A SENSATIONAL RACE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 128, 1 June 1936, Page 13

A SENSATIONAL RACE

GREAT NORTHERN HURDLES PRINCE OF ORANGE LUCKY (Special from "Early Bird.") AUCKLAND, May 30. Probably the rrpst remarkable and sensational race ever seen at Ellerslie was witnessed this afternoon in the Great Northern Hurdles, which pro- : duced a formidable casualty list. Thej contest was a chapter of accidents, with | only six out of the thirteen starters' finishing; but the real climax came at j the final hurdle, where Clarion Call, holding a lead of almost a hundred 1 yards, blundered and lost his rider, C. I Thomson, who made a desperate effort!; to regain his seat, but failed. Thomson tried to remount Clarion Call, and had he succeeded/he would have been second, but this effort was also doomed to failure. The whole field took the first hurdle , splendidly, and everything was all right over the next two obstacles, but at the fourth, near the three furlongs post, Count Roussillon pecked and threw his rider, and The Smuggler, just behind, was nearly down. The last ; obstacle in the first round was safely negotiated. There was dire tragedy at the next hurdle, opposite the judge's box. Here Clarion Call, who wa# putting up a ; very dashing exhibition of fast jump- i ing, was slightly in front of Scotch Nation, and W. Rennie, the latter's ■ jockey, drove his mount hard at the fence to take off simultaneously. Clarion Call flew the obstacle, but Scotch : Nation was still rising when he smashed through the top panel and ; landed over with a swinging near fet- , lock, Rennie falling off lightly when the horse pulled up. Benighted, coming from just behind, collided with Scotch Nation and knocked him over, and then Master Musk came down over the pair. It was a regular mix-up here : and it was remarkable that other : horses behind kept .out of trouble. Contact was up handy early, but he was being eased along the back and he fell at the hurdle near the five furlongs post, At this point Clarion Call was well out, some fifteen lengths from Jolly Beggar, who had left the bunch, while Prince of Orange was toiling along further back, and The Smuggler was beginning to run past Thespis and Wee Pat. At the penultimate fence Clarion Call was still going strong fifteen lengths clear of Jolly Beggar, and there was another sensation when the latter, who was well sighted at the hurdle, scarcely rose at all and crashed right through to smash the fence and fall heavily. , So Prince of Orange, by a process of elimination, was now second, and Clarion Call had nearly a hundred yards' advantage running to -the final I fence. Here the leader, doubtlessly tired after setting such a warm pace, bungled the hurdle and dropped his rider, and, then Prince of Orange came home an easy»first and paying a dividend of nearly a score. J?he Smuggler was second several lengths away, with Royal Limond finishing fast less than a length back. Then came .Wee Pat. King's Archer, and Thespis at good intervals. So ended the most remarkable hurdle-race ever seen at Ellerslie. The owifefof Clarion Call was uninrkv in many respects, for with the disqualification of Pukeko and his (A. Jenkins) in the opening event he was left without his usual pilot. and the Manawatu horseman C. Thomson was substituted at the last moment. This was a big handicap, especially in the case of such a brilliant fencer as Clarion Call who certainly should have won. Scotch Nation was dispatched a couple of minutes after the field had returned to the birdcage. ONE WHETU AGAIN ELLERSLIE'S OPENING DAY (By Telegraph) (Special from "Early Bird.") AUCKLAND, May 30. iwisiViAns were numerous on the open* infday of The Auckland Racing Club's wintpp Meeting at Ellerslie today* and thfarea? Northern Hurdles was a sensational race. As | re sult °* in this event the liders rj. j.riuu (Benighted), R* Beale (J oily Beggar), C Carroll (Contact), and A. McGregor (Master Musk) were injured, although not seriously. Prince of Orange, desofte the fact that he would have been a long way back second if Clarion Call had not fallen at the last fence reduced Mister Gamp's prevTous tfme recdrd for the race from 4min 49sec to 