Racing Notes

Grey River Argus, 5 February 1941, Page 7

Racing Notes

A Fast Finish King’s Toast put up a fast finish in the Craven Plate, and he was travelling faster than those in front of him at the post, but the effort came too late. Elderslie Sires & Former Elderslie sires in Iliad’and Solicitor-General were responsible for four winners at the mid-summer meeting. Gentility Gentility was always one of the leaders in the Trial Stakes, and stayed on a bit tetter than at Trentham. Lord Midas Lord Midas had a 71b. allowance when he won the Post Handicap and gave W. Caddy his first winning ride. He ran in the all white of the club’s colours. Kurawhi Kurawhi has furnished out since the holiday meetings, and is growing into a big colt. He appears to require a strong rider, and is not a boy’s horse. Stylist When doing a preliminary for the Trial Stakes, Stylist moved with a cramped action, and did not look like a betting proposition. Stylist was finishing on, but her effort came too late. A Rotund Racer Royal Refrain is one of the fattest horses seen saddled up for a race. Nevertheless he took charge and led to the home turn. M uffler, Punters opened badly at Riccarton when they made Muffler favourite. He was going well for about half a mile, and then began to drift. When under pressure, Muffler made a poor response. Iceland Spar The success of Iceland Spar in the Halswell Handicap wa s due to the riding of A. — Ellis. Iceland Spar was slow away, and only vigorous riding got him up to win. It would have been quite easy for some r ders to have lost where Ellis won. Winning Rival Wheix. doing a preliminary for the Midsummer Handicap, Winning Rival moved rather short, and the fact did not tend to inspire confidence in her chances. Nevertheless when it came to racing she put up a good performance by staying on to get up and beat Gay Parade, who had obtained a good break in the early part of the race. Pleading After his failures at Trentham, Pleading appeared to hold a rather remote chance with 10.0 in the Middle Park Plate. It is understood that he was started only because a suitable rider could not be obtained for him in the Craven Plate. The element of luck assisted the win, as Monetary’s bad behaviour cost him the race. A Better Day Some of those who finished behind Bird of Prey in the Lyttelton Plate will see a better day, and amongst them is Espionage, a chestnut colt by Solicitor General from Spionetta. Other likely sorts are a chestnut colt by Salmagundi from .Stability, Hinepo (Nightmarch—Azalea), and Good Scout, a chestnut colt by Man’s Pal from Knocklyn. Good Passage At times a horse that reads well on paper is not in condition to take advantage of opportunity. 'lms was the case with Good Passage at Riccarton. She showed a retention of “form” in her fractiousness at the barrier, and also in the way of speed, but was not in racing shape to see out a race. In fact, she looked too big to race last week. Ortyx Ortyx retains-her speed, but would be better suited by less ground than she raced over at Tapanui. Likely to Improve Erinview should improve on the form she showed at Tapanui. lhe Colonel Cygnus mare is 7ery well at present. Becoming a Habit By winning both the Dwyer Memorial Handicap and the Stewards Handicap at Tapanui on Saturday, Pink Dress repeated the performance she put up last year. Her owner, Mr J. M. Samson, altogether had a successful day, as Lord Midas won for him at Riccarton Lost Ground at Start . Palmar, who was well fancied tor the last race at Tapanui, hung slightly at the rise of the barrier, and never looked like making up the lost ground. Palfrey Palfrey ran his best race up to date when he finished a close third in t e Middle Park Plate. Salutation , It was bad luck that Salutation went amiss,' as she must have finished well in front of Palfrey in the Middle Park Plate. Rebel Mate , , . R-ebel Mate made a bold bid in the Craven Plate, but found three others rather too good for him at the weights. Greenbank The Paladin gelding Greenbank may be found improving on his second to Lord Midas. He is a four-year-old half-brother to Queen of Song.