SPORTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 152, 30 June 1942, Page 6

SPORTING

SKY WAY IMPROVES

SECOND TROPHY TO OWNpR

(By "Binocular.") Despite the fact that Sky Way had played a prominent role for a fair portion of the journey in the Mariawatu Steeplechase on the opening day, hi§ improved showing in the; Awapuni Steeples on Saturday came as a surprise to the majority of the crowd. A ten-year-old Psychology gelding, ; Sky Way carries the colours, of Mr. T. Fraser, who raced that good one Birkology a season or two back, and each representative has how won a trophy at Awapuni. Early in the season, when trained by W. Wilson at Gisborne, Sky Way won the Ferguson Gold Cup Steeplechase at Poverty Bay, but the opposition was poor, and Saturday's was his first success since. Mystery Solved.—Doubt 'was expressed of whether the, Manawatu Steeplechase, w,hich was supposed to have been run over a distance of about three'lniles, was not started from the wrong point and the time, smin 7sec, I bore it out. The fact that an error was made was evident when the field fjor the•; Awapuni Steeplechase, of about two and a half miles, was dispatched ;from the same point on Saturday. The time in this instance was 4min 56 2-ssec, but it was rather an indication of the improved state of the: going than improvement in class. . A Casualty.—The ranks of jumpers were further thinned out at Awapuni on Saturday when Stokowski, a visitor from the north, broke a stifle at the same obstacle that .spelt finis to Enjoyment on the opening day. A Picture.—From the point of view of looks and quality, Cherry Plum appeared to be in a class of his own,, but the odds-on favourite met his match in the Awapuni Steeplechase. Turning forihome it looked as though the task of gathering up Sky Way would be simple, butthe latter had just too much speed oil the flat for the Beau Pere gelding. The outing should do Cherry Plum a world of good. i Not Completed.—The stable of H. S. Greene, of Greenmeadows, substituted Hyderabad for Anini on the second day of the Manawatu Meeting, and although the incomer ran very creditably he had to be content with third money in the steeplechase. It was quite a promising showing, nevertheless. . Failed.—Although she endeavoured, to assume her accustomed role'of pacemaker in the' Awapuni Steeplechase, Lady Callaghan did. not, fence with her usual boldness and commenced to drift surprisingly early. Bisquit f offered Lady Callaghan opposition in the role of pacemaker and that may have been responsible. Bisquit went particularly boldly for a time and looks a likely improver in the role. Unlucky.—V/hether Hanover would have taken part in the finish of the big steeples at Awapuni on Saturday had he survived the penultimate fence is problematical, for he is apt to stop quickly. However, he-appeared to be going quite strongly at the time, and the lead he had might have been difficult to close. Merited.—With a change of horsemen, the novice Flying Spy showed brilliance in the Akitio Hack i and Hunters' Hurdles at Awapuni. On the first day she came home particularly well, but too late to be in at the finish, whereas the northern rider, L. Brown, had her handily placed early in the piece on Saturday, and she was never in danger of defeat after: running to the front at the last obstacle. Strong Run. —In a slower run race in the minor hurdle event, Rockery gave his best showing since arriving from the south. He was a long way back turning for home, but put in.- a great run up the straight to within a heck of the second horse, Cherry Hiititer, although the latter was easing Up at the' post. Inability to secure la handy position early has counted [ against Rockery. Went Lame.—On the basis of i his showing on the first day at Awapuni, Elusory promised to get on the winning list at an early date, but he did not display the same dash on Saturday. When pulled up it was plainly apparent that, he was a "cot-case" and a spell will be necessary. Another whose racing,; to all appearances, will be temporarily concluded is Full Hand, who broke down when contesting the big handicap. Topsy-Turvy.—Form, where the open-class hurdles were concerned, showed .something of a reversal at Awapuni on Saturday when Renascor and Colibri, two proved . mudrlarks, fought out the finish of the Raukawa Hurdles after having been well beaten on the opening day. Both had a change of riders, and this no doubt played a big part , towards the improvement. • Weakened. —A firm favourite for the Raukawa Hurdles at Awapuni, Pekoe made a bold showing out in front with Kena till within sight of home, but he could not foot it with Renascor and Colibri in the run home. Now an inmate of A. E. Neale's stable at Bulls, Pekoe looked very well, and the outing should do him. good. Surprised.—After running unsighted in the Rongotea Handicap, the open seven-furlbngs event, the previous week, Duncannon was transferred to the big handicap on Saturday, and was a shade unlucky not to take the honours. A run through along the rail enabled him to come with a sensational burst of s.peed to run Expellant, who was in the front line at the entrance, to a head. Maybe Duncannon has become more solid, but he had a luxurious poundage. A Bad Run.—Two fancied candidates in the Hokowhitu Handicap, the principal flat distance race at Awapuni on Saturday, The Monarch and Sir Cameron, did not enjoy good runs. The former was towards the rear for the major portion of the journey and was unable to secure an opening turning for home. As a result he was kept buried on the rail.' Sir Cameron was further forward, but quite unable to work to the front. Better Showing.—Two horses to give improved showings in the Hokowhitu Handicap at Awapuni were Classform and Minority, who attended those recognised sprinters, Expellant and Duncannon, home. Noble Fox was up with the leading division early, but was finished with a long way from home, as was Atreus, who failed to repeat his effort of the previous Saturday, although track conditions were better: ' Double Winners.—There were three double winners at the Manawatu Meeting, Whackie taking the seven furlongs event each day, Gold Court the hack distance event, and Mihiniii the hack sprints. Gold Court's efforts brought him a decisive win on each occasion. Unsoundness has restricted the activities of this Tractor gelding, but further successes should lie ahead. He has three wins to his credit, and they have all come on the Awapuni course.