THE RANGITIKEI MEETING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 285, 30 October 1934, Page 10

THE RANGITIKEI MEETING.

FORM DISPLAYED. (By “Binocular-”) Backers were fairly sound in their judgment at the Rangitikei, meeting on Saturday. Throe favourites won, two ran second, one third, and one fourth in the seven races. The Hunting Song—Red ' Elk ' gelding Jubilee Song has been trying to win a maiden race for a long time, and his form at Trcntham led to his being installed favourite, and he duly entered the list of winners. As he has plenty of size, he should continue to run well. Leith did not have as good a run as the winner, but the daughter of Arausio and Shirley oxtended Jubilee Song at the finish. The dividend she paid was considerably better than that of the winner. Apparently the public overlooked her form at Masterton. Two youngsters who contested the maiden event, Dialogist and Evasion, ran improved races, but probably they will bo more at homo with greater age and over a greater distance. Note Issue, the bracketed companion to Evasion, showed pace until her condition gave out. It was her first race for some considerable time and the going was against her.

A former northerner. Sporting Song, by Hunting Song from Lionskin, ivho is now quartered in PI. Dulieu’s stablo at New Plymouth, is a shapely three-year-old colt of whom better things will be forthcoming. He ran some good races in the Auckland district Hast season and his winning turn will come.

There are not many of the progeny of Starstream racing, but what few have figured on the turf have all displayed speed, and Beau Star set a merry pace in the hurdle event. However, ho lacks staying power meantime and until he improves in that respect he may find it difficult to win races.

An Auckland paper says: Noll Yolo is slightly sore at present, and her ownertrainer, F. J, Smith, is at present undecided about taking her south. Should she recover and make the trip her owner is prepared to race any trotter in the Dominion, best three out of five “flying miles,” for a stake up to £SOO. W. J. McDowell, although in business in Wanganui, still finds the opportunity to do a little hurdle riding. He scored on Morrath at Otaki and again at Waverley, while ho made a bold effort to register a success on Benedictine in the hurdle event. It was only Manawatu’s superior condition that enabled him to outstay the Peach Brandy gelding. Awapuni track watchers had expected Hard Gold to register a good performance in the Sandon Hurdles, but the paco 6et in the early stages found the Gold Soult gelding well back in the running and, although he finished strongly, the leeway was too much. He has some good steeplechase successes to his credit and probably will make a better showing in that department in the winter.

Palm was considered by many ns unbeatable in the Ohakea Hack Handicap, but the best of good things are apt to go astray. With a substantial increase in her poundage, the filly was not allowed to make use of her early brilliance and was three horses out from the rails the whole way. Arena covered much less ground and had her measure in the final sprint. The restraint no doubt cost Palm the victo^n L. G. Morris’s opportunities in the saddle are considerably restricted those days owing to increasing poundage, but his success is remarkable. On Saturday he had three mounts for .two wins and a second. W. Broughton was the only other horseman to register two wins. Like Morris, he credited his championship account with the two points in successive races. One of the horsemen to gain one point was S. Wilson, it being his first winning ride since his suspension at Pahiatua. There was a time when Korokio displayed somewhat erratic form, but this charge cannot be laid at her door now. At Otaki the Redfern mare ran a first and a third. She followed it up with a victory in the Waverley Cup on Labour Day, and she added the Rangitikei Handicap on Saturday. Her victory was decisive, but it was apparent that 'weight is commencing to tell.

During his racing career Crown Area was a brilliant performer and his younger brother Plateau promised to follow in his footsteps. However, the latter’s form has been below par for a long time past, but his effort in the Rangitikei Handicap indicated that there is still hope for him and possibly he will again enter the winning lists in the near future. The four-ycar-old chestnut mare .Headmistress is racing consistently in the big handicaps without being able to win. but better things should follow. Like Headmaster, the Chief Ruler mare appeared to be destined for sprint racing, but her stamina is improving. Headinaster is now proving to bo a good performer across the Tasman.