COMMENT ON FORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23616, 28 March 1940, Page 9

COMMENT ON FORM

SERIES OF ACCIDENTS TE KAHU AWARDED PRIZE FRANZ DERBY PLACED SECOND [IJ V TEL KG 11A PII —OWN COltlt KSI'ON JJKNI'] CHKISTCHURCH, Wednesday .

Opening up a big gap in the iirst half-mile, Escalade gave nothing else a chance in the Harvest Handicap, coining into the straight with a 10 lengths' advantage of Anna's Voyage. He was a tired horse at the post, but none could get near enough to oiler any opposition. Anna's Voyage was always well placed, but the best display of (ho race otherwise went to the credit of Jenny's Guy. She started lrom KOyds behind, was prominent three furlongs from home and slaved on to secure third place in the smart, tin.e of 1.24 2-5. Alil 1 isle, the favourite, never raised the hopes of his supporters, while Reception found tier handicap beyond her. Hoi Grande gave a poor exhibition.

Aldershot showed improved form on ire first day's running to win the Trial Handicap, but on this occasion he bad the run of the ■ race, being tucked in behind the leader,'G uncase, all the way, with the. result that he was able to issue a strong challenge in the straight. Turning for home Guncase appeared to have the race in safe keeping, but ho a chain from the post and Aldershot beat him by a neck. Lady Milne was a fair third,,with Baltlevale, Royal Surprise and Ochiltree in that oruer. Fine Finish Spoiled There was promise of an excellent finish in the Halswell Handicap a furlong from home, at which point the field was spread across the track, but Silver Ciu.v, the leader, broke and fell, interfering with the chances of a number of other runners, and allowing Lightning Lady to go on to win handsomely by two lengths from Xelson Eddy, and tile consistent Xell Grattau. Xelson Eddy, a staunch favourite, had a good position early, tint he was allowed to drift, with the result that he had to put in a great run lo gain second placing..Nell G rattan came from a long way back, as did Red Pigeon. The first four were practically the only onus to finish tlui course, the majority being mixed up in Silver Guy's fall, although none of the drivers nor norses was injured. Great Jewel and Renown's Best were slow to strike a gait at the start of the President's Handicap, and when the field had settled down 'Marlene was showing the way to Horsepower. Mar.sc.eres, Bayard, Renown's Best, Great Jewel and Pot Luck. Great Jewel ..attempted to move up to the leaders with five furlongs gone and Renown's Host immediately moved out from the rails to Uring him level with the pacemaker, but three sulky widths out, for the next mile.

Mishaps in Chief Event Half a mile from home Renown's Best broke and fell bringing down Marsceres and sending Horsepower to a break. Marline drew out and held a good lead entering the straight from Great Jewel and Bayard, and she went on to win easily. Horsepower was a poor fourth, with Pot Luck, a lons way back, next. The winner was assisted l>y the mishap, but she was always going well. Great Jewel was unlucky in the riuuiiii}?. but Bayard was well beaten. The Auckland-owned Te Kuhu made a good effort to win the High-class Handicap, leading throughout and going under only in the last stride to Franz Derby, who broke just on the post and crossed the 'ine at a gallop to score by a short neck. Te Kahu trotted with great freedom all the way and fought on well under pressure. Franz Derby was always well placed and cave a good display apart from her one mistake, and she was showing a dividend approaching two-thirds of a century. Lament was a close third, with Gerfalcon, the unlucky aorse in the race, fourth. A protest lodged igainst. the winner on the grounds of galloping past the post was upheld, and the placing-; were reversed. Te Kahu being declared the winner from Franz Derby. Collapse in Final Quarter Dusky Sound held a tominunding lead with half a mile to go in tr,c Api il Handicap and he looked to be invincible at that stage, but he collapsed badly at the two-furlong post and Harold Guy assumed the lead to come into the straight dear of Loyal Rey and Wee Potts. In a -Teat finish Harold Guy held on under punishment to score from Loyal Rey, who gave an improved display compared with his first day's running. Red Pigeon finished a good third, with Cruiser, who was slowly away, close up in fourth place. The rest were beaten off. The winner finished in great style, while Loyal Rey's effort was also impressive.. The DurhamHantllicap saw two accidents, Kegal falling and bringing down Token before going two furlongs, while Ochiltree broke with a little over a mile covered, to bring down Connenora, Gay Avon and Ringtrue. who had shown considerable speed to be prominent at that stage. Great Don enjoyed a fine run all the way to assume command at the straight entrance. He ran on in much better style than on the opening day, to score impressively by two lengths from Slippery Sam, who was again slowly away and received a bad run. Adversity was always well placed and appeared likely to trouble the winner when he went to a tangle in the straight. Accountant was a good fourth. Hostile Demonstration The day's racing concluded with a brilliant performance by Fine Art in the Flying Handicap. He began well, but went to a tangle before going a furlong, and he was giving the leader a substantial start over the final half-mile. In spite of this handicap he put in wonderful work going down the back to have the race won as he turned lor home. His victory was the signal for a demonstration by the crowd. Windsor Lass was a good . second, with Navy Blue third. Southern Chief had everything in his favour, but ho was well beaten with half a mile to go. Fine Art was solidly supported in his race on the opening day. when he failed to show the brilliancy of to-day's effort. This no doubt caused the hostile demonstration given against one of the outstanding efforts of the meeting.

