COMMENTS ON RUNNING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22393, 14 April 1936, Page 7

COMMENTS ON RUNNING

DUEL IN GREAT EASTER SWORDSTICK IMPRESSIVE SOCKBURN GOES TO MIGHT [by telegraph OWN correspondent] CHRISTCHURCH, Monday Streamline, the win favourite for fhe Kildare Brush Hurdles, had a comfortable success. Crash and Haore Tonu acted as leaders over the first two jumps, but Ilaere Tonu then retired and Crash led Streamline to the back stretch. Streamline had taken charge entering the back from Crash and Lycidas, who were together, with Arctic Star and Monastic handy. Lycidas foil at the six furlongs and his stablemate, Arctic Star, fell over him, while Crash weakened. Streamline continued on round the top and homo turns from Monastic and the pair were well clear of Crash on entering tho straight. Monastic drew up to Streamline turning for home, but the favourite outjumped and outpaced him for the remainder of the journey. Crash was 100 yards away. J. Smith, rider of Lycidas, was removed to hospital with slight concussion, and Ilaere Tonu finished the course a furlong back. Tho Paper Slipper-Wild Chase bracket was installed a very shorturiced favourite for the C.J.C. Champagne Stakes and after an attractive display Wild Chase had a comfortable win from Custos. Paper Slipper was smartest to move and he led on to tho course proper from Custos, Pelmet and Wild Chase, but there was not much between them. Custos had tho measure of Paper Slipper passing the distance and Wild Chase then moved uj'j on the outside. In the course of another 100 yards, Wild Chase had Custos beaten and he won without pressure, while Pelmet got up to beat Paper Slipper for third mone.v. Coxcomb was always tailed off. Riptide's Run Well- Timed Riptide was sent out a slightly better favourite than Chidden for tho Autumn Plate but while tho former wou. Chidden gave a very disappointing display and was never in the picture. Dark Pose led out but at the end of two furlongs, Execution had taken charge and was joined by Latitude rounding the homo turn. This pair led into the straight from Riptide, Jolly Beggar and Chidden. Riptide moved up gradually on the outside and with a well-timed run wore down Execution, to beat her in the last few strides. Jolly Beggar executed somn strong work in the run home and secured third money from Latitude, being a length away from Execution. Chidden and Dark Rose were well back. Tho Russley Plate provided a closo finish between four horses. First to become prominent was Pink Polly, who led on to the course proper from Silver Slipper, Epic, Gay Lyric, Double Gift, Impersonator and Top Notch. Impersonator made a fast run on the outside and challenged Pink Polly inside the distance, with Epic and Double Gift also -in evidence. In a hard tussle.

Impersonator wore down Pink Polly, to beat her by a neck, with Double Gift a head in front of Epic. Gay Lyric was next, followed by Rodeur, Top

Notch and Patricia Holm. The Great Easter Handicap attracted widespread interest and although most of the favourite division did not fare too well, the win of the third choice, Concert Pitch, was popularly received. The field, with the exception of Rebel Chief, got away together, and after Great Star had shown the way for the first furlong, Concert Pitch went to the front, with Prostration, Variant. Great Star, Cranford and Sweet Agnes as his nearest attendants. There was little change to the home turn and Concert Piteh had a half-length advantage from Prostration on entering the straight, the pair being clear of the next division, headed by Great Star, Variant and Cranford, with Silver Streak, Knockfin, Fracas and Davolo closely following these. The race then resolved itself into a tussle between the two leaders. Prostration hung on gamely but lie could not make much impression on Concert Pitch, who gained the verdict by a neck. In another hard struggle for third money, Fracas just got up on the lino to beat Cranford by a head. Variant was next, about two'lengths away, and she was followed bv Great Star. Silver Streak, Davolo, Lochlaggan, Knockfin, Fair Weather. Sea Fox, Kinnoull, Sweet Agnes, Pebel Chief and Dollar Bill.

Issue Decided Early There was no doubt about the result, over the last half-mile and what promised to be an interesting race throughout was practically confined to Concert Pitch and Prostration, who fought out a prolonged battle. However, honours were always in the winner's favour. This was Concert Pitch's fourth win in succession in a very limited programme during the past six months. Prostration ran probably his best race to date. Fracas was well back at the home turn, with only three horses behind her, and she put tip a creditable performance to head off Cranford on the post. Lochlaggau was never further up than seventh. Kinnoull was one of the rear division for most of the way and Knockfin and Silver Streak were also disappointing. Swordstick, first choice for the Courtonay Handicap, prevailed after a sustained struggle with Willie Win, the pair sorting themselves out over the last few chains. The early leaders were Countervane, Arrow Glen, Madge's Coin and Culotte, and as they entered upon the course proper Arrow Glen was in front of Culotte, Swordstick, Countervane and Willie Win. Swordstick drew to the front after passing the distance and was then challenged by Willie Win. Tn an interesting tussle, in which Swordstick always held the upper hand, the favourite crossed the line with a margin of a neck. Glenavon finished fast into third place, and two lengths back Countervane, John Ball and Arrow Glen were practically in line. The winner is by Rapier from Pledge, a halfsister to Pakanui, and apparently has a great future. Spectacular Contest

A spectacular contest was staged in the Sockburu Handicap, the field being bunched for the greater part of the journey. Grand Review, Courtyard. Tunneller and Golden King comprised the loading division over the first three furlongs, and Courtyard, Grand Review and Moonbeam then raced in line to the home turn, with The Surgeon, Tunneller, Might and McHcath next. There was not much between the three leaders entering the straight, with Golden King, The Surgeon and Might handy, while Argentic became prominent on the outside of these. The leaders were in trouble after passing the distanco; Might drew up to Colden King and The Surgeon challenged ori the insido. In an all-out finish. Might beat Golden King by a neck, with a similar margin to The Surgeon. Argentic was a length back, in front of Arctic King, Courtyard, Tout ,le Monde and McHeath. Chief Ranger and Ponty disputed favouritism for the Papanui Handicap and they decided the issue. Violenta drew No. 1 at the barrier, and, getting atfay smartly, as usual, she soon opened up a gap and was still in charge on entering the straight from Chief Ranger, Ponty, Colombo, Princess Rawene and Silver Jest. Violenta soon surrendered her place to Chief Ranger in the run home and Ponty also overhauled hor, Chief Ranger going on for a decisive win from Ponty, who as easily, beat Violenta. Sovereign Lady, Silver Jest and Orris were together, two lengths away. Honour's Lass lost hor chance by being slowly away. The result was never in doubt once Chief Ranger asserted himself in the straight.