ARCTIC KING WINS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 92, 20 April 1938, Page 13

ARCTIC KING WINS

• THE GREAT AUTUMN

ANOTHER TO DEFAULTER

(Special from "Ariki Toa.") ' CHRISTCHURCH, April 19.

■ Form worked out well on the second day of the Canterbury Jockey Club's .Autumn Meeting at Riccarton today, and no less than six of the winners were in the money on the first day. Defaulter gained another effortless victory, by taking the Challenge Stakes, this making his seventh successive win, and Disdain scored very decisively in the Autumn Nursery- The Great Autumn Handicap provided a fine 'finish with the Trentham-trained Arctic King prevailing by a narrow margin from Studley Royal and Dictate. L. J. Ellis further increased his lead in the jockeys' premiership by riding three winners today, making a grand total for the fixture of five. A DOUBLE WINNER. Courtyard ran right up to his first day's form when he completed a winning double by annexing the Peerswick Brush Hurdles. He and Flashlight were on-terms practically all the way, and the pair had a rare set-to over the final furlong, Courtyard just staying on the better to gain the narrowest 01 verdicts.-- Courtyard has taken a long time to come solid as a jumper, but he was undoubtedly the best hurdler seen out at-the meeting. Flashlight ran a great race, and as he is only a-com-parative novice he should prove a good winner during the winter. Silver Sight was handily placed throughout, and looked like taking part in the issue at the final hurdle, but 'weakened. However, there was some excuse for his defeat as his rider lost an iron after negotiating the last fence. Grampian made a bad jump at Cutts's and never recovered his lost ground. Supcrex never flattered' his supporters, and Conception came down with about seven furlongs to,go. • , ON THE BIT. Defaulter made short work of the opposition in the Challenge Stakes, and he was not extended at any stage of the contest. He was smartest to befiin, and was allowed to make his own pace ■ with the result that when Paper Slipper and Netherlea came at him in the last furlong he simply played with them, and won in effortless fashion. He is a brilliant oolt, who only needs to stand up to his training to make history. He is a fine advertisement for his sire Defoe," who) with limited • opportunities, has been well in the limelight this season. Paper Slipper and Netherlea had a fine tussle for second money, and they flashed past the post on terms, the judge being unable to separate them. Paper Slipper did not hit out with his usual freedom, and it appeared as if he was troubled by his weight. Netherlea' ran an excellent race1 for a novice, and she is on the improve. It was Defaulter's seventh successive victory; and he is a very cheap horse for Mr. H. D. Greenwood, who purchased him at the-Trentham Yearling Sales for 170gs. He has now won £2470 in stakes, twice as much as any other two-year-old this season. LADY LEIGH AT LAST. After several placed performances Lady Leigh opened her. winning account at last when she iaccounted for the Yaldhurst Handicap. She was never further back than fourth ■ and ran1 into -second place just alter straightening up. At this stage L. J. Ellis pushed her through on the inside of Donadea, • who was* beginning to weaken; and j;fromithis'"point''ibn "theissue .was never in doubt. Lady Leigh is a nice cut of a galloper, but" she is troubled with .unsoundness, and this has interfered' with her racing career. 'As a matter of fact she was walking a trifle tender upon her return to the birdcage. - ■ Settlement was in the picture throughout, and battled on courageously, but had no chance with Lady Leigh. However,.he'.appears to be racing a little .more generously now. - Donadea took' up the role of pacemaker, but weakened from the distance, and just hung on'long-enough to keep Merry March out of the minor 1 position. Merry March was not too well placed with three furlongs to go, and finished on- very solidly, and he is an improver. " Gillie had every chance, but failed to run on when the pressure was applied. Lady Leigh is a daughter of Paper Money and Arrowlet, .the latter being out of Lady Minerva, who was a daughter of Lady. Lilian, who won the Great Easter and Autumn double in 1903. Then again Lady Lilian was out of Lady Zetland, who .also won the double in 1894. Lady Leigh as owned by Mr. E. Gates, who raced Lady Minerva and Lady Lilian. AN OUTSn)ER PREVAILS.Golden Chest, who had only weak--ened in the last few strides at the end of seven-furlongs on the first day, appreciated the furlong less in the Gimcrack Handicap, and finished splendidly to just head Financiere on the post. Golden Chest was in the firing line all the way, and when asked for a little extra responded in great style. He should.continue to be seen to advantage over short courses. ' The speedy Financiere attempted to lead airthe way, and it looked as if she would win a few strides from the post, 'but she was, boring out under pressure, and this made the difference between success and defeat. She is a particularly fast hack, and should not be long in making amends for this defeat. Cocksure ran a fine race under his weight, and fought on very solidly.- He is-a capable galloper. Phalanx was handily enough placed at the: distance but failed to rUn on, and evidently felt his poundage. Nightcalm was in the bunch behind the lead at the turn, and had very chance. Passenger ran his best race to date to finish fourth. APPRECIATED EASY GOING.

