MANAWATU MEETING

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12330, 28 December 1925, Page 9

MANAWATU MEETING

CLARINDA AND GRAND KNIGHT WIN I' : . . • (By “Corbin?.”) In beautiful weather the Manawatu summer (meeting opened at Awapuni on Saturday. The crowd was, a record for the course. The Wellington trains .were packed beyond the limits of seating accommodation, 'and on the . np. preaches to the racecourse there were huge traffic blocks so numerous were tlje motor-ears. The racing was keen all day. Notone favourite scored. Oarfnda won Hie Cup after a great finish with Enthusiasm and Ngata, and Grand Kniglit registered an attractive, victory in the Fitahorbert Handicap. The sum of £ij7,79S was registered by the totalisator. The figures on the opening dfiy last year were £50,333. MANY CQLOURS WINS HURDLES - Santiago, Highway, and Many Colours, carried the money in the Toko maru Hurdles, and they filled the places. Highway and Axle led for the greater part of the journey with Admiral Cod - rington handy, while Many Colours and' Santiago were well back. McBrearty had a good hold of. Many Colours, hut-'going along the back the last time hurried him along and had him with the leaders before the straight was entered. Many Colours and Highway took the last fence together, but Mcßrearty' kept a little •in reserve till half a furlong from home when he drew the stick and landed his mount a‘ winner by the best- part of a length; Santiago was a length away third, and The Emperor and Te Maire were next. Several were well backed in the Maiden Plate, principally Joy Bird, Bank Draft, Anklet, Paddon, . and Kyla. ' . Bank Draft, Tanadice, and Wanderlust, were in the van soon after the start, but Joy Bird ran to the front and led Bank Draft into the straight, with Anklet coming fast. ; Joy Bird failed in the run to home, and Bank Draft, well handled, won by half a length. Anklet beat Joy Bird by a head for second place, and after them came Banart. -

The big field for the Tararua Welter, of which Novar was the public choice, oaueed some delqy at the barrier, and when they went away Novar was one: of the beet placed of the leaders Ardfinnan, Salamis, Mangatoetoe, and Novar were in charge when the field entered the back stretch. Mangatoetoe, Polar, and Ardfinnan . led into the straight from Asleep arid. Sanctuary,' but a furlong from bpme Opa shot through the field and -took charge, going, on to win well by a, length from Newberry King and Kuhorn. both of whom came from the ruck. Polar was fourth. FINE RACE FOR THE CUP All started in the Oup, which was the great race. Ngata, Enthusiasm, and Clarinda were the favourites, and all ran good races. , Agitato took charge immediately' the tapes- were released, but .was off the oouj-se at the home turn, largely out of control. However, he led through the straight from Olympid, Ngata, Kilfaire, Treaham, Clarinda, Enthusiasm, Tanadees, and Waetea. Agitato was dome with at the entrance to' the back stretch, where he again ran wide. Ngata and Waetea were in charge five furlongs from home, followedby Olympic, Enthusiasm, Tresham, Kalakaua, and Tanadees. On the run to the straight Clarinda improvel her position, and though she came on the outer she was handy as the field swung into the straight. Waetea and Ngata were the first to straighten up for home. Immediately they were challenged by Enthusiasm, and the trio were fighting it out iu line for some distance. Half a furlyng from the judge Waetea had been gradually worn down,- but the otbei two were etill hard at it when Clarinda, who had made up ground well, threw out a determined challenge and got up to win by a neck from Enthusiasm, who boat Ngata by a bead. Waetea was a goad fourth, and the next to arrive were Olympic, Merry, Day, Kilfaire, tvalakaua, and Tresham.

Bank Note Was a good favourite for the Nursery Handicap, but ’he failed after having every chance) Bank Note soon took charge, and led to the straight from Kilperon. TCiVperon headed Bank Note a furlong from hone, but Note then put in his olairo, and went on to win very nicely by a length from Kilperon. Henna, who was four lengths away, just beat Bank Note for third place. Twenty went to the Post for the. (fillies Handicap in which the Waikato mare, Pinon. Nine of Spades, . Polyphemus, and Sleet were the public fancies.

Polyphemus was chopped out at the barrier, and soon was in a hopeless position. Tho Bolter shot to the front, and was followed by Pinon, Nine of Spades. Ada vale, Morning Gift, and Boad Hog Pinon ]ed into the straight with Sleet, who had worked her way id--™,, hnudy, and In a great finish tho Otaki filly got up to win by a bead. Nadarino was tlireenunrters of a length behind Pinon, The Bolter was fourth", then Road Hog, The Tank, Constellation.<- Adavale. Nine of Spades, and Lin Arlington. TKE SPRINTERS Bettors considered Peneus well handicapped in the Fitzherbert. and sent him out favourite. Grand Knight was next in demand, and there was a lot of money for Orchid. Pioosut misbehaved at the harrier, and did not get nwav with the field. Uhirlov. Howler, and Ilka led along the ’--v from Orchid Renee* and w-,.,,, I who were close together/ Shirley

led into the straight, going well. Peneus was the first to challenge, but he could not get to the lightweight. However, when Morris sent Grand Knight along the Trentham horse cut the leaders down, and won by halt a length. Shirley beat Peneus by a couple of lengths. Licinius was a poor fourth Orchid fifth, Miss Egypt sixth, arid Economist seventh.

Martulla had an army of supporters in the Grandstand Welter, but they got a disappointing run for their outlay. Bouex and Degage were well backed, hut not nearly so, heavily as tho favourite. The field gave the starter considerable trouble, but lie effected a-fine dispatch. Westbroke soon got to the front, and with White Comet, Bing Potoa, Modern and Fillette led to the back stretch-, while Degage was in the middle of the field, and Martulla was-at the tail. Along the back Modern ran up to Westbroke. and on the home bend Bouex, White Comet, Ejllette, Ring Potoa, and Degage were in behind the leaders, while Martulla, getting a run through, made rip a lot of ground. Modern hung on well, and though challenged by Degage kept her off to win by ‘half a length. Bright Day got up into third place, and Martulla was fourth, with Ring Potoa, White Comet, and Bouex next.