PUBLIC NEARER MARK

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 133, 8 June 1939, Page 17

PUBLIC NEARER MARK

AUCKLAND FINALS

ALL IRISH WINS STEEPLES

(By Telegraph.) (Special from "Early Bird.") AUCKLAND, June 7. Although conditions were unfavourable for the final day of the Auckland Racing Club's Great Northern Meeting, backers were comparatively well on the mark. Aero King being the only double-figure return of the day. The principal flat event, the York Handicap, resulted in a well-deserved victory for Valmint, and other solidlybacked winners were London, Pyrenees, and Ellanui. The races were dispatched well up to time and no fault could be found with the control of the meeting. A GOOD PERFORMANCE. Taking charge at the end of a furlong, London was always well clear in the Tamaki Steeplechase, and he won very comfortably. He fenced beautifully and was not pressed at any stage. Mahala was back sixth as the field went up the hill the last time, but he then commenced to improve his position and was third at the last fence, outstaying Bells of Bow for second money. Wasp was fairly prominent from the start, but a couple of bad jumps did not enhance his chances. British Sovereign failed to stay after being in second place for two miles. A REPEAT VICTORY. Ellanui scored his second win at the meeting when he led all the way in the Orakei Hurdles. With half a mile to go he was six lengths clear, but Loombination momentarily closed the gap, only to be outjumped at the last two obstacles. The winner looks like going on to good class. Loombination ran a fine race under his top weight and battled on courageously. Chikara was v good way back early but was running on solidly. Right Royal failed to stay, and Devon jumped badly. Tupeotu fell at the last fence. A FAVOURITE SCORES. Valmint atoned for his 'narrow defeat in the Cornwall Handicap by scoring decisively in the York Handicap. He got away well and was fifth on the rails at the turn, from which position he gradually overhauled the leaders. Balinavar ran an honest race after having every chance in behind the pacemakers to the turn. Jack Tar drew the extreme outside and he was responsible for a smart effort. Very Glad and Rollicker failed to stay, but Inver came from a long way back to be fourth. Maori^Song covered a lot of extra ground, but had every chance otherwise. Royal Appellant'and Old Surrey were never prominent. SUPERIOR JUMPING. All Irish gaye a fine exhibition of jumping to win the Winter Steeplechase, in which no less than four horses fell. He was sent to the-front after covering half a mile, and he quickly established a lead of four lengths, an advantage he never looked like losing. En Tour ran into second place at the top of the hill the last j time, but although hard ridden he never looked like doing any better. Saint Musk was well back with half the journey covered, but he came along to be third. Smilin' Thru fell a trifle too early to estimate her prospects, but Roxy vvas assured of a place whenhe hit the second of the double at the top of the hill the last time. Count Roussillon and Electric Flash also came to grief. CHAPTER OF MISHAPS. Only three finished in the Campbell Hurdles, and Pyrenees, who took command when Lady England and. Royal Dance fell at the fence near the seven furlongs post, always had the measure of his opponents, winning comfortably by a length and a half. He jumped much cleaner than in either of his two other outings at the meeting, and relished the heavy going. Gadger improved upon his Monday's effort to hold second place, and he might have been a trifle harder to beat but for hitting the final obstacle. Biform had every chance, but did not run on under pressure after being only a length behind Pyrenees two fences from home. Lady England was going particularly well when she came down, and she may have made the finish more interesting. LED THROUGHOUT. Aero King was first out and first home in the Visitors' Handicap, and there was a lot of merit in the performance, as he was forced to withstand a couple of strong challenges in the straight and just held on long enough to gain a narrow verdict. Royal Bachelor ran one of his best races and fought out the issue in game fashion. Besiege did not get any the best of the running in the early stages, but he came home very solidly to be practically in line for third. Tepoto only weakened in the final few strides, but Black Thread and Whirling never threatened danger. Orwere and Anion failed to stay. Jayola fell approaching the straight. VAALSO IN FORM. Never further back than fourth at any stage of the journey, Vaalso finished particularly well under the whip to win the Fitzroy Handicap narrowly but decisively. He relished the easy going, and ran right up to his best form. The Cardinal was badly placed at the half-mile, and had to make a big effort on the outside to get second place. He displayed fine determination under pressure, and the first time he is favourably placed in the running he will win. Prival would have been closer had he secured an opening just on the post, but Saccone and Raana were never in the picture. Bronze Moth and Eka Pai stopped.