TO-DAY’S RACING NEWS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1936, Page 13

TO-DAY’S RACING NEWS

Trotting MEETINGS TO COME November 26, Park. December s—New5 —New Brighton. December s—Waikato.5 —Waikato. December 26 —Ashburton. December 26 —Gore. December 26, 28-Wairarapa. December 26, 28— Westport. December 28, 30, 31 —Auckland. December 29—Winton. METROPOLITAN TROTS CONCLUDE FREE FOR all TO HAROLD LOGAN

CHRISTCHURCH, November 12. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Spring meeting ended tori av in glorious weather. The attendanee was up to former Show Day standards and the track was in fast order. Investments a “ o 3 xnt |J 0 £59,266 10/-, compared with £40,984 10/- on the corresponding day of last year. The total for the meeting was £150,717 10/- against £103,391 10/- last year’. Remaining results:— Hornby Handicap, 2.46 class, l.» miles.—l/2 Rey -Spec(F. G Holmes; 1; 2/4 Reporter (McGirr) 2 9/10 Elvo (Bebbington) 3. Also s^ rt Aristotles, 12/12 Brentlight, 3/1 Crag anour and Marie Celeste bracketed, 5/3 Pricks Ahead 4/7 Bonny Azure, 7/o Frank; 10/9 Agile, 8/8 George Rey, 6/6 Supertax. Won by a neck, three lengths Supertax was fourth. Times 2.40 1-5, 2.40 2-5, 2.42 4-5. Dominion Handicap, 4.38 class, two 'miles.—7/7 Norma Bingen (Watts) 1, 3/3 Wahnooka. (Donald) 2; 4/4 Wrackicr (Maidens) 3. Also started. 5/5 Amonos, 9/10 Garner, 12/12 Mountain Mist, 8/6 Sandy N-. 2/2 Discord, 10/9 Bessie Parrish, 6/8 Nicoya, 1/1 Sea Gift 11/11 Trampfast. Passing the stands for the last time, Garner was showing the way to Discord, Bessie Parrish, Norma Bingen, Amonos, Wrackler and Wahnooka. Three furlongs from home Garner and Discord were still the leaders and led into the straight from Norma Bingen, Bessie Parrish and Wrackler. Norma Bingen then drew out and won by a neck from Wahnooka with Wrackler three lengths away, and Garner fourth'. Time 4.2. 1-5, 4.29 2-5, 4.25. Lyttelton Handicap, 4.30 class, two miles—4/5 Bingen Palm (Simpson) 1; 2/3 Willow Wave (O. E. Hooper) 2j 5/5 Raydus (McDermott) 3. Also started: 9/10 Emilius Way, 8/7 Gunfire, 10/9 Queen Author, 3/2 Recess, 6/6 Kingcraft, 1/1 Llewellyn’s Pride ,7/8 Vesuvius. Won by a neck; three lengths. Emilius Way was fourth. Times: 4.25 3-5, 4.21 4-5, 4.26. Free For All, 11 miles. —•>/•> Haiold Logan (R. Townley, jnr.) 1; 1/1 Tempest (J. Bryce, jun.) 2; 5/4 Red Shadow (J. Bryce) 3. Also started: 2/2 Roi I’Or, 4/5 New Derby, 8/8 Guy Junior, 1/1 Indianapolis bracketed with Tempest, 6/6 Rey Spec, 7/7 Supertax. Guy Junior took up the running from Harold Logan, New Derby and Tempest and going past the stands the order was Guy Junior, New Derby, Tempest, Roi I’Or and Harold Logan. The leaders were the same going down the back and into the straight, where Guy Junior was followed by New Derby, Tempest, Roi I’Or, Red Shadow and Harold Logan. In a great finish, Harold Logan won by a length from Tempest, with Red Shadow a similar distance away third. Roi I’Or was fourth. Times 2.39, 2.39 1-5, 2.39 2-5. NOTES ON THE RACING. OLD 'FAVOURITE’S FINALE. [special to “star.”]

