RACING NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 138, 10 May 1930, Page 13

RACING NEWS.

OPENING DAY AT EGMONT. COMMENT ON THE RUNNING. (By “Binocular.”) Conditions, overhead and underfoot, wero excellent, for the entry upon the winter activities at Hawcra on Thursday. and a splendid day’s sport was forthcoming. Tho Hawcra courso was in wonderful order and although thero were falls in tho cross-country events they were not attended with any serious outcome. Four horses lost their pilots during the day two in the open class and two in tho hack class chasers. Being tho principal training centre for Taranaki, it was surprising to find tho tracks, in addition to the one on which tho day’s contests wero hold, in such great order. Both tracks and grounds presented a pleasing picture. All tho training tracks at Hawera aro separated by post and rail fences, while tho centre is levelled off to permit of horses being exorcised therein if necessary. Tho club’s stands are, however, not so modern and the task of erecting a now stewards’ stand -in tho near future confronts tho officials.

Awapuni had a small team of representatives through at tho fixture and they took more than their fair sharo of tho “plums” on Thursday, threo firsts, one second and two thirds bringing in the sum of £460 in stake money.

Merry Damon, who registered a commanding performance in the Mcßae Handicap, was tho principal local winner -with a modest £2OO. Tho Polydamon gelding has now won £1290 apart from two trophies of the value of £175 within tho brief space of three months.

Merry Melody, tho younger half-brother to Merry Damon, contributed £125 by his victory in the Tawhiti Hack Handicap. The occasion marked the Catmint gelding’s first success, although ho had been in ttio money at two earlier essays. Like his halfbrother, Merry Melody gives every indication of developing into a stayer.

The dividing of the Telegraph Hack Handicap into two sections curtailed the prizo money which tamo tho way of Brilliant Light, as winner of tho second division, but the Australian Sun gelding brought his winnings to £330 since parsing into the hands of the local mentor, J. P. Coyle, by adding tho £IOO which was forthcoming to each winner.

Tho minor place-getters wero Bluo Paper, who ran second in tho first division of tho Telegraph Handicap, Patearoa, who tilled third berth in tho samo event, and Democratic, who attended Waitaunaha and Diana's Lad homo in tho Hack Steeplechase.

11. Gray, who originally made his headquarters in tho Taranaki district, had many followers on Thursday, patrons selecting his mounts as their favourite at each appearance ho made. During tho course ot tho day ho was in tho saddlo on four occasions, but after bringing Goldlike homo in tho opening event and running a second oil Royal finance, ho finished outside tho stako winners on Benzora and Latakia. It was consequently an expensive day for his supporters. •

Although drawing No. 15 position at tho barrier in tho first division of the Telegraph Handicap on Blue Paper, T. Green got the filly away smartly and she showed a brilliant turn of speed to open up a big break on her field. Coming into tho straight, Blue Paper looked a “certainty,” but she stopped very quickly and Goldlike collared her just short of tho post, while Pateroa just failed to get up.

Tho Hawera courso is somewhat narrow and, with big fields presented, the positions drawn at the barrier are of considerable importance in sprint events. Annoycr, who had drawn No. 7 in tho first division, made matters worse by getting away badly, yot the Antagonist gelding finished strongiy to fill fourth berth—a promising effort. , Ben Hur and lahoma, neither of whom drew a good marble, also ran creditable, races.

At Feilding Whenuanui ran wretched races, but ho showed a direct reversal of form at Hawcra on Thursday for the Aero gelding accounted for tho warm favourite, Glcnstar, _in a great finish to pay an appreciable dividend. Prior to the day’s programino being entered upon, Whcnuanui was offered at auction, but did not reach tho reserve figure of 200gns. The £143 ho secured as tlie winner in the contest which followed lator would have gone a long way towards paying for him had iie changed hands.

Glenstar, wiio hails from To Aroha, did not fonco too cleanly in tho early stages of the hurdle event, but ho improved as he acbauccd and tho Day Comet gelding was somewhat unlucky to strike Whenuanui on a day when the Acre gelding was on his best behaviour. It was a case of two former open sprinters fighting out a spirited finish, although Royal Acre was threatening to overtake both in tho run up tho straight. The latter was probably a little unlucky owing to his having to come from well back in tho closing stages.

Vivo ran quite a creditable raco in thb hurdles and threatened to be in tho firing lino two furlongs from home, but the Polydamon maro could not foot it with Whenuanui, Glcnstar and Royal Acre in the run home, although she was right up at tho finish. Horoinca pulled up lame, while Ticga showed on his return to tho birdcage that bis doubtful legs had gone again.

Tho Paper Money filly, Royal Finance, was backed down to a very short price m the second division of tho Telegraph Handicap. and she looked all over a winner at the distance, but Brilliant Light finished too strongly for Her. Tho Australian fjun gelding was not too well placed at tho turn, but B. H. Morris secured a lutsy run on tho rails which meant tho difference between victory and defeat. Paiko, whoso recent form lias been somewhat indifferent, recorded an improved showing by running third, while Win Aero showed distinct promiso by finishing fourth after being the pacemaker into the straight. As sho bad only 41 tickets entrusted to her, the Acre filly would havo paid a great dividend had sho won.

