WELLINGTON RACES

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12424, 19 April 1926, Page 10

WELLINGTON RACES

RAPINE BEATS GOLD LIGHT IN GOLD CUP STAR STRANGER WINS BIG HANDICAP SUCCESS OF TOMMY DODD AND SET SAIL (By "Carbine.”) Beautiful weather favoured the Wellington Racing Club for the conclusion of its autumn meeting on Saturday. There was another big crowd at Trenrbar... and again the racing track was in perfect condi-ijn. An int. esting fie!' 1 met in th» Gold Cup, in which Rapine decisively defeated Gold Light. ' Star Stranger, Tommy Dodd, and Set Sail won the principal handicaps.

GOOD ONES MEET IN GOLD CUP As on tlie previous day the totlisator showed a downward tendency. <£65,203 10s was registered during the afternoon, making £106,665 for the meeting. Last year the investments ran into £109,233 10s, so that the decrease on last year's fixture is £2573 10s The racing was Stood throughout the day, and there was another run of great finishes. The most interesting event on the card was the Trentham Gold Cup, run at weight-for-age over two miles. The race brought about a meeting of Rapine, Gold Light, Count Cavour, Mask and Income. After Gold Light's great effort in the Thompson Handicap it was immediately assumed that she would start favourite for the Gold Cup, hut she did not strip ns well ns Rapine, and went out of favour a little. The race was made to order for Rapine. Gold Light went to the front at tne staTt, and endeavoured to win from end to end. Reed, riding Rapine a perfect race, dropped in behind the mare and allowed her to pace him till well into the straight, when he threw out a challenge, which Gold Light could not withstand. Waddell rode her hard with the stick, but -Rapine drew away and won decisively by four lengths. None of the others had any chance, Count Cavour and Mask making much poorer showings than they were expected to. Though the race was run to suit Rapine more than to suit Gold Light, Rapine was master on the day, and would have won in different circumstances.

THE INVERCARGILL INVASION In the handicap events Invercargill continued its successful run, winning the open mile with Tommy Dodd and the principal sprint with Set Sail. The small team from the other end of the country had a wonderful innings, Baldowa (Thompson Handicap), Tommy Dodd (Railway Handicap on Thursday and Hutt Handicap on Saturday), and Set Sail (Suburban Handicap) all nailing from Invercargill. Pantagruel was a better favourite than Sottano in the High Weight Handicap. Asleep led from Matu, Eonmark, and Lady Gay in the early stages, with Pantagruel nicely placed in the middle of the field, ana Ardfinnan well back. Ardfinnan made up ground fast on the top bend, where Pantagruel cot a ,ru> through toward the front. Pantagruel and Ardfinnan came right away in the straight and fought out the finish, Pantagruel winning by a neck. Sottano was five lengths away third, and Asleep was a close fourth. Lady Gay was fifth. TOMMY nODD AGAIN The whole of the acceptors took their place in the field for the Hutt Handicap, for which Father O'Flynn was favourite. A great start was effected, from which Father O'Flynn was the first to show out. Fool's Paradise, The Thorn, Tiega, and Siaosi also got away well. After going a couple of furlongs Fool's Paradise had charge with The Thorn, and Father O'Flynn was just in behind them, while Archeen was handy. The Thorn led into the straight from Fool's Paradise, Archeen, and Tommy Dodd, and when it came to finishing Tommy Dodd proved his ability and wore everything down to win by a length from Fool a Paradise. The Thorn was only half a length away, third. . Tresham was fourth, and then came Tiega, Star Area, Gaze, Degage, and Zaragoza. The Gold Cup was an interesting contest, but it was in effect a two-horse race. Gold Light went to the front at the start and endeavoured to win all the way. Rapine dropped in behind her, and Income was last of the field. Gold Light was 6till in. charge when they turned for home, but Reed brought Rapine along and had the race won at the distance. He won by four lengths, while Mask was another couple of lengths away third. Income was last.