4min 41sec. The weather and track conditions have never been more favourable for a winter meeting at Ellerslie, and it is probaWe that &e hurdles time will stand for many years. There was an excellent attendance, and the turn over of £44,251 was a good one, as last year, when £48,283 10s was handled, the day was the King s Birthday holiday. A FINE F.INISH. A fine finish in the first division of the Jervois Handicap saw Hunting Mars defeat Queen Nona and Matoru, with Dark Shadow right up fourth. Pukeko was first out, but Hunting Mars soon ran round to take the lead, being accompanied by Dark Shadow to the turn, where Pukeko had gone right back to fourth last. The winners effort was a good one. Dark Shadow was made a lot of use of. Pukeko finished fifth, ahead of Sebrof, Mustang, Wotan, and Chief Lap. Allegretto, hard held in or near the lead up to two fences from home, defeated Diamond after they rose at the last fence together. Petrarch went a fair race, and so did Electric Flash, who ran surprisingly well. Allegretto put up a good performance under difficulties and confirmed the good impression he created at Te Rapa. Diamond went a fine race in attempting to cont cede the winner 291b, but this was impossible, for his conqueror is out of the ordinary. CONSISTENCY REWARDED. High Tea's consistency' was rewarded' when he finished strongly on the inside of Black Thread to beat him by a neck in the second division of the Jervois Handicap. Johnny Walls and Landlubber were in front when they had settled down but they faded badly. Valmint, the favourite, looked likely at the half-distance, but lack of a race probably told its tale. Johnny Walls was fourth, and Mangukaha, Landlubber. Mainland, and Cyllaros followed. Curlew and Kanapa both paid solid dividends when, they ran first and second in the Penrose Hurdles. Teddy Boy, Salt Spray, and Modern Maid set a warm pace for Curlew, but at the last fence Curlew and. Salt Spray (who fell here) were together, well clear of Teddy Boy, Modern Maid, and Kanapa. With Salt Spray's falling . Ourlew was left for an easy win over-Kanapa and Teddy Boy. The winner is a much-improved sort, and so is Katiapa. Teddy Boy went well for a novice and should win at the meeting. Salt Spray would have been second had he stood up. CON FUOCO UNLUCKY. The Cornwall Handicap was a [ scrambling race and half the field was out of it after going round the first bend out of the straight. Pakanui • sprinted to the front early and led . down the back from Scotland, Knight of Australia, King Rey, and One . Whetu. The field bunched making for . the home turn, where Tooley Street, Gay Rose, Te Hai, Royal Appellant, ■ and Korero had run up handy to the . leading quintet. In a splendid finish One Whefu came through to score in solid fashion from Pakanui, who hung on to hold off Con Fuoco and Mungatoon, with a bunch comprising Gay Rose, Scotland. Tooley Street, Sea Fox, Arawa Rose, Te Hai, and Korero following. None of those outside the early leaders had any chance. Con Fuoco (who came from a very long • way back) and Gay Rose did best of ■ the early rear division, and the former i was the unlucky horse of the picce. I Tooley Street covered a lot of ground s and may win at the meeting. Korero was never well placed from the start, i Pakanui ran a surprisingly good race 1 and fought on solidly. Mungatoon was , closer at the finish than at any part ; of the contest. There was a lot of ■ jostling in the first furlong. Illurninagh was well ridden to win

the Hunt Club Hurdles. He and Tangled sorted themselves out in the final round and they had the race to themselves, Illuminagh staying on the better. High Quality was a fair third, and Irish Comet and Cometra were next. All except the dividend payers were not at all well handled. Illuminagh and Tangled should make it interesting in the Hunt Cup contest on Wednesday. . Dollar Bill finished very strongly in , the Members' Handicap to snatch victory from Adalene and Alby, with Puss < Moth right up and Mungacre, Galilee, i Enge, and Namakia all handy. Adalene ( and Puss Moth were ahead of Dollar Bill and a bunch comprising Dollar j Bill, Gold Mission, Prince Acre, and • Galilee at the home turn, and a