FINE ART BRILLIANT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 114, 10 November 1939, Page 11

FINE ART BRILLIANT

ADDINGTON TROTS

GALLANT CHIEF UNLUCKY

(From "Ariki Toa.")

The Ollivier Handicap, chief attraction on the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Spring Meeting at Addington yesterday, was a falsely-run race, and it was not until half a mile from home that there was any real speed on. As a matter of fact the initial halfmile took lmin 12sec and the mile J 2min 21sec so that it can be seen that the pace was not in the favour of the - backmarkers. When the speed was turned on in earnest at the five-f uriong post Renown's Best had charge from Plutus, > Fine Art, Gallant Knight, Blair Athol, Bonny Azure, and King's Play, with Cantata in a hopeless pocket on the rails. Fine Art was first round the turn, and although Blair Athol issued a strong challenge inside the liast furlong he was not unduly pressed . to win. Plutus came again for third and just held off the fast-finishing Gallant Knight, with Cantata, Lawn Derby, and King's Play next. The winner, Fine Art, made amends for his ill-luck in the Trotting Cup, when he was interfered with just after taking the turn, his driver afterwards allowing him to ease up when his chance was " hopeless. Today he , was always pacing evenly, in about third place, and when his driver elected to give him his head as the turn was negotiated he simply made short work of thev opposition. Blair Athol was prbminent all the way, and when he made an effort at the furlong post he quickly ran into second place but could not have done any better. Plutus was not suited by befing left in front early, and his driver was trying to get in behind for the i greater portion of the journey. bHe (• finished generously. Gallant Knight was admirably placed on the rails along the back the last time, but when the field closed up he became hemmed in and the race was practically over before he got clear. He came home solidly, but it was too late. Lawn Derby was within 24 yards of the leaders at the half-mile but had to make his effort round four sulkies, and he never really threatened danger. He ran his last half in 59 2-ssec and then could only finish fifth, so that the magnitude of his task can be gauged. Cantata received the worst run of the race, and had she got out sooner ehe looked certain of being in the money. King's Play and Bonny Azure were riever dangerous. A GOOD PRICE. Jenny's Guy was at a surprisingly good price in the Whiteleigh Handicap, but she always appeared to have the measure of the opposition. She was not unduly bustled early but a smart beginning enabled her to occupy second place, a position she retained to the turn. She was trotting very well over the last furlong and was not , driven out ,to win by a length. This mare has always shown definite signs of stamina,, and over long, journeys she should. continue to pay her way in the future; Reception ran one of her best races, disputing the issue right to the j.udge, and returned over double figures on the place machine. Tan John ran a wonderful race considering that he lost 50 yards at the start, and this on top of his handicap saw him fully 150 yards behind the leaders at the end of a, couple of furlongs. He trotted splendidly to secure third money and register 4min 28 2-ssec, time which would win nine races out of ten. Native Huon made a fine effort to lead all the way, and it was not until right on the post that she weakened to fourth. Violet Wrack struck inter- , ference and broke seven furlongs from home, while a further lapse in the " straight ruined her chances. Shadeland failed to stay, and Manna's Son, ■Bill Grattan, and Survivor broke. v CLASS PERFORMANCE. Nelson Eddy proved himself in the first flight of pacers by a convincing victory in the Ellesmere Handicap. He was favoured with a beautiful run on the rails, and it was not tmtil well into line that he issued a challenge, from which stage he had the issue in hand. It was a splendid performance, and at his best there are few pacers his superior over any., distance. Great Don registered a brilliant performance to secure second money, for he was not too well away and was then forced to make his run on the outside of three sulkies. He was actually in front after straightening up but was showing signs of weakening. Mankind was never further back than third, and he ran on resolutely to be third but never looked like doing any better. Mongolian added to his task by breaking and losing 40 yards at the start, and showed great speed in the last half-mile. He would have added interest to the race had he tfone away. Privateer began splendidly 'but left his feet after three furlongs, while Heather Queen and Labourman did not run on. Mazaire lost his position in the first few furlongs and never really threatened danger. Worthy Need and Connenqra showed speed. BROKE, THEN WON. Any doubts as to the class of Great Jewel were dispelled when he won the Leleivre Handicap. He gave his numerous backers a shock when he broke at the start and lost 24yds, but when he settled dowm he soon reduced the gap to about four lengths. With the pace on his driver was content to trail the leaders, and it was not until racing into the back straight the last time that he was allowed to stretch out, actually being in front at the turn.- He was not driven right out, but registered 4min 17 2-ssec. He will probably be now put aside for the Auckland Trotting Cup, m which race the stable will also have another representative in Southern Chief. _ Marlene was always in the firing line after aopearing to strike interference when Great Jewel ran to the front. She is racing consistently and deserves a winning turn. . Toorak had the run of the race m second place and hung on solidly to be third. Nell Grattan momentarily looked like heading him in the straight but weakened inside the last furlong. Great Divide had every chance and " was feeling the pinch three furlongs • from home. Sandusky broke badly at the start and lost all chance, and Silver Guy was the pacemaker for a mile and three-quarters. ' CERTAINTY BEATEN. With a reasonable run over the last half-mile there is little doubt that Gallant Chief would have won the New Zealand Derby Stakes in easy fashion. He received a check soon after the start and was sent to the rear, and • then turning into the back stretch the last time Great Waitaki came back on him, causing him to lose fully five lengths. At this stage he- was conceding the leader, Imperial Jade, about 60 yards, but he unwound a wonderful run and got to within a neck of vie- ' tory. A lot of credit must be given to the winner, Imperial Jade, for she was taken to the front from the' start and had all the work to do in frdnt. She had to withstand a couple of strong challenges in the straight and, although weakening, just held on long enough to secure the honours. Betty Boop had an uninterrupted run throughout, and she was a useful ithird ,wxthout ;] JoAi^g^Ji|Mh,-4oir^ any ;

