SPORTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 22 April 1926, Page 3

SPORTING.

April 21, 22 Manawatu R.C. April 22—Waipapakauri R.C. April 24 —Whangarei R.C. April 29, May I—South Canterbury J.C. April 30, May I—Hawke’s Bay J.C. May 1, 3—Waikato R.C. May s—Waver5 —Waver ley R.C. May B—Amberleyß—Amberley R.C. May 7, B—Marlboroughß—Marlborough R.C. May 13, 15 —Egmont R.C. May 15—North Canterbury R.C. May 20, 22—Wanganui J.C. June 1,3, s—Dunedin5 —Dunedin J.C. June 3, s—Otaki5 —Otaki Maori R.C. June 3,5, 7 —Auckland R.C.

MA.NAWATU MFDEfTILNG

DETAILS OF FIRST DAY’S RIACiLNG

(by TELEQRiPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.,! •p-ATJvr.yjßafro.yr jsr..- April 22. The Manawatu Racing Club’s autumn meeting was opened to-day iu fine weather and before a good attendance. The track was very hard. There was great interest 011 account of the quality of the houses engaged in the classic events, and racing throughout was of a high order. The totalisator handled £33,929, compared with £27,556 last year. Re suits: Woodhey Hack Handicap, sax furlongs.—3 Dobbin (H. Goldfinch) 1, 5 Vivo 2, 8 Bonideer 3. Also started: 1 Ben zona, 2 QuilLvre, 4 Minstrel Boy, 9 Sal amis, 7 Repiata, 11 Grand National, 6 Mountain Jean, 10 Mister Gam,p, 12 Hurella. Won by a short neck, the same distance between second and third. Time, 1.14. 3-5. Quillfire was fourth.

Karere Hurdles, one mile and threequarters.—2 Dubious (H. McSweeney), 1, 1 Comedy P'rinoe 2, 5 Slump 3. Also started : 9 Nukumai, 10 Sir Fanciful, 7 Puwhero, 6 Asbari, 11 First Line, 3 Mat-ii, 4 Wilmoreana, 8 Moutoa. Lady. Won by a length and a half, a length between second and third. Time, 3.13 2-5. Puwhero was fourth. Prince of Wales Handicap, nine furlongs.—l .Degage (It. ..Reed) 1, 4 Phoenix Park 2, 5 The Thorn 3. Also started: 3 Ngata, 2 Glenross, 7 Imperial Spark, 10 Novar, 11 Gaze, 12 Kilfaire, 6 Vaward, 9 Zaragoza and Cross--fire (bracketed). 8 Royal Diadem. Won by a length and a half, a neck between second and third. Time, 1.52 1-5. Zaragoza was fourth. Tematai B]aek Handicap, one mile and 110 yards.—-3 Phantasy (S. Wilson) 1, 1 Kiilmiss 2, 4 Perle de Leon 3. Also started: 2 Rlangi Sarto, 7 Koau.au, 6 Olosefire. 5 Asleep, 8 Panart, 9 Capitulation. Won .by a short neck, a bead between ' second and third. Time, 1.49 1-5. Ragi Sarto wa.s fourth. Sires’ Produce Stakes, seven furlongs.—2 'Limerick (M. McOarten) 1, 3 Ly, sander (L. G. Morris) 2, 5 Sea tow 11 (R,. Reed) 3. Also started : 1 Commendation, 7 Hynanna, 6 Magna Charta, 4 Alyson. Won by a short neck, a head between .second and third. Time, 1.26 2-5. The favourite wais fourth. Aiwapuni Gold Cup, one mile and a quarter.—l Rlapine (R,. Reed) I, 3 Reremoana 2,2 Grand Knight 3. Also started : 4 Mask. Wo-n by two lengths, half a length between .second and third. Time, 2.4 4-5. Telegraph Handicap, six furlongs.— 1 Civility (R>. Reed) 1, 8 Kait-i 2, 6 Peneus 3. Also .started: 4 Inferno, 7 Rational, 3 Oration, 5 Alroheen, 2 Ivilloora, 19 Misgovern, 9 Mi.ss Hu pan si. Won by half a length, with a length between second and third. Time, 1.13 2-ssec. Rational was fourth.