Indian Sage was sent out a good favourite for the Muritai Handicap, and in the end he just won. Sarty went to the front at the start and led from Star Shell and Tannadice, with Kilmiss handy. Six furlongs from home Tannadice was in charge from Sarty, Star Shell, Kilmiss, Salamis, and Perle de Leon. Tannadice led the field into the straight, but did not hold her advantage, and in the Inst furlong Indian Sage and Kilmiss drew away and fought out the finish. Indian Sage always had the advantage, and won by a head. Phantasy finished fast in third place, a couple of lengths away, and the next were Tannadice, De Luxe, Sarty, Star Shell, Perle de Leon, and Anklet.

THE TWO-YEAR-OLDS Alyson was a better favourite than Limited and Tea Bell for the Pacific Handicap, but she was soon at the tail of the field, and her backers got a rather disappointing run. Limited, on the rails ,and Beth wide out, led on to the course proper, but Kiosk came through at tne distance and took charge, only to be challenged by Elthein. They fought out a hard finish, in which Kiosk won by a short neck. Hynanna and Seatown were fairly close up next, and after them came Tea Bell, Battlement, Limited, Rascal, and Alyson. Listening Post carried the heaviest support in the Autumn Handicap, but after running a good race to the bottom of the straight could not see the journey out. Phoenix Park led through the straight from Baldowa, Star Stranger, Hipo and Listening Post. Piuthair was last. There was no great change at the mile post, and six furlongs from home Phoenix Park and Mount Marta were together in front of Baldowa, Listening Post, Hipo and Star Stranger. Rivalry moved up crossing the top, and entering the straight was close to Phoenix Park, who still had charge. Baldowa, RoynlJ Divorce, and Star Stranger were just behind them, but Star Stranger ran on solidly and soon had a break on the opposition. He looked to be winning easily when Hipo came on the scene, finishing very fast. He could not get nearer than a length to Star Stranger, however, and a length away came Piuthair, who finished well from the back. Phoenix Park struggled on into fourth place; Royal Divorce was fifth, Baldowa sixth, and Opa seventh.

ANOTHER CLOSE FINISH Polyphemus and Civility wound up favourites for the Suburban Handicap. Set Sail and Nadarino led to the straight, but the field was well bunched behind them. A fine finish resulted in Set Sail staying there long enough to win by a neck from Le Choucas, who just beat Merry Jest, while Lady Ridicult, Civility, Shirley and First Acre were close up. A field of fifteen contested the Belmont Handicap, with which the meeting concluded. Minotus led into the straight, with Ballymoy 11., Benzora, Dobbin and Berinthia handy. Whips were out all the way up the straight, and McCormac got -Benzora home by a neck. The judge placed Minotus second and Ballymoy 11. third. Berinthia, Receipt and Dobbin were, close up. The totalisator figuros, compared with those of the autumn meeting of last year wore 1925. 1926.

DETAILS OF RACING SECOND HIGHWEIGHT HANDICAP. Of 300 sovs; one mile and a quarter. 1— F. W. Smith's b g Pantagruel, Panmure—Adelicia, syrs, 10.1 (L. G. Morris) 1 3 —J. Phillip's br g Ardfinnan, Panmnre—Lady Rowley, oyrs, 9.6 (J. T. Young) 2 2 H. P. F. Blundell's ch g Sottano, Nassau—Cossack, syrs, 10 (A. T. Burt) 3 (Winner trained by A. Goodman, * Trentham.) Also started—6 Lady Gay 10.5 (P. McBrearty), 5 Eonmark 9.6 (H. Gordon), 4 Asleep 9.6 (J. Procter), 9 Moutoa Lady 9 (H. E. Ryder), Peter 9.3 J (H. McSweeney),'7 Matu 9 (P. Holman). Neck; five lengths. 2.9 J. HUTT HANDICAP, Of 400 §ovs; one mile. 3 W. H. Broad's b g Tommy Dodd, Solferino—Kilberry, 4yrs, 9.6 (F. E. Jones) 1 9 —E. L. Riddiford’s Fool's Paradise, Absurd—Mascot, 4yrs, 8.5 (E. Keesing) 2 7 —G. M. Currie's br c The. Thorn, Absurd—Rose Queen, *3yrs, 9.2 (L. G. Morris) 3 (Winner trained by F. W. Ellis, In- , vercargill.) Also started—l2 Degage 8.13 (C. McGovern), 5 Tresham 8.10 (R. Reed). 2 Siaosi 8.8 (W. Rvan), 6 Gaze 8.5 (B. Morris), 11 Good Sport 8.4 (W. Baeby), 1 Father O'Flynn 8.3 (J. Barry), 8 Tiega 8.4£ (D. Watts), IS Archeen 7.13 (C. Davies), 16 Santonio 7.13 (A. McCormac), 15 Modern 7.12 (H. Wiggins), 17 Printemps 7.11 (W. Jones), 14 Star Area 7.10 (J. Potter), 4 Zaragoza R.l (McCarten), 10 Clandhu 7.7 (T. Green). Length; half a length. 1.89. TRENTHAM GOLD CUP, Of 1000’sovs; two miles. 1 — A. W. Williams's b g Rapine, Martian—Pineta, 6yrs, 9.4 (R. Reed)... 1 2 W. T. Hazlett's ch ,m Gold Light, Hymettus—Simper, 6yrs, 9.2 (F. Waddell) 2 4 G. M. Currie’s br g Mask. Lixnond —Cowl, 3yrs, 8.2 (M. McCarten) ... 3 (Winner trained by <T. H. Jefferd, Hostings). Also started—s Income 9.4 (L. G. Morris), 3 Count Cavour 9 (C. Porter). Four lengths; two lengths. 3.31 J.

