NOTES ON FORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23542, 30 December 1939, Page 5

NOTES ON FORM

MARGIN SUCCESSFUL KITTY'S CHOICE SURPRISES JOSEDALE GRATTAN UNPLACED Iho three placed 'horses were the only ones who over appeared to have chances in the Oak Handicap, victory going to the eaclx-way favourite Margin, who displayed more solidness than Mali .Jong and Josedalo Dictator in a dose linish. Josedalo Dictator, an imported trotter, attempted to win all the way, and he looked like succeeding until ho broke when still in front about half a furlong from tho post. Margin and Mali Jong, who were challenging 011 tho outside, then went ahead to have a good tussle until the latter brolco near tho post. Margin gave a solid display except for a short break after going half a mile. Josedale Dictator, whose only previous experience in public was at the matinee meeting last month, shaped well, and is sure to do better when more seasoned. The Frontier Boy went his usual honest race for fourth. Tho displays of tho others were poor. Port Chalmers, Glen Bihgen, Bournemouth and Barney Bingen, who showed speed in patches, all making mistakes. Brilliant Globe Fails Making liis first appearance in New Zealand, Brilliant Globe, recently purchased in Australia by Dr. At. G. Pezaro and Mr. IS G. Bridgens, was made an each-way favourito for the December Handicap, and he demonstrated thai ho is a speedy paccr, even though bo failed to finish closer than fourth. Brilliant Globe lost a- lot of ground us a result of tangling at tho start and also making another break early, only for which ho would probably havo won, as he went very fast on the outside over the last halfmile. T he race was won at double figures by tho improving Kitty's Choice, who stayed on solidly after being handily placed throughout. Bronze King, prominent all tho way, paced one of his best races for second, 't'iio three-year-old Charles Hex made a great effort to lead from end to end, and it was only near the end that he was headed, eventually finishing a good third. Northern Smile and Kowpie's Bingen did best of tho others, pacing creditable races without ever appearing really dangerous. On the strength of her good third on the first day, Battlevale was made an each-way favourite for the Summer Handicap, but she missed a place after appearing the likely winner at the turn, where she was in front after making a sharp run on the outside. Buttlevulo might have just won only for going away slowly. However, tho third horse, Equipoise, lost'even moro ground at the start, and his effort was meritorious, especially as he bad to go very wide when making his run in the final stages. The race was won by the improving Shrewdy, who won well after being patiently driven by •). J. Kenncrly. Lady Vasclyno paced another good race. Peter Smith also made a good showing, and Adversity went bis best race for some time for second. Peter Smith was running on again after losing the lead, and would havo been closer only for being checked. Francisco was never dangerous after a slow beginning. An End-to-end Win slowing tho field down early and being patiently driven by M. Stewart, Our Peggy won tho Champion Handicap from end to end. She' stayed on very solidly when strongly challenged in the straight, and it was a nico performance. The Auckland Trotting Cup winner Marleno registered another fine effort, sprinting brilliantly on the outside over the last three furlongs from a good way back for a meritorious second. The litllefancied Kcwpic's King was always in the picture and fought 011 solidly in the final stages for third. Josedalo Graltan paced well after being slow away, and would have been very dangerous if he had left correctly, as ho Jlifist .havo lost about 21yds. Tho second fancy Ue'nnku was a long way back for over a milo. and, although he made an effort 011 tho outside over tho final stages, never appeared dangerous. Three Bells and Bayard lost their chances at tho start, and Star Pronto was going well in a good position when Jie broko about half a milo from home. The D-ackmarker, Icevus. never appeared The favourites, Honestus and Molly Direct, had a great tussle over the last furlong of the -Tramway Handicap, Molly Direct getting through on the inside and winning narrowly in fast time for the class. Molly Direct was favoured with a good run 011. the rails, whereas Honestus was outside at least one sulky all tho way. and this probably turned tho scale in her favour. She. made it difficult . for the others by going 4.2S from a <l.ll mark. Molly Direct and Honestus