Waitaunaha, the winner of tho hack steeplechaso, scored without any great difficulty from Diana's Lad and Democratic after giving quito a good display of jumping. On the second round Waitaunaha went out to set the pace and, with Maidos

“going out” five furlongs -from home, he was left with a commanding lead which the others had little hope of overtaking. Tho race card showed the winner’s breeding as by Taunaha or Heather Mixture, but with Ponjola, who claims Taunaha as his sire, prevailing in the big steeples, it looks as though tho hack ’chaser is from that family.

A magnificent lepper, Ponjola appears to bo ono of tho finds of the season. In the Egmont Steeples lie was always in the leading division and, although his winning margin was restricted to a length and a half, it appeared as though he could have done much better. A. Tricklebank rodo him an excellent race, saving as much ground as possible, which was in direct contrast with H. Dulicu on Airtight, for the Tree Lucerne gelding was wide out practically all tho way.

It had boon anticipated that the distance would be too short for Matu, but the Polydamon gelding put in an appearance half a mile from home and was finishing strongly over the last pinch. Brigadier Bill found the pace a little too warm for him, although tho All Red gelding was in the picture right up to the final stages. Aurora Borealis found it a little beyond her to make up her leeway in tho run home from tho final fence, although sho ran an excellent race.

The one mishap of tho principal crosscountry event came when Birkbeck and Maunga came into collision when taking the fence five furlongs from home with the result .that both riders went overboard.

Birkbeck had been taking his fences a little slowly, with tho result that ho had to be pushed along on tho flat, and whether he would liavo been able to hang on in tho run homo had he survived the round is problematical. Maunga was going quito well at tho time and both should be improved by the race. Birkbeck suffered interference from Aurora Borealis going away from homo on tho final round and C. Robinson, tho rider of tho culprit, was stood down for a month for careless riding. Tho big surpriso of tho day was forthi coming in tho open sprint when To Atiawa., 1 who had but 62 tickets invested upon his chances, got homo from Melissa and Havering, all three being from tho losser ■ fancied division. With 15 runners _in the i event, luck in tho running played its part > and of tho strongest fancied lot Benzora ; was the only ono to bo at all prominent, i By running third at his first appearanco for some time Havering made it apparent tliat his turn will not bo long, while Paleta i surprised by his prominent showing. Beti ter served in respect to horsemanship, Just i So would have been in tho money. L It was a brilliant performance on the 1 part of Merry Damon which mado success > possible in the Mcßae Handicap, for, although tho Polydamon gelding had the rails throughout, ho was gradually forced . further and further back until he was in - the rear approaching tho straight entrance. ' T. Green was then compelled to come out [ and run round his field, but tho local re- . presentativo responded gallantly to pressure to get up to win oy a length from Manly, who surprised by the manner in which ho saw out tho journey. _ With ’ Merry Damon’s half brother proving suc- ' cessful in tho final event, it was a great , | finish for tho day so far as tho owner, ’ j jj r Hall, was concerned and also for ’ tho local mentor, G. W. New, and his head * man, C. Norgrove, for during the Awapuni mentor’s absence in Australia Norr grove has managed and presented tho r team members.

