RACING THRILLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23353, 23 May 1939, Page 10

RACING THRILLS

LARGE DIVIDENDS PAID TE RAPA SURPRISES SEVERAL ACCIDENTS FATE OF THREE HORSES Thrills in plenty were provided at the Waikato Racing Club's Winter . Meeting at Te Rapa yesterday, and the climax was reached when Pace Camp won the last event, paying over a century on the straight-out machine and double figures for a place. Pace Camp owned and trained by Mrs. M. Williams of Te Rapa, was supported to the extent of only £22 10s for a win and £52 10s for a place, being 16th fancy on both machines in the field of 21. Until recently Race Camp, a six-year-old gelding, had done most of his racing in Taranaki, and his first success was scored when he won the Moturoa Electric Handicap, as eighth favourite at New Plymouth in February, 1938, j n the ownership of Sir. V. Wells. In' the meantime he has changed hands, and at the Ngaruawahia meeting (ffontotalisator) on April 1 he won the Hack Cup for Mrs. Williams. He was twice unplaced subsequently at Whangarei and on Saturday he finished eighth in the Otorohanga Hack Handicap, six furlongs, -von bv Te Takina. A Sensational Opening The racing yesterday opened sensationally when Ngawiri won the first race, paying over two-thirds of a century for a win and double figures for a place. The next event was won by the favourite, Midland, and he was the only winner to return under double ' figures. Substantial returns were also made by Biform (over a third of a century) and Song (over a quarter of a centuryf, who were successful in the principal events. The aggregate of the wjn dividends was. £274 for seven races, which is the largest for some time in Auckland. Several mishaps occurred, and the careers of the jumpers Valpeen, dual winner of the Great Northern and Grand National Steeplechases, Black Marlin and Master Musk were terminated. Valpeen had almost completed the course in the Waikato Steeplechase and fell dead about 30 yards from the post. When he fell his rider, H. Turner, was throvrn against a guard rail, receiving a severe scalp wound, a bruised shoulder and a lacerated hand.

A Complete Somersault Black Marlin broke his neck when he turned a complete somersault in a fall about five furlongs from home in the Waikato Steeplechase, at which stage he was running prominently. The rider, D. Craddock, suffered slight concussion and was removed to hospital. Master Musk severed a tendon when he overreached while contesting the Hamilton Hurdles and was destroyed. The list of casualties was completed when Galloping Acre broke down badly in the Farewell Hack Handicap and was pulled up some distance from the post.