ON THE TURF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 28 April 1937, Page 3

ON THE TURF

A return to strength ot racing in j Marlborough was clearly indicated at the first day of the Racing Club’s, meeting on Saturday, when there was a splendid attendance at the YVaterlea course, the best lor many years past, and an amount of £5584; was invested on the totalisator, compared with £4047 for the Saturday’s racing last year, and more than double the figure placed on the first day last year, which fell on a Friday (states the "Express”). The track was in excellent order, rain during Friday having had a most beneficial effect, and the fine weather experienced orf Saturday, bright and sunny, though with a cold wind blowing of! the ranges, attracted a large crowd. More than (100 people made the journey from Wellington, taking advantage of the special excursion of the Tamahine. which in itself was an encouraging indication of the popularity of racing in Marlborough with the outside public. By the time early afternoon had arrived the stands and enclosures at the course were well filled and the areas provided for the parking ol cars were fully occupied. Interest in the racing was keen throughout, and, generally speaking, the club enjoyed the most successful day it has experienced for a number of years

The fields for the day were the best that have been entered for some time, another indication of the returning popularity among owners of the Marlborough meeting, an"' in the individual events form worked out reasonably well. The handicapping saw the field well balanced, the work of Mr A. V. O'Brien, of Wellington, resulting in several close finishes, and all told the racing was of a nigh standard, a fact which the public was not slow to appreciate.

Although close finishes were seen in most races, one of the most exciting was that in the main event of the day, the Waterlea Cup, which was won by Mr A. H. Trotter’s Davistock, which passed the post with almost a length to spare from Mrs W. A. Fuller’s Myriam. Backing on the race was heavy, with the majority selecting Davistock, which, incidentally, won its eighth trophy tor the owner. Immediately after the race the cup, which was presented to the club by Mr V. C. Constant, was presented to the winner by Miss M vVeld, daughter of the president of the club, Mr E. A. Weld, after the latter had delivered a short address Of the other races, as already indicated, the performances seemed largely to follow the principal backing, form evidently playing a large part in the public’s selection,, aiihough there was one fairly substantial dividend. A noteworthy performance was that of Lady Seigfned. which showed that she is fast achieving her best form by annexing a double win.

On the second day on Monday form again worked out correctly, the favourites generally being well in the picture. The.weather was sunny and the track was fast. The attendance was good and the totalisator handled £4482, as against £2570 10s for Friday last year. The total for the meeting was £10,380, as against £6618, the increase being £2784.

The explanation of W. J. Broughton, rider of Chaste, in the Picton Hack Handicap, in regard to alleged interference, was accepted Myriaip won a double on the day, and the Nelson winner The Sandwichman added another stake to his credit for the circuit.

Ohanga, who won his first race at the recent Nelson meeting, and succeeded again at Blenheim, is by Potoa from Erie, a high-class steeplechaser Erie should have won the Grand National Steeplechase when she finished third to Tuki and Fireblight. One of Erie's previous progeny was Static, who cost Mr A. Louisson 700 guineas as a yearling,' and proved a failure because of unsoundness. All started in the Picton Hack Handicap, of nine furlongs on Monday, and from an excellent start Laggard, The Sandwichman, and Grampian slightly headed the bunch as they passed the stand. Going out of the straight, The Sandwichman took the lead, with Grampian, Laggard, Gasmask, Impersonator and Chaste following in that

IVOTES AND COMMENTS On Gallops and Trotting

order, though there was little between any of the horses. At the back The Sandwichman and Grampian had a slight lead, and the order continued round to the last turn, where The Sandwichman, Laggard and Grampian came round first. There was a quick change in the straight, however, with Impersonator and Chaste putting in strong challenges, and Gasmask also coining up to take over from the leaders. In another close finish Impersonator passed the post with had a length to spare from Chaste and Gasmask was ! another half length back in third posiI tion. The Sandwichman wus fourth, impersonator paid the best dividend realised in the first three races. Chaste and Grampian were the favourites for the race, carrying even money, and Impersonator was fifth favourite.

All started in the first of the gallop events, the Trial Stakes, and from another good start Bit o’ Blue and Arrowin took charge, closely followed by Haggis, First Course, and Eltham Lodge. Supporters of Colin, the hot favourite, received a sad shock when their choice ran otf the course at the back and disappeared from sight behind some trees Arrowin took charge coming round the bend, with Haggis, First Course, Gay Mulla and Bit o’ Blue all well in the picture. The order was the same into the straight, with Arrowin retaining his lead, but he was hotly challenged by Gay Mulla, who came up quickly and contested a thrilling finish, Arrowin getting home first with half a length to spare. Bit o’ Blue was third, a length behind. First Course was fourth. It was Arrowin’s second win, Mr A. Thomson’s (Neison) mare’s previous success being in the West Coast Breeders’ event. Arrowin is a six-year-old daughter of Arrowsmith and a Gay Lad mare, and is trained by S. Barr, of Riccarton.

Impersonator after failing to show to advantage over six and seven furlongs at Nelson, was allowed to go out fifth favourite when he won the nine furlong event at Blenheim on Monday. Impersonator is still only a three-year-old, and has plenty of time to improve. He is by Winning Hit out of Miss Mimic and is owned and trained by L. G. Brown at Upper Hutt. Southdown has quickly made a success of hurdling. One victory does not make him a champion, but if he takes to the game he should reach very high honours, as some of the flat form he showed occasionally was good class, such as second to Vintage in the C.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap. Southdown has plenty of size, and should not be troubled by weight. Two winter performers in Mount Val and Wino raced prominently at Washdyke on Saturday, and were not apparently well fancied. Both, should be in good order for events ahead. The Melbourne Cup winner Wotan has only had light tasks allotted him by his trainer, ,J. Fryer, in the hope of freshening him up for the Egmont Club’s meeting next month. It is Messrs Smith Bros.’ intention to run him at the fixture. Fryer is becoming a regular visitor to Australia, having since 1929 crossed the Tasman on six different occasions. Some time in June a visit is contemplated by Wotan and other members of his team. Whether the Hawera trainer himself will accompany the horses across has not yet been decided. Nothing daunted by his want of success with One Whetu and International in Australia in the spring, Mr J. F. Kiley is contemplating another visit of International, and he will proably form one of Fryer’s team.

The stablemates Free Air and Horowhenua are both doing plenty of serviceable work at Ellerslie, most of their tasks being carried out on the tan track. Horowhenua looks all the better for his two races at Whangarei and is worth keeping in mind now that the ground is getting softer. Free Air has not been taken up very long and will need a fair amount of work before she is ready to race.' If the mare keeps sound she may be capable of winning a cross-country event later on. Santoft, winner of the Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton at his first start over country, is reported as training on satisfactorily under F. Trilford, at Washdyke. A bright future has been predicted for him as a steeplechaser.