Revelling in"the going Arctic King finished in splendid fashion to win the Great Autumn Handicap in a great finish with Studley Eoyal and Dictate. As they raced into the back stretch Ponty' was four lengths clear of Dictate, Wild Career, Sovereign Lady, Willie Win, and Wild Chase. Ponty began to feel the pinch as the top was reached, and Dictate took charge to lead into' the straight from Wild. Career, Sovereign Lady, Arctic King, and Studley Royal.' Arctic King came through at the distance, and in a great finish stayed on to'beat Studley Royal by a head; with a similar margin to Dictate.'' Davolo: was fourth, and .then came: Galleon and Mungatoon. The'winner ran one of his_ best races,, and ba rttled 'on very determinedly over the final furlong. However, the unlucky; Horse: of the race was Studley Royal., He Ewas'cut;out af'th'e start, and at thei-half-mlle-post" was standing the leaders, up. about., ten. lengths. He steadily Improved his position, but the post came too soon and he suffered defeat by a narrow margin. With a better run early he would have won. Dictate had every chance, but was not disgraced. Sovereign Lady was right up with the leaders at the turn, but did not put any heart into her finishing effort, and was well beaten.

The favourite Galleon was not too well served at the star.t, and was never,-a.possibility, although he was putting- insome-good work on' the outside in the final; stages. . Davolo ran. a fair racfe; and 'Mungatoon :was closer at the finish, .than at any other staga.

Arctic King.is.a son c-f-Rabbi.'who has sired? several -smart. gallopers in 'recent years; -including Synagogue, who won an A.J.C. Epsom Handicap. S. Wilson, the rider of Arctic King, also rorie Fonty-in the Great Easter, thus collecting the winning double. A BRMJANT FILLY. Not top well placed just after the start Disdain had worked up handy

at the. turn in, the Autumn Nursery, | and making an effort at the false rail she simply outclassed the opposition. It was a convincing performance, and confirmed the good impression that she left on the first day. This halfsister to Silver Scorn is a very free goer, and provided she remains sound there is :a bright future in. store for her. L. J. Ellis rode her very confidently.-\ ... •:/:■' ..:.: . -, ■■■■■/■ ;..:,,, ■ Kilrobe'-was' rlght'up: behind .the leaders a furlong. tiom home,'and hung on solidly; to fill, the role of ■ runnerup.' She is still improving, and should develop into a capable galloper. Scuffle ran her best race to date, and Night Hawk shaped encouragingly., Spendthrift had every chance, but failed to run on. Good Passage gave a lot of trouble at the start, which was delayed for some minutes. When the tapes were eventually released she was left, and Gaoler, also from the Cutts stable, was interfered with, and also took no part in the race. ... STAYED ON SOLIDLY. :'Sparkle, who had finished third on the openirig day, ■ was responsible for a smooth' performance in winning the Addington Handicap, running the distance but in very solid fashion. She ran to the front soon after the start, and when the-pressure was applied over'the final, bit she had too much stamina for the opposition. She is only a light-framed filly, and shapes like a stayer:. .. .' Wagner and Happy Night had a fine tussle for, second money, the former prevailing by half a head.:», Wagner is racing more generously than hitherto, and' an early success should come his way. Happy Night was in about sixth place as they, straigtene_d,up, .but hung on solidly under the whip. Rabble was racing in- the'middle of'the field until a furlong from home, where he came home strongly to fill '/fourth place: Shirred Ribbon ,had every chance, as did Balmbriter, Great Bramble was up on terms :with,-Sparkle, as they turned for home, butshe failed to finish "as well' as ■■on- the first day, and. was well back at'tlie; post/. ; ■

REBEL MATE'S SPRINT. the distance of the Tefnpleton Handicap was all in favour of the lightlyweighted Rebel Mate, and he scored a comfortable victory. In the early stages he attended Janet Gaynor, but ran past the latter at the false rail, and soon placed the issue beyond doubt. Rebel Mate' has not been long out of hacks, but judging by the manner in which he disposed of a good field of sprinters in this event he is likely to further pay his way in the future. Haughty Winner ran one of his best races, and battled on very gamely in the final furlong. He is not a consistent horse, but on his day is a smart performer. " Janet Gaynor made a valiant effort to lead all the way, but failed to withstand challenges from Rebel Mate and Haughty Winner, and had to be content with the minor position. Alma got. the worst of the dispatch, and two furlongs from home was last. She improved her position a little in the run to the judge, but had no chance of overhauling the leaders, and was not knocked about. Paper Note was always in the thick of it, and' was a good fourth, but Lady Ina never flattered her supporters.