CHRISTCHURCH, November 13. The Metropolitan Trots concluded at Addington to-day, in perfect weather, and before one of the largest crowds seen on the course for many years. The track was exceptionally fast. During the afternoon, Mrs J. H. Williams decorated the old favourite, Harold Logan, with a garland of flowers to show the public’s appreciation of the great horse. The meeting is supposed to mark Harold Logan s last appearance on a race track, but immediately after the presentation he proved that he was far from being a back number by winning the Free For All against the best horses in commission. Harold Logan has been the public s idol for several years, and when he paraded in the birdcage admirers showered him with rose petals, and when driven along the track by his old trainer, R. J. Humphreys, he was besieged by an admiring throng. For three-parts of the Free for All Harold Logan was not seriously considered as a likely winner, but when he be-

gan to put in telling strides in the straight and came home a decisive winner, the enthusiasm of the crowd knew no bounds. Spectators threw hats in the air and wildly cheered the little champion who had provided so many thrills at Addington. The excitement did not die down with the finish of the race, for when being cooled out in the. saddling paddock, he was surrounded by a big crowd, many of whom went away with wisps of hair from his tail. No other horse has captured the hearts of a horseloving public as Harold Logan has done. In all his races he has been the honest trier, his quick starting has given many thrills to his supporters, and in the most exciting finishes he has fought on with the determination and grit of the model Standard-

bred. With two New Zealand Cups and three Free for Alls to his credit, he retires from the race track the idol of the public. Lament Wins Well: Lament wonJ4)e Holmwood Handicap after f&hK driven, a patient race by W. J. Makingkhis first appearance at the meeting* was fully extended, but he won like a good racehorse. LP®ly Sonoma, Lament, Gyrate, Indolent, Ruin and Little Reta were the leaders , when the field straightened for home and at this stags Lament made a move closer to Lady Sonoma, while gyrate was apparently feeling the strain. Little Reta at this stage made a fast run, but just failed to reach the leadei. Lady Sonoma hung on long enough to gain third place ahead of Waikato Prince, Gyrate, and Raclaim. The winner had shown fair form on the second day of the Greymouth meeting, when he was well beaten by Calm Queen. He is a trotter above the average and likely to do still better. Lady Sonoma found the task of pace-making just too much for her, but Little Beta’s effort was one of the best she has shown on the Addington tr Waikato Prince lost ground in the

early stages, but bls finishing run was impressive. Raclaim made up ground early, but failed to carry on her good work. Outclassed the Field: Southern Smile made an exhibition of the field opposed to her in the Australasian Handicap, and after waiting on the leaders for the greater part of the journey she put in a brilliant burst from the three furlongs and fairly outclassed the field. Plain Pearl, Wise Guy, Golden Cross and Nobleman were the early pacemakers, with Subsidy handily placed. The field raced in close order all the way until the home run was commenced, at which stage Southern Smile put in her claim and the race was all over. Plain Pearl held on to

gain second money ahead of Nobleman and Nervie’s Last. The winner proved herself a brilliant pacer and the ease with which she distanced her field showed her to be one of tire best in her class. Plain Pearl has improved a lot, and will do still better. She may yet reach good class. Nobleman, in third place, defeated a number of very tired pacers, and Nervie’s Last, hard driven over the concluding stages, found the class too good. Rongomai brok© in the straight when she appeared to have a chance. Wise Guy is a spent light. Subsidy faded out under pressure, and Pot Luck displayed no stamina. The time 2min 41sec., represented a good effort from a 2min 48sec mark. Grand Mogul Decisively: The, Louisson Handicap found the bracketed horses Grand Mogul and Cloudy Range in the first two places •and both ran great races. But the cheers that followed the horses were for Harold Logan, who, from.4B yards behind, raced into third position as the post was reached. Grand Mogul was the quickest to begin with Rollo, War Buoy, Evicus, Cloudy Range, and Blue Mountain in close attendance. The order was little changed for the greater part of the journey, although the back-mark-ers Red Shadow, Harold Logan and Roi I’Or all picked up ground. Half a mile from home Cloudy Range made a sensational run, and he was handily placed as the straight was reached, at which stage Grand Mogul had a four lengths’ lead. Cloudy Range was under the whip at this stage and Grand Mogul went on to win comfortably, while Cloudy Range held on gamely and stalled off the fast finishing run of Harold Logan.

Grand Mogul struck one of his best days and from start to finish he had the race in hand. He was not seriously troubled towards the finish. Cloudy Range showed rare gameness in a hard dirve down the straight. The Australian pacer New Derby was unlucky, for when De Soto broke after seven furlongs had been covered he effectually settled the chances of the visitor. De Soto was very sore when doing his preliminary and is plainly not at his best. War Buoy had every chance, but has reached a class too good for him. Roi I’Or had too big a hurdle even for such a great pacer. Graham Direct was out of the race from the start, and Rollo did better than his stablemate, Blue Mountain.

