes, and Laughing Lass was also a favourite. Trentham stables scored - two victories with Red Sun and Acceptable, the other horses from the centre, excepting Jewish "Lad, being disappointing. . Alter the Tararua Hack Handicap Confiscation, who had finished third, weighed in 21b light, and she was disquafifted for the placing, which went ' to Chaste. Ah inquiry. 'was called, but • the stewards were unable to discover who .was responsible-for the mistake. In other inquiries F. Thompson was warned for careless riding ;on Wyrt- , dale in the Tokomaru Highweight Handicap, interfering with horses outside him in the straight; and Dawning Light's running wide in the Nursery Handicap was also investigated, the • • verdict being that the evidence apparently did not place any blame on , 'the rider. \ : .