LONG LANE TURNS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 9, 10 July 1940, Page 11

LONG LANE TURNS

ROYAL STAR II SUCCEEDS

Royal Star 11, who has been one of the most consistent but unlucky horses racing during the season, at last found a turning in the long lane when he led practically throughout the Whyte Handicap. It was a very popular win the public applauding a well-merited victory by a very game horse. It was exactly twelve months ago when Royal Star 11, who was imported from England by the late Mr W Higgins. was sold at Trentham. Those who knew him declared that he would never stand training again, and so Mr. J. B. Fletcher was able to take a gamble on him at the trivial sum of 25 guineas. He has raced practically the whole season, and. with numerous platings and two wins, he has already become a very profitable speculation.

It has not, however, been an unchequered season in his preparation. Back in the autumn, after being narrowly beaten by Ned Cuttle in the Egmont Cup, he appeared to break down badly again and he was left at Hawera. But in the hands of S. Mccireal he was ready to resume racing

after a couple of months, and he has now had six further starts without showing sign of any further relapse. He simply revelled in yesterday's soft ground.

Royal Star II began brilliantly from No. 5 marble, and he had soon taken the lead from Alma, who had started similarly well but wide out. For a brief space near the half-mile he was headed by Philemup, but he was in charge again entering the straight, with Disdain, Philemup. Alma, Hunting Royal, and Prival his closest attendants, and, though he then ran put a bit, giving Hunting Royal a wide opening, he came right away from the distance and won by three lengths. Royal Siar II had previously been successful at Trentham, as in his fourth race in the Dominion, in the spring of last season, he figured in a dead heat with Punarua.

Hunting Royal, who, with the services of H. N. Wiggins, was sent out favourite had the initial disadvantage of No. 20 draw, which forced him to travel over extra ground in gaining and holding a position early. However, he had a splendid run through from the top of the straight,, and at the distance he was menacing the leader, but he was unable to maintain the pressure. . Ned Cuttle, who was having his first start "since March, was soon among the first eight in the running, and he got up in the final strides to cut Disdain out of third. On this showing he will be hard to beat in any further races he has at the meeting. Disdain, who drew No. 3 marble, had the run of the race, but after following the winner into the straight she tired just out of the money. Philemup, from a wide marble, soon dashed up to the van and he did well to hang on for fifth. Alma and Prival both went creditable races from wider out than Philemup; indeed Alma was on the very outer, and they may do better later on at the meeting. Classform and Kena were finishing on strongly from well back. Sly Fox, Dv Maurier, Gaelic Song, and Auroras Star were fairly handy early, but none of the others ever came into the serious running, many of them losing their chance with a slow beginning. Silver Glow, after playing up for some time at the barrier, was started from behind the line. ~ . Philemup's supporters earned a dividend to compensate for his good showing, as, because of the size of the field, he was coupled on the totahsator with Hunting Royal.