NOTES ON THE EVENTS

Evening Star, Issue 20986, 28 December 1931, Page 4

NOTES ON THE EVENTS

[By St. Cx.aiji.] A BIG DIVIDEND. . Only’ Money Aline was withdrawn from the Federal Handicap, for which Channeuse (£3554) and Al Jolson (£3094) carried the heavy wagering, with Greenaway (£1851), Caterpillar (£l3l-4), and the Fair Weather-Ei Boa bracket (£122) the next fancied. From a perfect line Caterpillar, El Boa, Lord Argosy, and Assemble were the early leaders. Approaching the far turn Caterpillar and El Boa were racing together just in front of Blue Metal, with Aspiring, Lord Argosy, Solmar, and Greenaway next. Both the favourite and Al Jolson were in a hopeless position at this stage. Caterpillar and El Boa were still in charge at the home turn, with Blue Metal, Lord Argosy, Aspiring, Greenaway, Solmar, and Filosol. The leaders opened out in the run down the straight, and Solmar got an opening on the straight. Opposite the lawn stand both Solmar and Filosol joined the leaders, the former going on to win by a short length from Filosol, who beat Lord Argosy by a neck. Caterpillar was another neck off fourth, followed by El Boa, Aspiring, and Duleu. The winner, who has been galloping well in his work, was the extreme outsider of the field, and returned the biggest dividend seen at Wingatui for some years. KAKARA EASILY. Kakara (£469) was backed down to nearly an even-money chance in the Salisbury Handicap, with All Smiles (£259), Night Rose (£212), Last March (£184), and Gold Pit (£161) the next fancied. Colonel Cygnus, Last March, and Gold Pit were the leaders over the first two furlongs, then Colonel Cygnus and Gold Pit drew nearly three lengths clear of Last March and the favourite, ydth All Smiles just in behind them. There was no change in this order until after turning for home. At the distance post Colonel Cygnus retired, and Kakara ran up to Gold Pit opposite the top stand. Kakara ran home a very easy winner by two lengths from All Smiles, who got. up in time to beat Gold Pit by a short; neck for second money. Fair Exchange, Last March, and Night Rose wore next. ROYAL SAXON RETURNS TO FORM. The withdrawals from the Otago Handicap were Mount Boa, Red Heckle, and Topere, and King Balboa (£351), Royal Saxon (£273.)), Black Duke (£255|), Charmaine (£2524), and Water Power (£183) were the best backed. Royal Saxon, Charmaine, and King Balboa were the smartest out of the barrier, and turning out of the straight Charmaine was in charge, and led Ilpyal Saxon and King Balboa. Going into the back stretch, Charmaine was two lengths clear of Royal Saxon, with King Balboa and Water Power next. Glenrowaii moved up going along the back, and at the far turn Charmaine was a length out in front of Royal Saxon, with Water Power, King Balboa, and Glenrowan next, and Black Duke at the head of the others well strung _ out. Royal Saxon followed Charmaine into tiie straight, and before reaching the distance post had headed her, Water Power and King Balboa being next. Black Duke made a showing halfway down the straight, but could not catch bo leaders, Royal Saxon winning comfortably by two lengths from King Balboai wlio overhauled Glenrowan in the last few strides, and beat him by half a length. Ciiarmaine, Black Duke, and Red Racer were next, and Salmo Salnr last. A BRILLIANT FILLY. Gessler was withdrawn from the Dunedin Handicap for two-ycar-olds, and Oratorious (£695]) was backed down

to a short odds-on price, Silver Streak (£355), Shock (£243), and Gold Paper (£1534) being the best supported of the others. Gold Paper jumped out the smartest, and led Shock and the favourite round the far turn, then the favourite ran into second place. Gold Paper was never headed and won very easily by four lengths from Shock, who boat Oratorious by a length over the last fifty yards. Fine Weather and Golden King were next. MERRY PEEL RING'S TRUE. Convoy, Kerbside, and Claronsoss were missing from the field for the Burnside Handicap, and Bachelor’s Idol (£456)), Lochlaggan (£370), Merry Pee! (£2644), Hot Tea (£2584), and Some Acre (£2494) the best fancied. Hot Tea, Lochlaggan, and Insolvency began the best and led Merry Peel along the back. There was no change in the leaders as they rounded the far turn, but halfway up the hill Insolvency ami Lochlaggan had drawn clear from Hot Tea, Merry Peel, and Bulolo. Insolvency led Lochlaggan, Hot Tea, Merry Peel, and Bulolo into the straight. Before reaching the distance Bulolo dropped out and opposite the top stand Insolvency followed suit. Then Merry Peel joined Hot Tea and Lochlaggan, and in the best finish of the day Merry Peel scored by a short neck from Hot Tea, with Lochlaggan a length and a-half off third, and Insolvency, Bululo, and Scotch Tea next.

The winner, who is suffering from a splint, appeared to bo very lame when doing his preliminary, and this no doubt helped his connections to secure such a good price about him.