A REPEAT VICTORY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 18, 23 January 1939, Page 13

A REPEAT VICTORY

LADY INA'S OPEN SPRINT

Lady Ina repeated her form of last year by following up a second in the Telegraph Handicap on the first day with success in the Metropolitan Handicap on the middle, day. Her form at Trentham in January has been mosj; consistent, as two years ago she won two races on the course, though her victories on that occasion were only under hack status. . The finish to this race was in accord With the many close struggles that have featured open sprints down the Trentham six. At the distance Black Thread had charge, but half the field were challenging, and in an exciting battle over the last furlong Lady Ina held off the favourite Taurangi by a short head. .

Lady Ina was due for this success, which is her first since her resumption, as she had been good seconds at her three previous outings. She was handy all the way on Saturday, in a bunch following Farland and Counterblast on to the course proper, and though she ran out a bit wide she came on in her best style over the closing section.

Lady Ina is by now well known ito Trentham patrons. An eight-year-old bay mare, she is a daughter of Cape Horn and the Bezonian—Platypus mare Kakawai, who descends from the successful colonial taproot designated Sharkie, and who previously left useful performers-in Sir Wai and Ladyfingers, as well as Maritime; a winner in Victoria last season. Shei'was br : ed and is owned by Mr. A/.Southey, ?of Eketahuna, who has had a.: successful first experience as an owner with her. Without being much ra£ed in her early career, and not being started 'at all as a five-year-old, she has built up the profitable record to date of 15 wins and 18 minor placings in 60 starts for £3001 in stakes, this season's contribution so far having been £510: for eight appearances. .. .

Taurangi, the favourite, was perhaps a shade unlucky to be beaten. She drew wide and.did not begin.too well, an 4on reaching the straight she was still one of the last horses , The only route was through the. middle. of the field, and the slight moving about that was necessary when she;was going this way meant the difference between ;victory and defeat. Once clear she finished full of gameness. Counterblast, also starting from one of the wide marbles, usedLher brilliance to'join. Farland in the lead early, and she kept going to retain third place only half a length away. This was her best recent showing.

' Rakahanga was up outside the bunch following the leaders throughout, but she could not free herself as she did on the first day and she just missed a dividend. Alunga was again running on next, with Black Thread, who had gone through to the-front at the false rail, weakening into sixth. The rest, headed by Phalanx, were well beaten at the end. Farland, Mittie, and Race Call, handy early, all tired. Te Hero gave Wellington racegoers their first experience of losing money on him without a run, an experience that Aucklanders have learned to fear. Placed on the outside, he refused to leave the mark. Smoke was pouring across the course from a railway engine at the time and perhaps he did not like it.