NOTES ON RUNNING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23338, 5 May 1939, Page 7

NOTES ON RUNNING

HURDLES TO HANOVER GOOD JUMPER'S RETURN VEREY LIGHTS VICTORIOUS [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday Well handled by W. .T. McDowell, Hanover won the Tongahoe Hurdles decisively. He soon moved into third place next the rails and was not asked for an effort until three furlongs from home, when he was taken round the pacemakers, Professional and. Lady Stella, to lead into the straight,,where lie ran on too strongly for his opponents. After being well back, Clooneen came fast to take second money. He was the outsider of the field and paid a good place dividend. Bryce Street was second over the last hurdle, but he could not go on with it. The race should improve him. Disturbed, who was not ridden with the best of judgment, finished fast in fourth place, then came Lady Stella and Professional. Erebus and Conveyer fell at the first fence. Marked Improvement Ramleli demonstrated that his Waverlev form was not correct by winning the Telegraph Handicap easily. He was fifth when they had settled down and was in the same position turning into the straight, but lie won going away from Fiancee, who had every chance. Rehearsal was unlucky. He was nearly last at the home turn, but put in a great run over the last furlong and almost beat Fiancee for second. Little Ruse ran a creditable race into fourth place and he should not be long in winning on a soft track. Liberal Mint and Quilp did not run 011, after leading into the straight. Bronze Step made a fair showing, coming through with a good run in the straight. Challengers Held OS Nofium won the Hawera Handicap attractively.- He took the lead about 100 yards from the post and held all challengers at bay. Homily, who was always handily placed, came home solidly, but made no impression on the winner. Diamond Cutter, who was in front with Homily most of the way, hung 011 for third place, and Race Call, who had a good run next the rails, was a good fourth. Tosh was fifth, Taitoru and War Lap ran wide at tho home turn. Failure of Hot Favourite Riotous was a hot favourite for the Egmont Steeplechase. He gave his usual polished exhibition of jumping, but Sky Pilot fairly outstayed him at the finish. The winner was patiently handled. He had not raced over fences for nearly two years, but had the prize in safe keejring as soon as the straight was reached. As he should improve, he is likely to come into favour for the Great Northern Steeplechase. Sporting Song was one of the leaders for a mile and a-quarter. Lactose was going strongly half a mile from home, where he lost ground through Master Hector falling when in front with Riotous. He became unbalanced and lost his rider at the next fence. Red Sun completed tho journey safely without at any stage looking a likely winner. Surprise by Gold Chase A surprise was in store in the Hack Scurry, Gold Chase winning to pay over a score on the win machine. Ho soon ran into a handy position and, taking charge as soon as the straight was reached, he went 011 to win with something in hand. He was at a false price after his good Hawke's Bay form. Gold Petal hung on better than usual for second after making the pace from the barrier rise. Paxeno came home solidly to fill third place, paying double figures also. Gitana Lass ran her best race to date to finish fourth. Rhodesian ran well, but Lady Boden stopped quickly after having every chance. To Takina at no stage was prominent. Consistent Winner ' In the Mcßae Cup Trebor won liis eighth race in his last 10 starts. He was in the middle of the field most of the way and came from fifth place at the turn to cut down the leaders. Entail improved on his Ellerslie form. He took charge five furlongs from home and, at tho half-mile, was showing the way to Wildflower, Sergia, Tooley Street and Aussie Ra. This was the order into the straight, and Entail held off all but Trebor. Arctic King, with an inside position, finished strongly for third; Kena also finished well. Siegmund became pocketed at the half-mile and by the time he was clear, his task was hopeless. He finished fifth, 'looley Street, who was sixth, Sergia and Wildflower did not'stay. End-to-End Victory Verey Lights won the Tawhiti Handicap from end to end. She had to answer a hot challenge from Brazil, but she stuck to her task to score narrowly. Brazil, who ran his best race to date, moved up quickly passing the half-mile and was with Vcrev Lights turning forborne. Hineware was always handy, to finish third. Flving Acre came from tho middle of the field into fourth place and appeared to be unlucky. Dark Eagle had every chance. Requiem and Nercus were finishing on. Royal Ace was going well approaching tho straight when lie dropped out and pulled up very lame.

EXPLANATION ACCEPTED INCIDENT IN STEEPLECHASE [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] HAWERA, Thursday As the result of an incident near the finish of the Egmont Steeplechase, the judicial committee was called together bv the chief stipendiary steward, Mr. C. Gomer, and, after hearing the evidence of A Leach, the rider of Sky Pilot, and of W. J. McDowell, the rider of Riotous, the committee arrived at the conclusion that Riotous came over rather quickly on to Sky Pilot, but that there was no evidence to say that McDowell had interfered with Sky Pilot 'in anv way. The committee accepted McDowell's explanation and dismissed the charge of interference. P. L. Jarvis. rider of Erebus in the Tongahoo Hurdles, was taken to hospital.

PUKEKQHE RIDERS TO-MORROW'S ENGAGEMENTS Additional riding engagements for the Franklin Racing Club's meeting at Pukekobe to-morrow include:— F, Hain. —Inquisitor. J{. 1). Scobie. —Trilliarcli. G. Smith— Ngawiri, Oriental Bay. W. Thomson.-*-High Sea. P. Fear 11. —Pleuron. B, K. Smith.—Golden Spahi. B Markwick.—El Meynell. C. Bruce.— Bight Royal. TO CORRESPONDENTS "Phar Lap," Glen Afton.—W. Elliot rode Phar Lap when he won the Agua Caliente Handicap.