UNUSUAL FEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23023, 28 April 1938, Page 11

UNUSUAL FEAT

IIOBSE STARTS TWICE WINS IN SUCCESSIVE RACES FORM OF SUPERIOR GUARD Having his first race over fences for some months, All Irish showed himself to be hotter class than the • others in the HobsonvilTb Hurdles by winning very nicely. After being handily placed all the way, All Irish joined High Star in the lead in the straight and was much too good in the run home, drawing away at tho end to score very convincingly. All Irish should be at his best for tho winter meetings. High Star ran another good race and should continue to pay his way. Ivilberis did best of the others for third, but does not appear to relish soft going, as ho weakened in the straight after appearing likely at the turn. My Money was a very,, moderate fourth. Tho favourite Celtic Lad again got a long way behind early, and. although he made up some ground, was never dangerous. Golden Spain was beaten when ho fell at the second to last fence.

British Nation Fails Benefited by his recent racing, Superior Guard gave a taste of his real ability in winning the Dominion Handicap, for which the British NationFlour d'Or bracket was backed down to a short price. Superior Guard drew No. 13 at the barrier, but he was in front before reaching tho turn and held off all challenges iu the straight to score with a littlo in hand from Hesskctoon, who finished strongly to record one of his best efforts and pay a good price for second. Tho well-supported Cintrace, who was having only his second start, was closer in third position than lat any other* stage. King Silver and ; Broadway Bill were both running on I strongly on the outside and are likely j improvers. Brjtish Nation and Flour o'Or were well placed early, but they failed to go on in tho straight. After running disappointingly on several occasions, Dragon Moth showed a return to form in dead-heating for first in tho Waitakero Handicap with Superior Guard, who had won the previous race, and came out again with" a rehandicap of olb. Dragon Moth did not begin as smartly as several of the horses on the inside, but she made a fast run approaching the turn and was in front at tho foot of the straight, where she arid Highland Queen were carried a littlo wide by the pacemaker Hunting Blood, who moved out from tho rails. It looked as if Dragon Moth would win when she led at the distance, but Superior Guard, very wide out, finished strongly and got up in tho last stride to make a dead-beat. Dragon Moth again demonstrated hor liking for soft going and Superior Guard showed that ho has become solid. The feat of winning two successive races is rare and the last to accomplish it in Auckland was Little Ruse at Tauranga about two years ago.

Outsider Prevails Outsider' but one of tho field of 11, the three-year-old Airam registered a fine performance to win the Autumn Handicap from the second fancy Malagigi. Airam gave some trouble at tho post and eventually got the worst of it, losing. several lengths. She worked her way into a forward position along tho back and at the turn she had joined Day Wind, who took the lead from | Llangollen about fivo furlongs from home. Airam always held an advantage in tho straight, and just won from Malagigi, who made a very determined dash in the last furlong, after running up fourth at the. turn. Malagigi's effort was good after being squeezed back at the start. Valamito also finished strongly for tliird; just defeating Day Wind, who tired quickly in the last 50 yards. . Llangollen again ran disappointingly and Gay Rose failed to show any of the dash that characterised her effort on the first day. Enge became badly placed early, and, although he moved up nearing the turn, was never dangerous. Jonathan, Knight of Australia and Tybalt all ran below form. Paso Robles was withdrawn after doing his preliminary, a cold ho had developed becoming apparent suddenly. It was with a fine finishing run that Milanion won the Nursery Handicap to return double figures. Milanion was a long way back when the field had settled down, and he did not become prominent until the last furlong, when he flashed up on the outside to win from Philcourt, who went fast early from an outside post position, and faded only in the last few strides, after holding the load at the distance. Milanion and Philcourt are improving colts who should be useful next season. Kaspian ran on strongly to got third and Vaalsstar was closer in fourth position at the finish. The favourite, Valimeen, had every chance, being prominent throughout, but the bad going steadied licr at the finish. Brazilian, who was bracketed with the winner, was handily placed in the middle stages, _ hut failed to act well in the going. Gay Hussar went a fine race after being slow away, finishing strongly op the outsido for fifth.

A Fine Performance The consistent To Monowai, with a 71b. apprentice's allowance, recorded a fine performance to win tho Mount Poskill Handicap from tho littlefancied Vaalso. To Monowai was not too well placed in tho early stages, but she ran into a handy position at the turn, and came homo very resolutely, after challenging Vaalso at tho distance. For her inches Te Monowai is one of tho best gallopers iji her class. She is full of St. Simon blood and next soason may succeed over longer distances than she has yet attempted. Vaalso ran another good race, and is on tho improve, so that his turn may como soon. Barrister finished strongly to get third and Prival made another solid showing, although he did not finish quite as well as on Saturday. Tho favourite, Mon Acre, gavo no trouble. Alyth and Maxown showed up early, but failed to run on. Fleotwind also weakened in tho straight. After being ridden in behind Surella finished attractively to win the Mount Kdeii Handicap, for which he was third in demand to Prince Acre and Palustre. Surella was several lengths away from the leaders entering ' tho straight, but he headed Tonnerre inside the distance and just held off the fast-finishing liulotto, who came with a great rattle. Surella registered one of his best performances and was right at home in the easy going. Ruletto made a fine showing and might have won in another few strides. Tonnerre, who went very fast early from an outside post position, faded only jicsir tho end, and Palustre showed signs of regaining form by running a good fourth. The favourite, Prince Acre, after being prominent early, raced below expectations.

Good Form Repeated Reproducing the good form ho revealed on the first day, Gold Vaals pcorcd very easily in the Morningsido Handicap, for which Cheval do Volee and Merial were the best supported. Gold Vaals was second to last after going two furlongs and, in spite of the fact that he made fast run on the outside to be in front at the turn, lie ran on well to draw right away in the straight. It was a fine performance and showed Gold Vaals to be much improved. 'Day Wind stayed on to got second and Kena came from last to secure third. Merial appeared a likely place-getter half-way down the straight, hut the best she could do was fourth. Cheval de Volee showed up prominently most of the way, hut faded in the last furlong and a-half. Crooning also failed to run on after moving up very quickly at tho turp.'