LONDON SCORES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23044, 23 May 1938, Page 7

LONDON SCORES

.DONEGAL UNPLACED FARLAND BEATS SPRINTERS GENERAL RUSE SURPRISES Giving a fine display of fencing and aided by his pull in the weights, London scored in good style in the Melville Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase from the topweight and place favourite Lucidu.s, who ran one of his best races, although lie ran down the first fence in the straight the first time round. London and Lucidus were at the head of the field over the last mile and aquarter and the former always held the upper hand in the last few furlongs. It was London's first success for some time and ho was nicely handled by F. R. Foster, who gained his first success sinqe returning to tho saddlo recently. Tho win favourite, Kinkle, did not do as well as expected, although lie made up ground in the last fivo furlongs after being a good way back. Still, he never looked like benting London or Lucidus. Arainis and Cordon were leading the field when they fell at the fourth fence. Slam, Sfter jumping very carefully, baulked and the others were badly beaten, although My Money appeared a possibility with half a mile to go. A One-Horse Race improved by his recent racing, tho throe-year-old Hunting Blood made a one-horse race of the first division of the Otorohanga Hack Handicap, for wliicji lie was favourite on the win machine and second fancy for a place. Hunting Blood reached tho lront quickly and had most of the field in trouble a long way from home, coming into tho straight oight lengths in front and increasing his advantage in the straight. There was an exciting finish for second, Dragon Moth gaining tho position by a neck from tho outsiders Valspear and Silverglow, whom tho judge was unable to separate. Valspoar and Silverglow paid fino place dividends in tho circumstances. Dragon Moth did not jump out too well from No, 15, but had no chance with the winner. Silverglow ran his best race and i.s on tho improve. Alyth, Black Man and Aero King shaped very creditably and are close to form.

The favourites, Donegal and Iddo, raced below expectations in the Waikato Hurdles and both ran unplaced. Victory went to the fourth fancy, Silk Sox, who was always well placed, and led • throughout the last half-inilo to score in very convincing fashion; in fact he never appeared likely to ho beaton once he reached the lend. Silk Sox is back to his best form and gave a smooth display, which gained him many admirers for the Groat Northern Hurdles. Lady England and High Styir, who made most ot' the running, had a good tussle for second and the former stayed the better in the last hall-fur-long. High Star might have done a little better only for jumping tlie first few fences very carefully. Donegal was prominent for the first mile and aquartcr, but finished without any dash, fddo ran up handy at the turn, but failed to go on. Celtic Lad was well beaten, but Innes Lad shaped very creditably. Enge Outstayed Patiently ridden by I?. W. McTavish, Valamito outstayed the win favourite Enge ot the end of the President's Handicap. Valamito was never further back than third from the time the field had settled down and, after following Enne into the straight, came on to score nicely. Enge commenced his run a trifle early..and, after drawing out at the home turn, weakened just near the end. finished strongly from a fait way., back to bo a good third aJid King Rev shaped very creditably for fourth. Cheval de Volee faded back to fifth after making most of the running and Master Briefly was closer in sixth position iit the finish than at any other stage. Light Comedy failed after having every chance and Waitaka weakened to eighth after being in the first four for tne best part of the first mile. Gay Roso and Wotan displayed no dash at all.

Benefited by the experience lie gained at Hawera and schooling in the meantime, Htiskie scorod in good stylo in the Te Rapa Steeplechase, for which he was third fancy on the win machine and favourite lor a place. Huskie was carefully ridden bv J. L. Muir, who took him out wide at some of tho fences to give him every chance to sight them, and lie asserted hiiyself over the last half-mile to win with something in hand. Although inclined to clianco some of his fences, Huskie is improving and his performance indicated that lip is likely to be very difficult to beat in the Great Northern Steeplechase. Bryce Street stayed on solidly at tho finish for second and is a good steeplechaser in the making. One factor in his favour is that he is a lazy customer who docs not exert himself unduly. Riotous ran his usual honest race for third. All Irish weakened at tho end after making most of tho running and Clarion Call appeared to be tired when he fell at the second to last fence. The others were well beaten

Favourite Succeeds I'lio each-way favourite Du Manner finished strongly to win tho second division of the Otorohnnga Hack Handicap, outstaying Forest Acre, who made a determined effort to win from end to end. Like many of tho stock of Surveyor, Du Maurier goes well in soft going and he may succeed again soon. Forest Acre ran one of his best races and another turn for him may not ho far away. The little-fancied Chief Lap made a creditable showing for third, although he cover appeared likely to trouble tho pair in front of_ him at any stage •of the last furlong." Chief Lap paid a tine price for a place. Mel- , vanui was closer in fourth position at the finish than at any other stage and Viracious weakened to fifth after being well p'aced nt tho turn. Highland Queen displayed a lot of dash in the middle stages but tired after running out very wide at the home turn. Having his first race for several months, Farland was seen to advantage in winning, the Stewards' Handicap from Whirling. Farland soon ran to the front and always had the measure oi the opposition, although ho had to be urged to stall off a determined challenge from Whirling, who was always prominent, and disputed every inch over the last furlong. The eachway favourite Te Monowai had' every chance after jumping out well from No. 1, but she could finish only fourth, the little-fancied Prince Acre cutting iier out of third in the hist 'couple of strides. Prince Acre looked burly and naid nearly double figures for a place. Maori Song and Tradesman, who began from No. IG, ran creditable races, and the former may be improved by the outing. High Sea made a respectable showing for a hack and closest of the others were Day Wind and Rulette Jack Tar Beaten

The little-fancied General Ruse, who gave evidence of being on the improve when he won at Avondale in the autumn, scored narrowly in the Horoiiu Hack Handicap from the consistent but unlucky Jack Tar. General Ruse ran to tho. front at the turn and held on ver.v gamely under pressure to hold off Jack Tar. who also came, homo strongly after being well placiki throughout. Loombinntion ran a solftl race for third and Cometarium battled on solidly to gain fourth. Harrister ran 011 soundly from near the rear and Love Parade came from last to bo sixth, Gay Streak broke down just after reaching the straight and was pulled up.