SANDRIFT WINS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22974, 28 February 1938, Page 9

SANDRIFT WINS

NOITARO SURPRISES LLANGOLLEN FINISHES WELL PASO ROBLES SCORES AGAIN Tho each-way favourite Sandrift scored decisively in the Ruakaka Hurdles from the second fancy Englishman. Sandrift moved up smartly about half a mile from homo and entered tho straight in tho leading, division, that comprised Siwell, Celtic Lad, Erination and Englishman, who were in very close order. Celtic Lad held just a slight advantage at the last fence, but once the real struggle commenced Sandrift soon took the measure of the opposition and won going away. It was tho Avinner's best effort to date and sho is becoming more solid. Englishman ran his usual honest race after being quietly ridden by F. E. Baker. Celtic Lad was responsible for a solid effort and Siwell also recorded a sound performance. Erination was closest of the others and the race may improve him. Survalyon fell at the first fence. Mon Acre Scores Benelited by her race at Te Rapa, Mon Acre scored nicely in the Waitoa Handicap, for which Galloping Acre was an each-way favourite. Mon Acre was always in the leading division and, after following Windcress to tho turn, sho took charge to win from Aynho, who enme home very strongly on the outside. The favourite Galloping Acre ran on resolutely to be a close third after being a long way back in the middle stages. Trevace looked likely when in the lead with Mon Acre with a furlong to go but he weakened into fourth. The race might improve him. Gay Egypt, Sen Acre and Lapidarian made creditable showings and the first named looks better than he has done for some time past. Windcress displayed plenty of speed but failed to run on as well as at Te Rapa, where ho fought on gamely to defeat Mon Acre.' Thala was left at tho post and took no part in tho race. Jumping to the front smartly from No. 1, the little-fancied Noitaro led all tho way in the Juvenile Handicap and won very decisively from tho each-way favourite Kathbella, who was always in close attendance and battled on gamely at tho finish. Noitaro is a shapely filly by the speedy Oration, and paid double figures. Kathbella improved upon hor To Rapa form and made a game effort to overtake the winner in the straight. The topweight Arvakur was a little slow away from an outside post position and, after going fast across the top, came homo solidly, although held safely in the last furlong by Noitaro and Rarotonga, who made a very creditable showing. The second fancy Calorie was never dangerous and Philcourt faded out in tho straight after being prominent to the turn. A Notable Triumph

Having her first, race over a middle distance, the brilliant Stretto scored a notable triumph when she won the Herries Memorial Cup. After showing out in front early Stretto was steadied in behind the leading, division, and when asked for an effort in the straight she reached the lead quickly to score in very convincing fashion over the last furlong. Stretto ran the il furlongs in the good time of 2.17 4-os, which is only about a second outside Glare's New Zealand record of 2.16 J. Kilonsa made a determined bid in the straight and registered a fine performance for second. Rona Bay, who was responsible for most of the running, battled on solidly for third. Master Brierly came from , the rear at the turn for fourth, making up a lot of ground. King Rey, Kelly, Scotland and Mazir ran disappointingly. Sinking Fund, Hound Up and Jewelled Girdle were prominent most of the way but faded in the straight. The each-way favourite Llangollen finished very resolutely to win the Shaftsbury Hack Handicap in the last couple of strides. It looked as if Anion would succeed when he .took the lead from Miss Te Koura at the foot of the straight and was just clear at the distance. 'However, Llangollen wore .him down and gained the verdict by a head. Anion ran one of his best races and just failed to see it out after being prominent throughout. Te Monowai, who claimed a 71b. apprentice's allowance, fought on solidly for third, and Forest Acre showed improvement upon his recent efforts by running a creditable fourth. Lady Montana was running 011 and a slightly longer journey might suit her. Jan Ridd and Lady Meath ran fair races, but Miss Te Koura stopped quickly in the straight. Copy Cat was very slow away. Good Form Kepeated Running right up to the good form he displayed at Te Rapa earlier in the week, Paso Robles scored narrowly in a fine finish in the Hot Springs Handicap. Rulette attempted to win all the way and was followed into the straight by Sir Abb, Trilliarch, Lornacre, Prince Rangi, Paso Robles and Alby. When they straightened up Sir Abb momentarily appeared dangerous, but he weakened and Paso Robles came through strongly to withstand determined challenges from Star Artist and Alby, who ran fine races. Rulette struggled on gamely to be a close fourth and most of the others were close up. The eachway favourite Valamito failed to get a good position early and was never dangerous, although he was running on at the end. Prince Rangi and Trilliarch showed dash, hut weakened in the last furlong. Claiming a 51b. apprentice s allowance Silver River attempted to win the Champion Hack Handicap from end to end and it was only in the last stride that the fast-finishing Dutch Girl got up to dead-heat with him. The finish was one of the most exciting of the day and the third horse Privy Seal was only a nose behind the dead-heaters. Privy Seal ran one of her best races, being prominent throughout and disputing every yard in the straight. Dutch Girl's finishing effort was good, • and she has become very solid. It appeared as if she would have won outright in another stride or two. Cometariujn, Brown Lap and Gay Streak shaped creditably, but Glen Abb ran below expectations. Ivy Willonyx moved up from the rear approaching the turn, but the effort was too great and she tired. Suleiman Just Pails Benefiting by his racing at Te Rapa, the three-year-old Royal Bachelor won the Waihou Handicap from end to end, although he had very little to spare after jumping out very smartly from No. 1. The consistent Suleiman made a determined bid for victory at the ■ end. and was probably a shade unlucky not to win. He is in great heart at present. The honest Tray Bit ran another solid race. The each-way favourite Courtcraft was a Rood fourth after being handy throughout. His effort with 131b. over weight-for-age was a sound one and lie may be all the better for the race. Bachelor King appeared a possibility just after entering the straight, but failed in the last furlong. TROTTING FIXTURES March s—Tnvercargills—Tnvercargill Trotting Club. March s—Wellingtons—Wellington Trotting Club. March 12—Thames Trotting Club. March 1Q —Timaru Trotting Club. March 19 —Wyndham Trotting Club. March 19—Cheviot Trotting Club. March 26—Roxburgh Trotting Club.