TWO FAVOURITES WIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 83, 10 April 1939, Page 12

TWO FAVOURITES WIN

OAKS TO PEERLESS

FIRST DAY AT ELLERSLIE

(By Telegraph.) (Special from "Early Bird.")

AUCKLAND, April 8,

Beaupartir, whose form this season has been convincing, gained further laurels when he triumphed in the Easter Handicap, the chief handicap event on the first day of the Auckland Racing Club's Easter Meeting. A warm favourite in Suleiman was not disgraced in finishing fourth. The two classics were credited to fillies, Submission taking the Champagne Stakes and Peerless the Oaks. Generally fine finishes were provided, and an excellent day's sport witnessed. A FINE EFFORT. The Easter Handicap at Ellerslie has for a long time been one of the high lights of the autumn season, and this year's contest was one of the best of the series. From a good start Suleiman soon joined Maori Song in the lead, and the pair reached the half-mile in 48sec, ahead of Beaupartir, Laughing Lass, and Erndale, almost in line, with Royal Bachelor, Pirate King, and Llangollen, the last-named obtaining a run through on the rail crossing the top. They arrived at the straight entrance in the same order, but in slightly more compact formation. Maori Song cried enough, and Suleiman was left in sole charge. As soon as they had straightened up he was hotly challenged by Beaupartir and Laughing Lass and Llangollen came on the scene later. At the distance it looked as if it would be possible for Suleiman to prevail. He was answering well to the hard riding of P. Burgess, but the last 40 yards saw him relegated to foHirth place. Beaupartir beat Llangollen, who put up a wonderful effort, by half a head, with Laughing Lass and Suleiman practically together half a length behind. Then came Pirate King, Rulette, Tooley Street, Race Call, Golden Sheila, Gold Vaals, Round Up, and Ivar. The time, lmin 36sec, was a race record. Ivar was squeezed back soon after the start, and he was last j down the back. Of the horses outside the places Pirate King and Tooley Street may make most improvement. CAME HOME FAST. Submission's final rally to capture the honours in the Champagne Stakes was something to remember. Orelio and Beau Repaire began well from the inside positions, and passing the halfmile Orelio showed the way to SilverStick, who had run" up very quickly, Beau Repaire, Nora Gregor, Gayest Son, and Submission. The last-named finished very well over Orelio and Silver-Stick, who ran out under pressure. At long neck intervals Beau Repaire, fourth, was chased home by Pearl of Asia, who went right back almost immediately after a good beginning, Nora Gregor, Our Jean, and Gayest Son. Our Jean and Foxmond swung out very wide into the straight. Baran began very slowly and was never likely. FROM LAST TO FIRST. The progress of Peerless from the rear to the front of the Great Northern Oaks was gradual and effortless, and she won comfortably. Peerless was last in the first quarter, fifth running to the back, and second at the five furlongs to the pacemaker, Valdene, who ran oh surprisingly well. Next to them into the straight were, Homily and Sudan, who eventually filled the minor places with credit. Some local hopes were held of Silver Quex being hardest for the double Oaks winner to beat, but she performed only moderately. ALWAYS HANDY. Balinavar was in a prominent position after • the first half-mile of the President's Handicap, but he covered a good deal of ground on the turn, being four horses out behind the pacemaker Sergia. His run, however, was well timed, and he had the drop on Valamito, who had moved earlier. Sergia hung on well, only surrendering the lead in the last 70 yards. Then came High Sea, High Tea, Te Hai, Entail, ,and Gay Rebel. Coronation, after delaying the start, was slow to move. FAVOURITES FALL. The only casualties in the Brighton Hurdles were to the favourites Full of Scotch and Electric Spear. The latter fell at the first hurdle in the straight, and Full of Scotch half a mile from home. After the defection of Full of Scotch Mio Lume was left in front, and he stayed there. Riotous was hard ridden for second and Stansted was a good third, after being third or fourth practically throughout. Mia Acrea, Celtic Lad, and En Tour followed. In the Mangere Steeples J. Muir, on British Sovereign, broke a thigh, and W. J. McDowell, on Hanover, broke a collarbone.

A well-backed fancy in Desert Star injured a shoulder and was destroyed.