FAVOURITES BEATEN

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11738, 28 January 1924, Page 10

FAVOURITES BEATEN

SURPRISES IN BIG RACES AN UNSATISFACTORY CLASSIC. One of the great attractions of tho day’s racing was the reappearance of Gloaming in the Waterloo Plate. The old champion looked' well, and was given quite a mild reception when he appeared in the birdcage prior to the race. He did a satisfactory preliminary, and was sent to the post a very 6hort-priced favourite. Gloaming won, but not by much. The contest was disappointing. There was no pace on in the early part of the race, and Gloaming was actually out in front for a while. When the straight was reached the two-year-old Nigger Minstrel had: charge, but did 1 not remain long in the lead, both the older horses running past him just below the distance. Glentruin appeared to be making Gloaming do his best for a while, but when stirred up a hundred yards from the post Gloaming immediately showed that he had the mare’s measure and' he came away to win by a neck. Gloaming could have done better had it been necessary, but not much better, and one can only speculate as to what the result would have been had the pace been on all the way. The time in which the race was won was two seconds slower than that in which the open sprint handicap was run on the opening day of the meeting. The success of Gloaming was well received and he returned to weigh in amidst applause. LOVESIGN’S FAST MILE. The chief of the handicap events was won by Lovesign, in the great time of lmm 37 2—sseo for the mile. The southern mare went to the front early m the race, and the gap she opened up between herself and the field was never reduced. Although she . paid a big price on th© machine, Lovesign was baoked very confidently by some of those who witnessed the racing at the New Zealand Cup meeting,* and 1 were of the opinion that she was sure to heat the favourite, Gold Light, at the difference in the weights. THE tXUSIVENESS OF LITTLE RIVER. The Consolation Handicap provided another surprise, Little River leaving the field in th© straight and winning as he liked by about three lengths. This is exactly what he did in the Wairarapa Jubilee Cup, except that he iT on more easily tnere than here. The Martian gelding is a pretty good sort, hut he has a habit of winning when the public are not expecting him.