NOTES ON THE RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20823, 16 March 1931, Page 7

NOTES ON THE RACING.

SEVERAL SURPRISES.

PRODUCTION'S FIRST WIN.

CRUACHAN'S HURDLE SUCCESS

Ridden by his trainer, R. Syme, and carrying 21 b. over-weight, Cruachan was responsible for a smooth performance in winning the Handicap Hurdles. As n result of hiß promising display when ho made his debut as a hurdler at To Aroha recently, the winner was a good second choice in the betting to Monetize, who was just a shade better fancied. Cruachan lay in behind Marble King until about four furlongs from home, when ho wont up on the outside, only to drop back again through a faulty jump. However, he was soon balanced again and assumed command at the turn to score by a length and a-half from Quinsilia, who drew almost level with him at the last fence. Cristobel was two lengths away third and Monetize was fourth. Respirator fell at the first fence and Lost Comet was pulled up early, having fractured a fetlock, which necessitated his destruction. The Two-year-olds. Form worked out well in the Karangahake Handicap, and the favourites, Speedmint and Fedora, returned the dividends. Fedora was smartest to bogin, and led early from Roseric, Brazanna and Instalment. With two furlongs covered Instalment went up on the inside of Fedora and they were the leaders round the bend from Dark Marble, Brazanna and Speedmint. Once they straightened up Speedmint made a sharp run to win handsomely by three-parts of a length from Fedora. Brazanna was a length and a-half away third and Dark Marble was fourth, next coming Instalment and Luval. The winner won well, but Queen Arpa, who was surprisingly well booked, was never really in the picture. Fedora had every chance, but Dark Marble would have been closer if he had been more patiently ridden. An Outsider Scores. An outsider, Production, effected a big surprise in tho Novice Handicap, for which Marechal and Rnngikaha were best backed. The outside horses began quickest and when tho field had settled down Production was in charge from British Princess, Snow Lap and Etehi Rangi. Running across the top Marechal ran up fast and tho order into the straight was Production, Marechal, British Princess and Snow Lap. Production stayod on well in tho run homo to win by a length and a-half from Rangikalia, who finished very fast on the outside to beat Marechal by a neck. British Princess was fourth, followed by Dainty Manners and Snow Lap. Marechal did not begin very well, and, aftor going fast in the middle stages, failed to run on at the finish. Production displayed plenty of speed and Itangikaha came with a great rattle at tho end. The Cup Contest. Only six started in the Ohinemuri Cup and in a fine belting raco Antique was a shade better fancied than Royal Doulton. Clopton assumed command quickly and carried on the early running from Sir Mond, Brampton, Eager Rose, Antique and Royal Doulton. With little less than four furlongs to go the leaders, bunched, and Clopton, Sir Mond, Brampton and Eager Rose raced together in the lead for about a furlong ahead of Antique and Royal Doulton. Approaching the home turn the field was well bunched. Sir Mond and Brampton being first round the bend, with Antique, Royal Doulton and Eager Rose in hot pursuit. Below the distance Royal Doulton challenged on the outside and she went on to score by a length and a-quarter from Brampton. Antique was a neck away third and Eager Roso was fourth. Next came Sir Mond and Clopton.

The winner was patiently ridden by C. Goulsbro, with the result that slid was ablo to finish on much better than the others. Brampton ran another solid race, but ho was lucky tp beat Antique for second. Antique was poorly handled by K. Gill and then received a check in the straight, whish cost him second place. Clopton fnded right out at the finish, while Eager Rose also stopped quickly at the end.

Puriri Park Beaten.

There was a boil-over in the Komata Handicap, when the little-fancied Snow Prince downed the hot favourite, Puriri Park, who was very confidently supported. Puriri Park ancl Snow Princo were smartest to begin and they carried on the running into the straight from Welcome Boy, Crimestor and Land Measure. Snow Prince had the measure of Puriri Park at the distance and beat him home by a length and a-half. Mauriaena was half a length nway third and Crimestor was fourth. Welcomo Boy and Land Measure were next. Snow Prince's victory was well overdue. He was turned out in splendid condition by N. J. Prenter, who also prepared Production, whose dividend was slightly larger than that of Snow Princo. Puriri Park had every chance and was fairly beaten. Mauriaena camo homo well and Gay Idea was also running on at the end. Hiata was never prominent, but he should do better next Time.

The Sprint Event

Sir Russell, Tradesman and Lady's Boy were best backed for the Paeroa Handicap, hut, whereas the two first fancies failed to perform in accordance with expectations, Lady's Boy confirmed his To Aroha form by winning nicely. The inside horses, Envoy and Lady's Boy, began quickest, to bo quickly joined by Billikins, with Hampton Park and Ruffles following.

Nearing the turn Hampton Park moved up and was alongside Lady's Boy entering the straight, with Billikins and Ruffles next. Once in line for the post Hampton Park momentarily looked like winning, but when tho prossure was applied Lady's Boy went away to win by a length fiom Ruffles, who boat Hampton Park by a similar margin. Sir Russell was fourth, succeeded by Sir Russell and Envoy.

Lady's Boy was at a good price for a recent winner, but this was to somo extent duo to tho firm track. Usually lie does not race well on this kind of going, but he has thrown off bis soreness and scored a neat victory. Ruffles ran another good race, coming home fnirjy well to beat Hampton Park for second. Hampton Park was doing better than anything at the turn, but wookened badly over tho last fifty yards. Sir Rurtiell and British King were both running on nt tho end and will be improved for tho race.

Steeplechase Surprise,

Well ridde.. '>y A. G. Campbell. Dark Prince, the outsider of tho fiold of five, sprung 11 surprise by defeating St. Warrigal, who was a good favourite, in the McGuire Memorial Handicap. St. Warrigal outjunipcd the othera ill Iho first fow fences and was Hipp steadied to lead from Dark Prince. Willi a round to go the field was in close order and when thev turned into tho hack stretch St. Wanieal just led Dark Prince and Slump. Three furlongs from homo Dark Prince went up t" St. Warrigal, and they jumped the last two fonces together, Dark Prince drawing oul in the run home to beat St. Warrigal by a length. Slump, who made u dash lioar Iho post, was a head aw ivy third and Foxhound was fourth. Lupin Abbey was pulled up in the last round. A. G. Campbell saved every inch of ground 011 Dark Prince, and this made a great difference, for St. Warrigal went out very wide round sevoral of the turns. Dark Prince's performance was a pleasing one because he had had very little schooling over country, the only time lie had attempted steeplechase fences previously being when he was sent over the fences on the flat at Ellerslio n few days before the race. , Lucky Alice Fails. An exciting finish in the Nolherlon Highweight Handicap saw Marjoram unwind a fine finishing run to gain the decision 111 the Inst stride from Trislma. Ihe public went solidly for Lucky Alice and she was a pronounced favourite over Claremoro, who had a alight call over Marjoram. Loving Cup began smartly and he was tho early leader from Prince Lu and Lucky Alice Four furlongs from homo Trishna , aH " Claremore ran up smartly and at the three furlongs they wcro up in tho lead witn Loving Cur> and Prince Lu. Lucky Alice attempted to go up between the loaders at this stage only to bo appointed and squeezed back. Trishjia then went on to lead into the straight and at the distance ho looked like winning, nut Marjoram finished fast to beat him by half a hoad. Lucky Alico was a length away third and Loving Cup fourth. fllarioram was well ridden by E. A. heesuig. who was also successful on Tjndy s Hoy and Snow Prince. Lucky Alice had J" I .?* thing but the best of the running, and, if Gill had been moro patient, sho would probably have won. -i