thrill- 1 ing finish was provided. Alby came j with a good late run and might have won with a little further to go. Dollar Bill drew the extreme outside at the . barrier, but there was so much tangling prior to the start that the official draw was practically useless ! and many horses started from close in ■ instead of right out. The winner, how- J ever, was in great fettle and fifty yards • from the post he appeared beaten, a last-minute dash giving him victory. ! Adalene had every chance, jumping . out with a clear two lengths' advan- ; tage and only weakening on the post. ' RESULTS IN DETAIL. ' Jervois Handicap, £275; 7 furlongs.—First j Division; 2 Hunting Mars, 8.1 (Goulsbro'), 1: ] 8 Queen Nona, 8.7 (McKenzie), 2; 5 Matoru, 7.11 (McTavish), 3. Also started: 1 Pukeko 0.5, 3 Sebrof 9.3. 12 Black Man 8.13, 4 Wotan 8.9, 10 KUladar 8.3, 7 Mustang 8.1, 15 Golden Sceptre 7.13, 13 Tall Light 7.6, car. 7.7, 6 Dark Shadow 7.1, car. 7.2, 11 Chief Lap 7.0, car. 7.3, 12 Impellant 7.0, car. I.V/s, 9 Le Chasseur 7.0 car. 7.4%, 14 Miss Hornet 7.0, car. 7.0%, 16 Solas 7.0, car. T.l, li Strathiro 7.0, car. 7.1. Neck; head. Time, lrniri 26 2-ssec. Grocnlano Steeplechase Handicap, £275; about 2'/a miles.—l Allegretto, 9.3 (McLaughlin), 1; 2 Diamond. 11.0 (Rennle), 2; 3 Petrarch, 10.6 (McDonald), 3. Also -started: 6 Town Beauty 0.2, 4 The HUier 9.0, 7 Ardmanning 9.0, G Indiscretion 9.0, car. 9.9. 8 Electric Flash 9.0, 9 Ruling Kiug 9.0. Two lengths and a halt; four lengths. Time, saiiu 2scc. Jervois Handicap, £2*5; 7 furlongs.—Second Division: 1 High Tea, 7.13 (Goldfinch), 1; 2 Black Thread. 8.8 (Goulsbro'), 2; 1 Valmlnt, 8.9, car. 8.4 (Walsh), 3. Also started: 13 Loomblnation 9.3, 15 Respectful 8.12, 11 Mancukaba 8.7, 8 Glenavon 8.0, car. 7.11, 5 Lionheart 7.13, 12 Bellbroncy 7.11, 7 Armacourt 7.11, 6 Enlightenment 7.8, 3 Landlubber 7.2, car. 7 4%, 14 Cyllaros 7.0, car. 7.2%, 10 Hawthorn 7.0, car. 7.1, 16 Johnny Walls 7.0, car. 7.7, 9 Mainland 7.0, car. 7.3%, 17 Morning , Sun 7,0, car. 7.3. Neck; half a length. Time, lmin 2G 2-ssee. Penrose Hurdle Handicap, £275: 1% miles.— 5 Curlew, 9.0, car. 9.2 (Muir), 1; 9 Kanapa, i 9.0, car. 9.4 (J. Smith), 2; 4 Teddy Boy, 9.0 (Williams), 3. Also started: S Salt Spray 10.12, 1 Modern Maid 10.12, 2 Sporting Song 9.9, 6 Spalpiko 9.4, car. 9.5%, 8 Chief Emerald 9.0, 7 United 9.0. Five lengths; three lengths. Timo, 3min 12 3-sscc. GItEAT NORTHERN ItCBDLE RACE HANDICAP, £1000: 2% miles. 10 Princo of Orange. 9.4 (Gilmer) 1 3 The Smuggler, 8.13 (Cooper) 2 12 Royal Limond, 10.1 (Rldgway) 3 Also started: 7 King's Archer 11.4, 1 Jolly jteggar 10.7, 9 Thespis 10.7, 6 Master Musk 10.4, 8 Weo Pat 10.3, 2 Scotch Nation 10.1, 6 Contact 9.9, 4 Clarion Call 9.7, 11 Bonlghted 9.0, 13 Count Itoussillon 9.0. Six lengths; two lengths. Time, 4mln 41soc, a race record. CORNWALL HANDICAP, £500 J 1% miles, 1 Ono Whetu, 8.10 (A. E, Elite) J C Pakanul, 8.0 (Goulsbro') 2 0 Con I'uoco, 7.0, car. 7.3 (P. Fearn) .. 3 Also started: 14 King Key 9.0, 3 Boyal Appellant 8.12, 10 Mungatoqn 8.6, 2 Horowhenua 8.4 and Toolcy Street 7.1 (bracketed), 7 Gay Iloso 8.4, 4 Knight of Australia 7.13, 15 Scotland 7.11, 8 Crooning 7.9, 16 Delrain 7.9, car. 7.11, 5 Korero 7.8, 11 Sea I'ox 7.5, 17 Arawa Rose 7.0, 13 Te Hal 7.0, car. 7.1, 12 Keith Lu 7.0, car. 7.5%. Three-quarters of .1 length; neck. Time, 2min Osec, a race record. Hunt Club nurdlcs Handicap, £273; 2 miles. —1 Illuminagh, 9.9 (McKae), 1; 2 Tangled, 9.0 (C. Thomson), 2; 9 High Quality, 9.0 car. 9.7 (Sharkey), 3. Also started: 3 Cometra 9.10, n Orenda 9.4, 6 Bells of Bow 9.1, 10 Irish Comet 9.1, 7 Friendly Boy 9.0, 8 Royal Toast 9.0, 4 Dark Princess 9.0, car. 9.1% (fell). Two lengths; live lengths. Time, 3min 43 3-5 see. Members' Handicap, £350; 0 furlongs.—7 Dollar Bill, 7.5 (Messervy), 1; 13 Adalene, 7.10 (Long), 2; 19 Alby, 7.0 (Dornan), 3. Also started: 2 Rereatil 10.1, 12 Namakia 9.1, 4 Galileo 8.10, 8 Gold Mlsslini 8.6, 5 Enge 8.4, car. '8.1, 10 Velocipede 8.2,: 14 Greek Gold 8.0, 3 Tradesman 7.11, 18 Versant 7.7, 6 Belkyrian 7.7, car. 7.8%. 1 Puss Moth 7.7, 11 Mungacre 7.1, car. 7.5, 16 Prince Acre 7.0, 17 Whirling 7.0, car. 7.2%, 9 Coronls 7.0, 15 Sweet Roso 7.0. Neck; neck. Time, lmin 12 4-ssoc.