COMMENT ON THE RUNNING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 9, 11 July 1938, Page 17

COMMENT ON THE RUNNING

(Special to the "Evening Post") CHRISTCHURCH, July 9, Balmenter put up a splendid performance in winning the Westport Handicap, the principal race at the Westport Jockey Club's Meeting, held at Riccarton today. It was his most important success to date. Bull-dog courage got him home a head in front of Sword-Stick after they had had a torrid struggle over the last furlong. Owned and trained by Mr. T. Hobbs, of Oamaru, Balmenter was having his first run in open company. When Silver Sight was making the running from Sword-Stick, Studley Royal, Mungatoon, and Last Refrain, Balmenter was well back with. Silver Ring, and was giving the leaders a good start at the straight entrance. Silver Sight was the first to weaken at the straight entrance, and. Sword-Stick came on, but could not hold off Balmenter, who finished with rare dash. :

Last Refrain was;a comfortable 'third with Mungatoon next, but they had no chance, on the day. Studley Royal was another disappointment, crying enough when the.field straightened up for the run home. Silver Ring neyeif. looked like improving, finishing sixth behind

Studley Royal, while the hurdle horse Jolly Beggar was always tailed Off. NEVER TROUBLED. Supreme Court, at one time considered good enough to take to Australia, was never troubled in the Highweight Handicap, winning with ridiculous ease. His only other win this season was scored at Amberley in a similar way when he bowled along freely in front. Gold Boy was fifth to the straight and just secured second money trom Gillie by a head after they had had a stirring fight over the last hundred yards. Gillie unaccountably lost a good position early. Mount Val, third to the straight, failed to run on and finished a poor fourth. Metal Bird and Proscenium, who were well placed at the home turn, also failed to come on. ALL THE WAT. Density, a promising Pink Coat filly trained by D. Cotton for her breeder, Mr. Donald Grant, won her first race when she led all the way in the Maiden Stakes. Her success was anticipated on the strength of a second placing to Disdain at Easter, and she I never gave her supporters any cause for worry. Rex Maitland, who also looks like developing into a good three-year-old, was always well placed behind the leader and hung on for second well dear - of Colonel Rouge. His last start was iri the Maiden Stakes at Ashburton, Where he raced well. Colonel Rouge surprised by her forward showing, but she was lucky to beat Comus for third as the latter was well back turning for home and then only failed to catch her by a short head. Synthetic had twy *ch- a2 cf' ** did Pteaoiftenal, but f^/ a*l ledj°* run ? n: Merry March £ v J he dl. stance too short and will be better suited over a mile. STABLEMATES PROMINENT. The Riccarton trainer F. A. Roberts scooped the pool in the mile Scanlon Hack, his two representatives, Moonraker and Glenacre, finishing first and second^in that order. Moonraker, an Australian-bred three-year-old filly owned by Mr. H. D. Greenwood, who has had a great season" with Defaulter trailed Sparkle and Robant to the halfmile post, where she; took the lead, eventually winning easily by three lengths. Glenacre was slow to begin, but was looming up on the outside turning for home. He was again just not good enough, but is collecting place-money fairly regularly. Robant, who always likes soft ground, was well placed throughout and was a fair third. Great Memory was unlucky, as she was slow out and after being last at the home turn, came on in the straight for fourth. TWO ON END. Garonne scored his second win in succession when he won the Flying Hack Handicap nicely from Papernilla. L. J. Ellis • was content to wait on the leaders, The Sandwich Man, Derive, Royal Refrain, and Papernilla until the straight, where he urged Garonne through at the false rail. Though Papernilla challenged again, Garonne won by half a length. The Sandwich Man was a fair third. Orange Bud ran a useful race into fourth place and should do well later. Derive stopped badly in the straight. Garonne will win good sprint races next season. REVERSAL OF FORM. Mount Val, a well-fancied failure in the highweight earlier ,in the day, showed a reversal of form to win the Morley Handicap in much stronger company. He appeared late on the scene to wear Wine Card and Land Raid down and win by a length. Rebel Star and Metal Bird, who made most

of the running, were done when fairly into the straight, and then Royal- Gallant showed out only to be passed by Wine Card and Land Bald. Mount Val then put in hf.f claim and won wellGrey Honour got a run on the rails at the false rail, but failed to carry on, and Palmyra also faded, but she had an excuse in that she was. glowaway and was then taken up fast to near the lead.