Linton Hack Handicap, seven furlongs.—2 Edenhall (M. McCarten) 1, 1 Great Day 2, 5 Lin Aldington 3. Also started : 9 Brigadier Bill, 4 Anklet, 3 Serenade, 8 Red Fuchsia, 10 Lady Isinglass. 7 Superb King, fi Windy Night, 11 Imperial Purse. Won by a bare length, three-quarters of a length between second and third. Time, 1.28. Red Fuchsia, wa.s fourth.

NOTES ON THE RACING. (By Telegraph.—Special to The Star.) PALMERSTON N., April 21. The autumn meeting of the Alanawatu Racing Club opened in dull weather before a good attendance. Consequent on the recent dry weather the race track appeared to he a little on the liaixl side, although trainers say that the going was good. Both classical races were fine contests, and each was won by the best horse on the day. Racing opened with the Wood liev Hack Handicap, for which event .Belissom was a good favourite from Quillfire and Dobbin. When the barrier rose Benzora was actually first to show out, but Bonideer soon ran to the front to lead Benssora, Quillfire, and Vivo over the first two furlongs. At the half-mile post Vivo ran into second place behind Bonideer, and this pair were just in front of Benzora, Quillfire, Dobbin, and Mister Gamp. Racing into the straight over the last, furlong, a good race took place, Dobbin -with a nice late mu winning nicely from Vivo, which just beat Bonideer, with Benzora and Quillfire close yp. Comedv Prince 'was the favouring for the Karere Hurdles, hut Dubious, ALat u, and Wilmoreana were also strongly supported. Wilmoreana was first to break the line from a good despatch, hut Matu was in front over the initial jump from Wilmoyeafia, Slump, and Moutoa Lady. After going a couple of furlongs Moutoa Lady took charge from Wilmoreana, and passing the stand the pair led Matu. Slump, and Puwhero. .Racing up the back Wilmoreana was the leader, followed by Puwhero, Slump, and Matu. 'With half a mile to go Pmvhero took the lead, and raciiur into the straight was followed by Comedy Prince. Sir Fanciful, Slump and Dubious. At the final jump Comedy Prince led. but once over Dubious cut him down to win easily. Comedy Prince heating Slump by half a length, with Puwhero, Sir Fanciful, and the .fast-finishing Matu next. The Prince of Wales Handicap produced a fine betting race, the actual favourite being Degage, with Glenross ancl Ngntn. almost as well supported, and there was strong support for Phoenix Park and The Thorn. From a line start the field ran in a. line for some distance, but at the stand Zar.ngosa led from Tim Thorn. Phoenix Park and Degage Racing into tho back stretch Phoenix Park went to the lead, followed bv Zaragosa, The Thorn, Glenross, Royal Diadem, and Degage Four furlongs from home Phoenix Park was just clear of The Thorn. Royal Diadem, and Zaragosa, and this quartette' was still the leading division racino- into the straight, at which point Glenross, Ngata. and Degage were also prominent. Phoenix Park was still clear a furlong from the post, but R. Reed then called on Degnge. which cut Phoenix Park down and heat him easily. The Thorn was half a length further back, followed closely by Zaragosa, Gaze, and Imperial Spark.

Kilmiss was the favourite for the Te Matsii Handicap, with Rangi Sarto and Perle de Leon next in order of favouritism. When the barrier rose Rangi Sarto was the first to get going, leading past the stand from Phantasy and Perle de Leon. Racing into the back straight Capitulation took charge and was followed by Rangi Sarto - and Phantasy. Four furlongs from the winning post Asleep ran into second place behind Capitulation, which led into the straight after a great run. Perle de Leon and Rangi Sarto were close up. Commendation was a pronounced favourite, for the Sires’ Produce Stakes Iron) Limerick, Lysander, and Seatown. The start was delayed for many minutes owing to the misbehaviour of Commendation, but eventually the tapes rose to a good start, Lysander beginning brilliantly to lead Magna Charta, Commendation, and Seatown over the first two furlongs. With half a mile to go Lysander was half a. length in front of Commendation, with Seatown another three lengths away, followed by Magna Charta and Limerick a-fc intervals. There yva s no cliange in tkis order racing into tiie straight, where Commendation ran wide. Once in a line for the judge, Lysander drew clear, but was immediately challenged .by Seatown, which actually drew level with Lysander, but just a.s the pair named looked like fighting out the issue, Limerick, was brought through 011 the inside by McCarten and beat Lysander by a good head, with. Seatown a neck away third, and Commendation *two lengths back fourth.

