NOTES ON THE RACING

Evening Star, Issue 20255, 16 August 1929, Page 4

NOTES ON THE RACING

[By St. Claik.] After a very hard frost overnight the we'ather was dull, with a oold searching wind for the Grand National Hurdle Race day at Riccarton, when there was an excellent attendance and the crowd was in a very speculative mood, as the £43,483 handled by the totalisator represented an increase of no less than £12,274 on the amount handled on the corresponding day last year. The attendance again included a large number from Otago and Southland, who benefited by the Successes of Apache and Glenrowan. The course was in excellent condition, and throughout the afternoon the times reordoi Wert fast for this season of the year. • « * • Mangani’s win in the Grand National Hurdles was full of merit, for he established a time record for the race, i and won so easily over the last furlong that it looked .as if ho could have gone still faster had ho been more seriously pushed. The previous best time war. registered in 1922, when Gladful scored his second success in this race in <lmm 41 l-ssec, but since then tho distance has been increased by nearly a furlong Like Wiltshire, he is by Day Come!;, so this sire established a record by producing the winner of the 1929 double. Overhaul appeared to be didl and lifeless when paraded prior to the race, and it was quite evident that the race lie had had on Tuesday did not do tho Tractor gelding any good. He showed none of the brilliancy that ivas so evident in his Wellington successes, and was a well-beaten horse a long way from home. Craigmore looked the roughest of tho field, with the exception of Uralla, when paraded prior tho race. For oyer a mile and a-half ho gave a display of excellent, fast, clean jumping,, but at tho end of two miles he was a very well-beaten horse. Mister Gamp, the favourite, ran last for nearly two nllles, and never looked like a winner. t • « «■ « Apache is the most improved hurdkn seen out this season, and it is difficult to x'ealiso that the Apache that won today is identical with the Apache that performed so badly at Trcmham and

Timaru during the past month. He, too, registered good time, and looks like a Grand National Hurdle winner in the making.

Glcurowan won his race by a very narrow margin after a fighting finish, and had none the best of the running. Through the race he was excellently handled by F. Voight, who later in the day steered another winner in Royal Game.

Royal Saxon did not begin as well in the August Handicap as he did in the Winter Cup, but finished on well into second place, being a bit lucky in securing an opening after passing the distance post. Dumblano was well fancied by his connections, but did not begin well, and never appeared to hold a winning chance.

An inquiry was held into interference in the Beaufort Steeplechase, which brought about the fall of Young Thurnharn a furlong and a-half from home, and after two sittings it was adjourned until Saturday morning. The accident appeared to affect Rubious’s chance, but both he and Fabriano were very tired horses, and the latter, being the more seasoned of the two, would probably have won had the collision not occurred. Prior to this race the secretary to the Racing Conference explainer! to the Press representatives present that arising out of rumours that Glendowio was supposed to bo identical with the Australian champion Clan Robert, he had called the secretary of the Victorian Racing Chib and been assured that by official that Clan Robert was now a station hack in that State. He also mentioned, in fairness h) Glendowic’s owner, that that horse had recently been operated on for throat trouble. Glendowio put up a very poor showing in the race, and is evidently a long way from being right. * * # * Black Duke pulled very bard over the early stages of the Islington Handicap, and was running on again in the finish. King Balboa, who was made a good favourite in this race, ;s evidently not himself, and was racing nearly at the tail of his field until nearing the home turn. Ho put m a run about halfway down the straight, but it lacked the usual dash. When Young Thurnharn fell in the Beaufort Steeplechase his rider. E. Shaw, sustained a broken collarbone. » » « * Birkbeck was made a good favourite for the Hunt Cup Steeplechase, with Kaikahu and Sea Boy the next fancied in a small pool. Sea Boy led Kaikahu for the first six furlongs, and at the stand double the latter took charge and led the favourite over the sod wi-TI at Cutts’s, which Birkbeck hit. At the Kennel’s double Kaikahu, who was five lengths in front, tried to run off, and the favourite took charge and led Kaikahu over the next two fences. He was two lengths to the good -> er the last fence, but slipped on landing and fust lost sufficient ground to allow Kaikahu to beat him home by two lengths. Taramon, was fifteen lengths away third, and Mataipuke next. Investments, £2,171.

Rio Do Yal was made a pronounced favourite for the Wool&ton Handicap, being nearly twice as well backed as Red Boa, Dumblanc, and Tourist, wlio were evenly fancied. When the field settled down Lucky Bag. Punchestown. The Dove, Briar Thorn, and The Bailiff were tlio leaders. Lucky Bag was first to the course proper, and at the distance post Taranto headed Punchcstown, and opposite the stand Glenrowan and Red Boa made challenges. In one of the best finishes seen on the course Glenrowan just got up to secure a half-head victory from Taranto, with Red Boa half a length away third, a head in front of The Bailiff, with Glyn J)hu and Punchestown only heads away. Investments, £5,5941.

