SPIRAL TAKES CUP

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 154, 28 December 1936, Page 12

SPIRAL TAKES CUP

MANAWATU MEETING

TURNOVER UP 50 PER CENT.

(Special from "Rangatira.") PALMERSTON N., December 26. After very heavy rain overnight and a most threatening forenoon, the weather cleared beyond all early expectation for the opening day of the Manawatu Racing Club's • Summer Meeting at Awapuni today. Before the first race began the sun was edging its way through the clouded sky, and it was a warm, muggy, and pleasant afternoon. There was the largest attendance on the course for many years, though the crowd would undoubtedly have been still,larger if the morning had not been so menacing. The totalisator reflected the patronage, the day's turnover of £38,143 10s being an increase of £12,910 10s on the £25,227 handled last Boxing Day. After the rain tne track was easy without being soft or heavy, and it firmed up again as the day progressed. It was not, however, going that suited horses that like it hard and. fast. Keen racing was witnessed throughout the day, with some splendid finishes, the only winning margin greater than a length being Arctic King's in the final event. The Cup was won narrowly by the Limond horse Spiral from a previous winner, Tiger Gain, who attempted to lead all the way- Paper Slipper once again demonstrated his high class in the sprint, and Arctic King gave Trentham •stables a turn in the open nine furlongs. A. Jenkins began the day with a trio of winning rides, two of them for L. G. Morris's stable. i There were a couple of inquiries. In the Nursery Handicap interference caused early by Screamer, in which Sigurd was the. worst sufferer, was satisfactorily explained. The inquiry into interference alleged to have been caused by Land Tax to Mata Hari and by Paper Slipper to Laughing Lass in the Fitzherbert Handicap was partly heard and adjourned till Monday. His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, Lord Galway, and party arrived' after the first race.