MURITAI HANDICAP, Of 300 sovs; one mile. 1 — V. Riddiford s b o Indian Sage, Catmint—Chakwana, 3yrs, 8.10 (ft. Reed) 1 7 —C. Louisson's b m Kilmiss, Kilboy —Marty, syrs, 7.7 (T. Green) 2 5 T. F. Rolling's b f Phantasy, Kilboy—Conceit, syrs, 7.4 (S. Wilson) 3 (Winner trained by S. J. Reid, . Trentham). Also started—2 Perle de Leon 9.3 (L. Morris), 6 De Luxe (8.11 (R. Mackie), a Star Shell 8.4, 10 Sarty 7.13 (W. Brown), 4 Othon 7.12 (E. Keesing), 3 Anklet 7.10 (J. Barry), 9 Bon March 7.9 (W. Bagby), 5 Phantasy 7.4 (S. Wilson), 12 Tannadice 7.3 (N. Trills). Head; two lengths. 1.405. PACIFIC HANDICAP, Of 600 sovs; six furlongs; for two-year-olds. 9—l. Lupton's b c Kiosk, Tea Tray— Rosie Desmond, 8.2 (B. Morris) ... 1 7—R. J. Harper's b g Elthein, Elysian —Chancery, 8.2 (J. Barry) 2 6 W. R. Kembail's Hynanna, Hymcstra—Miss Nannn, 7.10 (K. Mackie) 3 (Winner trained by W. R. Dwyei, Wanganui). Also started —2 Limited 9.7 (M. McCarten), 3 Tea Bell 9.4 (W. S. Bagby), 4 Seatown 9.2 (R. Reed), 1 Alyson 8 (T. Green), 6 Hymgreat, bracketed with Hynanna 7.2 (A. Brown), 13 Vertigern 7.4 (W. Brown), 5 Rascnl 7.4 (L. 'J. Ellie), 10 Battlement 7 (C. Eastwood), 12 Beth 7 (E. Dunn), 8 Eloquent 7 (W. Jones), 11 Bronstell 7.3 (H, Wiggins), 14 Direction 7.3 (N. Trillo). Short head. 1.12. AUTUMN HANDICAP, Of 800 sovs; one mile and three furlongs. 2 A. B. Williams's Star Stranger, Martian—Star Lady, 4yrs, 8.1 (K. Reed) 1 9—E. George's blk g Hipo, Potoa— High Jinks, aged, 7.5 (H. Wiggins) 2 5—R. A, McKenzie's Piuthair, Kilbroney—Blackada, 3yrs, 7.3 T. Green) 3 (Winner trained by J. H. Jefferd, Hastings.) Also started: 4 Royal Divorce 9.2 (E. Keesing); 1 Listening Post 8.13 (F. E. Jones), 3 Baldowa 8.6 (A. Didliam), 8 Merry Day 8.6 (D. Watts), 6 No'var 7.9 (W. S. Baby), 7 Phoenix Park 7.0 (W. Jones), 12 Opa 7.4 (N. Trillo), 10 Rivalry 7.0 (<J. Eastwood), 11 Mount Marta 7.0 (T. Tito). Length; length. 2.18 J.

