THE SPRINT CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21067, 29 December 1931, Page 9

THE SPRINT CONTEST.

NECKS BETWEEN THREE. IMPROMPTU GAINS VERDICT. GOLDEN PEDRO RUNS SECOND. Necks separated the placed horses in a fine finish in the St. Heliers Handicap, for which Golden Pedro and Dan Direct were best supported. The favourites were in front most of the way and were having a. great tussle in the eiraight when Impromptu came along with a late run and just got home from Golden Pedro. Purser failed to begin correctly and Dan Direct, soon had charge from Princess Mauritius. Golden Pedro ran up on the outside of Dan Direct after going just over two furlongs and they were the leaders past the stand from Princess Mauritius. Impromptu. Te Wahia. Nella Dillon and Sunshower. The leading positions were much the same along the back and across the top. where Te Wahia and Impromptu both improved their positions slightly. Dan Direct and Golden Pedro were still together in the lead entering the etraight. with Te Wabift and Impromptu in close pursuit. Impromptu finished on strongly over the last furlong and just won from Golden Pedro, with Dan Direct right up third. Princess Mauritius was a length nway fourth and the next to finish were Pluto. Nella Dillon, Te Wahia and Great Balliij,. Impromptu finished with plenty of determination and stayed on too well for Golden Pedro, who had to make a eharp burst to get a position early, and Dan Direct. Princess Mauritius paced a. eolid race and will only require to improve slightly to win a stake at the meeting. Pluto did not go too well in the first, couple of furlongs, but afterwards paced soundly.

ODDS-ON FAVOURITE WINS. CARNUI BEATS LADY YVONNE. In spite of the fnci that three favourites had won in succession, investors did not. hesitate to back Carnui down to a verv short, price for the Christmas Handicap and he realised expectations by winning nicely at, the finish. There was some uneasiness anions Carnui's sunnorters when Gaza, an outsider, led him into the straight by several lengths, but the favourite answered all demands when the pressure was applied. Glandore lost a lot of ground at the start, and when the field had settled down Gaza held the lead from Carnui, Lady Yvonne. Some Dillon and Concertina. So they raced until about, half a mile from home, when Gaza had a break of four lengths from Carnui, and Glandore moved up smartly on the outside. Gaza retained his lead into the straight,. but tired in the run home and Carnui came on to win by a length and a-half from Lady Yvonne, who finished on to cu'. Gaza, out of second bv a, neck. Glandore was a moderate fourth, followed by Some Dillon and Concertina. Carnui paced in his best, style and reduced his handicap time by 4 2-ss. Lady Yvonne paced one of her best races and so did Gaza, a non-staver. who just, failed in the last half furlong. Glandore displayed a good deal of dash and would havo been in the money if he had commenced properly. Some Dillon showed a tendency to bnre> and was never in a winning position in the last couple of furlongs.

SECOND DAY'S EVENTS. PROGRAMME FOR TO-MORROW. CHAMPION HANDICAP FIELD. Handicaps for the second day, to morrow, are as follows:— OAK HANDICAP. Of £125-. limit 4.52; 2 miles. Arapai . . . Lt. Yds. bhd. Black Ma pic . Lt. Carl Mack . . 24 Effigy .... Lt. Royal Triumph . 36 Windchnt . . Lt. Parrish Belle . 30 "Welcome fiuy Lt. Mr. Penally . . 48 Worthy Queen Lt. Wimmera King . 72 Explosion . . . SI TRAMWAY HANDICAP. Of £1J5; limit 3.34; U miles. Dolly Thorpe Lt.. Whakahihi . . . Lt, Flying Cloud Lt. Yds. bhd. Free Logan . Lt. Derby Yale . 12 Historian . . Lt. Donna. Gulvallis 12 Horizon Lt. Gumdigger 12 Jester Lt. Great Fame . . 12 Jersey Thorpe Lt. Roy de Quest . 12 Mar. Wallace Lt. Oliver Thorpe . 12 Myrtlene . Lt. Roi Grande . . 12 Modern Light Lt. Actor . 30 Poi Lt. Kew. Triumph . 36 Prince Etawah Lt, CHAMPION HANDICAP, Of £300; limit 2.44; H miles. The Abbey . Lt. Yds. bhd. Genuine St a nmoor . . . Muriel de Ore, . Lt. Free Advice . . 24 Nelson Tasker Lt, Gold Jacket . . '24. Royal Silk . Lt. Machine Gun . 24 Regal Voyage Lt. Jewel Pointer . 36 Red Shadow . Lt. Peter Bingen . 30 Yds bhd Wrackler . . . 30 Mountain Dell 12 DOMINION HANDICAP, Of £150; limit 3.29; 1! miles. Actor . Lt, Yds. bhd. Concertina Lt. Dad's Hope . . 24 Che 11 a w ay . . Lt. Gaza . . . . 24 Denver Hinds Li. Carnui . . . . :•»; Roi Grande . Lt. Glandore . . 36 Sailor Boy . Lt. Our Ceorge . . 36 Some Dillon . Lt. Stoney 36 Yds bhd. Master Huia . 48 Ilohoro 12 Dan Direct . . 00 Lady Yvonne 12 Peter Pirate . . 72 INNOVATION HANDICAP, Of £125; limit 2.56; 1! miles. Derby Yale . Lt. yds. bhd. Gumdigger . Lt. Actor .... 12 Great Fame . Lt. Hell Dial . . 12 Ha rot o . . . . Lt. Kewpie's Horizon . . . Lt. Triumph 12 Mvthorpe . . . Lt. Tempest 12 Oliver Thorpe Lt. Wilbur White 12 Poi . . . .5 . Lt. Prince Pedro 12 Prince Etawah Lt. Denver Hinds •24 Polly's Picture . Lt. Some Dillon . •24 Realty - • . . Lt. Goldman . . CO Roi Grande . . Lt. EPSOM HANDICAP. Of £'200; limit 4.40; 2 miles. Etta Cole . . Lt. yds. bhd. Roi Grande . . Lt. Paradigm . . 36 Stand By . . Lt. Ukulele Lady 36 Yalloden . . . Lt. IIuon Voyage . •18 yds. bhd. Jock Bingen . . 48 Kolmnr . . . . 12 Peter McKinney 48 Mountain Mist . 12 Sir Voyage . . 72 Bettv Moko . . nr. Surprise Journey 120 Fifa .... . 30 HANFURLY HANDICAP, Of £200; limit 2.48; li miles. Bingen Crest Lt. , yr ' B - bhd. Dan Direct . Lt. Kewpie's Guy 12 Prin. Mauritiu Lt. Te Wahia 12 Purser . . - Lt. Torpedo Htion 12 Nella Dillon . Lt. Auto Machine 24 Warspite . . Lt. Great Ballm 24 5'ds bhd. Neeoro . . . •24 Bcnefirp 1'2 Impromptu 24 CroUi Tit a su re 12 Meteor . . . 21 Gold Dial . . 1'2 Pluto . . . 24 Golden Pedro 12 R.nynl Silk •2 4 Hal Chimes . 12 Florenf . . 36 Joy Bird . . 12 Sunshower 36 The Great Northern Derby, of £1000, 1} miles, is the remaining event on tho programme. It will bo the second race. The final payments are as follows:—Derby tame. Historian. Avernue, Tempest, Giro, Edna Worthy. Gold Paper. Acceptances close at 12 o clock to day.