NOTES ON THE RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22345, 17 February 1936, Page 7

NOTES ON THE RACING

NERYIE'S LAST SCORES KING'S WARRIOR IN FORM VICTORY FOR AUTUMN LOU BY ARCHER It was with a fine display of trotting that the little-fancied baekmarker Gala Day scored in the Trial Handicap to pay over a score and a half on the win machine. In spite of the fact that she started from 132 yards behind, Gala Day had run up handy to the leaders half a milo from home and she maintained her effort in good style to just win in ono of the finest finishes that has been witnessed in the slow-class trotters' division at Epsom for some time. Gala Day registered easily her best performance to date, going 3.25 3-5 off 3.38. Corona 801 l and Worthy Princess trotted fine races, to fill the minor places, the latter being an outsider and paying a fine price. Polly Pan looked liko winning when trotting fast on the rails but broke about fifty yards from the post, losing just enough to cost her the race. She also made a mistako earlier in the race but went well when balanced. Most of the others extinguished their chances by failing to go solidly, although Worthy Nor displayed fine speed in patches. Three-Year-Old Winner The three-year-old Lynworthy, bracketed with Farm Girl, was supported down to odds-on for tho Waiheko Handicap, and he justified tho confidence of his supporters by winning nicely in 15 2-5s better than handicapped to do. F. J. Smith was just getting in the sulky behind Lynworthy as tho tapes wero released, but tho favourite began well and was nicely placed for most of tho journey behind Aerial Bell, Stargum, Royal Jewel and Worthy Song. Nearing tho turn ho went after the leader Aerial Bell, and ran on to score with something in hand. Aerial Bell was unlucky to meet a good colt like the winner, and Worthy Song, who returned double figures for a place, just outstayed Stargum for third, ltoyal Jewel and Scrap Iron displayed promise and Superfine was closer at the finish than at any other stage. The defection of Pegaway left seven runners in the Otahuhu Handicap, and King's Warrior, bracketed with Travis, was supported down to a very short prico to win, while ho paid less than money back for a place. King's Warrior proved tho good thing tho betting indicated, running to tho front after going a milo and always having the measure of the others for the remainder of the journey. Kewpie's Triumph and Smooger both challenged strongly in the straight, but they had no chance with King's Warrior, who finished full of running. Smooger stayed better than Kewpie's Triumph for second. Travis made a fine showing, fading out of a place only near tho end. Tho others were well beaten, Wee Machine breaking up hopelessly before going a mile, while Auto Machine and Willie Derby showed no dash at all. Good Unhoppled Pacer Tho unhoppled pacer Nervio's Last was supported to a short price on both machines for the Railway Handicap and duly won, although ho had little to spare in a hard finish with King's Guide. Patiently driven by F. J. Smith, who saved every inch of ground, Nervie's Last looked like winning easily when he headed King's Guide in the straight, but the latter fought on in the most determined fashion to havo him all out at the finish. Nervio's Last has been sore behind for some days past, and may havo been in need of a run. He is a very smooth pacer. King's Guide made a fine showing and shapes like a real stayer. Lucky Love paced his best race for some time to get third. Red Frontier appeared likely to be in the money until he broke near the turn and Silk Cord made a very creditable showing for fouxtb; Tho winner went 15s better than his handicap, and his time 3.18 equalled Bonnie Azure's course winning record for a milo and ahalf. Tho Februarj' Handicap proved a duel between the moderately-fancied horses. Autumn Lou and Manna's Son, and they were clear of the field over the final round. Autumn Lou staying the better at the end to win going away from Manna's Son, who lias not had a very long preparation after a spell. Autumn Lou went over 36 seconds better than her handicap and has never performed better. Sho returned double figures for a win and Manna's Son was at a fine price for a place. Waikato Prince, after making a couple of mistakes, stayed on solidly to just get third ahead of Golden Eagle, who also trotted well in the fin<fl stages. Dilfashion lost his chance at the start, while Young Rodney and Nelson Pirate failed to go evenly. An Exciting Finish Heads separated the placed horses in an exciting finish in the Mount Albert Handicap, Bismuth emerging victorious and paying over a quarter of a century for a win and a fine price also for a place. Good things were expected of Bismuth earlier in his career, but he failed to reach expectations and early this season J. T. Paul passed him on to A. McGarr.v. Bismuth paced in his best style on this occasion and just held off Parochial and Ranfurl.v Lass, who made very determined efforts in the straight. Parochial was a shade unlucky and sho would* have paid an even better price than Bismuth if sho had won. Cherrill, after losing a lot of ground early, did well to get fourth. Baron Alfonso lost his chance by a bad beginning and the trotter To Kahu broke up badly after going well ovor the first two furlongs. Tho each-way favourite Rayon d'Or reached the front quickly in the Papakura Handicap and led throughout to win nicely. Rayon d'Or was always pacing smoothly in front and ran on very resolutely when challenged at tho finish by Luminato, Ironsido, Our McKinney and Iloekella. Luminato recorded his best performance for somo time and Our McKinney made a fine showing, even though he did not have tho best of luck. Ironsido appeared very dangerous just after reaching tho straight, but ho tangled under pressure near the post. Ho may bo all tho bettor for the run. Rockella went unsteadily in patches and in the circumstances did well to finish a close fourth. Tho straight-out trotters Arabond and Parrish 80110 1 broke at the start, although tho latter afterward displayed some dash. Success Of Pegaway It was with a good finishing effort that tho each-way favourite Pegaway won tho Moss Davis Memorial Handicap. Edna Worthy attempted to win all tho way and she was still in front entering tho straight with Francis Lincoln and Pegaway in hot pursuit. Pegaway was coming very fast after being checked near tho three furlongs and ho maintained his run in good stylo to win narrowly, although ho had to bo driven right out to defeat Francis Lincoln, who also finished well. Edna Worthy tired in the last little bit to bo third and Prince Pedro made a creditable showing for fourth. Tho others wero well beaten. TROTTING FIXTURES i February 17—Auckland Trotting Club. February 22—New Brighton Trotting Club. March 6, 7—lnvercargill Trotting Club March 7—Wellington Trotting Club March 14—Timaru Trotting Club. March 18—Wyndham Trotting Club. March 21—Taranaki Trotting Club. March 28—Wangnnui Trotting Club. J