SUBURBAN HANDICAP, Of 500 sovs; six furlongs. Dr. J. E. Roger's b m Set Sail, Solferino— Strathpeffer, 4yrs, 8.0 (L. ElJis) 1 O. G. Macindoe's b g L© Choucas, Magpie—Kiki, 3yrs, 7.8 (W. S. Bagby) 2 J. Gleeson'a br m Merr.v Jest, Ab-surd-Yes, 4yrs, 7.6 (H. Wiggins) 3 Wiggins) 3 Also started —11 Inferno 9.0 (B. Morris), 5 Tukia 8.13 (M. McCarten), 2 Lady Ridicule 8.10 (W. Ryan), 3 Motley 8.10 (L. Morris), 8 Shirley 8.8 (F. Waddell), 16 Tanadees 7.13 (R. Mackie), 12 Los Ambus 7.7 (A. Didham), 1 Polyphemus 7.5 )T. Green), 15 Nadarino 7.5 (P. Page); 14 Haiti 7.4 (C. Davies), 9 Centrepiece 7.3 (C. Eastwood), 13 First Acre 7.1 (W. Jones), 17 Misgovern 7.0 (S. Wilson). Neck; head. I.ll}. BELMONT HANDICAP, Of 300 sovs; six furlongs. 1— C. J. Preston's b h Benzora, Bisogne—Lady Ora, 4yrs, 9.1 (M. McCormac) l 4—V. Riddiford’s b c Minotus, Poiynotus—Minoa, 3yrs, 8.4 (R. Reed).. 2 2 David and Nicholson's ch m Ballymoy 11., Sonning—Ballykill, 4yrs, 9.2 (W. Ryan) 3 (Winner trainod by C. Jackson, Hawera.) Also started—s Receipt 8.10 (F. Voight), Newbury King 8.7 (M. McCarten), 15 Bonideer 8.0 (R. Mackie), 3 Dobbin 8.0 (H. Goldfinch), 9 Tempean 7.13 (E. Keesing), 6 King Broney 7.11 (M. McDonald), 7 Berinthia 7.2 (H. 'Wiggins), 13 Gardenia 7.0 (C., Eastwood), 14 Thomond 7.0 (E. Tn«e), 10 Black Mint 7.11 (T. Green), 12 Mountain Jean 7.0 (W. Jones), 11 Joyeuse 7.0 (C. Goulsbro). Neck. 1.121. OWNERS WHO WON STAKE MONEY Mr A. B. Williams, for whom Star Stranger won the St. Leger and a handicap, and for whom Rapine won the Gold Cup, was the biggest stake winner at the meeting, his prize-money totalling £IB6O. The list is £ A. B. Williams iB6O V. Riddiford 870 Mrs R. B. Stiven 700 W. H. Broad 630 J. Lupton 420 J. E. Rogers. £350: W. T. Hazlett, R. A. McKenzie, ,£290; C. J Preston, .£270; F. W. Smith, ,£270; G. M. Currie, £240; Davis and Nicholson, .£210; W J Craig, .£210; T. H. Lowry, ,£'2lo; (L E Trevor, £200; H. L. Russell, £200; W. A. Fuller, ,£200; E. George, £160; J 4, Harper, £150; J. Phillips, £120; W. R, Kemball, £120; H. M. Speed, £100; C. G. Mclndoe, £100; B. Riddiford. £80; H. P. F. Blundell, £6O; T. F Helling. £6O; C. Louisson, £6O; J. Gleeeon, £SO; H. B. Lorrigas, £SO; J. Frederic, £3O. SUCCESSFUL JOCKEYS Roy Reed won more races than any other horseman at the meeting; he won four races, while B. Morris, L. Morris and J. L. Ellis won two each, and W. H. Jones, A. Didham, T. Green, W. Ryan, F. B. Jones and A. McCormac won on© each. 1 TRAINERS OF WINNERS J. H. Jefferd and F. IV. Ellis each produced three winners, S. J. Reid two, and H. S. Greene, F. Davis, G. Hope, T. Lloyd, A. Goodman, IV. H. Dwyer, and N. Cunningham one each. MARTIAN AND SOLFERINO TO THE FORE Martian's wonderful record as a sire of big winners was embellished by the two successes of Star Stranger and the victory of Rapine. Other sires represented by winners were Polydamon (Perle de Leon), King John (Magna Charta), Balboa - (Baldowa), Grand Parade (Grand Knight), Kilbroney (Piuthair), Solferino (Toraniy Dodd twice and Set Sail). Sonning (Ballymoy II.), Panmurc (Pantagruel), Catmint (Indian Sage), Tea Tray (Kiosk), Bisogne (Benzora). NOTES ON~THE RACING Gold Light pulled up lams on Saturday. It is difficult to say if the trouble, affected her in the race. Every lover of a great mare will hope that the lameness will pass off and that she will be able to take her place in the Awapuni Gold Cup field,on Wednesday. On the day between the two racing days at Trentham Polyphemus ran half a mile in 48J. This accounted for his being made favourite on Saturday. In his Tace he failed completely. The secretary of the Wellington Racing Club, Mr J. M. Griffiths, was taken ill on Saturday, but was at the course, willing hands lent him what assistance they could, and the meeting went off with the usual smoothness that denotes good management. Saturday was the second, occasion, on which Rapine won a Gold Cup, the previous occasion being in 1923, when he was a three-year-old. Terle de Leon ran below his true form on Saturday. Half a mile from home he looked to have a royal chance, but he finished well back.