Kaikahn’s withdrawal from the Beanfort Steeplechase left a one-dividend field, and in a poor betting pool Main was made a good favourite, with Fabriano the best backed of the others. Dubious at onco wont to tho Lout, and was always three or four lengths in front of Young Thurnham, Matu, and Fabriano, who wore always running in close order and jumping well. Glendowie dropped back from the word go, Fabriano made a bad jump at the first fence, and Matu went out after Dubious, but the next fence, tho sod wall, was fatal to his chances, and Dubious went on from Young Thurnham and Fabriano, who jumped the big brush at the top of the straight badly. Leading to the last fence all three were very-tired, and when Young Thurnham went up to Dubious Fabriano, on the outside, rolled into him. The force of the impact nearly turned Dubious round and caused Young Thurnham to fail. Ou tho flat Dubious was first over rbo last fence, but ou tho fiat Fabriano just got him before reaching the post and secured a half-length victory. Gleudowie was a furlong and a-balf off third. Investments, £2,710. * .♦ * * Apache was always a. much better favourite than Amorist-Rangiawlno bracket, with Gala Day a good third choice, and Brightling next fancied. The latter at onco took charge, and led through the straight from Amorist, Apache, and Cannthia. Amorist joined Gala Day at the hurdle near Cutts’s, and the pair drew out six lengths clear of Apache, with Aurora Borealis and Zeuxis next. There was no change till the hurdle near the seven furlong post, where Zeuxis fell. After passing tho far turn, Amorist went on in front from Gala Day, and then the favourite ran up into, second place at the homo turn. Going to the last fence, Apache headed Amorist, and they were followed by Aurora Borealis and Carinthia, the rest beaten off. Apache had to be shaken up to beat Aurora Borealis by half a length. Carinthia was five lengths away third, and Amorist, Gala Day, and Nine of Spades next. Investments, £4,7225.

' The withdrawal of Nnknmai and Kuwim left a good held of thirteen to no to the post for the Grand National Hurdles, and nothing looked better in the parade than Mister Gamp, who was made a good favourite. Owing to the accident to E. Shaw in the steeplechase, a fresh rider had to be secured for Lancer, and this may have cost his owner tho race. Overhaul was a good second favourite, and then followed in fancy Mangani and Aberfeldy. Red Fuchsia and Craigmore were the next fancied. Directly the barrier was re leased lloromca, Locarno, Mangani, and Aberfeldy were the first to show out, hut before a furlong had been covered Craigmoro took charge, and at the end of two furlongs ho was showing well clear of Locarno, Uoromea, Abcrfoldy. and Mangani, with Mister Gamp last, Ora 11a and Perlc de, Leon being

just in front of him. Craigmore had a lead of live lengths passing the stand, Locarno and Horomea being next, just in front of Aberfeldy and Lancer. Leaving the straight, the field closed up on Craigmore, and at Cutts s hurdle Lancer and Horomea jumped past him, Locarno and Aberfeldy being almost on terms with the leaders. Lancer was in charge at the mil© post, with Horomea, Locarno, Aberfeldy, Mangani, Overhaul, and Novar next. There was little change in the order at the five furlongs post, but Locarno and Mangani were in front half a mile from home, with Lancer, Aberfeldy, and Horomea next. Mangani took charge soon aftei entering the straight, and, leading over the last hurdle, won comfortably by two lengths. A good finish for the places ended in Aberfeldy beating Lancer by three-quarters of a length, with Horomea a length further back. Then came Novar, Red Fuchsia, and Mister Gamp. Craigmore was near the tail of the field when he fell at the last hurdle. Investments, £'7,o-11

The August Handicap. produced a good field, Goblin Market, Taboo, Prickles, and Royal Game being withdrawn. In a good betting pool Gold Cure and Kaiti were sent out much better backed than Gay Sonnet, with Royal Saxon (who had Brodie up), Quantum, and Bonogne next fancied. From a good line Subdivision, from the middle of tlfo field was the first to jump out, and he led Amor, Gold Cure, and Gay Sonnet to the course proper. At the distance Gold Cure took charge, and next to him were Gay Sonnet, First Raid, Kaiti, _ Quantum, and Royal Saxon. Opposite the stand Gold Cure drew out and won easily by three lengths from Royal Saxon, who finished very gamely and beat Maui by a length. Then followed Kaiti, Gay Sonne.), Bonogne. and Quantum. Investments, £G,CB3.

Narrative was scratched for the Summer Hack Handicap, and Honeycombs was sent out a very solidly supported favourite, being much better fancied than Starshooter, with Shortly, Fine Aero, and Sweet Refrain also fairly well backed. Royal Flower was the first to show out, but before getting to the end of the first furlong gave way to Fine Acre and Hurly Burlv, who were on even terms, and a couple of lengths in front of Wrigley and Royal Flower. This was the order of the leading division coming round the far turn and across the top, where the favourite was lying well back. At the turn for home Fine Acre led Hurly Burly, and the favourite moved up round his field. At tho false rail he got on terms with tho loaders, and ran home a very easy winner by three lengths from Hounslow, who heat Shortly by a bare length. Wrigley, Hurly Burly, and Starshooter were next, investments, £C,B9IJ.

Otago and Southland stables had the honour of producing tho first_ and second favourites in the concluding event of the day, the Islington Handicap, King Balboa being better backed than Taboo, Anolo, Courageous, and Black Duke. The last-named was first out from Royal Game and Town Bank, but after going two furlongs Taboo ran up into second place. At the far turn Taboo took charge and led Tekeka and Black Mint rounding the far turn. Taboo was done with before reaching the homo turn, where Full Feather, Black' Mint, and Royal Game joined Tcheka, and they ran on terms to the distance post, where Teheka dropped out, and the favourite shoAved up on the outside The stable mates, Royal Game and Black Mint, Avere challenged by King Balboa at tho distance post, but the latter’s challenge was not long sustained. and Royal Game appeared to hare the race Avon opposite the lawn stand, where Courageous put in a avowderful run, but just failed to get there by a neck. Full Feather finished on well, a length aAvay in third place, and th'-m came Black Mint, Black Duke, and Teheka. Investments, £7,669.