TOO SLOW IN EARLY STAGES

NZ Truth, Issue 1167, 12 April 1928, Page 9

TOO SLOW IN EARLY STAGES

Pace Suited Mask In Ellerslie Autumn Handicap (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) There was the material m the mile-and-a-half Autumn Handicap at Ellerslie to make faster time than the 2.36 1-5 registered.

•yHE wonder is that Papatu and other 1 light-weights did not force the pace earlier. It took 53secs. for the half-mile, 1.8 for five, 1.21 for six, 1.33 3/5 for seven and 1.47 for the first mile. This suited Mask, the winner, with his 9.4, and others which were close up. But for a real stayer such as Star Stranger, there is some excuse, as one with 10.3 could hardly be expected to go out and make the pace.

Matters may have panned out even better for Mandane had she forced the pace more out m front. It was really a sprint home and Mask had more final dash than Town Bank, which threatened to win out m front as the last furlong was entered upon. . The false pace set may have had something to do with Princess Ronnie being up third at the close of twelve furlongs.