COMMENT ON FORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23276, 20 February 1939, Page 7

COMMENT ON FORM

STRONG RUN BY ODTAA ROLUCKER SCORES NICELY LLANGOLLEN'S GAME EFFORT It was with a brilliant finishing run that tho second fancy Odtaa came from last at tho turn to win going away in tho Trial Stakes, for which Estro was most in demand. Odtaa's prospects appeared far from bright when he was bringing up the. rear, but ho was too solid for the others in the strrught. The full-brother to Scotland ,wii» turned out in fine condition by W. J. McLean and ho may not lie long in winning again. Midland was responsible for a sound effort and Rival also showed improvement, battling on solidly at the end. Gamos was running 011 in fourth position at tho finish, whero ho was closer than at any other stage. The favourite Estro had every chance, but she weakened after being in front below tho distance. Nithmount and Telamon ran fair races and Meadow Rose, a full-sister to Far Hand, displayed plenty of speed. Mishaps 111 Hurdles Tho Frankton Hurdles was marred when aeven of tit« runners fell at tho first fence. The trouble was caused when Seven Seas, one ol: the leaders, toppled over and caused a, mix-up among those who were following him. After tho mishap, Windcresss was left well clear of the field and ho continued to make play until about half a mile from homo when he was headed by Manawahe, who was always a winner in the straight, although Windcross hung on gamely. Manawahe is an improver and she comes from a successful jumping family. Loombination, after being a .long way back, battled on at the end to just take third from Kittle, who was in second position most of the way. Silver Stick Unplacedl Tho each-way favourite Silver Stick never threatend danger in tho Juvenile Handicap and was well beaten. _ The winner, Nora Gregor, wan _ quickly prominent and, after following Sir Lysander and Foxmond into tho straight, responded well for W. J. Broughton and won decisively. Valerian was one of the smartest to begin, but he lost his position and was some distance behind the leaders at the home turn and his effort; in the circumstances was good. Foxmond hung on gamely for third and Brazen. Bold made a very creditable showing. Sir Lysander displayed brilliant speed to reach the front at the end of a furlong, but he tired over the final stages. Our Jean was responsible for an encouraging effort and was closer at tho finish than at any other stage. A Thrilling Finish

The Storey Memorial Handicap provided a thrilling finish and about a- furlong from the post there were six horses almost abreast in front and fighting hard for supremacy. Victory went to the good performer Scotland, who lately made a return to winning form at Rotorua. Scotland only came into the picture in the straight and he ran on very resolutely when the' pressure was applied in the last furlong. Lady Montana also finished strongly, but Scotland was just too good for her. Master Brierly made a fine effort on the outside to gain third and his turn may come soon. Black Musk weakened out of a place only near the end after making all the running. Sergia and Jack Tar were right in the picture at the distance, but weakened in the last half-furlong. The slow pace oarlv did not favour Malagigi, but he was running on at the end after being in the rear at the turn. Chcval de Volee was prominent for a mile and a-quarter and then weakened. Improving Four-year-old The improving four-year-old Lexden finished strongly to win the Linley Hack Handicap from Orwere and the each-way favourite Kathbella. It looked as if Orwere would win when he drew several lengths clear entering tho straight, but he weakened a little and was just headed near the post. The first and second horses beat the others very decisively and wore well clear of Kathbella, who had every chance after jumping out smartly from No. 1. Silver Eagle was going strongly in fourth position at the finish and he mav win again soon. Kenneth Robert was also running on and Royal Ace also shaped creditably. Dragon Moth showed that she has not lost her speed and she'may be all the better for the race. Penzance was fairlv well placed until reaching the straight, but failed to run on. An End-to-end Success

Having benefited by his race at Potorua, Rollieker won the Puketaha Handicap practically from end to end. Rulette kept the winner close company, but she could not maintain the effort and lost ground in the last furlong. Rollieker always held the advantage in the run home and he held off a determined challenge from Jayola, who was forced to cover some ground in the middle stages after beginning from the outside of the field of 20. Golden Sheila, after losing a forward position early, made a splendid run in the straight for third, and Ivar made a very creditablo showing for fourth. Ruletto and Forest Acre did best of the others. Brilliance of Farland

Showing real brilliatice in the early stages, the win favourite Farland was responsible for a sound performance in winning the President's Handicap from the top-weight, Llangollen. It was Farland's sixth success 011 the courso and the t,he<jrv of horses for courses certainly applies in his case at Te l?apa. Farland was always in command from the time the field settled down and was seen at his best. Llangollen finished very gamely over the last furlong, but Farland was too good at the weights Tosh was tailing the field when the straight was reached and he finished at a great rate to gain third. Tepoto, who went with Farland most, of the way, was fourth. Bachelor King and Royal Bachelor failed to do as well as expected, although the former looked a place possibility at the distance. Apprentice's First Win The apprentice M. Kerr scored bis first win when be piloted Beeswing to victory in the Beerescourt Hack Handicap. Beeswing was having only hor second start and she paid double figures. Sho was in the lead practically throughout and ran on well at the finish after it had appeared as if Hnile Boy might beat her at the distance. Haile Boy ran one of his best races and is at the top of his form. High Delight came from a good way back with a strong run to gain third and Kastern Heir was a close fourth. Hutana was closer in fifth position at the finish than at any other stage. The favourite Te Morehu appeared to be squeezed back at the start, and, after tailing the field most of the way, ho made up ground in the straight to finish sixth. Devon did best of the others. ! TE AROHA MEETING ACCEPTANCES TO-MORROW Acceptances for the first day of the Te Arolnv Jockey Club's annual meeting to be held 011 February 25 and '27, ck?so with Blomfield and Company, Auckland, at 0 p.m., or with the secretary, Mr. J. P. Somers, To Aroha, ab 8 p.m. to-morrow.