COMMENT ON EVENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20597, 23 June 1930, Page 7

COMMENT ON EVENTS.

WEATHER MARS FIXTURE. ' .fr TROILUS JUMPS WELL. A DECISIVE VICTORY. [by telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The conditions at Wash-dyke to-day were the worst experienced at a South Island meeting for many years. In a poor betting race for the Pukaki Hurdles Handicap, Lancer was a good favourite, and his supportere had to accept a small return for second money. The race was full of interest, and the field was well bunched half a mile from home. Pangolin and Oriflamb were the early leaders, but at the far turn Troilus worked his way to the front as a result of superior jumping, and led into the straight from Pangolin, - Lancer, Zeuxis and Antrim Boy, in a bunch. Troilus again jumped away from his pursuers at the last fence, and won decisively by two lengths from Lancer, who, after making a faulty effort at the concluding obstacle, had to bo ridden out to beat Antrim Boy by half a length. Zeuxis was another half length alvay, and then cam® Pangolin, Aberfeldy and Oriflamb. RANELAGH'S EASY VICTORY. QUARTERDECK VANQUISHED. Ranelagh was an odds-on favourite for the Prince of Wale 3 Handicap, and he had a comfortable victory. Quarterdeck had. charge after a furlong had been covered, but Ranelagh joined her rounding the home turn, with Camisader ■ and Haze close up next, Ranelagh Bhook off Quarterdrck when heads were turned for home, and was never off the bit to win easing up by two ' lengths from Haze, who beat Royal Mint by a neck. Quarterdeck and Camisader were beaten off. £ HOUNSLOWS GOOD RUN. 1 . • )'■ ' ' ' -■ , / PERFORMANCE A SURPRISE. The Beaconsfield Hack Handicap sprang 1 a surprise on investors, the little-fancied Hounslow registering a sterling performance in cutting down the favourite, Meitui, in the last 50 yards. He was slow away, and tailed the field until the straight was reached. Meitui at this etage was" well out in front of Night Effort and Punchestown, and appeared to have the race in hand, but Hounslow finished on the outside with a telling run and secured the verdict by a length from Meitui, with Fortalice less than that margin away. Punchestown was close up in front of Toawai. who had a rough passage throughout. AN EXCITING FINISH. VALVES AND TUNAMOE. The good race put up by Valves on the first day brought him into most favour for the Wai-iti Steeplechase, and he carried his supporters through after an exciting two-horse finish. He took charge during the . first circuit, and entered upon the second round with ft slight advantage from Tunamoe. Diamond Jack and French Fleet. Valves and Tunamoe opened up a ' gap rounding tho far turn, and they were on terms at the last fence. In a neck and neck tussle down the. straight Valves was always going the better, and stayed on to get a half-length verdict. The third horse. French Fleet, was some 20 lengths away, with Radiac the only other to finish, well back. Barrytown fell early in the first round, Bonatic at the stand double, and Diamond. Jack at the last-fence, while Parader ran off at the top of the straight the first time. None of the riders was hurt. REMAINING EVENTS. BLACK DUKE WINS AGAIN. The public showed correct judgment m showing most confidence in Desert Sonar and Garvary for the Maiden Handicap, as they shared the honours. Bellbird and Garvary were prominent from the 6<art, with Desert Song and Captain's Gift" in close attendance. Garvary was first into the straight from Desert Song and Royal Limond, but Desert" Song asserted himself commencing the run home, and was not seriously troubled to win by two lengths from Garvary, who, in a punishing finish with Royal Limond, stayed on the better to beat him by half-a-length. Cave Man fl and Captain's Gift were next. Fair Money was installed favourite' for the Temuka Hack Handicap. Tuku took charge at the end of two furlongs, and was closely attended by Fair Money and Kentish. Lady at the straight entrance. Fair Money challenged Tuku inside the distance, and in an exciting finish gained the honours by a length. Jock o' Hazeldean put in a late claim to get within a neck of Tuku, with Fortalice and The Dove close up. The race was run in a snow storm, and the track was badly cut up. *"V ; The concluding event, the Seadown Handicap, was responsible for a striking performance on the part of Black Duke, who, in a track to'suit him, and with 11.9 on his back, had 'a comfortable victory. Rascal, who would not have started but for tha sudden cHange> in the -weather, also . had conditions to his liking, and was the only other to trouble the top-weight. He led into the straight but lack of recent racii],? was against him, and Black Dtfke beat him t home by three lengths. First Raid was four lengths . back, clear of Arch Arrow, with Smithereens beaten off. STREPHON IMPROVING. Mr. R. I. Green, of Melbourne, a son of Mr. Sol Green, owner of Strephon, has received a cable message from his father stating that the horse was progressing satisfactorily. Nothing was contained in tho mes- • sago regarding whether Strephon will be raced in England this year. Strephon did not become acclimatised early enough for Mr. Green to carry out tho programme ha had mapped out for the horse prior to leaving for London.