CONCLUDING CARD PROGRAMME FOR TO-DAY FIELDS AND PROSPECTS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] CH RISTCHURCH, Wednesday The weather promises to remain fine for the concluding day of the Metropolitan Trotting Club's Easter Meeting at Addington tomorrow, when fields of good quality will again go to the post, and fast times may bo expected. The following horses are likely to bo fancied in their engagements:— 12.2 —Spre.vdon Handicap.—Bush Laddie, Escalado, Jenny's Guy. 12.-12' — Lin wood Handicap.—Guncase, Imperial .Tads, Lady Milne. 1.27 Liverpool Handicap.—Accountant, Haroid Guy, Great Don. 2.l2—Autumn Free-for-all.—Fine Art, Plutus, Windsor Lass. 2,52 Papanui Handicap.—Loyal Rey, Sandusky, Nell Grattan. 3.32 —Cashmere Handicap.—Tan John, Pilot Peter, Gerfalcon. 4.12 —Craven Handicap.—Aldershot, Slippery Sam, Wee Potts 4.57 —Final Handicap.—Windsor Lass, Lightning Lady, Marsceros. Acceptances:— SPREYDON HANDICAP, of £300; trotters; limit, 3.3-1; I '/ 2 miles. —Dollar Maid, M illislc. Premier, Reward, limit; Bill Grattan, Judgment, Pa,lily's Harvest. Roi Grande, Shadoland. Toncc, 12yds blul; Escaiado, Bush Laddie, Manna's Son, Reception, 21; Sonoma I King, '•'•('); Gentleman Joe, Jenny's Guy, 00. | LIN WOOD HANDICAP, of £300;-limit, I 3.27; Wi miles. —Agility, Gay Lady, GunI case, Imperial Jade, Jovial, Kiirea, Lady Milne, Passport, Royal Surprise, limit; Battlevale, l-Jyds blid; Ochiltree, Privateer, 21. Bracket: Battlevale and Lady Milne. LIVERPOOL HANDICAP, of £000; limit, 1.3 1; 2 miles.—Accountant, Aqua Bond, Jesse Owens. Subsidy, limit; Attain, Quest, Wee Potts, 12yds bhd; Harold Guy, Cruiser, Great Don, Red Pigeon, Waipahi, 21; Silver Guy, 30. AUTUMN FREE-FOR-ALL, of £050; W. miles. —Great Jewel, Lucky Jack, Pot Luck, Indianapolis. Horsepower, Fine Art, Lightning Lady, Cantata, Marsceres, Plutus, Windsor Lass. Brackets: Great Jewel and Lucky Jack; Indianapolis and Horsepower. PAPANUI HANDICAP, of C 050; limit ■1.31; 2 miles.—Dusky Sound, Harold Guy. Loyal Rey. Red Flush, limit; Bill 8., Nell Grattan, Our War, Red Ranger, 12,vds bhd; Sandusky, Toorak, 21; Bayard, Horsepower, 30; Renown's Best, Marlene, -18. Brackets: Harold Guy and Horsepower; Renown's Best and Marlene. CASHMERE HANDICAP, of £500; trotters; limit, 1.38; 2 miles.—Jenny's Guy, Mohican, Tan John, limit; Frame Derby, Graeio Fields, 12yds lilidi Aristotle. Blue Logan, Timworthy, 21; Gerfalcon, Lament. Mute, Pilot Peter, CRAVEN HANDICAP, of £300; limit 2.10; V/ miles.—Aldershot, Adversity. Battlevale, Connenora, Gay Avon, Lady Milne, Ochiltree. Proletarian, Regal, Royal Romance (T.), Slippery Sam. Sports Review. Worthy Need, limit Jesse Owens. Mankind, Repeal, R'ngfrue, Wee Potts, 12yds bhd: Donor, 21 FINAL HANDICAP, of £300; limit 2.45; l'/ 4 miles.—Frisco Boy, Lightning Lady.- Renown's Best. Southern Chief, Windsor Lass, limit; Horsepower,. Marsceres, 21yds bhd.