GREAT STAR TRIUMPHS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21142, 28 March 1932, Page 11

GREAT STAR TRIUMPHS.

EASTER HANDICAP SUCCESS. LADY QUEX FINISHES SECONa GOOD DIVIDENDS RETURNED.

BY AT!CIII\R

Outsiders were well to the fnre in the Easter Handicap and the place-getters, Great Star, Lady Quex and Sunny Sky, were horses whose chances were only moderately fancied. Groat, Star was actually seventh choice in the- betting and returned a Rood double-figure dividend, whilo Lady Qnex was even less fancied and was paying over n-quartor of a century to win. The race created spirited speculation and Huntingdon U'923) was tho actual first, fancy, with Hunting Cry (£771 10s) and f'hrysology {.£Cua 10s) next in demand. Huntingdon did bent of tho favourite division in finishing fifth, but there was some excuse for Chrysology, who was in trouble more than once during tho race. The outside horses. Hunting Cry, Lady Quex and Great Star, were first to show out from Pomp and Let rim and Pomp assumed command Quickly to lead along the bnck from Great Star. Huntingdon. Lady Quex, Hunting Cry, Golden Wings, Leitvim, Peranum, Pegaway, Sunny Sky and Fiji. With about three furlongs covered Great Slur rushed past Pomp, whom he interfered with in passing, and Pomp dropped back sharply to check Leitrim, who in turn hindered Arisus and Chrysology. Great Star then went on to lead through the cutting from Lady Quex and Hunting Cry, who were together, with Pomp, Persham, Huntingdon, Golden Wings and Sunny Sky following in close order.

Great Struggle in Straight. Nenring the turn Persham and Chief Jewel both moved lip smartly and the leading horses were closely bunched entering the straight, where Croat Star just led Lady Quex and Hunting Cry, with Persham and Chief Jewel light up, nnd Huntingdon, Pomp, Pegaway, High Comedy and Sunny Sky all handy enough to have chaneoe. Oneo the run homo was commenced the leaders epicad across the courso and below the distance Great Star held a slight advantage from Lady Quex, while Pomp was just in behind, and Hunting Cry, Persham. Sunny Sky, Chief Jewel, Pegaway and High Comedy were conspicuous in the bunch that was pressing the leaders. A fine race to the post ensued and Great Star stayed on solidly to gain the verdict by a head from Lady Quex. who defeated Sunny Sky by half a length. Persham was a close fourth, followed by Huntingdon, Silvermine, Pomp, Puriri Park, Pegaway, Chief Jewel and Chrysolofry.

A feature of tho race was that tho first and second horses both drew positions on tlie outside at the barrier, Great Star having No. ]8 and Lady Quex No. 20. There was no fluke nbout Great Star's win find he fought off all challenges in very determined style after making all the running over the last five furlongs. Great Star seems to bo distinctly partial to the Ellerslie course and has almost invariably raced well there, although not with tho best of luck, for he finished second in the Railway Handicap for two years in succession. His victory on this occasion was .veil deserved and was a fitting reward for his owner's enterprise in bringing him all the way from Kiccarton. Lady Quex's Good Effort. Lady Quex ran easily her best raco at a mile and she battled on in the gamest possible fashion under pressure in the last furlong. Sunny Sky came homo well and this was easily her best performance to date. Witb n shade better luck in tho running she would have been even closer. Persham ran surprisingly well and evidently appreciated the mellow going. Huntingdon did well also and was always in tho picture, but Hunting Cry stopped in tho last furlong. Silvermine and Pomp both ran very creditable races and Puriri Park finished on after being badly placed early. Pegaway and High Comedy looked likely when they dashed up on the outside near the distance, but both weakened in the last half-furlong. Chief Jewel was right in it with a furlong to go and then tired. Chrysology received a bad run, and Golden Wings also met with interference. Golden Wings camo in with his 6ide all white as a result of being squeezed on tho- fence, and his rider's boot also showed evidence of contact with tho rails. The sectional times for the race supplied by Mr. J. K. Douglas were as follows: One furlong, lis; two furlongs, 24 ]-ss; three furlongs, 3Cs; four furlongs. 48 2-ss; five furlongs, lm Is; and the mile, lm 38 3-5. The last half-mile was run in SO l-5a P. E. Coveney, rider of Great Star, was suspended for the remainder of the meeting for crossing Pomp without having required two clear lengths' advantage. It was not considered the interference with Pomp was wilful, but merely an error of judgment.. Coveney left last, evening on his return to Christchurch and will be riding at Kiccarton to-morrow.

CHAMPAGNE STAKES.

GAINE CARR J NGTON WINS. Two-year-old form received another upset when Gnine Carringlon prevailed from Infition and Midineti;? in an ex;-''.mc finish ill the Groat Northern Champagne Stakes. Midinette and Tea Trader were the favourites and tlicy looked like disputing tho issue when thry turned into Llie straight together in the lend, but. they both weakened near the end, where Gaine Carrington and Iniiation came on very strongly to fill tho dividend places. La Moderne and Trader were first away from a eood start and Tea Trader then went on to niirko the ruimiiifr from La Moderne, Master Brierly and Midinctte Tea Trailer drew out after going fwo fur longs and at the half-mile post he led by two lengths from Midinelte and La Moderrie, who were together ahead of Caine Carrington and Inflation. Hounding the bend Tea Trader hung away from the rails and Midinette went up on the inside to draw level when they straightened up for the run home two lengths clear of La Moderne. who was followed by Caine Cnrrinsrtmi and Inflation. A furlong from the post Midinelte. had Tea Trader beaten and Gaine Cnrrinßlon then challenged on the outside, and Inflation on the inside. A fine tussle over the last hundred yards saw Gaine Carrington triumph by a head from Inflation, with Midinette another head away third. Tea Trader was a close fourth, with La Moderne. Jonathan and Master Brierly next.. Gaine Carringlon finished with plenty of determination and just, held off Inflation, who made a very same ofTort at the end. Gaine Carringlon's win pave two-year-old form another unset, but ho is on the improve and should be a fine three-yea r-old next season. Inflation proved that his recent form has been wrong and he Appeared a trifle unlucky to lose. Midinette just failed in the last half-furlong and Tea. Trader failed to run on after setting a fast p ice for the first six furlongs. La Moderne showed up well to tho turn, but failed to show any dash at the finish.