WINDCRESS SCORES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22968, 21 February 1938, Page 9

WINDCRESS SCORES

HUSKIE TAKES HURDLES DEFEAT OF ROYAL BACHELOR MALAGIGI PERFORMS SOLIDLY Benefited by his recent racing, Windcress stayed on better than usual to score narrowly in the Trial Stakes after being in the lead more than half a mile from home. Like others of the Progeny of Whirlwind, Windcress is improving with age and he is a big gelding, who may eventually become very useful. He drew No. 4 at the barrier and in that respect had an advantage over the runner-up Mon Acre, who had to make a big effort to get a position early from No. 15. In spito of this, Mon Aero fought on very courageously and had tho winner doing his best over the last furlong. Sho paid a fine price for a plftce. The each-way favourite Balinavar began well from No. 1, but was a trifle sore and was soon cut off, although he did not go back very far and had every chanco in tho run home. Sen Acre showed early pace and made a creditable showing for fourth. Inquisitor and Centaurus were finishing on. An Exciting Finish The Frankton Hurdles provided an exciting finish, the topweight and win favourite Huskie just outstaying Englishman and Sandrift. Huskie was always in the leading division and had a turn in front along the back, although ho gave way to Sandrift and Mungacre after passing tho half-mile. It appeared as if he might be steadied by his weight at tho end, but he proved too good a stayer and was doing better than either Englishman, who came on the rails after being patiently ridden by N. C. Trillo, and Sandrift right on the post. Huskie's jumping has at times been faulty but he is a grand stayer. The threo placegetters beat the others very easily. Mungacre went well to the turn and then tired quickly. Master Musk, after being a long way back, made up ground in the straight without ever appearing a likely placegetter. His rider lost an iron. Although Calorie made a splendid run on the outside in the straight to win the Juvenile Handicap, the honours were with tho topweight Hot Box, who made a valiant attempt to win. Failing to begin as smartly as usual, Hot Box made a very sharp run on tho outside approaching the turn to run up handy into fourth position. A furlong from the post Hot Box appeared likely to win when he headed the leaders, but he could not withstand the determined dash by Calorie, ■although he displayed great tenacity, especially after the effort he made in tho middle stages. Pocket Venus showed plenty of pace and battled on for a fair third. She is on the upgrade and so also is Philcourt, who led most of the way. The visiting filly Kathbella, who was forced to cover a good deal of ground after drawing wide out, showed up on the outside at the turn, but made no impression in the straight. King Rey Well Ridden Perfectly ridden by L. J. Ellis, the each-way favourite King Rey won the Storey Memorial Handicap in attractive style. King Rey was always well placed, on the rails and, after coming through near the distance, was easing j up a ,'ittle near the finish. It was his first success since passing into the hands of Mr. N. Grafas last Easter and his win was well deserved after his consistent efforts in the past few months. Gay Rose ran one of her best races, finishing with plenty of determination without being able to trouble the winner. Jonathan also made a good showing, fighting on well in the straight. He was the outsider of the field in the place betting and returned a good price for third. Kelly battled on solidly at the end for fourth. Day Wind and Scotland weakened in the last half furlong after appearing likely at the distance. Master Brierly made up ground in the straight, after being near the rear most of tho way. A\otan never flattered the hopes of his supporters. Dark Shadow was asked too big a question in making the run he did in the middle stages. Improved by her race at Rotorua, the win favourite Langollen finished too strongly for Te Monowai to score decisively in tho Linley Hack Handicap after being sixth at the turn. It was her third start and third win this season. Sho is a big niaro and is an improver who may go on to be very useful. Te Monowai claimed a 61b. appentice's allowance and made a determined bid for victory after being well placed throughout. Cappv and Bronzette Van fine races. Jan Ridd and Ohmaha displayed plenty of brilliance only to fade in the last furlong. Royal Yaals and Dragon Moth were never dangerous. The latter did not look quite readj\ Copy Cat showed pace but lost a little ground in the straight. Lady Meath met some trouble at the start. A Thrilling Contest

The Puketaha Handicap was a thriJlI ing contest and no fewer than seven of the candidates had winning chances, victory going to the little-fancied Sinking Fund, who won all the way. There was a great battle for the minor places and Crooning finished well to gain second by a head from Gay Streak, who got through on the rails in the straight. Alby made a determined bid on the outside right at the end for fourth and was just ahead of Star Artist, Little Artist and Trilliarch, who were always well in the picture. Trillinrch looked ' as if he might win at the distance, but weakened in the last 100 yards. Grateful also tired at the end after being just behind Sinking Fund most of the way. Airam whipped round at the start and lost considerable ground, much of which she recovered when sent after the field. The three-year-olds. Royal Bachelor, who was an each-way favourite, and Bachelor King, went very fast from outside positions in the President's Handicap and, after reaching the front quickly, drew about four lengths clear. Bachelor Kincr weakened at the distance. but Royal Bachelor hung on tenaciously when Marie's Acre and Tray Bit challenged in the last furlong. However, the early effort was too great and he faded back to fourth. Victory went to the consistent Trav Bit, who made a fine finishing effort on the outside. Although very scratchy in his prelimin arv, Marie's Acre improved tipon his recent running, the easy e;oing being to his liking. Triune was always in the first four and just beat Royal Bachelor for third. Royal Bachelor and Bachelor Kinc should soon do better. Merial lost her chance by being cut off at the start. Second Fancy Scores

The second fancy Malagigi won the Bcerescourt Hack Handicap, having a little' in reserve at the finish after being handy throughout. Cometarium, who is on the improve, came homo strongly from a good way back to just take second from the favourite, Lady Montana, alter she had made a sharp dash inside the distance. The littlefancied Mustang indicated that ho might have another race concealed about him by being right up fourth. Gay Sister and Prival faded after being prominent until well into the straight. Vadanoc was always well tin and finished a close fifth. Prince Rnngi lost ground in the straight, but Barrister was closer at the finish than at any other stage.