are both by Jack Potts and they are good stayers. The consistent Kete Kura paced well for third, and Bedford also shaped very creditably for fourth. Amywin tired in the last furlong after leading into the straight and was far from disgraced. The form of the others was not impressive, although Hillcrest performed respectably. Barney Bingen Just Fails Going* away smartly from the limit, Barney Bingen attempted to make a one-horse race of the Epsom Handicap, and it appeared as if she would succeed when she came into the straight well clear. However, she tired to a walk in the last half-furlong and was decisively beaten by Black Native, who gave a solitl display. Tho each-way favourite. Frontier Boy, after breaking frequently, battled on solidly for a moderate third. Elliotvale broko badly after reaching a handy position, and Air Pilot ran below expectations. The backmarker, Llanvabon. broke in the middle stages and was pulled up. It was a poor field and practically all the runners made mistakes. Sprinting round the bunched field in tho last half-mile. Hottentot brought off a surprise in the Dominion Handicap, paying over two score to win and double figures for a place. Hottentot was a long way back until he started a fast run commencing the last half-mile, and he had the race in hand when he assumed command at the ium. It was a very smart performance, as ho was forced to cover a good deal of ground. Kcwpic's Jewel came home well for second .after being checked when Grand Dame broke about two and a-half furlongs from home. Grand Dame was making a fast run on the outside at the time and looked like being troublesome. Wishful, in the first three to the turn, weakened in the straight. Narbada was closer in fourth position at tho finish than at any other stage. Repose, who trailed the pacemaker, Silk Lady, had every chance, nnd faded into fifth. Silk Lady stopped quickly. Tsana finished strongly on the outside after heing a long way back, and did well to get third. The favourite. Shadow Boy, soon ran into a good position after being slow to strike his hopples, hut struck trouble and lost his chance. Double Peter showed early speed after beginning slowly. Good Run For Horsepower Favoured with a beautiful run on tho rails boliind the pacemaker, Nervie's Last, the win favourite, Horsepower, finished resolutely to tako the Ranfurly Handicap. Horsepower paced in his best stylo, although he had to be driven right out lit the finish. Nervie's Last made a great attempt to lead all the way, and it was onlv in the last little bit that ho was headed. Battlefield, who. occupied a good position throughout, battled on solidly for third, and Springfield Globe finished fast on the outsldo for fourth. Springfield Globo seems to bo improving with his racing and should perform well at his next attempt. Sandusky appeared n possibility when he was handy at the outside at tho turn, but could make no impression. in tho straight. Kewpio's.,Triumph, who had been third early, aniT Threo Bells fell as the field approached the three-furlong post. Red Flush and Kowpie's King were never dangerous. Kenworthy was stopped whon the mishap occurred. NOT FOR SALE OVERTURES FOR BEAULIVRE Overture.4 have lately been made for tho purchase of tho brilliant three-year-old Bcaulivro, but his owner. Mr. E. C. Harnett, has replied that ho is not for sale at any prico. One of the prospective buyers was tho Brisbane sportsman Mr. Miller, who witnessed tho colt's effortless victory in tho King's Plato at Ellerslio on Thursday. Mr. Miller, who races several horses in Melbourne, is a relation to Mr Percy Miller, owner of the famous Kia Ora stud in Australia. . Beaulivrc, who will make his final appearance in New Zealand in tho Great Northern Derby and the Clifford Plate at Ellerslio next week, is booked to leave on January 5 for Sydney, where ho will enter tho stablo of G. Price. ELLERSLIE MILE RECORD BY SMOKE SCREEN : ' BY ARCHER Whon writing of Beanlivre's performance in tho King's Plate I mentioned yesterday that his 1.37 for the mile was only twofifths of a Hocoud outside tna course record, which was held conjointly for many years bv Thespian and Karapoti. Unfortunately I overlooked tho 1.35 3-5 of Smoke Screen and tho 1.30 of Courtcraft, which wero bettor efforts in tho samo race. Smoke Screen s performance was brilliant, and tho time ho recorded will tako somo beating, as the conditions 011 the day ho won wero perfect. It is probable that Beaulivro would have run 11 little hotter than 1.37 if it hnd boen necessary, as he appeared to havo something in reserve.