RACING NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 304, 21 November 1928, Page 9

RACING NEWS.

THE LEVIN FIXTURE. COMMENTS ON THE RUNNING. (By “Binocular.”) Favourites lmd a very' fair innings at Levin on Saturday, four winning and two filling second berths. Last year Awapuni won four events at Levin, Trainer J. ,P. Coyle performing the “hat trick,” while R. E. Hatch won one event. On Saturday Awapuni stables took the first and second races once again, but did not como in again thereafter till the open sprint race, L. Knapp, J. P. Coyle and J. Hastie being the mentors figuring on this occasion.

Two New Zealand Cup winners in Suuart and Rouen figured in the field for the hurdles at Levin on Saturday and tho former gained his initial success in this department of the game in highly creditable fashion, his jumping being clean throughout, while he showed that he still possesses a large measure of his former pace. Despito tho fact that Rouen had tho benefit of an outing at the Manawatu Hunt fixture as also did Sunart, the Benzonian gelding was carrying all too much surplus condition on Saturday and his running was in keeping with such. A former resident of Awapuni in Star Shell made a hold bid for the jumping honours at Levin, and although he has had a somewhat chequered career the Battle Eve gelding gave an indication that his turn would not bo long. Awapuni had a strong contingent, numerically, in tho Manakau Hurdles _ at Levin, Sunart, Kilia, Grand National, American Pillar and Roburant being included. Tho last named pair showed up for a period and promise better things in the future when experience has improved their jumping powers. Twelve months ago last October Panorama made his first appearance foy the season when ho ran unplaced in the Kapili Hack Hurdles on the opening day of the Otaki fixture, which was then held in that month, and then came out to win on the second day. His fast finishing effort on Saturday—his first appearance for the present season —indicated that his turn will not be long delayed. It was a good effort on tho part of Elysianor which enabled the Elystan geldto race from the extreme outside position across the front of his field and join King Quex on the rails in the Weraroa Hack Handicap. The effort told its tale over the final pinch, but B. 11. Morris drove his mount along and tho gelding hung on to win by half a length. King Quex, who is a four-year-old by Lord Quex from Circle Lass, was a quiet fancy in certain quarters for the Weraroa Hack Handicap and there was certainly grounds for the expectations. Although Elysianor gained an advantage once heads were straightened out, King Quex appeared to be coming again at the post. Shining Star and Bissac both faced the starter on two occasions at Levin, the pair having a pipe opener in the seven furlong event prior to the mile and a distance race. At their first time out Shining Star filled third berth and Bissac fourth placing, but whereas Bissac advanced to secure second money and incidentally pay a nice price on the totalisator at his second time out the Starstream gelding retreated to fourth berth.

Tho well bred Bourse, who is by Limond from Commerce, has failed to live up to the reputation of his august family in his essays to date under silk, although on tho score of appearance he certainly fills the part. With J. Barry in the saddle, he was installed second favourite in the Weraroa Hack Handicap on Saturday, but ho finished outside a place and investment money to the extent of £3OO went west. Until the posting of the names on the totalisator at Levin the public were not aware that the “Tharft” figuring in tho acceptances was identical with the Warplane mare Thrift who showed promise in the red uniform of Mr T. A. Duncan last season, indeed, all the sporting writers had likewise passed her by. On ascertain-, ing tho true position patrons did not hesitate to install her favourite and she duly won.

While the victory by Thrift was of a half length margin, it might well have been still closer had Topcre not been carried out at the turn. Wyeford and Star Girl, who had been the pacemakers throughout, ran wide at the entrance, and, with Topere making his forward move at the time, the Arrowsmith gelding was carried out with them, enabling Thrift, who had been lying.in behind on the rails, to come through. The full-sister to Mendip, Iciognc, who bears a strong resemblance to her elder relative, was a runner in the Maiden on Saturday, but she failed to leave the mark and thus did not show up to advantage. Another candidate who likewise proved barrier shy was Kotahi-Eka, a name which should be enough to halt anything from winning. i

Wyeford, a four-year-old Warplane gelding who is an inmate otf L. Knapp’s stable and who carried the brown uniform of Mr S. R. Hammond, of Huntcrville, lias not been long up, but in his few sprint efforts at Awapuni he has shown a good turn of speed. On Saturday he was in the van in the Maiden Race right to the straight entrance where lie compounded. Better things should be in store for him when he is more seasoned. Spring Tide, the dam of Wyeford, is a half-sister by Autumnus to Hautawa, a useful jumper who was trained by Knapp some few years ago. Another of Mr Hammond’s candidates in Cold Air came in for very strong support in the Mako Mako Handicap, but this Warplane gelding who, like Wyeford, has jumping blood on his dam’s 6ide, being from a Sir Antrim mare, faded out badly, for, after being well enough placed at the turn for homo, he was sixth to pass the judge. Awapuni was represented by three other candidates in the Muko Mako Handicap and Patcaroa was the solo member to figure in the stake money distribution Whereas Cold Air and Holus Bolus ranked one and two in the betting order, Patcaroa was poorly supported, the 66 tickets invested on his prospects making him the out