Rapine and Grand Ivnight had a great battle for position of favourite tor the Awapuni Gold Cup, Rapine being the actual favourite from Grand Knight and Reremoana, When the field was despatched, Reremoana (pulling hard) was just in front of Rapine, but passing the stand Rapine was taken to the lead from Reremoana, Grand Knight, and Mask, all of which were running at intervals of two lengths. At the four-furlong post Mask moved up to Grand Knight, the positions of the other pair being unaltered. Racing into the straight Rapine was a useful 21 lengths to the good of Reremoana, with Grand Knight a similar distance away. Once in the straight Reremoana and Grand Knight momentarily reduced Rapine’s lead, but over the concluding stages Rapine ran on to beat Reremoana by 21lengths, with Grand Knight another three parts of a length away. Civility was a pronounced favourite for the Telegraph Handicap, while the best supported of the rest were Killocra and Oration. When the barrier went up Ivaiti began smartly, to lead Civility, Rational, and Peneus. At the half-mile. Ivaiti was just iu front of Civility, with Misgovern and Rational next. Once in the straight a good race eventuated between Civility and Ivaiti. Civility winning by a neck, with Peneus a good third and Rational fourth.

Racing concluded with the Linton Handicap, and in a good pool on the totalisator Great Day claimed the most support, but Edenhall was almost ns well backed, and Serenade also bad a good following. The first to become prominent was Great Day. which led Lady Isinglass, Edenhall, and Lin Arlington over most of the journey. Great Day led into the straight, but was immediately challenged by Edenhall, which went on to beat Great Day decisively. Lin Arlington was an indifferent third and the fast-finishing Red Fuchsia fourth.

notes and comments. (By Maecenas.) Rascal has cost backers a. lot of money this autumn, and, while lie may be useful, he is certainly not as good as many have thought him to he. lrainer E. George had Merry Jest and Hipo looking remarkably well at the Wellington meeting. On’Saturday both went excellent races, but had to put up with minor ifiaees. Seatown run two good races under big weights at the Wellington meeting, and it points to the-son of Seasprite being a good three-year-old. Piutliair made her first appearance m “open” company at Trentham on Saturday, and, after being in the rear over the early stages, she finished better than any of her opponents, in third place. This form suggests that Piutliair will be a good handicap performer next season. It is stated that Income was fancied by his connections for the Trentham Gold Cup. Seeing that Rapine gave Income 161 b at Ellerslie under what could be termed welter weights (Income 8.13, Rapine 9.13), and ran income to a head, it did not appear to be good judgment expecting Income to beat the son of Martian.

Air. E Riddiford’s jumpers, Dubious and Master Peter, were given a run at the Wellington meeting. Both looked nice and mellow, and with tho racing they are getting this pair of geldings will be well .forward by the time the important jumping races come up for decision. H. ALcSweeney will pilo.t this pair in their jumping engagements.

After running out his Manawatu engagements Benzora will have to compete in open company, lie having won over the maximum amount allowed (£500). As a matter of fact the son of Bisogne lias won £BOO for -first money, and it can he considered good management to win that amount in hack events, which included races worth £245 and £2lO to finish with. On ills recent showing it looks certain that Benzora will pay his way in better company than lie lias met in the past, and as he has size to help him a little weight will not trouble him.

After racing at the spring meeting held by the AVoodville .Jockey Club. Magna. Charta. was given plenty of “limelight” in this column, but the waywardness of King John’s son in his next two starts made one lose the former opinion. On liis next public outing (at the Wellington meeting) Magna Charta. showed much improvement in manners, and, as only to he expected, raced in a manner that suggested his winning ■plentv of races. He is a very big two-year-old and may be cumbersome should he grow much more.

At Riccarton and Trentham all five and six furlong races are run over almost straight courses. From a spectacular point of view such races are a. failure, and on such roomy courses, with their straight nearly lialf-a-mile long, there is little or no advantage to owners or horses. One point that makes the sport of trotting popular with the masses is that on our leading courses the horses never get very far away from the onlookers (the race tracks are generally six furlongs around). Contrast this with “sprint” racing- at Riccarton and Trentham, where such events must be distasteful to all. • Why, it is extremely hard to pick the horses out in these races even with the best field glasses.