OPUNAKE RACES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 March 1928, Page 9

OPUNAKE RACES

MEETING TO=DAV.

LARGE ATTENDANCE GOOD RACING. BY TELEGRAPH—FROM OUR OWN REPORTER OPUNAiKE, March 17. Brilliant sunshine with a light freshening, breeze blowing in from the sea were the ideal conditions, prevailing for the opening of the Opunakc Racing Club’s annual meeting to-day. The popular Piham'a course was thronged by a large assembly drawn from all parts of the province. The tirfek was in .perfect order and with medium sized fields of good standard provided the essential factors to exciting sport.

Air. P. Sandilands, stipendiary steward, was present, ancl following an inquiry after the first race F. L. Butterworth, rider of Mountain Bell, was suspended for one month for interference with San Fera.

HACK HURDLES HANDICAP. Of 200 sovs. 14 miles. 1 KILBURN: H. McManaway’s b.o\, aged, bv Kilbroncy Bill 10?2 (F. Corbett) 1 2 AIRTIGHT: J. Fryer’s ch.g., 5 yrs. by Tree Lucerne —'Country Air, 10.0 (R, Morrison) 2 5 SAN FERA: W. R. S. Brewer’s br.g., aged, Feramorz —-Lady Fran, 10.7 ,(M. .Conway) 3 Also started: G Pink Rose, 10.0 (P. Holman); 4 Mountain l£eli, -9.6 (F. L. Butterworth); 3 Blue Peter, 9.3 (A. McDonald). The defection of Royal Flight left six -to contend the opening events, Eilburn attracting most support with £75 mere than Airtight, and comparatively good backing for the others. After delaying the start, Airtight was first away and over the first fence piloted Kilburn and Mountain 801 l with Pink Rose running last. The same trio .led passing the stand over the first circuit with Blue Peter, .San Fera., Pink Rose lying at handy intervals. Jumping well along the back San .Fera improved his position and at the top the order ivas Airtight, Mountain Bell and .San Fera. Mountain Bell, Blue Peter and Pink Rose were racing together at the turn, when Kilburn made a bid and took the lead over 'the last fence from Airtight, Mountain Bell, and San Fera, finishing easily fo win by a length from Airtight, with San Fera two lengths back, and clear of Mountain Bell, Pink Rose and Blue Peter. Time, 2.5 G. MAIDEN PLATE. Of 100 sovs. iS : ix and a half furlongs. 3 COOL MINT: H. R. McKenzie’s b.g., 2yrs, Catmint —Cool Lass, 6.12 (YV. Jones) 1 7 E'GERIA: G. Gleeson’s gr.f., 2yrs, Sarcheam —Wallace Maid 6.9 (R. Growling) 2 2 GAiSNAPPE'R: J. Bailey’s r.g., 3yra, Gasbag—Kidnapper, B.G . . 3 Also started: 11 Patrolet, 9.1 (C. Goldsbro) 9 Alan Brae, 9.0 (G. Ingram) 13 Ranee, 8.12 (F. L. Butterworth); 4 Quarrelsome Kitty, 8.11 (T. Tito); 8 Molhs'h S.ll (A. McDonald); 6 Rangiutu, S.ll (C. Franco); 4 Biforte, B.G (-Connor), 1 Fermanagh, 5.3 '(L. Pine); 5 Ten Acre (P. Adlam); 12 Golden Flower (G. Knox); 10 Boundary, G. 9 car. G. 13 (11. Pitcon).

Scratching® acounted for Airdale, Kyngzone. Sweet Voice, Service in Cho Maiden, a field of fourteen facing the started Fermanagh, Gasnapper, Coal Mint collared the betting, there being comparatively little for the 'remainder except Quarrelsome Kitty. The favourite made an indifferent start. Egeria was first to clear the barrier, followed by Patrolet, Cool Mint, Quarrelsome Kitty, and Bundary, the five forming the leading division. Down the back the two furlong post found the grey still in command, hut Cool Mist was holding second berth attended by Patrolet, Ten Acre and Gasnapper. Cool Mint took definite control at the home bend from Egeria, Gasnapper and Patrolet and in the final dash Cool Mint finished on to get the decision by two lengths from Egeria, noth Gasnapper a length away, third, just in front of Patrolet. Then came Ranee, Ten Acre and Boundary. Time 1.25.

RAILWAY HACK HANDICAP. Of 159 sovs. Five furlongs. 5 BARRY AND A: F. Besley’s b.m. 4 years, by Martian —Perarma, 7.2 (P. Adlam) I MISS MERCIA: Mns. W. D.

Graham’s b.f., 3 years, by Allegory or Verderer —Argon, 7.9 (L, Tucker) 2 3 FLYING SHOT: J. Hale’s b.g. 5 years, by Campfire —Anserine, 7.12 (A, McCormac) 3 Aropeta was the only withdrawal from the Railway Handicap. In a good betting race Miss Mercia wound up favourite with the narrow margin of 14 tickets from AVhisogne; Barryanda was well down the list. Flying shot left the tapes ahead of Miss Mercia, Sovena, Wliisogne and Royal Acre, hut Miss Mercia soon moved up to pilot Flying Shot, Royal Acre, and Whi--sogne by a good margin. Nearing the straight, Barryanda shot up and entered the final distance ahead of AVhisogne, Miss Mercia, and Flying shot, and was not subsequenlty challenged. Barryanda improved to win by two lengths from -Miss Mercia, with Flying Shot half a length back. Sovena was a head away fourth, followed by Whisogne, Royal Acre, and Flowing Bowl, the last-named having been left at the jump-out. Time, 1.301-5. Also started: 4 Royal Acre, 9.6 (A. McDonald); 6 Sovena, 8.0 (L. Pine); 2 Whisogne, 7.12 (T. Tito); 7 Flowing Bowl, 7.2 (McMahon). OPUNAKE CUP. Of 400 sovs. l.j miles. 5 Manly (W. Jones) 1 1 Ora zone (MeCormac) 2 ,2 Hipo (Goldsboro) 3 Scratched: The Swell. Won by a length, with third horse a head away. Time, 2.13 3-5. ELECTRIC HANDICAP. Of 150 sovs. Five furlongs. 2 Melissa, . 1 7 Wartlame 2 1 Eka 3 Scratched: Alan Brae, -Moilalv, and Rangiotu. Won by a length. Time, 1.5 2-5.

OHINEMURI MEETING.

TO-DAY’S RESULTS.

PAEROA, March 17. The Ohinemuri Jockey Club opened its meeting in perfect weather before a record attendance. Handicap Hurdles, 175 sovs., one and a half miles. —7 King Amans I, 5 Gold Rein 2,2 Lady Spalpeen 3, scr Spalmore. 81000 won by two lengths, a neck between second and third. Time 2.51.