sidcr of the field. This splendid looking son of Acre has not fulfilled the good things expected of him as yet, but there is every hope that time will remedy such. Talisker undoubtedly ran his best race to dato when ho captured the principal honours at Levin, the half-brother by Lord Quex to Kick-off and Bcnnanee finishing full of running to gain a comfortable victory over Teri, who had held the better position at tho turn for home. While Talisker’s record has been far from impressive, it would appear that the future holds brighter prospects. It is quite evident that Teri runs his best races under a light scale for he has failed repeatedly in hack events, whereas almost directly following ho haa made bold bids to capture bigger honours. Luck has not, however, always come his way and Saturday saw him once again have to be content with a second placing. Although he drew No. 15 position at the barrier on Saturday, Wiggins secured a place alongside Talisker going out of the straight, but half a mile from home worked forward from sixth to third position, Kihnezzo and Imperial Spark being the actual leaders, but Talisker quickly joined issue in the straight and tho Lord Quex gelding finished much the stronger. While the judgment of the public in installing Teri favourite did not prove very wide of tho mark, tho other placed animals came from the longer priced division. Talisker (the winner) ranked sixth in the betting order, Imperial Spark (third) 12th favourite, and Orazone (fourth) 10th favourite. Avro and Kilpcron, who were next to finish, ranked fifth and fourth favourites. It was pleasing to find Imperial Spark lodging n claim, and it is to be hoped that the Crown Imperial 11. gelding goes on with it for he has fniled to pay his oats bill for a long time past. The distance of the Levin Cup found out Orazone, Kilmezao, Kilperon and Avro, all of whom had been- well in tho picture right to the straight entrance, and it is evident that this quartette will be found in the money very shortly, if not over a mile and a quarter, at least over a little shorter distance.

Tcheka w-as backed as tho best of good things for the Lake Hack Handicap, but the Night Raid gelding did not flatter his backers at any stage of the journey. Tanagra, who was carrying over 200 tickets less, won very nicely, but matters were not looking at all promising for the Polydamon gelding when he got shut in on the rails. His rider, C. France, dropped back in order to work free and ho thereafter ran up into the lead where it is evident that the chestnut runs his best races.

The favourite in the McDonald Memorial Handicap, Mioutoa Treasury, recorded a splendid performance when she came from the rear to beat Ridgemount home by a head. Half way down the straight it appeared to be odds-on that the Leighton gelding would prevail, but the Paper Money filly unfolded a slashing finishing effort. Lack of ability to jump out smartly is apt _to toll against Moutoa Treasury and it makes one wonder why mentors do not indulge more in barrier practice.

Vertigcrn, who was making his first appearance in public for some time past when he contested the sprint liionours at Levin, ran a surprisingly good race by finishing in fifth berth and it is evident that tho Rossendalo gelding will soon bo ready to run out a longer distance. Of the more regular sprinters Callanmoro and Miss Pat did best outside the first and second place-getters, but Helotis, Keddar and Dobbin- should prove capable of producing better things in tho near future. Yeroneso required some time before she proved capable of breaking her maiden status, but with such accomplished she has shown steady improvement, the manner in which she led tho field homo in the Hokio Hack Handicap at Levin stamping her as a particularly good sort. Baskier oontiuues to fill minor ioles ,the Archery gelding finishing second to Veronese. Baskier, together with Quantum and Flying Binge, ■should get on the winning list beforo the holiday season is over. Riding honours wore well distributed at Levin on Saturday, not one horseman riding more than tho one winner. Tho Morris brothers improved their positions on the championship table to the extent of one point, B. H. riding Elysianor to victory, while he filled third berth on Skyrider, who is also from J. P. Coyle’s stable. L.G., saluted tho judge on Thrift in the Maiden.

Of the local contingent of horsemen C. IV. France did best, winning on Tanagra and second on Topere. A. E. Stratton, who accounted for the hurdle event on Sunart, was the only other local rider to gain a championship point. T. Metcalf secured a second and a third, C. Broughton and A. G. Murray a second each, T. Green a third and a fourth, 'A. McDonald and K. Voitre a third each and R. J. Mackio a fourth. WOODVILLE JOCKEY CLUB. CLOSING OF NOMINATIONS. Owners and trainers are reminded that nominations for all events (including the Trial Plate and Novice Stakes) at the spring meeting of the Woodvillo Jockey Club close on Friday evening at nine o’clock. TRAINER-DRIVER INJURED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 20. The well-known trainer-driver, A. Julian, had his collarbone broken when ARolfe Audubon fell with him this morning on the Epsom training track. Luvan, ridden by J. Cockle, was sent, out to go a mile in the saddle, and Julian, who was driving Rolfe Audubon, was to pick her up at the last half-mile. It was not a good pick up, and Luvan had a couple of lengths’ break on Rolfe Audubon. However, tho latter horse had pnly gono a furlong when he tried to jump a shadow on tho track and fell. F. G. Holmes, who was riding St. Bridget, crashed into Rolfe Audubon, Holmes being thrown high in tho air. Julian had a collarbone broken and his sulky was badly smashed. Holmes escaped injury.