KING'S PLATE CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21068, 30 December 1931, Page 11

KING'S PLATE CONTEST.

BRONZE EAGLE'S TRIUMPH. CLEAR MARGIN AT FINISH. CADLAND IN PLACE. BY ARCHER. Scratchings reduced the field for the King's Plato to four, but what was lacking in numbers was made up for by tho quality of the runners. It was the general opinion that the crack three-year-old Bronze Eagle, would prove equal to the task of beating tho others and he realised expectations by landing tho odds laid on his ability to win without any serious difficulty. A good start was effected and Cadland momentarily showed out ahead of Golden Wings. Then Bronze Eagle, on tho rails, and Golden Wings went away together in front, a length clear of Cadland, with High Comedy in tho rear. So they raced for about three furlongs, when Golden Wings headed Bronze Eagle and High Comedy moved up on the outside, leaving Cadland in the rear. Rounding the bend, Golden Wings led by a length from Bronzo Eagle and High Comedy, who were together just ahead of Cadland. Once into tho straight Cadland came on the outside and there was not much between the four runners at the distance. Bronze Eagle then asserted his superiority and came away to win by two lengths from Cadland, who defeated Golden Wings by throe-parts of a length. High Comedy was about fivo lengths back last. It was a nico performance on the part of Bronze Eagle, who stretched out in great style when asked for an effort at the distance. Cadland also registered a good effort and he made an interesting race of it. although his rider did not knock him about unduly when he realised that Bronze Eagle had the race won. Golden Wings displayed his usual brilliancy, only to fade at the end, and High Comedy also stopped at the finish after going well for about seven furlongs. Tho race was run at a fast pace and tho sectional times were as follows: —First furlong, 14s; two furlongs, 25 2-ss; three furlongs, 36 2-ss; four furlongs, 4S l-ss; five, furlongs. 59 2-ss; and the mile, 1.37 2-5. The last half-mile, was run in 49 l-ss. AN EXCITING FINISH. ARISUS BEATS LADY QUEX. WINNER'S GOOD BEGINNING. Tho Electric Handicap provided a most exciting finish. The three placed horses wore almost abreast 50 yards from the post and Arisus then gained a slight advantage to score by a head from Lady Quex in the course record time of 1.12 1-5 for six furlongs. Leitrim was singled out for most support and others who found considerable favour were Lady Quex, Gay Lap and Arisus. Hopping out clear from No. 1, Arisus led for about a furlong, when he was joined by Tea Chat. Running through the cutting Tea Chat showed out ahead of Arisus, while Gay Lap, Leitrim and Great Star were racing abreast just behind, and Lady Quex was heading the others. Arisus and Tea Chat rounded the bend together in the lead from Gay Lap, Leitrim, Lady Quex and Great Star. The leaders were still together at the distance, where Lady Quex came with a rattle on the outside, appeared as if Lady Quex would Ret up to win, but she weakened just on tho post, and Arisus produced a final effort to beat her by a head. Tea Chat was three-parts of a length away third and Gay Lap was a fair fourth. Next to finish were Great. Star, Paganelli, Spoon, Leitrim and Koyal Ruler. , , ... A fine jump-out and the advantage of the rails just turned the scale in favour of Arisus, who was well handled by \\ lggins Lady Quex's finishing run was reminiscent of her best. She made a great run from the turn to well inside the distance and just tired in the last little bit. Tea Chat displayed his usual brilliancy and hung on better than usual at the finish. Gay Lap ran another solid race, but Leitrim faded out at the end after being well up early. SUNNY SKY : S SUCCESS. IN THE LEAD THROUGHOUT. Nicely ridden by R. Reed. Sunny Skv scored an end-to-end win in tho Waitemata Handicap, but she just got home by the barest of margins after a good finish with Princess Bede and King s Knave. Fancies took a fairly wide range, and there was most support for Speedmint and King s Knave, with the winner a well-backed third fancy. . Sunny Sky found her feet quickest and she made play early from Princess Bede. Principal, Valmario and Kings Ivnave. There was some trouble in the field just after two furlongs had been covered and Speedmint and United came aown. causing some interference to the . hoises behind them. Soon afterwards ]vni?s Knave and Moonfleet moved up oil the outside and along the back they were almost upsides with Sunny Sky. while just bchnu them were Princess Bede, Principal, Oiand Spirit and Valmario. These positions were maintained through the cutting, wheie Lordly Knight also became prominent oil (he outside. Sunny Sky was first into the straight from Moonfleet King's Knave Princess Bede and Principal, and she stayed on at the finish to score by half-a-head from Princess Bede. Kings wa. three-parts of a length away third, and Valrnarie was fourth. Next to cross the lino were Grand Spirit, Excella Tea. Speedfast. St. Ames and Principal. . The winner escaped all trouble out in front and just held off Princess Bede. who was a shade unlucky. Kings Knave was always in the picture and did not improve his prospects by coming wide , round the home turn. Valmane was running on at the end and Grand Spirit made a good showing without having , any the best of the running. Moonfleet tired at the finish, which was not surprising, as he was well back after going a furlong and then ran round on the outside to get a leading posi- j tion along the back.