SOME GOOD PRICES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 69, 19 September 1938, Page 13

SOME GOOD PRICES

ASHBURTON RACES

RINGMASTER COLT'S SXAKES

(Special to the "Evening Post.") CHRISTCHURCH, September 17. The spring racing circuit in the South Island was started today with the Ashburton County Racing Club's Meeting. The weather was fine, but late in the afternoon a north-west gale was very unpleasant. Investors had a mixed record, some of the outside winners being at long odds. A SUCCESSFUL DEBUT. The County Hurdles drew a good field and most of the starters jumped well. The Sanwich Man led Top Rank and Silver Sight to the straight, with Contract and Dividend next. A broken stirrup-iron caused Top Rank to retire at the last hurdle. The Sandwich Man beat Silver Sight easily. Dividend finished fast in third place. The well-backed Mount Val was never dangerous. The winner was having his first race over hurdles and he gave an attractive display. In the first division of the Novice Stakes Nigella had a good lead to the straight from Sportsman, Black Coat, and Royal Refrain, with Miss Bluff moving up. Miss Bluff, a three-year-old by Cockpit, finished on solidly to win by nearly a length. Nigella,- though tiring, hung on to beat Royal Refrain by a head. Sportsman and Comus were next. After going about two furlongs in the second division Toro-Koura, out in front, fell and Rebel Leader toppled over him. Gay Parade then streaked away to a lead of several lengths, which he increased to ten lengths in the run home. It was an impressive performance. Phenomenal was passed in the straight by Remembo, who was headed on the post by Rebellion, finishing with a rush. L. J. Ellis and M. J. Wadley, the riders of Toro-Koura and Rebel Leader, were not injured. An accident soon after the start took some of the interest out of the Selma Trot. Marfax and Marque fell, and Glenholme and the favourite, Resistance, suffered serious interference. There was not much separating Dancing Pirate, Super Jack, Pecunia, and Tinker at the entrance to the straight, Pecunia staying on to beat Dancing Pirate by nearly a. length. Tinker was half a length away, with Super Jack, Fragment, and Peter Bee next. BACKERS OFF MARK. The result of the Ashburton Handicap was not palatable to backers. Last Refrain, the win favourite, was last early, but moved up gradually and joined Travenna in the lead nearmg the straight, where Petersham, Dunstan, and Made Money were also handy. Travenna was first to retire. Last Refrain was out clear with a furlong to go, but he failed to run on. Made Money, finishing well, beat Dunstan by half a length, Petersham being a neck away. Last Refrain was a length further back, with Silver Slipper and Travenna heading the others. Mungatoon was well placed six _ turlongs from home, but retired quickly. The John Grigg Stakes served to show up Master Hotspur as an exceptionally smart two-year-old. Niggei Boy was smartest out, but Master Hotspur soon ran past him. For the rest of the journey it was a procession Master Hotspur winning with the greatest of ease by three lengths. Nigger Boy tired, Gold Salute passing him to be a comfortable second. Brandon, who was last away, finished resolutely to head off Nigger Boy on the post for third. King Gustavo began well but soon drifted. Cyprine and Bere Regis were never sighted. Master Hotspur is a good-looking and levelheaded colt, the first of the imported sire Ringmaster's stock to race. It is in his favour, too, that his dam, Impetuous, is of the Eulogy family. Dracula took the lead soon after the start of the Penscroft Hack Handicap and just failed over the final furlong. Night Dress, always well placed, came home strongly to score an easy win. It was his first success since he was a two-year-old. Screamer, never far away, came home solidly. Happy : Night, after being last away, finished well to be fourth. Lady Rosette, a hot favourite, went well for about six furLongs, and she will do better later on. LIKES THE COURSE. A gale of wind proved troublesome in the Spring Handicap. Second Inaings, Lady Leigh, and Land Raid led aut from Metal Bird, Wine Card, Kintioull, and Golden Chest. After three Furlongs Kinnoull lost his place. In the straight Wine Card headed Lady Leigh, with a bunch in hot pursuit. Kinnoull came with a great run, but Wine Card beat him by a head, with Lady Leigh half a length away. Cocksure was a length further back, with Golden Chest, Land Raid, Rabble,, and Ponty, who was badly left, next. tViiie Card had no% won since the

autumn, when she scored over a mile and a quarter on the same course. Wharrun, after following Seaward de Oro to the straight in the Rakaia Trot Handicap, quickly assumed charge and went on to win easily. Ace High finished strongly in second place, and Diversion, frcm a slow start, came with a iate rush to cut Bill B. out of third money. Seaward de Oro, Evora, and Francisco were next. Jesse Owens and Old Faithful broke up at the start.