NOTES ON RUNNING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22428, 26 May 1936, Page 7

NOTES ON RUNNING

ALLEGEETTO SCORES D.IAMOND TAKES STEEPLES LE GRAND'S GOOD FINISH by archer Having his first race for some time, Allegretto scored a very convincing victory in the Melville Hack Steeplechase, for which ho was third fancy to Arctic Star and En Tour. With the exception of Adsum, who ran off, and lost his rider at the second fonce, Te Monatokapa and Diacquedoon, the field kept in close company for most of the way, and five furlongs from home seven of the 11 runners had winning chances. However, Allegretto was travelling well and he assumed command about half a mile from homo to win with something in hand from The Hiker. Illuininagh battled 011 for third and En Tour was a close fourth, with Arctic Star and Cordon handy. Allegretto looks like being good if he keeps sound. It was only his second attempt over country. Most of the others ran creditable# races, although Arctic Star did scarcely as well as expected. He was very careful at the early fences, but had every chance, saving considerable ground when 110 went up on the inside and the leaders ran wide at the fence going out of the straight, where he was able to reach the front.

Third Successive Win The each-way favourite Sergia registered her third successive victory when she won the Hangatiki Hack Handicap. Nicely placed on the rails and just behind the leading bunch to the turn, Sergia soon ran to the front iri the straight and probably could have made her winning margin more than the length she had to spare. She has been very consistent and has developed into a useful filly. Sweet Rose attempted to win all the way and battled on valiantly at the finish without'being able to hold off the winner. Queen Nona finished on to get third, and Pukeko did remarkably well to get fourth, after being badly left and on the outside of the field for most of the way. Cappy, Hawthorn and Miss Hornet did best of the others. Mustang was prominent until reaching the straight and then faded. Patiently handled by W. Rennie, Modern Maid came on the scene at the last fence to win the Waikato Hurdles in good style, recording her best performance to date. After Saltspray and Silk Sox had led early, Silk Sox definitely assumed the lead about a mile from home and it looked as if he might win when he came into the straight in front of Silver Wattle and Saltspray. However, Modern Maid ran up quickly in the straight and when Silk Sox nearly fell at the last fence, she scored easily from the fast-finishing Benighted, who would probably have been very troublesome if he had made his effort a little sooner. Silk Sox might have won only for his blunder at the last fence. Saltspray was a creditable fourth and Master Musk was closer at the finish than at any any other stage. Soloist was never prominent. A. McGregor was questioned regarding his handling of Master Musk and his explanation was accepted as satisfactory.

Grateful Finishes Well It was with a determined finishing effort that Grateful won the Gordonton Handicap, after a fine contest. He was' always fairly well placed and, after following Alby, Velocipede, Scotland and Sea Fox into the straight, ran on very attractively over tho last furlong to just wrest the honours from Velocipede, who led at the distance, and fully confirmed his good form of the first day. One Whetu was behind Grateful at the turn, and he also finished very resolutely on the outside. Alby, after attempting to lead all the way, was fourth, with Miss Lu, Delrain and Scotland -closest of the others. Scotland was always prominent and looked a likely place-getter just after entering the straight. Sea Fox -faded out in the straight. The King Country Steeplechase was a duel between Diamond and Roxy and the former won well at the finish. They were always well clear of the others, none of whom appeared likely at any part. Roxy had an advantage of a couple of lengths from Diamond at several stages, although this was nullified by the fact that he was keeping out fairly wide and allowing Diamond to come up on the inside .each time. Roxy had an advantage of two lengths at the second to last fence, but Diamond outjumped him at the final obstacle and eventually beat him very decisively. The form of tho others was very moderate and_ none showed any dash at all. Roj'al Limond stopped at the same fonce as on the first day, although on this occasion in the first round. His rider set him going again and ho went round safely, although some distance behind tho field. Exciting Sprint Finish

Heads separated the placed horses in an exciting finish in tho Maeroa Handicap, victory'going to the each-way favourite, Puss Moth, who just beat Tooley Street. Puss Moth was quickly in the lead with Mungacre and ho lasted long enough to win from Tooley Street, who came on the rails m the last fui-long, ahd would probably have won in another stride. Gold Mission also finished strongly : and Greek Gold came from a long way back for fourth. Adalene, King Re.v and En go ran good races. King Rey should be improved by the outing. Prince Acre and Dollar Bill were showing up on the outside rounding the turn and then failed to go on. Both should do better. It was with a dashing finishing run on the rails that Le Grand won tho Farewell Hack Handicap. Ho was well back entering tho straight but could be Been coming fast on the inside haltwav down the running, where High lea had wrested the lead from the pacemaker, Hawthorn, and was just clear. Responding well to the vigorous riding of A. Jenkins, Le Grand got up uear the end to win going away from High Tea, who ran another good race. Hawthorn battled on for third and Dark Shadow was fourth. L© Chasseur, Spearcourt and Wotan did host of tho others. Le Grand showed improvement upon his running on the first day niia is evidently on the up-grade.

R. A. MCMILLAN'S HORSES

MANOEUVRE REAPPEARS The Tamahero trotting trainer R. A. McMillan has, a useful team in work for the Auckland winter meeting, his string including Prince Pedro, Smoogcr, Manoeuvre, Argolis and Replica. Manoeuvre, who has not raced since the spring, wa* successful, at Eosom last June for her owner-trainer, J. !• McKendry. After an indifferent showing in the Adams Memorial Cup, the Man o' War mare surprised by winning the C. F. Mark Memorial Handicap from end to end. As Manoeuvre is partial £o yielding tracks, she may again show to advantage.next month. Smooger, who has been a very consistent performer since coming north, has been purchased by McMillan from Mr. A. Hobbs, for whom he won a number of useful handicaps, Smooger is a good stayer and races well under any conditions. Prince Pedro is another userul winter horse and has pood credentials at all distances. Argolis and Replica have not so far displayed the foini that won them races in the South Island, but they may improve.