RACING NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22066, 23 September 1933, Page 19

RACING NEWS

By Sentinel. June the Third still loots very light in condition, but gallops well. Draculawas well up in the Raukapuka Handicap at Geraldine on Thursday when he got badly bumped. Royal Sceptre has not been In training very long, and should show improvement if not over-raced. Errantry put up a smart gallop when he ran second to Hurlingham at Geraldine. Great Star tailed off in the Squatters’ Handicap, and although looking well to the eye did not show his usual dash. - Kerbside showed speed on the first day at Geraldine, but is still a bit of a handful in a race. Royal Amphora has a lot of speed, and will be more dangerous at six than seven furlongs. At Geraldine the improved Manetho just beat him in the last stride. Nightly would have' been unlucky to miss a win in the Belfield Handicap. He got into a pocket a furlong from home, and had to make a good run to get up and win. On the other hand, Gallant Fox was nnlucky that the pocket opened a bit too soon. The seven-furlong starting post at Geraldine is badly placed, and only a smart beginner should be favoured for a race over the distance. Grand Finale did not get away too well oil the first day, and this was an extra handicap on his chance. Hystride is improving in his hurdling, and may develop useful form over the small sticks. Gaysome has not grown much Since last season, but has thickened out a bit. She stayed-on well when she won the Ohapi Handicap. Gold Knight did_ not seem able to go the hot pace set in the First Hurdles at Geraldine, and tailed off. It also settled Royal Limond, who ran a bad race. Ranelagh stayed on, well when he won the Geraldine Cup, and really had Chrysology’s measure over a furlong from home. Still, Chrysology might have lasted longer with a stronger rider up. The same tactics that were successfully used with Tea Garden at Ashburton were tried again at Geraldine. He had 121 b more to carry, and was meeting Don Jose on 111 b worse terms. At Geraldine Tea- Garden was not allowed to have matters all big own way, and Don Jose was sent up to him about six furlongs from home. Don Jose kept Tea Garden up to his work, and with the pull in the weights—in - addition the latter heavily rapped the second last hurdle—outstayed him in the run home. Tea Garden jumps well when allowed to go out to the front, but did not act so well when Don Jose carried him into the hurdles. When Irish Lancer won the Jockey Club Handicap with 7.0 in Imin 39sec ho finished two lengths in front of Ranelagh, who finished third, and was giving 81b to the winner. In the President’s Handicap at Geraldine Ranelagh is again giving the imported horse Blb at a higher scale of weights, and if Irish Lancer could be relied upon to repeat his best form he would be entitled to' a chance. Irish Lancer is still doubtful at the barrier and dwelt at the start of the Squatters’ Handicap, with the result that he had to give away four or five lengths to those who hopped out smartly. Before Irish Lancer is retired from the turf the writer would like to see his rider carrying instructions to straighten him up with whip and spurs. When Don Jose won the Spreydon Hurdles, run at the Grand National meeting, Rational II finished third, a little over three lengths away, when giving the winner 191 b. In the Second Hurdles at. Geraldine Rational II meets Don Jose on

311 b better terms. Rational II ran a fair race on the flat at Geraldine, and a repetition of his best form over hurdles would make him hard,to beat. The dividends at Geraldine were posted on the £1 basis, as at Riccarton, and this is much preferable to showing it on the 10s basis, which is apt to lead to mistakes, because the full dividend is not posted. On one occasion at a northern meeting two £1 tickets were presented by _ mistake at the 10s window and paid as , two halftickets instead of two full tickets. The mistake was discovered in time to recover the full amount. At Geraldine another good idea of stamping the tickets “ Win ” or “Place" in big type facilitated the identification of the tickets. Handicaps for the first day of the D.J.C. spring meeting are due on Monday. , . Creaseless, who figured in the Ohapi Hack Handicap at Orari on Thursday, is a tecently-named three-year-old filly by Shambles from Bon Bord, dam of Count Cavour and Gustavo, and is trained for Mr J. E. M’Kcnzie by A. S. Ellis. She gave a lot of trouble at the start, and upset some of the others, while she settled her own chances by failing to move off the line. She is a racy-looking filly, but will -haye to mend her barrier manners to do herself justice in a, race. The features of the second division of the Flying Handicap at Rosebery on Wednesday last were the outstanding betting plunge on the New Zealander, Movie Star, his clear-cut victory, and the remarkable run he secured near the rails when coming into the straight (says the Herald). Persian, from J. T. Jamieson’s stable, was the opening favourite, but there did not seem and keen desire to support him, so that when support came for Movie Star Persian receded. Lady Wolaroi ousting him from second favouritism. Although statements were current that Movie Star had bled after his last race, this did not prevent the public from showing the utmost confidence, and when the field lined up it was impossible to secure better than very short odds about him, this price being obtainable in only isolated quarters. Persian and Rory O’More set about the pace-making, and they were followed most of the way by Yallange, with Movie Star in fourth place. Coming to the turn into the straight the leaders went wide. T. Webster was there to take full advantage of the situation, and urging Movie Star along the New Zealander was in charge at the furlong post, eventually winning by three lengths from the outsiders, Psalmist and Highboy, who made up a lot of ground in the straight, Highboy coming through close in, while Psalmist was in the middle of the course. ■