BEST OF MODERATE LOT

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 149, 21 December 1936, Page 17

BEST OF MODERATE LOT

There was no recent winning form whatever in the Eahui Hack Handicap, and the member of the field of nine to open his score for the season was Revival, who had run some good races lately without quite being able to secure the desired bracket. He was the second Trentham winner during the day. , • ... ' Revival was in a handy position all the way, settling down fourth after being second out from the barrier. On reaching the straight the only pair ahead of him were Free Gold and First Spec, and. although Free Gold was sticking to his guns, Revival had an advantage in age, weight, and seasoning, which turned the scale in his favour by half a length. Now six years old. Revival is a bay gelding by Cape Horn from the Birkenhead—Maluri mare Velour, hence he is a full-brother to Vitaphone and a half-brother to Modern. He was secured early last season by Mr. W. Smart, of Wellington, and this was his second success in his present colours. He is a good miler in average class, but may never be quite up to the best company. . . For a three-year-old having his first race since September, and conceding weight to a field of older horses, Free Gold made an excellent impression. He galloped very smoothly, taking charge before the half-mile from Scooter, but lack of recent racing finally found him just weakening under Revival s challenge. He promises to be a serviceable performer for his stable later on m the season. ■ ' , Earl Colossus, after being unable to hold his place in the middle stages, came home a little better to fill third berth less than a length away. Windward never looked like being much closer than the fourth in which he finished. First Spec showed a turn of speedin going up fast to join Free Gold just past the half-mile, but he then

weakened into fifth. Nightlass. even with the assistance of L. J. Ellis, was unimpressive. Whetuma was too sore to do himself justice.