COMMENT ON FORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23177, 25 October 1938, Page 7

COMMENT ON FORM

SUCCESS OF SILK LADY NAVY BLUE ALL THE WAY TROTTING WINNERS SURPRISE Oil tho strength of her second to Llnnvabon on Saturday, Auninuir was made a pronounced favourite for the Green Lane Handicap, but she did not settle down until all the others, including Shirley's Pal, who was also slowly awa.v, were well on tho journey. She showed speed for a space, in the middle stages, but at no stage did she appear likely to reach the leaders.

Hingen Sun was either first or second throughout the running, and in the last half-mile he trotted solidly in front, answering a strong challenge from Reception and Nelson Glory, both of whom finished very well. Stalky made a mistake about half a mile from home that cost him several lengths and probably a place. All IJingen, Autumn Lu and Pink Lady did well without threatening the place-getters. Scottish Hard, the win favourite for the second division of the Improvers' Handicap, was early out of the contest by running into Top Hand, who fell. Silk Lady's part was an easy one; she was in front as goon as they bad settled down, and bronze King assisted with a smart pace, although the mare always held a slight advantage and finally gained a comfortable victory, Hronzo King holding on to beat the rank outsider, Parishioner, for second. Hottentot made a dash in the straight, but he soon stopped and finished fifth, just behind Lynn Roy.

The last-mentioned was always handy in tho race, but ho did not finish as well ns lie was expected to do. Wall Street collided with the fence as the result of the early interference, losing her driver and she galloped with tho field for some distance. Parishioner's dividend was in the region of a third of a century.

Trainer's Third Win The Takanini trainer, C. H. Goodall, scored his third success at the meeting when he won the Labour Day Handicap with Kewpie's King, who defeated the win favourite Sandusky in good style. Sandusky attempted to lead all the way and recorded a sound performance only to be outstayed by Kewpie's King, who appears to have reached the top of his form after being affected at various stages of his career with soreness. The first and second defeated the others very comfortably, although Our War battled on in the style of a good stayer for third. Policy was a close fourth and was unlucky to miss a place after going over five seconds better than handicapped to do. Isabella Pointer, Eflie Parrish and Royal Palm were slow to strike a gait in the Junction Handicap, the issuo of which, it was early seen, was between Equipoise and the back-marker, Uenuku, hut Equipoise won easily in the end. Lady Amanda took the iield out of the straight, but along the back, Equipoise and then Uenuku improved rapidly to lead past the stands the second time. Thereafter, it was a procession, with Petite Jewel improving on the outside with three furlongs to go. He made another run half-way up the straight to secure third from the tiring Lady Amanda and Handicapper, the last-named failing to keep his course. Both the first and second horses are a good deal above the average of their class and Uenuku particularly, on his efforts at the meeting, should soon win a good stake. Isabella Pointer and Effie Parrish carried good support, but their chances were cancelled very early in the race.

Solid Performance Pink Lady trailed tho leader, Stalky, throughout the running of the Hillsboro' Handicap, and evidently improved by her raco earlier in the day, when she finished seventh, alter making a skip in tho concluding stages, she stayed on more solidly than Great Sonoma and Stalky, who both went up in the last 25 yards. Great Sonoma made his run 011 the outside less than three furlongs from the finish and ho made a bold bid when he got a run on the rail, but ruined a good winning chance by breaking almost at tho end. Arapai broke going down the back tho lirst time and did not settle down until he was hopelessly last. He was, a hot favourite, carrying more than twice as much on the win pool as tho Stalky-Mute bracket. Klissa was fifth, but did not threaten the leaders at any stage. Stargum was withdrawn from the Campbell Handicap after lie had gone out and investments on him were refunded. The winner, Van Derby, was tho hottest favourite of the meeting and, although he won well, it was only by a narrow margin from Gold Circle, whom F J. Smith seemed to treat lightly after his charge had taken tho lead from the Gold Bell gelding, who had tried to steal the race, and in tho end made a spurt that put the issue in doubt for many onlookers. Gold Circle at one stage late in the race had a break of lf> lengths on the nearest horse, Van Derby, but the latter quickly bridged the interval and continued his run to victory. Van Derby had not nii\de up any of his IH yards handicap until the final circuit, but on the turn to tho back stretch he went from thi> rear to second place. It was u notable achievement, comparable with his valiant effort of Saturday. Kewpie's Queen, the third horse, will improve a good deal, and Bedford went a stout race for fourth. Three out of Contest

Just ns they wore entering the second round of ilie Insulation Handicap, Vanora fell, bringing down the favourite. Hex lev Girl, and also seriously interfering with Hingtrue, who was pulled up. The three wore in the roar division and at this point Civic was with True Trust in the lead, ami Civic drew away in the slraigHt'to gain an easy success. There was an exciting battle for the minor pi area, Musketeer and Glorietta coming from well hack to fill them. Munga Tangi was fourth, after being in that position in the middle stages and then dropping back a little. Winaway and True Trust had every chance but the last furlong found them out.

The mooting was concluded by a fine finish to the I? emu or a Handicap, in which Navy Blue led throughout, but she had to show her best paces to fend off Crocus, Kenwortby and Our McKinnoy, who had only heads between them. Star Pronto failed to go away correctly ami he was soon at the tail of the field, whore he remained. Proletarian was second to the winner all the way to the final lane, where she stopped. Gold Dredge was on the outside of Navy Blue and Proletarian with a furlong and a-half to go, but she also fell out of the running as soon as they wore straightened up. Both Nervie's Last and Ironside finished on over the last pinch, being divided as they crossed the lino in close order by Fern brook Lass. The winner's performance was very good, but her victor of the iirst .day, Noble i'lnice, mauo a poor showing.