Frisco Lady Easily: In the fast time of 3min 14 4-ssec, Frisco Lady fairly outclassed the field in the Sprinters’ Handicap. She was lucky enough to receive a run through the centre of the field in the straight, but she won easily and proved herself a class above the rest. Half a mile from home Broughshane led from Kibo, Valdor, Gallant Knight, Greenmantle and Frisco Lady. At the

straight entrance, uanant iviugui raced wide, and through the opening shot Frisco Lady. The latter came away and was never seriously troubled in the run home. Frisco Lady paid E surprisingly good dividend for one 0! her proved ability. Kibo ran her best race since coming from Southland but Gallant Knight disappointed bj his weak finish. Casanova lost his chance in the early stages througl a break, and Greenmantle, giver every chance, made no serious chai lenge. Win For Rey Spec: Elvo attempted to win the Hornby Handicap from end to end, but evi dently the lack o> racing told the in evitable tale, and she failed in tin straight, being beaten by Rey Spei and Reporter. Elvo at once set out to make th< pace from Aristotle, Marie Celeste Young Frank, Rocks Ahead and Re porter. In the back stretch, Rey Spe< made a forward move, following Sup ertax, and Reporter also came fast Elvo hung on well in the run dowr the straight, but Rey Spec shower the better stamina and won in con vincing style by the narrowest of mar gins from Reporter, who broke a: the post was reached. Elvo held uj well to gain third money ahead o. Supertax, Rocks Ahead and Cragan our.. A Great Race: The Dominion Handicap, confine! to unhoppled trotters provided one 0 the best races on the programme, am a great finish had the big crow< worked to enthusiasm. Sandy 1 made the early running from Garnei Amonos, Discord, and Norma Binger and when Sandy N broke Game took up the running and carried 01 at a good pace from Discord, whil Bessie Parrish, Norma Binger Amonos, Wrackler and Wahnooka fo lowed. Norma Bingen headed Game

just as the straight was reached, and although Wrackler and' Wahnooka both made determined efforts, Norma Bingen held her own and won well. Wahnooka’s run over the last two furlongs was sensational, and he just failed to get up. Following the placed horses were Garner, Bessie Parrish and Sea Gift. The winner was always well placed and she came away in the straight like a good trotter. Wahnooka was not hurried over the early part, but he came with a great rush over the last part. He is an exceptionally fast trotter, but has moods of his own.

Bingen Palm Again: Bingen Palm showed himself a true stayer when he won the Lyttelton Handicap from Willow Wave, Raydus and Emilius Way. In the early stages, Raydus was the leader, and with Emilius Way, Queen Author, Recess, and Bingen Palm handy, the order was little changed until the final three furlongs was commenced. At this stage Bingen Palm swooped down on the leaders, and in a race down the straight he 'proved a class above the rest. Willow Wave, never placed to advantage, came with a great rush over the last part, and although he had no chance

with the winner, he beat the rest decisively. Raydus failed to stand the strain, and Recess could not stay. Great Racehorse: When Harold Logan put in his claim a furlong from the post in the Free-for-All, the crowd concentrated on his effort and he finished up the most popular winner in the history of racing at Addington. His time of 2min 39sec has been beaten by several horses, but he "won in the manner of the great little racehorse he has proved himself. Guy Junior, with a brilliant start, was soon showing the way to Harold Logan, New Derby, Tempest and Red Shadow. Indianapolis began slowly, and was soon at the rear of the field. Guy Junior made all the running until the last furlong, at which stage New Derby, Tempest, Roi I’Or, and Harold Logan were following in that order. Guy Junior had had enough a furlong from home, and Tempest appeared the likely winner, but the old champion finished resolutely and scored a decisive victory.

The winner was handled very carefully by R. Townley, jun., who reserved his run until well after the other horses had given their best. He did not show a great deal of brilliance in his last dash, but Tempest, his most formidable opponent, did not put much dash into his final effort. Indianapolis was apparently feeling the effects of his two great attempts at the meeting, and he made a poor showing. Roi I’Or was not good enough on the clay, and the others were well beaten two furlongs from home.