iATIRA*

better. Ordnance showed speed, but Shady Glen stopped in the final furlong after being in the thick of the fray throughout. Highland Scott broke badly at the start and then fell. A POPULAR VICTORY. The Takanini trainer F. J. Smith scored a popular victory when Nell Volo won in the Sockburn Handicap, after an absence from the winning list for practically four years. She began better than usual, but her driver allowed Pilot Peter to take over, and it was not until three furlongs from home that she again took command. Once in line she responded splendidly and won going away. It is a pity that this American-bred mare is not sound, for there have been few better squaregaiters ever raced in the Dominion. Royal Romance had every chance, being tucked in behind the leaders until well into line, but she never looked like doing better than second. Wahnooka ran past a lot of tired horses to be third, and it looked as if he would have taken a lot more beating had his driver elected to issue his challenge sooner. Pilot Peter ran on fairly well for fourth after being the pacemaker for the greater portion of the journey, but Mute stopped badly over the last two furlongs. Captain Bolt was hard pressed to make any impression on the field and was never really dangerous. Lament had every chance. FAVOURITE BEATEN. Southern Chief suffered his first defeat in his last four starts when he failed to materialise in the Metropolitan Handicap. He was backed down to under even money, and it is unlikely that he will lose any of his supporters by his showing. He lost 36yds at the start, and was forced over a lot of extra ground, and even then would have won but for running in in the straight.- He is one of the best horses ever bred in the Dominion, and he is likely to be at a short price in the Auckland Trotting Cup at Christmas. Waipahi was responsible for practically all the pace, and it was not until well into the final furlong that he surrendered the lead. Bing Crosby ran his best race for some time to come home fairly solidly in third place. Lightning Lady finished with a great rattle for fourth, and better- placed m the early stages she would have taken a lot more beating. Waitaki Power and Cruiser were right up behind the placed horses at the finish, and are improvers. Donor lost his chance when he failed to hit out smartly, and he was always near the rear. Parauri was slow away, and Aide de Camp broke. CLOSE FINISH. Patiently driven in fifth place until well into the straight, Icevus finished with an irresistible run to win the Clarkson Handicap in the last few strides. He was restrained in behind the leaders until the turn was negotiated, and once given his head he mowed down the leaders to win going away. He is one of the most consistent pacers for his inches raced for some time, and in his previous start at the meeting was third over two miles. Colonel Grattan looked all over a winner when he ran to the front a furlong from home, but he was weakening in the final chain and had to.be content with second money. He should not be long in making amends. Rocks Ahead finished strongly to take third place off Windsor Lass in the run home. Windsor Lass attempted to lead all the way, and considering the fast • pace she set it was not surprising to find her weakening out of the money. ....

Village Guy was in a winning position for about a mile, but toed, while Frisco' Boy was disappointing.