COMMENT ON FORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22972, 25 February 1938, Page 9

COMMENT ON FORM

HURDLES TO OUTSIDER ARTFUL DODGER PREVAILS CATALOGUE RUNS UNPLACED [by teleobaph—own correspondent] WANGANUI, Thursday The outstanding event of the Wanganui Jockey \Club's Autumn Meeting to-day was the Wanganui Cup, which was won by Brazen King, who was almost tho outsider of the field of 10. Brazen King, who has given indications on several occasions of ability to, stay, went right away in the straight and won by three length*). Brazen King is trained by F, Mcllugh and is that trainer's first winner. The meeting opened with a surprise, Artful Dodger taking tho honours in the Westmere Hurdles. Lifeguard made tho early running, but lost ground at every hurdle and with five furlongs to go he had relinquished the lead. Royal Romance and Riotous then had charge and crossing the top Riotous went to the front, Kentucky Song, Count Willonyx and Artful Dodger advancing and Royal Romance tiring. Count Willonyx. looked dangerous until Artful Dodger came through with an irresistible run to win decisively from Count "Willonyx, who beat Riotous just as easily. Royal Romance was fourth and Kentucky Song fifth. Artful Dodger, an aged gelding by Danilof from Oak Lass, is related to First Acre. Favourite Succeeds Supported to odds-on, Surmount won the Juvenile Handicap decisively, though only by a neck. He led almost all the way and turned for home clear of Footloose, with Russian Ballet a couple of lengths behind and Dark Eagle next. Footloose, under pressure, drew up to Surmount, but when given a kick Surmount went on to win from Russian Ballet, who finished solidly. Footloose was a fair third and Filetto was just ahead of Dark Eagle. Drachma got away very badly. Surmount registered a good performance. Shangri-la, winner of the Kai lw< Maiden Race, drqw No, 1 at the barrier and was in a leading position all the way. With two furlongs covered Scarf Dance, Sigurd and ZiTpah were running abreast of Shangri-la in the lead. Golden Pain moved up to the front with Shangri-la and at tho bulfmile, Gold Glare encountered trouble. With two furlongs to go Shangri-la and Golden Pani were well clear, and Shangri-la appeared to have the race in hand,, and m face of Gold Glare and Sigurd's good finishing runs, Shangrila maintained the advantage over them. Scarf Dance was a fair fourth, then came Some .Brandy and Golden. Pam.. Gold Glare was unlucky. Civic' misbehaved at the barrier and was left. A Meritorious Efiort Conveyer's performance in winning the Victory Hack Handicap, for apprentice riders, was meritorious. He was s cut back to last soon after tho start and was badly placecl in tho small but bunched field nearing the straight. He was pulled to tho outside and came on to win very nicely from Ilias, who just beat Student Prince. Amatory was a good fourth.' Patiently, ridden, Icing was too good for. the rest of the Tayforth Handicap field. Malibu made most of the running and at :the straight entrance Captain Treville, Bonny Glow and Royal Choice were prominent. Icing came fast on tho outside and won easily from Bonny Glow, with Royal Choice a poor third and Malibu fourth, with Captain Treville and Lady Hoariri almost in lino. Icing won most attractively. She is improving. Catalogue was sent out favourite for the Wanganui Cup, but he did not get a smooth passage and was beaten out of a place. Race Boy and The Bigot were in front entering the back stretch, and they were five lengths clear of Sergia, with Francis Drake and Master Cyklon next. Catalogue made a fast move between the five and" the four-furlong posts, but had to remain well out from the rails. A little later, Brazen King moved up, and Race Boy was receding quickly. Brazen King led into the straight with Francis Drake, The Buzzer and Middle, all under pressure, throwing out challenges. Brazen King ran in a comfortable winner from Lowenberg, who finished fast on the outside and just beat Middle. The Buzzer, Francis Drake, Sergia and Master Cyklon followed. Brazen King outstayed the field and, although some excuse can be made for certain runners, it 'is unlikely they would have beaten him on the day., Francis Drake proved a handful for his light rider and. ran about. Catalogue was very unfortunate in tho running, but Sergia had a good. passage, and was unequal to the task. Laughing Lass outclassed tho poor lot opposed to her in the Flying Handicap. She was in front before reaching the straight and ran on for a very easy win from Notium and Race Call, with Dcbham and Aiwai next- / ' The improving Alloa was too good for the others in the Petre Handicap. Following Amoroso, Collodion and Gaily into the straight, he soon took charge and won decisively. Amoroso and Trebor filled the. minor places.

MORNINGTON RACES GREENHORN WINS HIGHWEIGHT MELBOURNE, Feb. 24 Toolev Street did not show up in a weak field in tho Mornington Welter Handicap to-day, but he should benefit from the run. The Highweight Handicap was won by the former New Zealand horse Greenhorn. MELBOURNE GALLOPS BRINCA PERFORMS NICELY t (Received February 24,' 5.5 p.m.) , ... MELBOURNE, Feb. 24 On the course proper, 30ft. out from the rails, at Flemington this morning Old Rowley beat Apollo over a mile in 1.47*, , . .. -Bringa, going nicely, covered a nine a fid a-quarter in 2.15. Princess Pam tfnsilv boat Tuckerbox over six furlongs in 1.172. Youn' Crusader ran an easy mile in 1.501. Lolorua sprinted half a mile in 5025. Caesar ran five furlongs in 1.51. Mohican went four furlongs in 51s. Sarcherie, going well, placed seven furlongs behind in 1.332. On tho steeplechase grass at Caulfield Limulet went very impressively to beat Gladstone over half a mile in 50s. Mananui moved freely over, a mile in 1.48 J. •Gold Rod beat Egmont over a mile in ,1.452. Princo Quex and Bellevuo were together at the end of a mile in 1.45 J. The Riff defeated Boongarry over a mile in 1.45 J. John Wilkes covered a mile and a-quarter in 2.19. King's Head and Beech wood ran five furlongs in 1.3. Ajax, hard held, ran five furlongs in 1.5. On the eand, Elanage, who is very fit, covered six furlongs in 1.174. Pantoon and Red Manfred went a mile in 1.454.