ROYAL STAR II AGAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 53, 30 August 1940, Page 11

ROYAL STAR II AGAIN

COMBINED MEETING BIFQRM TAKES HUNT CUP (Special to the "Evening Post.") NEW PLYMOUTH, August 29. Royal Star 11, who had previously registered two handicap successes at Trentham last month, completed the "hat-trick" when he proved much too good for the opposition in the Waihau Handicap, feature flat event of the opening day of the Combined Taranaki and Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Clubs' - Meeting today. Although he did not commence as brilliantly as usual, Royal Star II was never far away and he moved up approaching the straight to join Heroic Maid in the van, from which point he went away to register a comfortable victory by two lengths. Screen Star and Gold Dale were in the call right from barrier-rise and they fought out a keen finish for second place, the verdict going to the former by a head. Clinch came from a good way back to secure the barren berth, and he should not be long in doing better over a longer distance. Heroic Maid and Rollicker failed to run on after having every chance, and Noble Fox was a useful fifth. The Hunt Cup Steeples was run at a particularly fast clip, which suited the Aucklander, Biform, as he is a rare stayer. Harbour Bar established a big lead early, but he ran off at the second of the stand double, leaving Helios clear of Biform. The latter joined Helios at the half-mile and then drew away' to an effortless victory. Tigreterre gave a faulty display of jumping and was only a useful third, with a gap to Lactose. The winner's stamina and jumping ability were definitely superior on the day. ONLY TWO IN IT. Car Leaf and Promenade had the finish in the Trial Hunters' Steeplechase to themselves, and when Promenade met with interference approaching the straight Car Leaf established a clear lead that enabled him to score decisively at the finish. Conflagration and Last Match shaped usefully, but Prinihia jumped badly and ultimately fell at the last obstacle. A. E. Lord, the rider of Car Leaf, was subsequently suspended for a fortnight. Verulam, a full-sister to the A.R.C. Handicap winner, Bronwen, and a member of H. Gray's Takanini team, was the medium of confident support in the first division ' of the Weraroa Stakes, and it proved fully justified for she was never fully extended at any stage of the journey. She was in front • at the end of a furlong and, gradually drawing away, was not ridden out over the last bit to win by four lengths from fMoymell, who had been favourably placed throughout and ran on fairly well to shade. Gold Blaze for second money. After the placed horses were Gold Card, Valtour, Mitigation, and Mansura. Surveyor-General, who was making his debut in the second division of the rWereroa Stakes, created a good impression when he outstayed the opposition to return his win-supporters the best part of a score. He joined the leaders approaching the straight entrance, where Boden Park, Liberation, and Lv Chang were also prominent, but in the run home nothing had a chance with Surveyor-General, Boden Park was a clear second over Abbey King, who was a fair way back early and did well to get third. Then followed Lv Chang, Liberation, Location, and Merrymeer, who proved to be a false1 favourite.

FAVOURITE SCORES. Having his first start for three months, Minority was backed down to favouritism in the Whenuakura Handicap, and after trailing the pacemakers in third place came through at the distance to-quickly place the issue beyond doubt Eupatrid had every chance, but held on to shade Larwood for second money. All Bunsby was a good fourth, with Stratford practically on termfe next. Stratford was a good way back in the early stages, and it was not till late in the contest that he commenced to make any impression. Tolaga again failed to stay, and Viracious was never a possibility. Two outsiders fought out the finish of the Ladies' Bracelet, and after a great tussle Hokumai beat Beau Monde by the narrowest of margins. This pair made practically all the running, ahead of Hirangi, but the last-named did not make much impression in the straight. The others were never possibilities. Making his second appearance for the day, Eupatrid was in front from the barrier rise in the Waverley Handicap, and he ran on very, solidly to score well from Sea Link and Silver Gift, both of whom had followed him in the running. Mountain Fox, not too well placed early, came home solidly for fourth, but the well-backed Roeon received the worst of the dispatch and was always in a hopeless position. Zest and Te Ore ran fair races. j