COMMENT ON FORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22613, 29 December 1936, Page 5

COMMENT ON FORM

ALUNGA VICTORIOUS KINDHEART DEFEATS TOSH LACQUER EFFECTS SURPRISE [xiv TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] PALMERSTON NORTH, Monday Nercus, favourite for tho r J rial Handicap, had every chance, lying in bohind Alunga and Fine Stitch to the straight, from which stage he could battle on for fourth place only. Alunga ran on for a narrow win trom Old Surrey, Fine Stitch weakening to third. The best of the others were Sea Wrack and Count Siegfried. The winner, who recently joined the stable of T. George, was having only his second start. He is a three-year-old by Spear Dance and a half-brother to Eager Hose and Sweet Rose. A fresh horse, Taumau, beat the form pair of the first day, Vonia Park and Windward, in the Linton Highweight Handicap, after Vonia Park had made practically all the running. It eel Rufus, Blue Tiger and Suninierhill were always making hard work of it and • were never dangerous. Hunter's Morn, after delaying the start, failed to complete the course. First Spec, ridden to th* front early with Vonia Park, petered out badly a long way from home.

Ned Guttle Scores Ned Cuttle won the Highden Handicap in good style. Ho and Peter Beckford went after the leaders, Thermidor and In The Dark, at tile same time, but Peter Beckford found himself unable to hold on to the winner, although he ran a solid race. Kara, who was last early, finished a creditable third, tho two pacemakers weakening in the straight. The top-weight Dungarvan and tho light-weight Rona Bay staged a thrilling duel in the President's Handicap, tho issue ending with a dead-beat. Rona Bay led all the way, followed by Entail and Dungarvan, with One Whctu a little further back. Dungarvan joined issue with Rona Bay immediately after entering the straight and at the furlong post had the advantage by a neck, with One Whctu closo up, and Arctic King coming from the rear. Dungarvan still held a slight advantage with a hundred yards to go, but Rona Bay staged a further effort and, in an exciting finish, she got on terms again at the post. Arctic King was a good third, just heading One Whetu. Then came Entail, Grand Jury and Tout lo Monde. Rona Bay Improves Dungarvan was ridden by L. G. Morris, who was responsible for his usual vigour in a hard struggle. Rona Bay improved and paid a good price. Arctic King put up a fine effort, as he was a long way back at the half-mile. One Whetu ran another good race. Entail went better to finish fifth. Kindhoart and Tosh headed the betting in the Champion Hack Handicap and they finished as backed. They were always at tho head of affairs, being attended to the straight by Black Thread, Finnesko, Calshot and Rotoma. Once in line Kiiulheart and Tosh had the issue to themselves and in a desperate finish Tosh hung on until nearing the post, where he weakened to give Kindheart a decisive win. Calshot was a good third. He improved, but struck a couple too good for him. Rotoma, Cricket and Finnesko headed the bunch. Kindhoart appeared to ruri n bit green when seriously tackled by I Tosh, but he was good enough to hold | off the challenge. i Mata Hari and Ben Braggie, who 1 were always at the head of the field in { the Awapuni Handicap, fought out a desperate finish, well clear of tho others, li was a head-and-head fight all the way up the straight. Mother ! Superior was always handy in behind I the leading pair and ran on consistently for a creditable third, followed by Alby, ! Invoice, Fill joy and Dollar Mill. Bon Braggie was a warm favourite, the winner being at a good price. All-the-way Victory

