COMMENTS ON RUNNING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22399, 21 April 1936, Page 7

COMMENTS ON RUNNING

SERGIA BEATS MAINLAND LAP UP CAPTURES HURDLES CROONING SCORES EASILY BY ARCHER Galloping with more dash than he usually does when the ground is any way damp, Lap Up scored narrowly in a hard finish in the Hobsonville Hurdles. Lap Up was well back in the early stages and did not become prominent until about three furlongs from homo, when he ran up to the leaders, Thespis and Benighted. There was little between the trio over the last two fences, and they had a great set-to in the run homo, Lap Up doing best to score by a neck from the rank outsider Benighted, who showed his first climpso of form for some time and paid a fine price for second. Thespis went a good race for third and Golden ' England did best of the others, Wee Pat and Modern Maid failing to show any real dash and being well beaten. Swift Spear made a creditable showing until ho fell live furlongs from homo and brought down King Mestor, who was running along nicely. A Decisive Victory After registering a number of minor plaeings, the improving three-year-old Sergia scored a very decisive victory in the Dominion Handicap. Sergia was in behind Hohana, Paso Robles, Thangilamba and Mainland entering the straight and when asked for an effort she soou ran to the front to score handsomely from Mainland, who ran her third suceessivo second. Gay Papa, the half-sister, by Gay Shield, to Catkin, Sargon and Solomon, ran on strongly to get third, being closer at the finish than at any other stage. Hohana displayed early speed and battled on to be a creditable fourth, having apparently taken no harm from her fall on the first day. Cyllaros came home fast on the outside for fifth and Prince Abb was closest of the others. Paso Robles went well for about six furlongs and then faded, while Thangilamba also failed to run on after going fast early and being outside two horses most of the way. The favourite, Birthday Party, was successful in the Nursery Handicap, but her task might have been considerably more difficult if about half the field had not had their chances affected at the start. The only ones to get away really well were Philemup, Birthday Party and Pa lustre, and they were always handy, Birthday Party being too solid for Philemup at the finish. Queen's Counsel came from a long way back for third and Palustre was fourth, ahead of Inver, whoso rider was hit with a flying clod at the home turn and came in with his mouth bleeding. The winner is a fine big fillv, who may make a good three-year-old. Anion displayed brilliant speed_ in running to the leaders after getting left, but he was pulled up near the post and was in a bad way after the race. He is believed to have strained himself, although he showed some improvement after receiving a drench. A Good Finish The second fancy Sebrof scored in the Waitakere Handicap, which provided a good finish. Sebrof was one of the leaders throughout, but it looked as it he would be defeated when he came away from the rails in the straight and was being hotly challenged at the distance by Matoru, High lea, leak and Queen Nona. However, he responded well near the end and was going away at the post, although Queen Nona came home very well to just cut Matoru out of second, leak was awarded fourth, but that position appeared to be filled by High lea, who was right up on the rails. High lea was a long way back early and, after making a fine run, ho was weakening near the end. Dark Shadow finished fast and his turn should not be far away, as he is a very smart galloper. Sebrof has raced consistently'well apart from his failure on the second day at Ellerslie and is a big gelding who should do well during the winter. The favourites, Galilee, Keith Lu and Maine, were the last to finish in the Autumn Handicap, which was narrowly won by the moderately-fancied Scotland, the outsider but one of the field, who returned double figures. Galilee, Royal Secret and Knight of Australia were prominent in the running, but Galilee and Royal Secret both faded in the straight, where Scotland came on well to win and Gay Rose finished fast to get second. The first and second horses were both wide out. Gay Rose coming from a long way back. Knight of Australia battled on for third and Velocipede was a close fourth. Velocipede looked as if he might win when he charged up on the inside near the distance, but he had made a big run and weakened near the post. Scotland recorded his best performance for a long timo, but he may have found it more difficult if Gay Rose had commenced her run a trifle earlier. Race in Rainstorm It is many years since a race was run under worse conditions in Auckland than was the Mount Eden Handicap, which was run in blinding ra,l j which was so heavy that tho field could not bo picked up until they were about a furlong from tho post, and even then could not bo clearly distinguished. Victory went to the top-weight Rereatu, who finished strongly over the last little bit to just wrest the honours from Pakanui, who was favourite. Puss Moth ran his best race for some timo for third and Princess Star was fourth. The top-weight Loombination proved too solid for the others in the Mount Roskill Handicap, finishing very resolutely to outstay the opposition in the last furlong after being behind Tutor, Tidalia and Le Chasseur at the homo turn. The winner has raced consistently well lately and has never been better. Tutor mado another good showing and may have made it a trifle more difficult for Loombination if he had not como away from tho rails in tho straight. Full of Scotch stayed on for third and Valise was just a fair fourth. Tidalia retired in the straight after making play to the turn. Hunting Maid failed to go on after making a dash on tho rails at the distance. Persian Lady fell when in the lead after going slightly over a furlong and To Bronoy went down over lier.. Favourites Beaten Revelling in tho soft going, Crooning scored a very decisive victory in tho Morningsido Handicap, for which Adaleno and Delrain were tho favourites. Crooning was back sixth in the early stages, but she moved up on the outside of Epris and Tuaheaho entering the straight and was always a winner in the last furlong, being confidently ridden by W. J. Broughton. There was a great contest for second, and Delrain stayed best to secure tho position, although onlv heads separated him from Epris and Adalene. Epris ran his best race in Auckland, making play most of the way. RACING FIXTURES April 29, 30—Dannevirko Racing Club (at AVoodvillo). May 2, 4—Nelson Jockey Club. May 7, &—Egmont Racing Club. May 8, 9 Marlborough Racing Club. May 9—Amberley Racing Club. May 10—Southland Racing Club. May IG—Asliburton County Racing Club. May 10—Marlon Joclu-y Club. May 10—Waipa Racing Club. May 23—South Canterbury Jockey Club. May 23—Carterton Racing Club. May 30—Foxton Racing Club. May 30, June 3, 6—Auckland Racing Club. Juno 4, 6—Otaki Maori Racing Club. June 6—Asbburton County Racing Club.