COMMENT-ON FORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23026, 2 May 1938, Page 7

COMMENT-ON FORM

CANADIAN'S DEBUT FOREST JEWEL VICTORIOUS CAVAN CHIEF PERFORMS WELL The each-way favourite Canadian gained his first success decisively in the Innovation Handicap, staying on very soundly at the finish. Heather Glow began smartly and made play for about half a mile when she gave way to Lady Bunker and Braemar. Commencing the last half-mile, Lady Bunker just led from Braemar, Canadian and Heather Glow and they raced in close company along the back. Lady Bunker, Braemar and Canadian were abreast entering the straight and clear of Heather Glow, with Pirate's Last next. Braemar left his feet in the run home and Canadian went on to score by two lengths from Lady Bunker. Braemar settled down again in time to get third a length away and Pirate's Last was fourth, followed by Heather Glow, Dick Redmond, Leeleeta and Win Huon. The first three were really the only ones with chances over the last half-mile, although Pirate's' Last made up a deal of ground in spite of a break. Worthy Lu, Lady Musk and Master Teddy all failed to trot solidly. As Exciting Tussle. The first division of the Devonport Handicap resolved itself into an exciting tussle between Elsie Hamlyn and Lady Potts, who raced up the straight neck and neck, Elsie Hamlyn staying the hotter to win narrowly. She was always well placed and assumed command near the half-mile, to lead into, the straight from Lady Potts, John's Last and Bronze King. Once into the straight Lady Potts challenged strongly bu A Elsie Hamlyn held on to beat her bv t reck. John's Last battled on to K * and a-half lengths away third and Bronze King was fourth. Next to finish were Winhisway, Sunny Parrish, Scottish . Bard and Dainty Lad. Elsie Hamlyn and Lady Potts both gave good displays, Agnes Bingen showed up well for a mile and then faded. Neon Oro broke up at the start and was pulled up with a rou:.id to go, having broken his gear. The place favourite Forest Jewel impressed in winning the second division of the Devonport Handicap. She soon ran into a good position and she was in front at the home turn to score by three lengths from Wall Street, who finished gamely without being able to trouble the winner. Tommy McElwyn was tw6 lengths away third, after making most of the running. Stargum made up ground in the last half-mile to get fourth and then followed Bonny Pointer, Jewel Crest, Trauan and Frank Rolfe. Trauan was going well with the leaders when he broke two furlongs from home and lost his chance. The win favourite Axminster was very slow to begin and never flattered the hopes of his supporters, always being well back. Frank Rolfe and Parrisb Girl were also slow away. A Good Performance The unhoppled pacer Star Pronto registered a good performance in the Fergusson Handicap, again demonstrating his ability to act well in soft going. Nawton Parrish and Star Pronto were the leaders from the time the field settled down and the pace was slow early, with the result that it was well bunched, Noble Prince being able to make up the ground he lost when he broke badly at the start. Nawton Parrish and Star Pronto drew clear with two furlongs to go, Star Pronto staying the better to win by a length and a quarter. Nawton Parrish just held on to beat Gold Dredge by a head for second and Willie Derby finished solidly to be a close fourth. Then followed Fernbrook Lass. Kewpie's Triumph and Prince Pedro. Star Pronto was seen at his best and stayed too well for Nawton Parrish. *' '"

Tht l place favourite, Isabella Pointer, scored narrowly in the Franklin Handicap, in which Equipoise was best fancied on the win machine. Isabella Pointer led all the way and held off a determined challenge from Kete Kura, who came home in good style. Vanora, always one of the leaders, held on for third and Equipoise was a good fourth. Then followed Cavan Chief, Bedford and Petite Jewel. Equipoise lost much ground at the start and it appeared as if he would have won if he had left the mark correctly* Cavan Chief looked dangerous when he moved up just behind the leaders with three furlongs to go, but he failed to sustain his effort, although he went a good race. Winner Bieaks at End Giving a good display of trotting until near the end, Pirate's Last won the Whitford Handicap by a narrow margin, although he broke in the straight and lost first for galloping past the post. Pirate's Last was in front more than half a mile from home and would have scored decisively, only for his lapse about 100 yards from the end. Stalky mado a fine showing for second and Braemar also wfent well for third. Within was fourth followed by Corona Bell, who showed early speed, Bingen S*m and Win Huon. The stewards subsequently altered the E lacing, Stalky being awarded first, Iraemar second, ana Pirate s Last third. Showing a return to his best form, Proletarian sprang a surprise in winning the Henderson Handicap and paying double figures? - He led throughout and stayed on in great style to come avvav in the straight and win by three lengths from Argolis, who was one of his closest attendants. The favourite, Our War, came home solidly on the outside to gain third, "three-quarters of a length n away. Kewpie's Crest was fourth, followed by Valdor and Gfty Sister. Proletarian displayed great promise in his early days and this was his best effort for some time. Musketeer showed tip prominently for the greater part of the journey onl ( v to fade away at the end. Munga Tangi and Gay Sister both shaped creditably. Win Favourite Scores The win favourite. Cavan Chief, recorded a good effort to win the Papatoetoe Handicap, for which True Tmst was most fancied for a place. Cavan Chief led throughout and came home attractively to win from Transwell. who made a game effort in the straight. The third horse, Bronze Queen, made one of her best showings to run third, and True Trust was fourth, after being prominent all the way. Cherrill was another to make a forward showing, but the others were well beaten, Cavan Chief gave F. J. Smith his. first success since Nervie's Last won at the February meeting. Cavan Chief was skilfully' driven by A- W. Broughton in Smith's absence at the InterDominion Championship at Addington. PROTEST DISMISSED PLACING FIRST OF STALKY , The placing third of Pirate's Last, who won on a break, in the Whitford Handicap, was not the only incident after the event, as when Stalky, who finished second, was declared the winner, a, protest was entered by the owner of Braemar, who was advanced from third to second place, against the stakes being paid to Stalky, on the grouild that the horse wa.s trained by an unlicensed trainer, and not by T. Roe, as stated in the race book. The protest, which, was considered after the last race, was dismissed.