! _____ i ; NELSON MEETING. BLACK MINT WINS THE CUP. SIX FAVOURITES SUCCESSFUL. I Per Press Association. NELSON, May 9. For the first day of the Nelson Jockey Club’s annual meeting there was beautiful weather and the track was in good order. The attendance was largo and tho totalisator handled £7493, against £8752 on the corresponding day last year. Results: NOVICE STAKES, of 160 sovs. Two-year-olds, 7.11; three-year-olds and upward, 8.8. Five furlongs. 1 Fair Go \ 7 Seventh Heaven “ 8 Glenaco " Also started; Taura Lad, Kotaki F.ka, Spearset, Straight Wire, Pimple, Lady Won by a short length, two lengths between second and third. Time, 1.3 4-5. RICHMOND TROT HANDICAP (harness), of 100 sovs.; 3.3 class. One mile and a quarter. 1 Dannoco, 36yds bhd ... 1 7 Chancellor Wilkes, 12yds bhd 2 3 Nelson Gara, scr ... 3 Also started: Kentucky Direct, Kodie, Grey Logan scr, Drift Wave 24yds bhd, Alpine Melody 24, Waipuki 48, Loco 48. 1 Won by a length and a half, two lengths between second and third. Time, 2.52 4-5. | HOPE HACK HANDICAP, of 120 sovs. Seven furlongs. 1 Projection, 8.3 1 2 Dainty Ways, 8.13 2 . 5 Fallow, 7.7 3 , Also started: Ravine 8.9, Wreath of Myrtle 7.7, Hortense 7.7. Won by half a length, three lengths bor tween second and third. Time, 1.28 3-5. ’ NELSON CUP, of 150 sovs. Ono mile and a quarter. ■ 5 Black Mint, 8.4 (R. J. Mackie) ... 1 ’ 3 Imateagirl, 7.10 2 ; 1 Tourist, 8.5 3 ' Also started: Spearmiss 9.0, Baby Bun 1 7.5, Arch Arrow 7.0. ’ Won by a head, a head between second and third. Time, 2.9 3-5. WAI-ITI HANDICAP TROT (harness), of I 100 sovs.; 3.42 class. Ono mile and a half. i 1 Belle o’ Mine, scr 1 - 3 Chancellor Wilkes, scr 2 1 4 Alpine Mellody, 36yds bhd 3 1 Also started: Ailsa Bingen scr, Nellie ' Parson 36yds bhd, Waipuki 48, Danroco ; 66- . 5 Won by three-quarters of a length, 6ix lengths between second and third. Time, ’ 3.33 4-5. STEWARDS’ HANDICAP, of 160 sovs. Six furlongs. I 1 Arikinui, 8.10 1 2 Deluge, 7.9 2 3 Booster, 9.0 3 Also started: Maui 7.9, Ex Dono 7.9, i Royal Gamo 7.8. Won by half a. head, similar distanoo , between second and third. Time, 1.15. ELECTRIC HACK HANDICAP, of 100 sovs. Six furlongs. 1 Dancing Star, 7.11 1 2 Tapestry, 7.6 2 2 The Dove, 7.10 ... ... ... 3 Also started: Gay Shot, Spearsot 7.0. Won by three-quarters of a length, a similar distance between second and third. Time, 1.15. WAIMEA HANDICAP, of 140 sovs. Ono mile. 3 Smithereens, 8.6 1 1 Make Up, 8.6 2 2 Roi Do Val, 8.3 3 Also started: Ardfinnan 7.0. Won by a length and a half, one length between second and third, ’lime, 1.41 0-5. WANGANUI ACCEPTANCES. Por Press Association. WANGANUI, May 9. The following acceptances for the first day of tho Wanganui Jockey Club’s win-

ter meeting (May 15), have been received: First Purua Hack Handicap, of 175 sovs. Six furlongs. —Werata 9.0, Tahoma 8.8, Blue Paper 8.5, Brilliant Light 8.3, Mangahaeri 8.0, Latakia 7.13, Royal Finance 7.12, General Gas,. Coon Song 7.7, Paiko 7.4, Gueress, Rioghail, Anbridge 7.0. Second Purua Hack Handicap, of 135 sovs. Six furlongs.—Hunting Boy 8.13, Callapat 8.6, Treasury 8.4, Statuary 8.1, Auctioneer 3.0, Bon Hur 7.12, Green Acre 7.10, T'entcall 7.8, Valsie-ect 7.7, Some Acre 7.4, Crown Link, Killigrew, Poppy Day, Miss

Chatter, Elysian Lady 7.0. Hack Stceplechaso Handicap, of 175 sovs. About two miles. —Diana’s Lad 10.2, Maidos 10.0, Red Bank, Waitaunha 9.11, Bendower, Double Soult, Calithc 9.5, Hymestrason 9.2, Flying Swift 9.0. Wanganui Steeplechase Handicap, of 500 sovs. Three miles.—Brigadier Bill 10.11, Democratic 10.2, Matu 10.0, Maunga 9.13, Airtight 9.7, Birkbeck 9.3, Bonjola, Kowhatu 9.0. Kaitoke Hack Hurdle Handicap, of 175 sovs. One milo and a half. —Whenuanui H. 4," Vivo 11.0, Royal Acre 10.13, Town Bird 9.12, Second Thought 9.9, Skyridor 9.8, Lin Arlington, Airforce 9.3, Limosa 9.2, Flying Swift, Captain Gazeley, Valmu, Marica, Four Aces, Calithe, Wycford, First Ruler 9.0. Century Hurdle Handicap, of 400 eevs. Two miles.—Mister Gamp 11.6, Elicit 11.0, Prince Lu 10.5, Glcnstar 9.13, Perle do Leon, Aurora Borealis 9.5, Diana’s Lad, Whisogne 9.0. Connolly Handicap, of 300 sovs. One mile ; and a quarter.—Bright Glow 9.0, Silverline 8.7, Tho Swell 8.5, Mendip 8.2, Cashier 8.1, Admiral Drake 7.12, Yoma, Mountain Heath 7.8, High Falutin’ 7.5, Austerity 7.3, Flying Juliet, Monsogne, Hipo, j Kawhakina, Llyn Du 7.0. Borough Handicap, of 250 sovs. Six fur- ■ longs.—Lady Quex 9.9, Laughing Prince i 9.6, Benzora 8.6, Leitrim 8.4, Royal Parade ■ 8 3’, Ridgemount, Paleta 8.2, Moa ‘ Bird 7.13, Atholspear, Kaihoro 7.12, Goblin Mar- ] ket 7.11, Just So 7.10, Llanore, Bonogne, Callanmore 7.7, Just an Idea 7.6, Potoa- i form, Town Bird, Bernera, Equitant, |" Cuticle, Hopwood, Royal Tractor, Melissa, 1 ’ Royal Finance 7.0.