Tommy Dodd is better than the average patron of Trentham thought he was, and lie oroved that after all the handlcapper was right when he placed him decidedly at the head of the weights for the- Hutt Handicap. M. McCarten rode Zaragoza 61b overweight in the Hutt Handicnp. Probably Trainer F. D. Jones preferred 911 experienced jockey to an apprentice in order to get a line on Zaragoza’s capabilities for events ahead. Hynanna ran two good races at Tren tham, and gives the imuression he will develop into a useful handicap horse, though perhaps not a first-flighter. The Joculaior - filly. Beth, showed a lot of pane on Saturday, and when she steadies down should be able to place a stake to her credit. Alyson was sent out favourite for the Pacific Handicap, but she failed to get out well and tailed the field all the way to the straight. She had too much ground to make up from there on, and was outside a place at the finish. Kiosk and Elthein, who fought out the finish of the Pacific Handicap, are both trained bv W. H. Dwyer, of Wanganui. Both started at long prices. Listening Post has run well at Tren. tham on occasions, but his efforts this year indicate that he has slipped a little. Piuthair was verv unlucky in the Autumn Handicap. This filly is good. Though Hipo was given out by some who saw him run at EUerslie as a certainty for the Autumn Handicap, he was paying a substantial double figure 1*? win. Ho came from well backhand was flyiU" in second place at the finish. L. J. Ellis, w r ho won both the open six

furlong events at the meeting, looks to lie about the smallest jockey riding. The crowd gave the little fellow a round of hearty applause when he came back to weigh in on Saturday. Merry Jest is better now than ever before. Her defeat on Saturday was a very narrow one. Ballymoy 11. and Benzora fought out the finish of the last race on Thursday, and they were at it again on Saturday, but on this occasion others joined in. Benzora won, and Ballymov TT. was placed third. Both registered flue performances, and are good hacks, hut the honours were with the Auckland mare, who began from a very bad position and was battling all the way. Baldowa ran another good race on Saturday, but. his Tider did not persevere with him quite enough in the straight. Royal Divorce gave another disappointing performance on Saturday. WAIPAPAKAURI RACES GOLD MINT ACCEPTS. Per Press Association. WHANGAREr, April 17. Gold Mint wag omitted in the acceptances fur the Maiden Plate, at Waipapakauri meeting.

FURTHER RACING NEWS WILL BE FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGft.

jt First day ... 42,091 41,681 Second day ... 66,2474 65,2474 Totals 106,9281 Decrease 2,310