A FARCICAL RACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20762, 3 January 1931, Page 11

A FARCICAL RACE.

THE CLIFFORD PLATE.

nightmarch all the way.

SLOW MILE AND QUARTER.

The defection of Hunting Cry left only five runners in the Clifford Plate, and the only thing that saved the race from being an absolute farce was the little excitement raised by Toxeuma and Lady Pnm when they ranged up on Ihe outside of Nightmarch at the distance. However, they had no chance with Nightmarch, and he went away to win very easily at, the finish. The wagering on the event was good for a race of this description and, as Nightmarch had not shown up in his previous outings at the meeting. Fegawny was installed favourite, although he had a very slight call over the winner.

Once the tapes were released Nightmarch jumped to the front, and he slowed the field down to practically half-pace, with Concentrate, Pegaway (pulling hard). Lady Fum and Toxeuma following in order. There was no pace on until three furlongs from home, when Toxeuma and Lady Pani began to move up. Nightmarch just led Toxeuma nnd Lady Pnm into tho straight, with Pegaway and Concentrate next. Reed was sitting easy on Nightmarch when Toxeuma and Lady Pnm were almost level at the distance. and as soon as he moved, Nightmarch went on to beat Lady Pam by a, length and a-quartcr. Concentrate was three-parts of a length away third and Toxeuma was fourth, with Pegaway last. The race was run in tho slow time of 2m 17s, and some idea of the pace set may be gathered from tho fact that tho Grandstand Handicap, run over tho same distance, was run in 2m 9 3-53, when the going was considerably slower than when this race was decided. Nightmarch might have won in any circumstances, but why tho riders of the others allowed him t£> stride along so slowly in the front without making nny effort to go with him until reaching the straight is difficult to comprehend. Altogether it was a very unsatisfactory affair. Nightmarch received a mixed reception when he returned to scale, a section of the crowd hooting and counting him out. AMMON ft A AGAIN. WIN IN ROYAL STAKES. LA POUPEE RUNS SECOND. On the strength of his win in the Great Northern Foal Stakes. Ammon Ra was made a better favourite than La Potipee for the Royal Stakes, and he confirmed his good form in the two-year-old cla-isic by finishing stoutly to heat La Poupee by a narrowmargin. A good s'art saw Movie Star first nway from Princess Bede and Ilkley. YVith a furlong covered Aspiati ran to the front and he made play through the cutting from Movie Star, Gay Court. Princess Bede, Ammon Ra. and La Poupee. Aspian was still in charge entering the straight, from Movie Star and Gay Court, who were abreast, with Ammon Ra and La Poupee together next. Amnion Ra and La Poupee challenged at the distance and Ammon IRa did best at the finish to beat La Poupee by a neck, Aspian being half-a-lenglh away third. Movie Star was fourth, followed by Princess Bede. Ilkley and Gay Court. Ammon Ra was a trifle slow to find his feet, but he won like a good colt at the end, where he was commencing to go away. La Poupee made a gallant showing, but Movie Star again failed to run on in the last furlong of six after displaying his usual speed. SPRINT TO PRINCE VAL. STRONG RUN ON OUTSIDE. Prince Y'al was responsible for a surprise in the Bowen Handicap, in which Leitrim. Gold Money and Hunting Day were the favourites. There was some delay at the post, Awamutu. Prince Yal, Tenteraen and Gold Money all giving a good deal of trouble. Leitrim hopped out smartly from No. 1 position. followed by Hunting Day, Tenterden. Great Star. Havaspot. Prince Y r al and Gold Money. Havaspot ran to the front after going three furlongs, and was the leader into the straight, from Hunting Day, Leitrim. and Prince Yal. Iri the run to the judge Prince Va 1 came strongly on the outside to win by a length from Gold Money, who defeated Tenterden by a similar margin. Hunting Day was fourth, followed by Havaspot, and Great Star. Prince Yal finished in good style, and Gold Money nlso came home well. Leitrim faded out quickly at the turn, and Hunting Day also tired at the end. TWO-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP. INVESTORS ON THE MARK. Investors were well on the mark when they gave most support to the BaroscopePrincess Bede bracket and Persham in the Sylvia Handicap, as Baroscope won and Persham waa second. Cape Gold was first to begin, but soon lost her advantage. Fedora and Persham running to the lead quickly from Baroscope, Princess Bede, Speadmint and Royal Artist. Fedora, Persham and Speedmint were the leaders into the straight from Baroscope and Royal Artist. In the run home Fedora carried Persham out wide and Baroscope came through on the rails to beat Persham by three-parts of a length. Fedora was a neck away third and Spaedmint, fourth. Then came Cape Gold and Royal Artist. Princess Bede fell just as the field was approaching the home turn and her rider. G. Humphries, was *hghtly hurt, in the ribs, being unable to take the n 10 "" 4 in the next race on Great Star, who accordingly was scratched. . , . Baroscope revelled in the gomg and his task was made easier than it would otherwise have been by Fedora parrying Persham out in the straight.