COMMENT ON FORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23828, 2 December 1940, Page 5

COMMENT ON FORM

AN EXCITING FINISH TROTTERS IN DEAD-HEAT GOOD EFFORT BY OUR JEWEL BY A BAY.DOS An exciting finish in the Introductory llandica 1 culminated in a dead-heat for first between Worthy Worker, who iooked a winner 100 yards from the judge, and Modest Maid, who caught him on the post. A dozen lengths away the littlefancied Flash Hye very narrowly shaded the each-wav favourite, Vera Wortuy. for third. \ era Worthy and Dolores Silk broke badly two and a-half fur.ongs from home, when in a winning position. Worthy Worker and odest .Maid were the only ones to | trot solidly. Brilliance off the mark assisted north) Worker, who also benefited by the early 'mistake* of the majority. Modest Maid, hav ing her first race for M. Stewart, was s.ow t<- rind Jier feet, but gave a fine displa> over the last mile. The Eureka Handicap was run ill two divisions, the first being won by Nawton Junior, win was patiently bandied h.\ Al. Stewart, ami the second by Durato, who led from end to end, holding on to sta.l on a strong challenge from tho win, favourite Katoomba. Durato Wins Well Kama Direct was quickly Ju the lead in the first division, Frankenstein making a sharp move from the half-mile, to be second at the turn, where Debris, Nawton Junior and Guide Peter were also prominent. .Nawton Junior headed .Rama Direct when tho field straightened up and went on to score from Magic. Task, who came home well. Kama ip.eci. was third just ahead of bingen's fashion. Portadowri did not race up to expectations. Calla Lily reared and fell at the start of the second division. Durato leading out flora Storeman. First Call and Marmingn. Auto Bingen here ran up handy at the end of a mile, and at the distance First (all was almost on terms with Durato, who had •;o be kept going when Katoomba came on the scene from well back. First Call was third and Marmiuga was fourth, succeeded by Auto Bingen. who faded in the last furlong. Storeman btoke a hopple when going well, otherwise he may have taken a hand in the finish. Durato set a solid pace and ran 2.53. Nawton Junior took 2.57 2-5 to win the first division. Driven in behind ih© leading division until the home turn, Star Guide came on to win the Tamahere Handicap in a hard finish with Mitaya. Royal Palm, who was forced to cover a lot of ground, cut Novikoff out of third. Kia Kaha, Novikoff and Ihi Ihi had tarns in the lead, but the last-named lost his position by breaking. Novikoff led at the toji from Mitaya, Star Guide, Royal Pa',in, wide out, and Intrigue, Star Guide <:o;iie: best in the run home. The each-way favourite, Davey Day, did not secure a good passage and was never prominent until the closing stages, finishing sixth.

Tinker Stops Badly Bronze Queen was responsible for a fine effort in the R. 'l'. Reid Memorial Handicap, which she won goinsr away after losing about (in yards at the start. The outsider of the field, Noble Prince, surprised by finishing- second, and Great Chum ran a sound race for third. Tinker went away in front to make his own pace over the first halfmile in I.M, the rest being: in Indian file with Bronze Queen in the rear. Llanvabon then went up handy to Tinker, Mho passed the mile in 2.22. Llanvabon took charge three furlong? from home, and was followed into the straight by Transwell, who was always well placed, with Great Chum close up and Bronze Queen improving her position. Transwell had the measure of Llanvabon half-way up the straight, when Bronze Queen came with a fine run to win from Noble Prince, who finished well on the rails, and Great Chum. Llanvabon was fourth, followed by Transwell and Fortex. Tinker, the each-way favourite, compounded completely and vas pulled up about two furlongs from home. The each-way favourite Short Wave, after taking the lead from Air Pilot inside a furlong, won the Ktikuhia Handicap without being seriously troubled. He was trailed throughout by Air Pilot, who made an effort over the final stages but could make no impression. Vain Lad and Sir Tony had a good duel for third. Sir Tony outstaying Vain Lad in the last 50 yards. Margin, who lost a lot of ground at the start, was fifth, followed by Gay Moko. Cracksman and Canadian broke up badly. Back-Markers Fail The solid pace set by Short Wave made the task of the back-markers, Gay Moko and lioi Grande, too difficult, and, although they trotted in good style, they could not get near the leaders. Handicapped 011 4,.">1, Short Wave trotted 1.3s 2-5, and Air Pilot, who made one mistake, went 4.30. A mix-up at .the end of a round robbed the Kaipaki Handicap of much interest, especially for supporters of ttie favourite. Whanako, who came down when the leader, Royal Palm, fell in front of him. John's Last collided with the fallen horses and Young Parry was badly checked. This left Silver Watch. Cloverdale, Crucible and Derby Lit in the race, and they ran in that order to the home turn. Cloverdale then took charge, but Crucible finished very gamely to beat him by a neck. Silver Watch was close up third. Crucible was making her first appearance this season arid the manner in which she performed suggested further success. With three withdrawn from the limit, the Ngaruawahia Handicap was not divided, the winner being First Call, who scored the easiest win of the day. First Call returned a good price, considering that he was third in the fastest heat of the Eureka Handicap. Scotty Direct, the win favourite, did not have a good passage early, but after going on the outside was second at the turn. However, he had no chance with the winner. Rama Direct, who was always handy, was third, followed by Antarctic Star, the rest being a long way back. First Call Goes Fast

First Call is a five-year-old by J\ick Polls from Quality, and. although inclined to pro unevenly, has a fine turn of speed. He ran 3.28 off 3.'13. Seotty Direct went a pood race and should soon leave the novice ranks. Rama Direct showed further improvement and has developed solidness. He was bracketed with Fly Across, who fell at the start, Cyone Girl and Josette, the combination being first choice on the place machine. Making a smart beginning, Mustketeer won the Waipa Handicap practically from cm<J to end, beinir followed home by the bracketed horses, Llanvabon and Our Jewel, who registered a splendid performance after losing a lot of ground at the start. True Trust attempted to head Musketeer early, but broke, and T.mgaroa quickly ran inlo second, with Oreat Churn and Llanvabon in close attendance. The field bunched at the home turn, and when Tangaroa faded in the straight Llanvabon 'and Our Jewel, who had improved his position going along the back, challenged. Musketeer battled on to score by a neck from Llanvabon, with Our Jewel a head away third, and C, re at' Chum right up fourth, followed bv Bold Venture and Our McKinney. It was 'Musketeer's first, win for a considerable time, but he had shown signs of returning form with two seconds at Epsom earlier this season. The finishing effort of Our Jewel was very impressive.