RONA BAY'S RARE PLUCK

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 155, 29 December 1936, Page 12

RONA BAY'S RARE PLUCK

One could not wish for a finer race than was staged in the President's Handicap, which thus accorded with its position as principal event on the day's schedule. Interest never flagged at any portion, and in the straight spectators had .the inspiring sight of the pacemaker's so far succeeding in beating down all challengers as to split the honours with her most persistent claimant. The mare who essayed the end-to-end victory was the Trenthamtrained Rona Bay, and the challenger who divided the decision was the topweight, Dungarvan. Rona Bay's effort was apparently a fairly considerable improvement on her performance in the Manawatu Cup, for then, after being in front with Tiger Gain to the straight, she fell right out of it; but it should not be overlooked that she was one of two horses badly away in the Cup and had to race up fast in the early portion to gain her forward position. It was nevertheless something unusual seeing her- try to win out in front all the way. Moreover, generally she has been of little use on rain-moistened tracks. When Dungarvan challenged | her today she simply would not yield. It was the effort of a rare little stayer, which she has proved time and again she is. She has now won three races for Mr. O. Disley' since coming north a couple of months ago to be trained at Trentham. Dungarvan, with L. G. Morris in his saddle and carrying three-quarters of a pound overweight, was kept out of all trouble on this occasion, which was not hard to do, as he had drawn a wide marble. Most of the way he was on the inner of Entail next following the leader, and he had moved out ;o be on Rona Bay's quarters entering the straight; but despite very vigorous riding he could- do no more than just reach level with the Trentham mare. For once he met something near his match in a hard finish. Arctic King, another Trentham horse, came home strongly out on the track from eight places back at the straight entrance to be only a length away third. This son of Kabbi is obviously right back to his very best form again, and he v is likely to claim some good prizes during the next few months if tracks do not become too hard. , .. , One Whetu, the favourite, had to be content with' the barren honour, but he never had any chance of doing better even if he had been capable of it in the straight, for he allowed himself to run into a box behind Rona Bay with Dungarvan outside him, and there was soon no hope of egress. He was unlucky in being so placed, as he was swinging along very smoothly as he went up into the trap. Entail, having his first recent race, was there all the way, and he finished a creditable fifth. Grand Jury and Tout le Monde both went useful races without ever offering any real encouragement to their supporters. Terry showed a touch of her customary dash in moving up from the rear along the back* but she could get no further than a few" places in this company. Aussie Ra and Round Score were always the last pair over the serious portion.