COMMENTS ON FORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22392, 13 April 1936, Page 13

COMMENTS ON FORM

NELSON CHIEF FAILS EFFORT BY GOLD DREDGE WAIKATO PRINCE PREVAILS [by TELEGRArH —FROM ABAYDOS] HAWERA, Saturday Auckland horses had a good innings at Hawera to-day, Bonny Azure winning the two chief races, while Polly Pan, Waikato Prince and Parochial also scored. Gold Dredge, in the Cup, Sir Frank, Nelson Chief and Hori Bingin gained second places, while Winaway and Autumn Lou earned third money. Sir Frank, Bono and Cassidy began best in the Auroa Handicap and with half a mile gone, Sir Frank was clear of Reno, with Tollgate, Great Jewel and Roadster following, Cassidy having dropped back. Excepting that Dusky Chum joined the bunch behind the two leaders, there was no change to the turn, but in the straight, Reno came away to beat Sir Frank easily, with Dusky Chum a moderate third, followed by Roadster, Great Jewel and Baron Grand. Nelson Chief led early in the Matapu Handicap from Polly Pan, who broke badly and fell right back. Wrackless headed Nelson Chief and Waikato Prince moved up. Wrackless also broke badly, Nelson Chief leading into the straight, but in a good finish, Waikato Prince got up to win narrowly. Wrackless was a poor third, followed by Autumn Lou, who broke at the start. The rest were a long way back. Treasure Bond Scores After Tennessee Child had led for six furlongs in the Stratford Handicap Winaway took charge from Bolinda King, and a little further on, Baron Alfonso, Blondie and Treasure Bond improved their positions. Winaway was still clear at the turn, but when the field straightened up, Bolinda King challenged, with Blondie and Treasure Bond coming along fast. Treasure Bond finished best, to shade Bolinda King, with Winaway third. Blondie brQke near the post, and was fourth, with Baron Alfonso, who went away badly, next. Tho Hawera Cup resolved itself into a duel between the Aucklanders, Bonny Azure and Gold Dredge, with F. J. Smith's fillv taking the honours narrowly. Gold Dredge led to the halfmile in 1.10. where Bonny Azure, who was slow to begin, ran to the lead, to pilot the field past the mile in 2.18. There was no change as the leader reached the mile and a-half in 3.26. At the turn. Gold Dredge moved up to Bonny Azure, but the latter hung on gallantly, to win by a neck. Golden Cross was always in third place, with Gtmrnetal, Ironside, Subsidy and Aristotle in line. Ringtrue was last. Hori Bingen was first out in the Fit ham Handicap from Epilogue and Activity, but on entering the back straight, Epilogue took charge, and with Hori Bingen, was well clear of Real Pal, Activity, Juggler and Worthy Song at the home turn. Epilogue finished best to win easily from Hori Bingen, who just held off Real Pal. Activity was next, followed by Juggler, Carus (who got away badly) and Worthy Song. An Easy Victory

Polly Pan went away smartly in the Manai'a Handicap and, giving nothing else a chance, she won with ridiculous ease. Earl Bingen was second for a mile and a-quarter, where Mabel Chimes supplanted him. Autumn Lou, who broke badly in the early stages, made a good effort over the last halfmile, but failed to catch Mabel Chimes by a head. The other two finished down the straight. Great Chum began best in the Normanby Handicap. He was followed along the back by Dandy Locanda. Parochial and Lee Nelson, together, and Celebrity. At the turn, Baron Alfonso, who went away badly, flashed up on the outside and in a great race home, Parochial came away to win nicely from Great Chum. Celebrity, who looked likely at the distance, could only get third, with Baron Alfonso and Dandy Locanda next. Taking the lead from Golden Cross after three furlongs, Bonny Azure had no difficulty in winning the President's Handicap, to complete the double. Golden Cross held off Gunmetal in the race for second money.

FOUR-YEAR-OLD PACERS GAMBLE PROVES CHAMPION [BY TELEGRArH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday A feature of the trotting meeting at Addington was the battle for four-year-old supremacy between Gamble and Graham Direct, two of the greatest horses at their age ever raced in New Zealand. Gamble won after a sensational performance, although he still showed inability to put up top speed in the early stages. Half a mile from home, he was last in the field of 11 horses. A remarkable run took him into third place at the straight entrance and while he had to be shaken up, he literally made the others look like a second-rate lot. The field went off at a very slow pace and dawdled along over the first mile, at which stage Vesuvius led from Taxpayer. Blue Mountain was in second place, behind Vesuvius, as the last round was begun. Following the two leaders were Taxpayer, Tempest, Llewellyn's Pride, Wrecker, Sunny Morn and Key Spec, with Gamble, Graham Direct and Harold Logan, almost in line, at the rear. W r hen straightened up in the back stretch, Gamble put in a phenomenal burst of speed and was in third position, behind Vesuvius and Taxpayer, as the home stretch was entered. In a great run down the back and round the bend, Graham Direct followed Gamble, but the latter came home like a champion racehorse and established his claim to be regarded as the best four-year-old of the year. His last halfmile occupied about 1.1, and he was never closer than three sulkies out from the rails. Graham Direct was in almost as bad a position as Gamble for the first mile and a-quarter, but he was fairly beaten over the latter stages. Llewellyn's Pride had every chance, but he met two speedier 'and younger horses. Blue Mountain faded out after showing speed in tho middle stages. Tempest ana Wrecker also failed when the real business began. Roy Spec should have been benefited by the race. Harold Logan was well-served by the early slow pace, but he failed to pace it over the last part.

NOTABLE JOCKEY J. E. PIKE RETIRING (Received April 12, 8.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 12 The jockey J. E. Pike is retiring from race riding at the end of the autumn racing campaign and intends to become a trainer. Pike has been one of the most successful jockeys in Australia over a period of years and has been associated with many good hox-ses, notably Phar Lap, Peter Pan and Chatham. Increased weight has limited his opportunities for a number of years, although lie has retained a foremost position by his success in important races.