WAVERLEY FORM

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

WAVERLEY FORM

ROYAL FIRE'S SUCCESS A CONVINCING VICTORY ARTFUL DODGER SCORES [FHOM OL'lt OWN COHItKSI'ONDKNT] NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday Although the fields in the jumping events at Waverley on Saturday were not strong the foi'in was watched carefully in view of the proximity of the jumping season. Nearly all those who raced arc engaged at the Fgmont Pacing Club's meeting next week. Royal Fire's success in the Waverley Steeplechase was achieved in a convincing manner, even though t,he race was run to suit him. Beale, on Royal Fire, was content to trail along in a handy position, while Count Willonyx, Burgh ley and Don Erma were forcing the pace, and timed his run to a nicety after waiting until Count Willonyx had shaken off Burghley. Royal Fire showed some promise last season, but went amiss just prior to the Combined Hunts meeting at New Plymouth i.n September. A five-year-old by Royal Divorce from Closefire, by Campfire, Royal Fire is young as jumpers go, and appears to possess a bright future. v

Count Willonyx Fails Although beaten. Count Willonyx was far from disgraced. For the first mile ho disputed the lead with a finished jumper in Don Erma, and no sooner had Don Erma dropped back than Burghley. went up to Count Willonyx. Burghley was beaten as soon as the straight was reached, but then Royal Fire came along. It was small wonder that Count Willonyx had nothing in resorvc. More • patiently ridden he might have won, but unless Royal Fire is extra good Count Willonyx is not out of the ordinary, as ho is well seasoned after his recent hurdle racing. Burghley had every chance, but may improve with more experience, as jt was his first effort over country. Don Erma gave a fine display of jumping out in front with Count Willonyx for a little over a mile. He then hit a fence hard, nearly unseating Grindlny, who made a great recovery. However, this took all the sting out of him and ho started to drift back. The race should work improvement i.n him. The only other runner, Invictus, was always well back. He completed the course safely, but that was all. Never at any stage did he appear even a possibility. Artful Dodger carried olf the W«stholm Hurdles in attractive fashion, paying a good price. He moved into a handy position half-a-milo from homo and, jumping to the front at the lust fence, went on to win as ho liked. His failure at Feilding was evidently due to the heavy state of the going, but the easy manner in which Artful Dodger disposed of Brigadore augurs well for his future prospects. A race like tho Century Hurdles may not bo beyond him. No excuses could , be offered for Brigadore, as he jumped splendidly and was always well placed. He looked as though lie was going to come on to win at the top of tho straight, but could make no impression on Artful Dodger at the finish; in fact, he was losing ground. Hi.s failure to run on at the end suggests that ho may have needed the race, and lie may do hotter next time out. Porotiti as Hurdler

For a novice Porotiti gave a good display. His pace on tho flat soon carried him to the front, and he held tho lead until Artful Dodger jumped past him at the last fence. Ho mado no attempt to shirk his fences, and on his showing a mile and a-half hack hurdle event should not be long; in coming his way. The favourite, Booklaw, was disappointing. Ho appeared to be going comfortably when he moved into second place behind Porotiti hnlf-a-rnilc from homo, but he was beaten as soon as the straight was reached. His showing was a long way below his Stratford form, and it is possible that his ownertrainer has been a little bit easy on him. Wildflower's effort in carrying weight-for-age and winning the principal flat event, the Patea County Cup, from end to end. was good. The records of races at Waverley demonstrate very clearly that it does not favour the topweights, and on Saturday Wildflower was the only one to score. Wildflower set a solid pace that had nearly all her opponents in trouble before tho straight was reached. At the distance she looked like winning comfortably, but over the last bit had to stall off a determined challenge from Gaily.

REEFTON JOCKEY CLUB

PROSPECTS FOR TO-DAY

[BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] GREYMOUTH, Wednesday The Reefton Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting will be opened to-morrow and concluded on Saturday. Tho weather is promising and tho track should be in good order. The single pool system of betting will be used. Horses likely to be well fancied include: — 12.20—Flying Handicap.—Acceptable, Gilford. 1.0 —Alexander Handicap.—Rabble, Emmelino Girl, Glenaere. 1.40 —Progress Trot. —Super Jack, Atarau Queen, Peggy Petrova. 2.20 —Irving Memorial Handicap.— Mungatoon, Monipere. 3.0 —Stewards' Handicap. Great Memory, The Sandwichman. 3.40 —First Highweight Handicap.— Owlsgleam, The Masquerador. 4.20 —Reefton Trot. —Big Nelson, Tonioro, .Tainbo. s.o—Au Revoir Handicap.—Windward. Metal Bird.

THOROUGHBRED SALE GAY CHOU FOR DOMINION SYDNEY, April 27 At an miction salo of racing and breeding stock yesterday stallions were in demand. Heroic's son, The Marne, brought 825 guineas, and Oro 425 guineas. Both were bought by Mr. It. Stewart. Among the racehorses offered was Gay Chou, :i six-year-old gelding by Gay Lothario—Ghouette, who, was acquired by the New Zealander Mr. W. Devon, for 425 guineas. Prittle Prattle was sold for 850 guineas, Impetus for 210 guineas, and Acinon for iilO guineas. Mr. Devon intends to try tho gelding as a hurdler and later to send him to New Zealand, Gay Chou haw entered J. T. Jamieson's stable.

PUKEKOHE MEETING REHANDICAPS DECLARED llehandicaps for the Franklin Racing Club's winter meeting at Pukekohe on May 7 are as follows: Papakura Hurdles, —All Irish, 71b., making 11.11. President's Handicap.—Airam, 101b., making 8.5. Pnkekawa Handicap.—Dragon Moth, 71b., making 7.8. Acceptances for all events at the meeting close to-morrow at 5 p.m. with Blomfield and Co., Auckland, and at fi p.m. with the secretary, Mr. \V. J. Short, Pukekohe.