COMMENT ON FORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23367, 8 June 1939, Page 9

COMMENT ON FORM

VICTORY OF LONDON PYRENEES MAKES AMENDS THE CARDINAL JUST BEATEN The second fancy, London, scored a very decisivo victory in the Tamaki Steeplechase, leading throughout and always having tho measure of the opposition. London gave a fine display of fencing and won by three lengths after being about 15 lengths clear at ono stage. Benefited by her race on the first' day, Maliala made an improved showing for second, battling oil gamely after being well back early. Bells of Bow was assisted by good fencing, but was outstayed for second by Maliala. Wasp appeared likely after reaching the top of the bill in the second round, but was steadied by her weight at the end. British Sovereign was in second position most of tho way, but tired in the last few furlongs. Adsum and King Stroud were a long way back when they baulked at the second fence on the hill in the second round. They eventually completed the courso a very long way behind. Windsor Lass was well beaten, never appearing likely. Field Outclassed Tho win favourite Ellanui won tho Orakei Hurdles from end to end. Ellanui was always travelling well and is an improver who should not find promotion to open company a bar to further success. Loombination ran another good raco for second and made a game effort to overtake Ellanui without being able to trouble him, finding tho task of conceding him 211b. too great. Ellanui and Loombination outclassed the field and ran right away from them over tho last half-mile. Chikara stayed on best of a very tired lot to finish third. Survalyon did best of the remainder and might have been placed only for hitting a fence very hard. Devon made a slightly improved showing without being dangerous and Little Briton failed to reproduce his second day's form. Fine Finishing Run It was with a fine finishing run on tho inside that Valmint won the York Handicap, for which he was tho eachway favourite, in a fine betting race. Valmint was back ninth at the halfmile and lie did not come prominently into the picture until after passing tho distance, where ho came through between Very Glad and Balinavar. It was pleasing to see Valmint win for bis young trainer, W. ,1. Fergus, who turned him out in great order. Balinavar ran one of his best races and looked like winning until Valmint made his effort. Jack Tar fought on gamely for third after following the pacemaker, Very Glad, most of the way. Very Glad made a lino showing and faded only in tho last half-furlong. Philcourt was prominent until reaching tho Straight and then retired. Inver, Black Musk and Royevrus did best of the others, Maori Song weakening after being fifth at the turn. Tybalt, who was just on the move at the start, and Rollicker were the early leaders, but they were beaten before reaching the turn. An Attractive Victory '

The fourth fancy All Irish registered . g" attractive victory in the Winter : Steeplechase after being in front over i the last round. The only one to clial--1 a! 1 ! 8 ? •, seriously was En Tour, but , -Ml Irish was always going like a winner and was never troubled. The winner was all the better for his race on the second day and was well ridden by J. 11. Mcßac. En Tour was responsible for a solid effprt and beat the others as easily as the winner boat him. Saint Musk and Gascyne shaped creditably, although they never appeared likely to trouble the pair in front. The eachway favourite Hanover had every . chance and. after being up in the lead with All Irish commencing the last round, was beaten a long way from home. The second fancy Smiling Thru' only got as far as the third fence and Electric Flash was in front when she Ml at the fifth. Roxy was running third when he fell'at the first fence on the hill the second time round/ Mishaps in Hurdles Only three of the seven runners completed the course in the Campbell Hurdles, the third fancy Pyrenees scoring from the outsider Gadger. Pyrenees handled the heavy going better than most of the others and ran his best race of the meeting, although he was nearly in trouble at the second to last fence, which be jumped badly. However, he always had slightly the better of Gadger over the' last couple of furlongs. Biform had every chance, although lie was checked at one stage and steadied himself when he hit a fence hard. Lady England was going nicely in front when sbo fell nt the seven-furlong post and brought down Royal Dance, who made the early pace, and was then steadied in behind her. Royal Dance might have been very difficult to beat with a stand-up. A Solid Performance In spite of his third on the second day. Aero King was an outsider for the Visitors' Handicap and ho just lasted long enough to win from Royal Bacli- | elor. Aero King reached the front quickly and registered a very solid performance. handling the heavy ground really well. Royal Bachelor, after being third at the turn, fought on with more determination than usual and just failed to reach the winner by a neck. Besiege, who drew No. 13 at the barrier. was forced to go on the outside early and in the circumstances he did well' for third after moving up smartly, at the turn. Tepoto weakened in the last furlong, but was a creditable fourth. Whirling and Erndale did not begin well and were never dangerous. Success Repeated Repeating the good form he displayed on the first day, Vaalso scored narrowly in a fine finish in the I itzroy Handicap. Handily placed behind the leaders Tahiti. Bonnvbelle and Veritable entering the straight, Vaalso reached the front at the distance and he stalled off a late challenge from The Cardinal to win by n neck. The Cardinal was well back early and came outvery wide at the home turn. Under the circumstances it was a line eflort and his turn should come. Prival ran another good race for third. Tahiti Was up in the lead most of the way and hung on gamely for fourth. Veritable, who looked as if he might win just below the distance, and Long Span, always well placed, did best of the others. Bonnvbelle again displayed speed but failed to stay. The. place favourite Raima was never prominent.

WRONG NUMBER HOISTED

FITZROY HANDICAP PLACING When tho numbers were hoisted above the judge's box after the final event, the Fit/.roy Handicap, at Ellerslie yesterday, No. 8 (Melvanui) appeared in the frame as third instead of No. 18 (Trival). The error was rectified soon afler the horses returned to the birdcatre and the chief stipendiary steward, Mr. C. Gomor, had spoken to the judge, Mr. E. V. Sutherland. Prival

was undoubtedly third and, as ho was an outsider, his supporters received a fine dividend, the second largest of tho day.