SPORTING A GOOD INNINGS

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 40, 17 February 1942, Page 8

SPORTING

A GOOD INNINGS

TRENTHAM'S FIVE WINNERS

(By "Binocular.") Although Awapuni rather dominated the position in the early portion of the day at Otaki on Saturday by supplying three winners, three seconds, and one third up to the fourth event, Trentham took control in the closing stages. Inclusive of furnishing the two deadheaters in the hack distance event, Trentham registered three additional successes and supplied two thirds. The other two winners came from Otaki and Opaki, Night Eruption being the one winner trained on the track. Trentham's share of the prize-money amounted to £480 of the £1170 offered by the club, the dividing of the maiden event resulting in the stake being enlarged by an addition of £50 His Own Rules. After a period, of disappointing form, Enrich returned to the winning ranks at Otaki when he took the Ta Timi Kara, the big handicap, in good style. L. J. Ellis jumped him out smartly to take up the running, and Enrich was allowed to stride along without any of his opponents endeavouring to offer opposition in the role. Actually, Young Charles, with his weight advantage of 191b. was the only one seriously to challenge him over the final stages, and that was largely under sufferance. Even though Enrich has done the major portion of his recent racing over sprint distances the loss of his early brilliance may result in his being permanently transferred to distance events. As a three-year-old he won the N.Z. Derby, and although some of those he beat that day have gone much further, he may yet prove himself as a stayer. Weakened. Gunyah, a stablemate of Enrich, was installed the win-favourite in the Ohau Hack Handicap, the following event, but the Myosotis gelding weakened into third after looking very likely at the straight entrance. The finish was fought out by two other Trentham representatives, Kevin and Madame Rachel, the judge awarding a deadheat, although in the last couple of strides the latter, who is a full-sister to The Monarch, was doing it the better. It was an overdue turn of luck for Madame Rachel's ownertrainer, W. Bryce, who has been very patient with her. Promising. The first division of the Waikanae Maiden at Otaki contained all the better-performed sorts, and the performance of Sterling Lad, the winner, was an excellent one. Actually, the Inflation colt was definitely unlucky not to have run closer than third in the scurry event at his second start, for he got away badly. Te Awe Awe was a comfortable winner of the second division, but this Lord Quex filly has taken a long time to open her account. Delayed Run. After'being well placed in the early stages of the Ta Timi Kara Handicap, Night Eruption got hemmed in coming across the top and when she worked clear she could not close the gap. Saddled up two races later she finished too solidly for the pacemakers in the sprint, but a different story might have been told had Autolite been better placed early. It had been anticipated that L. J. Ellis would have the mount on Autolite, but the services of the Maori apprentice E. J. Lewis were secured for the Autopay mare. Failed. Prior to the Otaki Meeting Wildfire had shown encouraging form in his trials at Trentham, but he failed at his, two outings on Saturday. With a shortage t)f hurdle and highweight horsemen the services of L. J. Ellis were secured for the Lord Quex gelding, but it meant his carrying an additional 71b by way of penalty. Two races later he contested the Pukehou Hack Handicap, but did not go kindly at any stage, and it almost appeared as though he did not appreciate the hard track. Makes Difference. Young Charles, who was recently bought cheaply by Mr. H. M. Rough, of Palmerston North, did not show to advantage in the highweight, the opening event at Otaki, but he ran a greatly-improved race in the big handicap under the minimum. Actually, the transfer brought him a drop of no less than 421b, and he showed his appreciation by beating all but Enrich. Actually, he might have been even more dangerous but for being pinched back seven furlongs from home. The modest stake won already places his new owner on the right side of the ledger.