RACING REVIEWED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22465, 8 July 1936, Page 11

RACING REVIEWED

MANY CLOSE FINISHES BLACK MARLIN'S FINE FORM COROWA SCORES IN LAST RACE I BY TELEGRAPH —FROM ARCnicß] WBLLI NGTOjI, Tuesday Only six of the 13 runners completed the course in tho Mariri Hack nnd Hunters' Steeplechase, which High Speed just won in a punishing finish with Battleground, who held a slight advantage after crossing the last fence. Dozie plodded on to bo a moderate third nnd was followed by Miss Winston, Kaola and Kaokaoroa. Cordon led tho field until he fell at the end of about five furlongs. Kloof,ric Flash then assumed command, only to run off nt tho second fence of tho double, after running down the first badly. At tho time she was swinging along nicely in front and looked like being difficult to beat. Cometra was handily placed when she fell in the first round, llluminagh was going strongly and was handy to the leaders when he toppled over at tho third to last fence. Strome broko down in both forelegs just before reaching tho last fence. High Speed and Battleground were always prominent and ran solid races. Hen Braggio registered a pleasing performance to win the Woburn Handicap at good odds. Hunting Star was quickly prominent and led on to the course proper from Ben Braggio, Braw Lad, Bantry, De 'Prop and Mister Quex. When they had straightened up, Ben Braggio asserted himself and soon took tho measure of Hunting Star, who should improve. De Trop battled on, to be a lair third, just ahead of Polity, who finished very resolutely on tho outside. Next were Braw Lad, Ngatirahiri and Bing Boy. Improved Hurdlers Tho each-way favourite, Ethiop, finished only fourth in tho Vittona Hurdles, which the second fancy, Silk Sox, won in good stylo. Silk Sox, Havering and Camilla Horn wero prominent early, with Lord Val also handy. Going along tho back, Lord Val moved up, and he headed Silk Sox at the top, where John Charles, Havering, Camilla Horn and Ethiop were closest of tho others. Silk Sox held a slight advantage at the last fence, and drew away from John Charles, who finished gamely and just beat Lord Val for second. Ethiop was followed by Blue Tiger, Signaller, Camilla Horn and Havering. Silk Sox has improved and has advanced in favour for the Winter Hurdles. Ethiop and Havering are likely improvers. Lord Val would havo been second, only for swerving badly at the last fence.

It was with a brilliant finishing run that Greek Gold got up to win an exciting contest in the Stewards' Handicap. Dollar Bill and Grand Score were tho leaders from a bunched field at the turn, where Mother Superior, Adaleno, Dungarvan, Alby and Wino wore handy. Just after passing the false rail, Dungarvan, Alby and Adalene challengod and near tho post, Dungarvan had his head in front, only to be defeated in the last few strides by Greek Gold. Adaleno was a neck away third, and Alby was a creditable fourth, with Dollar Bill, Mother Superior and Mata Hnri next.

The plaeo : gfet.ters registered fine performances, Greek Gold being seen at his best, after being ridden in behind. Favourite Wins Steeples

The win favourite, Diamond, gained a very decisive victory in the Wellington Steeplechase. Diamond and Gascille were the enrlv leaders and at the double, Gijscille had a lead of four lengths, but he was showing a tendency to swerve out at some fences. Near tho mile post, Diamond went up on the inside of Gascille and they kept ctose company for a further stage until Diamond drew away, to hold a lead of four lengths at the double the second time, where Dunmure had run up handy and Umtali was also improving his position. Turning along the back Diamond had a ten lengths' advantage and when Gascille foil at tho sod wall he was clear of Dunmure, Umtali nnd Billy Boy. Crossing the top Dunmure closed on Diamond and there was little to choose between them after they had jumped the second to last fence. However, Diamond was goin<r strongly and he drew away at the end to score easily from Dunmure. Pahu battled on at tho finish to be a moderate third, and Umtali was a poor fourth, with Billy Boy well beaten.

Gascille interfered with Forest. Glow and Emancipation when he stopped, riderless, at tho first board fenco along tlie back and caused Emancipation to baulk. Forest Glow was pulled up before jumping the last fence, when in a hopeless position. Manawatu fell when going well in a handy position in the middle stages. Diamond gavo a fino display of' fencing and won very decisively. Gascille went a good race until ho went out. Billy Boy failed to show any dash and ho was never dangerous. Patiently ridden by C. Thomson, tho second fancy, Black Marlin, scored narrowly in a iiard finish in the Trentham Hurdles. Saltspray and Royal King made the early running from Ruaform, The Smuggler, Journot and Black Marlin. Four furlongs from home Royal King began to go back and Tho Smuggler ran up on to Saltsprny's quarters. This gelding nnd The Smuggler were the loaders into tho straight from Black Marlin, Ruaform and Streamline. In a good race homo, Black Marlin finished resolutely to score from Ruaform, with Streamline a good third. Travelling Agent ran on strongly to get fourth berth and promises to make an eariy return to form. Saltspray, Tho Smuggler, and Journot were close up, the first-named two running fino races, although they weakened in the run from tho last fence. Streamline should improve. Outsider Gets Verdict Heads separated tho placed horses in a great finish in the Whyte Handicap, the little-fancied Mnino flashing up on tho outside to gain the verdict and pay over two score on the win machine. Miss Hushabye was quickly in the lead from Big Dook, Boomerang, Mustang, Snowball and Alchemic. On entering tho straight she was clear of Boomerang, Big Dook, Epris, Mustang and Alchemic. A little further on Boomerang shot to the front unci looked like winning. Maine then appeared on the outside and she made i great run to win from Aietic King, who finished strongly on tho rails Boomerang was third and Double Shot was fourth, ahead of Mustane, Lapel. Daring Deed, Alchemic and Epris. Another outsider was successful when Corowa scored in the Fe Aro Handicap Contract soon reached the front and led along tho back from Windward, Calshot, Queen Nona. Corowa and La Femme Noire Contract was first into the straight frdm Windward. Oueen Nona, Calshot, Corowa and Hunting' Queen. Inside the distance Corowa was in command. He stayed on to win from Hunting Maid, who finished very resolutely from a long way back. Calshot was a lair third and Oueen Nona was fourth, abend of Contract, Hunting Queen and Wotan. Corowa was assisted by the heavy iroing and Hunting Maid again finished well Contract went a good race for seven furlongs, but tired quickly at the last.