NATIONAL MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 39, 15 August 1945, Page 10

NATIONAL MEETING

HONOURS VERY EVEN

DISTRIBUTION OF STAKES Whereas on the opening day of the Grand National Meeting the North Island contingent had to be content with three firsts and 10 minor placings (including fourths), the filling of all four placings in the Grand National Steeples enabled them to top the southerners in respect to stake-win-nings. However, the scales swung more in favour of the South Island on Saturday, despite the fact that the northerners won four races, were second in four, third three times, and fourth four times. During the meeting North Island horses won £6625 in stake-money. Larger, Share. —By capturing the major stake-money in the Grand National Hurdles and Islington Handicap, South Island horses were able to counter-balance the North's superiority in the 'chasing branch on Saturday, although they enjoyed fewer wins than on the opening day. In all, the South Island won 10 of the 17 races at the meeting (a division race was run on the first Saturday), took 11 seconds, nine thirds, and seven fourths. Actually, the home contingent were £260 in arrears on the opening day, but by topping the northern visitors by £145 on.Saturday, there was only a matter of £115 separating them on the grand aggregate. Stake Saved. —In- the Hunt Cup at Riccarton on Saturday only seven candidates went to the post, but three place-dividends were paid, the scratching of Hughsotis being posted after the totalisator had opened. Only .two of the runners completed the course without mishap, but Cobalt's rider gamely remounted after a fall, taking third money and returning his backers an excellent dividend. As no fourth horse weighed in, the club saved the £25 stake-money attached to that placing. Judge Confused. —In the Sumner Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday the judge placed Royal Chance fourth instead of Casilda, and the latter's owner lost £25 in stake-money as a result. Both jockeys wore blue jackets, but where Royal Chance's colours were of royal blue, red and white sash, and white cap, Casilda's were peacock blue with cerise diamonds, white armbands and cap. Actually, Royal Chance was tenth to finish. Almost Identical. —Two horses in the Woolston Hack Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday carried practically identical colours, although one set was a trifle more weather-worn than the other. Further, the horses differed in colour, the one being a brown and the other a bay. Master Robin's silks were of gold with red-hooped sleeves, and black and white quartered cap, and The Crofter's were tangerine, cherry arm bands, and black and white quartered cap. It is said that an experienced onlooker, when recounting the running afterwards, was completely astray as to the position held by Master Robin in the middle stages of the race as a result of the confusion that resulted. £5000 Cup Race. —Although the Wellington Racing Club has steadily advanced the prize-money at its meetings, and a substantial advance has been made where the spring fixture in October is involved, the stake attached to the Wellington Cup in January remains at £5000, inclusive of a cup that has been donated by Mr. K. Geange, of Upper Hutt. The Auckland Cup was of the same value, inclusive of £100 cup, last Christmas, and it will be interesting to see whether the northern club will go still higher or not this year. Showed Speed.—The Theio gelding Whitley showed a brilliant turn of speed when he worked to the front early in the Woolston Hack Handicap at Riccarton to stay there till inside the final furlong. He then commenced to weaken and was beaten home by both Master Robin and Lady Chips. Whitley is a ! four-year-old from the Iliad —Bravado mare Odavarb, thus a brother to Theocritus, who showed brilliance as a two-year-old last season in this island. Bravado, who is by Psychology from the Martian mare War 4Scare, was the dam of Orakau (by Mr, Standfast), who has given promise of developing into a highclass handicapper. Solid. Effort. —In the Islington Handicap at Riccarton Amorlad ran a very sound race under his substantial poundage of 9.6. A. E. Didham got him away smartly to be handy to Lord Darnley at the end of the firjst furlong and he trailed the Trentham gelding thereafter. Actually, he had the p/jemaker beaten entering upon the fitial furlong only to find Sphere, who had ranged up on his outer at the straight entrance, staying on just a shade too well for him. Incidentally, Amorlad was giving his victor an advantage of 201b. Looked Bright.—ln his preliminary for both the Winter Cup and the Islington Handicap at Riccarton Kevin strode out very attractively, but last year's winner of the Islington Handicap was never dangerous. Possibly by the time the New Zealand Cup comes round in November he will be found playing a more prominent role. Slow Away.—Last season Tring started off in good style by winning twice at successive starts, but the Salmagundi gelding has repeatedly failed since. After being slow to move in the Winter Cup he came home solidly for fifth, practically on terms with Caithness. On the second day he was again slow away in the Islington Handicap, but in this instance he did not come home so impressively, being tenth at the post. Quite definitely the female get of Salmagundi are superior to the males. Weakened. —Winner of the Trial Hurdles on the opening day at Riccarton, Bali was out in front for quite a fair portion of the journey in the Spreydon Hurdles on Saturday, but the extra distance found him out. However, opportunities should come for the Rulanut eight-year-old on the smaller courses. Colonial Sires. —On the opening day of the Grand National Meeting two of the winners,. Master Meruit and Bali, were products of sires bred in this country, and the record was carried further on Saturday when Dauber won the Lincoln Steeples. Now 11 years of age, Dauber is a product of Romney and the Spalpeen mare Orpheum, the sire having been got by the Australian horse Shepherd King from the Seaton Delaval mare Elegance. Improved.—ln the Grand National Steeples Steward was an early casualty, and on the second day the Salmagundi gelding gave a vastly improved showing by fencing without error to fill second berth to Dauber in the Lincoln Steeples. He had thrown off to some extent the sCratchiness that had affected him prior to the meeting opening, and he should develop into a good 'chaser with more experience. Big Dividend. —With Weld Cqna being entrusted with the major portion of the investments on the Sumner Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday, the Wild Chase gelding carrying almost three times as much as the next fancy on the win-machine, anything else was paying a good price. Unfortunately for patrons, Koa Manu was one of the "long shots" and when she won her dividend was on the way to the half-century. It was Koa Manu's first win, but it should not be her last, for she is beautifully bred, being by Golden Eagle (who died after doing a short season in this country) from Joyous, by Chief Ruler from Limelight, who was a good performer in the south in her day. Lord Broiefort, on whom good money was lost when he became involved in the mix-up in the Trial Hurdles on the opening day, is an elder half-brother. Restrained.—With W. J. Broughton in the saddle, Lord Darnley was not allowed his head in the Islington Handicap as he had been given by his less-experienced pilot in the Parliamentary Handicap at Trentham last month. Although track conditions were not as bad as he relished, Lord Darnley worked to the front early, but he was never asked to make an endeavour to "steal" the race. Whether the change in tactics told against the Siegfried gelding cannot be determined, but he did not run on as solidly as expected.