Orac led all the way to win the Himitangi Handicap. Hold together better than on Saturday, he was a bio to fight off «i strong challenge by the improved Boomerang, who had been handy in behind all the way. Ccitcl was consistent with her third placing, and the rest of the field wore well bunched except Supreme Court. An outsider, Lacquer, spread-eagled the field in the Kelvin Handicap after being cut back to second to Inst going out of the straight. She moved up down the back and, joining the leader Day Dress before the turn, ran on in the straight for the easiest win of the meeting. Day Dress comfortably beat Hamarin, who was also toward the rear early Then came Le Touquet, Nightlass and Ingenuity. The winner showed a lot of promise earlier in her career and nothing had any chance with her t-o-day, although Day Dress improved over the longer journey. SOUTHLAND MEETING WEIGHTS FOR FIRST DAY [by TELEGRAPH —I'HKSS association] DUNEDIN, Monday Handicaps for tho first day of the Southland Racing Club's Summer Meeting, to be held on .January 2 anil 4, arc; as follows: — A VENAL HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP, of £125; I mile.—Galloon, 10.11; Jack Ahoy, 10,10; Blazon, 10.7; Ma.vain, 0.13; Rousseau, 0.11; Smoko, Silver Issue, 9.8; Azitvedo, Dazzling Eyes, Silver Jest. 9.5; Fireguard, 9,1; Jlenr.v Dawson, 9.U; Treble* ack, Radio Star, 9.2; Red Treasure, 9.1 ; Ardchoille, King Willow, Joy Boa, British Star, Larry Resta, 9.0. FLYING HANDICAP, of £200; (i fur.— Knockfin, 9.0; Queen of Song, 0.0; Gold Boa. 8.9; McHeath, 8.8; Lochlaggan, 8.7; Half Note, 8.2; Bon Tray, Viking, 8.0; All Humbug, 7.11; Song lloy, Beam, 7.5; Silk Paper, Moneyless, Clara Bow, 7.7. NEW YEAR HANDICAP, of £125; 0 fur. —Barley Almond, 9.0; Azavedo, 8.7; Pink Del, Henry Dawson, Bond, 8.5; Natty, 8.2; Sailing Lady, 7.12; Fog Peak, Golden Kong, 7.11; Western Hong, C'orban, 7.9; Rosenmn, Ardchoille, Green Boa, Brilliant Boa, Ardmayle, Fox Love, Mona Song, The Jeweller, Slanther gelding, Parysia gelding. 7.8; Ramoiia, Verdure, Palastyle, 7.7. INVERCARGILL CUP, of £400; 11/,I 1 /, miles.—Queen of Song, 9.12; Truvenna, 9.2: Tauramai, Tunneller, 8.12; Guarantee, Polydora, 8.10; Knockfin, 8.7; Wall Street, B.U; Great Star, Trivet, 8.0; Daring Deed, Grand Finalo. 7.12; Wild C'urecr, 7.10; Last Link, Willie Win, Ainelita, Amy Johnson, Ocean Singer, Stolen March, Superex, Song Boy, Enwood, Honest Raid, Jack. Ahoy, 7.7. WAIIvIWI HANDICAP, of £125; 7 fur. —Stolen March, 9.1; Island Linnet, 8.10, Arahoa, StrntOHphere, 8.8; Barley Almond, 5.7; Linguist, 8.(>; Bay Biddy, 8.2; Rodeur, Coat of Arms. Palmyra, 7.13; Gamblers Luck, 7.12; Natty, Radio Star, Asliaway, Patricia Holm, Trebleack, Young Sentinel, Green Boa, Roseman, 7.7. WAITtOPAI HANDICAP, of £175; 1 niile. —Tauramai. 0.4; McHeath, 9.0; Wall Street, 8.9; Gaysome, 8.0; Trivet, 8.5; Viking, 8.-1: Darius: Deed, Grand Finale. 8.13; Bon Tray, Wild Career, 8.1; Double Shot Amelita, Enwood, Last Link, btolen March, 7.9; Superex, Araboa, Ocean Singer, Cleaver, Surge, Jack Ahoy, Poniard, 7.7. MYROSS HANDICAP TROT, of £110; limit. 3 10; IVi miles. —Labour Chimes, Walter Gay, Gold Streak, Happy King, Gracious, Dazzling Sun, Queen Christina, Norham Lady, Riddle Mo Ree, Janet <ia.vnor, Kuril, Vice-Rezal, Rotoiti, Sunny Drive, Carver Doone, Antarctic. Sun, Capricorn, Capri, Lady It a; Mantle Song, Redoubt, limit; Worthy Claire, 48yds blui. ORETI HANDICAP TROT, of £100; limit 0.30; IVi miles. —Jean Dewey, Chevalier, Stalwart, Overproof, Mishap, College Boy, Mountain Lad, Seaward do Oro, 'l' nsco Silk, Janet Gay nor, John Desborough, Sir Gowan, Gnywin, Chief Drusus, Waipnhi, Picotee, Loyai Sun, Black Shadow, limit; Norma Gratlan, Desert Cloud, Eddie To lan, Nell Grattan, Runworshipper, Embark, Leitrim, lL\viis bhd; Just Sluuidi, Hoan Duke, War Bettv, 21; Ronald Derby, Moko Child, Blue Spark, Vologda, 00; Bello Grattan. 48.