NOTES ON THE FIXTURE

Evening Star, Issue 23498, 12 February 1940, Page 4

NOTES ON THE FIXTURE

[By St. Or. air.]

Backers received a shock in the Gore High-weight Handicap when tho rank outsider in the field, Silkwood, got up in the last stride to beat the two favourites, who were fighting out a good finish. Gusterina led through the straight from Craiglea, Garonne, and Merry Simon. Garonne joined Gusterina racing to the back, and they led Merry Simon, Royal Style, and Black Bard to the far turn. Gusterina was just showing in front of Garonne as they rounded the far turn, with Merry Simon, Royal Style, and Craiglea next. Silkwood improved her position racing across the top and was with Craiglea. just behind Merry Simon, Gusterina. and ‘Royal Style as they turned into the straight. Merry Simon and Royal Style then drew clear, the former having tho better of the struggle opposite the stand, then Silkwood came with a late rim and beat Merry Simon a head, with Royal Style a short halflength away third. Then a big gap to Craiglea. with Gusterina and Garonne next. The winner had only £9 invested on her winning chance and returned a very big dividend. *** « . Another hot favourite went under in the Longford Hack Handicap when Counterlunch failed over the final furlong. Counterlunch, starting from next tho rails, Heidelberg, and Aravane were a little slow to jump out, and King’s Chorus and New Note were just in front of Prince Ruenalf when tho field settled down. At the end of a furlong and a-half Counterlunch moved up, still next the rails, and at the far turn was on terms with Pink Bond and King’s Chorus, with New Note next. New Note ran up in between Counterlunch and King’s Chorus. Counterlunch and King’s Chorus -were together as they turned into the straight, with New Note and Pink Bond next. Connterlunch was beaten at tho distance, and King’s Chorus drew away to win easily by a length and a-half from Pink Bond, who heat Counterlunch a neck. Prince Ruenalf, Aravane. and Remembo were next. Heidelberg tailed the field all the way and was a bad last.

Still another favourite was well beaten in the Electric Trot, which was won by Kentucky Sun from start to finish. (Bondsman was slow to strike his gait, and Prince Echo, Young Davey, and Samara failed to go away. Kentucky Sun began very smartly and led Cathay over the first two furlongs, then Blue Spot ran into second place, and at the end of half a mile Kentucky Sun was showing tho way to Blue Spot, Happy Erin, Lome Val, and Sister Joan. Happy Erin lost her driver at the end of five furlongs, and Kentucky Sun led into the back from Blue Spot. Lome A 7 al ran into second place again racing along tho back, and at the far turn Kentucky Sun was two lengths clear of Icilma, with Lome Val and Bondsman next. Kentucky Sun led into the straight from Icilma, Lome Val, and Bondsman, and had to be driven right out to beat Icilma a length. 1 Bondsman was four lengths away third, with a similar gap to Blue Spot. Lome A r al and Rapid Course were next.

Norseman and Nightwings shared favouritism for the Racing Club Handicap, but neither could get into the money. Sparkle began the smartest, but at the end of two furlongs Peony Rose had drawn out three lengths clear from Sparkle, with another gap of two lengths to Mona’s Song, Chirp, and Nightwings. Going to the back Peony Rose had drawn out five lengths clear from Sparkle, with Mona’s Song and Nightwings racing together two lengths further back. Going to the far turn Sparkle got to within two lengths of Peony Rose, and Mona’s Song and Nightwings were a similar distance away at the head of the others. Peony Rose was only a neck in front of Sparkle at tho home turn, and at the distance headed her. Peony Rose came again, and appeared to head off Sparkle a stride from the post, but the judge was unable to separate them as they crossed the line._ Mona’s Song was four lengths away third, with two lengths to Valantua. Nightwings and Norseman were next.

The start for the Novice Handicap was not a good one, Palmar and Lingernot being badly left. Southern Sail was smartest to begin, and at the end of a furlong was followed by Royal Money, My Bong, and Eire’s Ruin. Southern Sail and Royal Money quickly had a four lengths’ lead from My Song and Ackemma, and this was the order rounding the far turn. Southern Sail was half a length in front of Royal Money at the home turn, and then drew out to win by .two lengths. Royal Money was three lengths in front of My Song, then more gaps to Ackemma and Dolita, « # * ♦ ♦

Waitoru, favourite for the Croydon Handicap, had every chance, and was only caught a stride or two from the post by Boaform, who scored her first success in open company. Miltiades missed the jump-out, and Wild Career was first to break a good line. Bay Dube took charge after half a furlong had been covered, and led along the back from Aspire, Waitoru, and Rodenr. At the far turn Waitoru was on Bay Duke’s girths, with Boaform, Aspire, and Rodeur next. Waitoru headed Bay Duke racing across the top. and was first into the straight from Bay Duke, Boaform, and Wild Career. Waitoru drew out in the straight, hut halfway down the running Boaform put in a good challenge, and beat him a head. Wild Career was three lengths away third, a neck in front of Phalanx. Aspire and Rodeur were next. Banstook improved on his Tapanui win the previous week by leading all the way in the Progressive Harness Handicap, and returning quite a remunerative price. Parrish Chimes failed to go away, and Banstock led out from Loyal Emblem, Night Nurse, Overproof, and Diosma. Passing the stand Banstock was racing six lengths clear of Night Nurse, Loyal Emblem, Diosma, and Dunalister, and at the end of a mile Banstock was two lengths in front of Night Nurse, with Dunalister and Diosma handy. Banstock led into the straight from Night Nurse, and had to bo driven out to heat the latter a length and a-half. Pontoon finished fast to get up and heat Dunalister a head for third money. Diosma and Yan Yan were next. Cherokee was favourite for the Summer Handicap, but with Vanity Queen and Exult was last away. Islay Downs led out of the straight from Blissful Lady and Garonne, and as they raced along the back Islay Downs was just in front of Blissful Lady, with Ortyx next, then a gap to Garonne. Blissful

Lady joined Islay Downs at tho far turn, and they led Ortyx, Cherokee, and Night Pal into the straight. In a good run to the post Blissful Lady beat Islay Downs by a head. Vanity Queen was five lengths away just beating Ortyx a head for .third place. Night Pal and Cherokee were next. Considering her recent form, Blissful Lady, who returned a good dividend' to win, was allowed to start at quite a false price.