A.R.C. MEETING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 16, 30 December 1932, Page 2

A.R.C. MEETING

SECOND DAY AT ELLERSLIE. We are indebted to the Auckland “Herald” for the following comment on events run at Ellerslie on Wednesday last:— The moderately-fancied Psychologist (Psychology—Pourparler) was responsible for a surprise in winning the Waitemata Handicap at double-figure odds. It was easily his best performance to date, because he wept to the lead with Marching Song six furlongs from homo and then fought on splendidly after being headed by Master Brierly inside the distance. Master Brierly made a fine effort, but he weakened a trifle just when he looked like winning. Knight of Australia and Sunny Bachelor both ran well and are improvers who should not be long in doing better. Marching Song went well for nine furlongs and there is still hope for him, while Belltopper, who appeared to get checked at the foot of the straight, also shaped creditably. Dola’s Double.

Fracas and Impasto were tho favourites for the Criterion Handicap for two-year-olds, but they had no chance with the third fancy, the Paper Money —Ebba colt Dole, who led all the way and won brilliantly. The winner was assisted by jumping out clear, but he was never troubled to hold the lead and, even after shying about 50yds. from the post, he had two and a-half lengths to spare. On his two performances at the fixture Dole is one of the smartest of the season’s two-year-olds and his meeting with the best will be awaited with interest. Impasto and Pelagia again ran good races and the former just stayed the better to get second. Guarantee again finished well after being badly placed early, but Fracas had her chance spoiled when Bon Rapide went back on her at the turn.

Antique’s Summer Cup. The Summer Cup was a fine contest ami a triumph for the topweights, who smothered tne opposition at tne end of a fast-run race, which was just a trifle slower than the course record of 2m. 5 2-5 s established by Jaloux last year. There were only two horses behind Antique and Concentrate half a miie from home, but they put in remarkably good runs on the outside and stayed on far too well for the light-weights. Antique commenced his run a trifle sooner than Concentrate, and that just made the difference. Jaloux and Eager Rose both made good showings, and Eager Bose may have done better if she had been a little more patiently handled. King's Knave faded out in the run home, but he was up in the front to the turn and will do better. Great Star stopped also, but this was not surprising considering the way he was bustled early. Korokio disappointed and was never dangerous over the last few furlongs. La Moderne Twice.

The Lord Quex —Lady Ball three-year-old La Moderne, fifth fancy in a field of six, effected a surprise in winning the King’s Plate very decisively. She was not in the least troubled by the fast pace Tea Trader set early and she followed him closely until the home turn, where she slipped through on the rails and gave nothing a chance in the last furlong. It was a pleasing performance on the part of La Moderne, and she is undoubtedly a much improved filly. Pillow Fight had every chance and looked like being very dangerous when close behind the winner at the distance, but could not make any impression when his rider drew the whip. As he was not thought to be at his best, his effort was also good, and he may have performed a shade better only for getting his tongue over the bit. Cadland travelled nicely in fourth position for three furlongs, when ho eame in contact with the rails and lost his position. Ho again struck trouble at the half-mile, but made a gallant effort on the outside in the straight, only to weaken at the end after being up fairly handy at the distance. The time for the race was only two-flfths of a second slower than Thespian’s race record of Im. 36 3-ss. Eleven-year-old.

The Plunket Handicap was run at a fast pace and the favourite, Cricket Bat, was left without an effort at the finish as the result of endeavouring to head off the light-weights Whakapara and Jalldy Karo when they were forcing the pace in the middle stages. He was in front at the turn with King’s Archer, but they both tired in the last furlong, although Cricket Bat hung on fairly well to get fourth. The winner, Merry Damon, was at a good price, verging on double figures, in spite of his fourth on the first day, and he was assisted by being patiently handled in the early stages when most of the other riders seemed anxious to get to the front. He was last at the half-mile, but made a fine run from that point. L’Allegro again went well and Chief Joy made a respectable showing. Chief Joy was helped by being more quietly ridden in the first half-mile than some of tho others. Merry Damon’s victory was of exceptional interest, for he is now in his eleventh year, and is the oldest horse that has so far raced at the meeting. It was at the Ellerslie summer carnival in 1924-25 that he opened his winning record with notable victories in three two-year-old handicaps and a narrow defeat in the fourth. Since then the Polydamon—Merry Roe gelding has had good and bad seasons, and when he left Palmerston North for Gisborne last winter it was thought that Ills prospects of winning further good races were remote. Now he appears to. have taken a new lease of life. His winnings total £6522. Lucky Escape.

The jockey R. C. Miles received a nasty fall while riding Captain’s Gift in the Ponsonby Hurdles, but fortunately escaped serious injury. He appeared to be struck by another horse as he lay on the ground, but happily such was not the case. Miles was dazed for the time being, but soon recovered and was soon able to get about again.

Two Enquiries. The judicial committee of the Auckland Racing Club held two inquiries in connection 'with incidents in "the racing. The' first concerned interference with Cadlnnd in the King’s Plate and the second regarding interference with Fracas in the Criterion Handicap. No action was taken in either ease.