OUTSIDER WINS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22962, 14 February 1938, Page 7

OUTSIDER WINS

FLOODLIGHT IN FOEM BRITISH BANNER BEATEN ' I MERIAL DEFEATS SPRINTERS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] ROTORUA, Saturday , On the strergth of his winning effort at Thames, British Banner was made a solid favourite for the Pohutu HighWeight Handicap, but he failed to get up after making a good run from sixth at tho homo turn. Lack of ability t6 gain a good early position cost him tho race. Tho winner Floodlight ran into a forward position early behind the pacemakers Dombey and Long Span, and ho went on well to hold off British Banner's late challenge. Ho is a six-year-old by Illumination from Miss Killarncy, a half-sister, by Mullinga, to the brilliant Karapoti. Floodlight paid over a quarter of a century on the win machine. Bacewliip made a good run to secure third. Long .Span, after assisting in the paccmaking, justweakened out of a place. Dombey faded right out and of tho others General Buso and Spckettcs did best. Locknit and Bellbroney were handy in the early stages but were beaten at tho homo turn. Prival J'ust Tails The favourite Prival was quickly in front in the Waimangu Stakes and ho looked a winner until the-dast 50 yards, when Tralee Bose, who was fourth at the turn, wore liini down to score a narrow victory. Prival had every chance, but tho winner was assisted by a nice run through at the home turn. Aynho showed plenty of speed to run up outside the leader at the straight entrance, but she then stopped a little to liuisli third. Galloping Acre was just behind Aynho most of the way but could not improve his position and was fourth. Town Section was never dangerous,, but School Song made up a little ground iu tho straight. Llangollen, who drew No. 9, and started from No. 4, was a staunch favourite for the Mokoia Hack Handicap and she won in great style. Bushing to tho front in the first furlong. Llangollen was then headed by Miss To .Koura, who led her to the distance, but the favourite finished splendidly to win going away. Glen Abb finished ou to beat the tiring Miss Te Koura for second and his effort was creditable. To Monowai was third most of the way but failed to run on. Chief Lap, always well up, battled on for fourth in a good field. May Song and Gay Sister were the nearest of the others, but a good way back. * Suited by the Going

Hovelling in the soft going, Kona Bay was soon in front iu the Rotorua Cup, and, although Crooning and Scotland closed on her at the home turn, she cleared lip in the straight to win by a good margin. Kona Bay ran right'up to her best form. Crooning was always handily placed and was well clear of the rest without threatening the winner. Kilousa was in the middle of the field most of the way and came liomi» fairly well for third. In a strong field King Musk ran a fair race. Scotland went well as far as the homo turn and may be all the better for the run. Miss .Lu and Grand City were in the rear most of the way and neither appeared to be suited by the going. After the contest the trophy was presented to Mrs. C. B. Gill, owner of Rona Bay, by Dr. H. Bertram, president of tho club.

After numerous failures, the Ellers-lie-traineil Aero Queen finished strongly to notch! her maiden victory in the Hot Springs Handicap. She was well back early, bujfc- ran up in the . middle, •stages to outstay the opposition. Aero Queen is a big mare by The Ace from Charis, hence a half-sister to the Epsom Handicap winner Capris. It was easily her best performance to date. Nuipapa ran clear of the field along the back and led to tho distance but just failed to see it out. General Riske came from the rear to pass a tiring lot and secure third. Jolie Dance also came home well. Free Advice and the hot favourite Highland Queen failed after having every chance.

A Splendid Contest Only six started in the Geyser Hack Handicap, but it was a splendid race, ending in the narrowest of victories for the favourite Black Musk. Ringshot tried to lend all the way but he tired in the last few strides and was third with only noses between the first , three. Black Musk was always handy behind Ringshot and Bonnie Song and he came home gamely to snatch victory in the last stride. Kena and Black Musk were together at the turn and the former also finished in great style to suffer defeat by the narrowest of margins. Bonnie Song was second most of the way but petered out at the distance. Dutch Girl, who was in the rear all -the way to the turn, battled on to ue fourth. Beginning well from the outside, Tepoto soon reached the front in the Arawa. Park Stakes and remained there to stall off a good run by Kaceline. Tepoto paid a nice price, as she lias been racing consistently over short distances. Raceline drifted in the middle stages and then came home solidly. Ycul Prior showed speed but lost a little ground on the home turn. She may be a' likely improver. Pocket Venus led early but, after being headed, by the winner, did not put much dash into her work. Simla, a locally-trained three-year-old, ran a good race. Barricade, after getting out well, failed to make a showing. Silver Quex ran on without being dangerous. A Runaway Win Although she was fifth in the middle stages, Merial made a fast run Hearing the turn in the Tourist Handicap and scored a runaway win. It was a glimpse of her real form and she may go on to further success. Tray Bit was well back coining to the turn but. although be put in a strong claim, had no chance with Merial. His second was a good effort in the circumstances. Triune led early, but drifted only to come again and beat Strathirc for third. Strathire had every chance. Palustre appeared to bo checked at the end of a furlong but she put little dash into her finish. Land Girl was tn front coming to the turn but she then weakened badly. Maori Song, after being a little slow away, was last all the way. In spite of his favouritism, he showed little dash.

COURTCRAFT GALLOPS

BRILLIANT SIX FURLONGS [I'ROM OUR own conn espoxuknt] WOODVILLE, Saturday With the Woodvillo mooting near at hand, there is increased activity on the local tracks and this morning several candidates wero seen out in useful sprinting ti\sk!f. Tho plough track was mainly utilised, although tho course proper, with the trestles 33ft. out, was also available. The going was in perfect order,

On the plough Cherry Plum, after taking 14 l-6s for his first furlong, completed half a mile in 60 2-os, finishing very strongly. This two-vear-old is engaged on the second day of the locnl meeting and looks the makings of a good three-year-old. Oourtcraft was responsible for a brilliant effort over six furlongs on tho course proper, Jumping into his stride quickly, he was timed to run the first three in 37 l-5s arid the full distance in 1.15 1-5. He worked with great freedom and it was a fine performance. He looks like being at his best whenever lie is asked to race.