FORM AT WANGANUI

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 62, 11 September 1945, Page 10

FORM AT WANGANUI

BACKERS BAFFLED

ONE FAVOURITE SUCCEEDS

During the spring racing form is generally erratic, and backers were repeatedly astray at Wanganui on Saturday. Only one favourite fulfilled expectations, and that success, strangely enough, was in the Debutant Stakes, where backers had no form whatever to assist them. However, they were assisted to some extent by having seen Kirstymac in a parade at New Plymouth, and on the score of looks she had much to commend her when compared with the backward lot opposed to her. Not Popular. The majority of backers now prefer the win-and-place system of betting to the old single-pool system, and the objection to the latter is all the greater when races are divided. In such instances they have to find the winner only, and although there were repeated surprises on Saturday the Wanga»nui Club did well to top last year's figures by £16,401 under the old sys- | tern. Except in one instance, the divi- | dends, in the circumstances, were surprisingly modest, whereas under the win-and-place system several of them would have reached double figures. Contrasting Figures. During the boom period after Great War No. 1, the Wanganui Jockey Club handled £103,094 10s at the Spring Meeting of 1920, £48.086 10s on the opening day and £55,008 on the second day. However, these figux-es could not be maintained, and twelve months later they were £72,860 10s. In those days the club raced on Thursday and Saturday, but in common with other clubs in the Dominion it had to face a difficult period, and in 1932 the aggregate for the two days was the modest one of £16,234. A Low Ebb. In 1933 the Wanganui Jockey Club introduced the win-and-place system, j but the move did not have the desired ■ result and a new low ebb was reached when the turnover was only £15,531. However, at the 1939 fixture—the last held on the course for some years— the position improved somewhat, and the aggregate rose to £29,563. In 1942 and 1943, when the meeting was held at Marton, the club shared in the boom the sport was enjoying, and the return of £73,580 10s of 1943 was the best for many years. The win-and-place system of betting then operated, and on returning to the home course last spring the aggregate came down to £60,241 10s under the single-pool system. However, judged on last Saturday's figures, the club should do much better this year. Fully Deserved. The success of Cramond Bay in the Marangai Handicap on Saturday was fully deserved, for the son of Phaleron Bay and Horomea stayed on in good style. It was his first tilt over the distance, but he came through the test in great style, and he has only to keep1 sound to carry his account still further. It is understood that Horomea, who has proved herself a wonderful matron, is in foal to Sir Crusoe, so still more of her progeny will probably grace the Turf and keep the family flag flying. Nothing Extra. In his racing to date over journeys Lord Darnley has given the impression that he is a real mudlark with a preference for setting his own pace. Different tactics to those adopted at Riccartori were tried in the Marangai Handicap when his rider endeavoured to steal a march on his opponents. Unfortunately, the rider of Cramond Bay set out after him early, and when challenged Lord Darnley did not appreciate the position, showing a tendency to run about under pressure. Coming to Hand. As he had to make up a lot of ground, Keen Play did well to get up for third in the big race at Wanganui. W. J. Broughton was hard at him with five furlongs to go, and the chestnut gallantly responded, only to find the gap too great to bridge. . Without doubt a firming of the track will be appreciated by the Plato gelding, his best efforts having come on top of the ground. Meteoric. Having her first race since last October, Macedoine unfolded a sensational finishing run in the Marangai Handicap to be seventh at the post. She looked a trifle burly and was content to trail along at the rear for the major portion of the journey, being still a bad last with less than half a mile to go. However, v/hen she unfolded her run she came home in great style. All going well, the Salmagundi mare should win before she leaves for India. Successful Day. W. J. Broughton completed the "hattrick" at Wanganui on Saturday when he scored on Kirstymac, Second Seal, and Battle Survey at successive appearances. Thereafter patrons supported his mounts solidly in every instance, but the run had broken, a second on Master Ted and a third on Keen Play being his only other placings. The New Plymouth trainer H. Dulieu led in three winners. Broughton was associated with two of them, bui, in the Durie Hack Handicap the horseman was engaged for Battle Survey, and the mount on Lord Coronach, who took the second division for Dulieu, went to G. Ivil. Bold Showing. The manner in which Blue Simon came home suggests that this Trent-ham-trained youngster will do well for himself with greater experience. As his name suggests, he is a half-brother by Revelation to Black Simon. He was bought at the Yearling Sales for 425 guineas, and should be well worth that figure.