TRENTHAM RACES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 25 January 1944, Page 3

TRENTHAM RACES

WEE BUN’S SURPRISE

BIG DIVIDEND IN DOURO (Special to “Mail”) Conditions for racing at Trentham on Saturday provided a strong contrast with those of the opening day of the meeting, though they might have been much worse considering the violent drought-breaking southerly storm Wellington experienced on Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning. Actually very little rain fell at Trentham during the meeting, but there was a fair southerly which helped to make the times seconds slower than on the previous Saturday, and the track favoured those horses who prefer soft going. Favourites >had a better innings but with so many horses with good recent form to recommend them the racing provided its share of surprises, the greatest of which came in the last race. Some of the favourites which turned out to be only place-getters wore backed down to a very short price. Interest was added to the principal event through promising graduates from the lower classes pitting themselves against the bulk of the Wellington Cup field. Among them were Lady Spiral and Jeff, both with two recent wins to their credit in good company, and the Hawera-trained Corday, who has notched four wins in a row. This form installed the four-year-old gelding as a staunch favourite, the public being confident that he could hold his place in such company with the weight of 8.4. Actually he and Lady Spiral were among the leaders for the greater part of a mile and a half of the journey but could not keep their places when the pressure was put on. Macedoine cut Glenfalloch down on the post to take first money. SIR BRADBURY'S RETURN TO FORM Beau Vaals, who had been scratched on the first day, was made a firm favourite both ways for the main sprint event, the Metropolitan Handicap, of seven furlongs, with Whackie next in public estimation. Smartest to show out were Kol Ragi, Sir Bradbury and John Gay, followed by Beau Vaals, Clarice and Whackie. The well-backed Poutatau, who had got a bad start, was last in the early stages. Straightening up for home Sir Bradbury and Whackie forged ahead over the final stages. Beau Vaals, who had been unable to get clear challenged the leaders strongly but had to be content with third, with Whackie half a head in front and Sir Bradbury a head in front of him. Both ran prominently on the first day but were unplaced. Theolateral was fourth.

G. W. New’s stable carried on its first day successes in the opening race of the day with a win by the favourite, Tau-Uru, who ran second at long odds in the initial event of the first day. He gained the decision only after stalling off a strong challenge by Voltaire who made a much-improved showing. Bunsby got up into third place to open its account for the season and return a comfortable dividend.

There was a wide selection of three-year-olds lined up for the Trial Plate, with not a great deal of form record to act as a guide. Trueway was made favourite. The southerner had every opportunity but was never prominent. Half a furlong from home Broughton brought Entertainer, second favourite, out of the bunch to overhaul the leaders on the outer and beat Foxstar, who held on well, by half a neck. Pennyroyal was next, half a length away, with Carnforth fourth. This is' the first time Pennyroyal has run into place in five starts. KILLEYMOON ALL THE WAY KilleyMoo**. a double acceptor with recent form, elected to contest the January Handicap, of one mile, in preference to the Metropolitan. He was not well backed considering his recent form, first favouritism being bestowed on the consistent Jonathan Jo, with Sister Sal next. All Night, a newcomer, was also paid considerable attention by investor?. Running to the front early Killeymoon led Foxcatcher, All Night. Glaciate and Babrow into the straight. Jonathan Jo challenged at the distance while Flying Fox was also coming up fast. They stayed on for a close finish in this order, with Phaleron, an outsider, right in line for fourth. In the Camp Handicap, of one mile and three furlongs, Sunblaze was backed down to a short price, with Mr H. D. Greenwood’s Bascule-Arustra bracket also well favoured. It was not until the final stages that Bascule and Arustra came through more or less together. Arustra carried op. Sunblaze challenged for supremacy but was too late and Arustra had a very comforfable win to be followed by Sunblaze, whom Keen Play nearly headed off. Bascule was fourth.

The most fancied of the youngsters in the Nursery Handicap. Plassida, who won well over the shorter distance on the opening day, could not manage the closing stages after being prominent early alongside of Colais. Colais responded well to pressure which was needed to fend off a challenge by an outsider, Tifox, who, up to then, had done no better than third in four starts. Bridge Acre finished third three lengths away and Gay Chat was fourth. Plassida could only manage about sixth.

Usually a difficult race for investors, this year’s Douro Handicap, the last event of the meeting, proved no exception. Most of the form horses were well supported, especially Sir Wina, Tideless-Farcical bracket, with the two Greens up, and Broiefield. a firstday place-getter over a mile. Calculations proved astray. Very early Royal Greek, Farcical and Wise Girl were, prominent but Wee Bun (14-13 favourite) outdistanced all competition to come home a comfortable winner, followed by Hippodrome (10/11). Royal Greek (9/9) held on to his position to finish third. Fortune’s Smile was fourth and then came Tideless, Spirit, Skyhawk, and Sals Pal. Wee Bur. returned the best win dividend of the meeting it being better than Don Quex’s Cup price. The place dividends were also well worth while.