COMMENT ON THE RUNNING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22713, 28 October 1935, Page 6

COMMENT ON THE RUNNING

(PROM OU1! SPECIAL REPORTER.) WELLINGTON, October 27. The Wellington Racing Club’s spring meeting was opened under very unfortunate circumstances, as heavy rain set in overnight and continued on until the afternoon, when the weather cleared, and only light showers fell, during the concluding part of the card. The going became heavy, and placed a different aspect on form established on a dry track. In fact, some horses, such as Kinnonll and Vintage, were struck out of their engagements because the state of the going appeared detrimental to a winning chance. The racing was interesting, although some well-backed horses, such ns Silver Streak, failed owing to the state of the going. The Wellington Handicap was one of the most disappointing races that one could wish to see, and conveyed no line to a stayer’s, chance in the New Zealand Cup. The field ran under a strong hold over the first half-mile, and no one appeared to have instructions to set a pace calculated to make the top-weights feel their burden. Silver Sight pulled himself

to the front after going half a mile, and led until inside the distance, with the rest of the field waiting in behind him. There was a good deal of interference through the crowding that took place, and the principal trouble appeared to hamper Cuddle and Argentic. The race was really a sprint over the final five furlongs instead of one over more than twice the distance. Sanguine King dropped out of the Glen Hurdles, in which they went principally for Black Duke and Esteem. Isms dropped his rider at the second hurdle when in charge with Arctic Star, who led Black Duke over the stand hurdle. Arctic Star was four or five lengths clear of Black Duke racing along the back, with Count Rousillon, Esteem, and Manawatu next. Arctic Star struck heavily at the second last hurdle, but kept going and hit again at the final one. The two mishaps cost him the race. Black Duke was closing on the leader, and Manawatu and Monastic also closed up. The quartet named were almost in line 50 yards from home, and then Manawatu came on to win by a long neck from Monastic. Arctic Star was -i length awy third, a head in front of Black Duke. Red Sun was always in the ruck, and never looked dangerous. Paper Slipper was slow away in the Taita Handicap, but inside the distance had joined the leaders. He then took charge, and looked a sure winner, but Kind Heart came through on the rails and seemed to catch the leader napping, and won by half a length. Kow Tow was three lengths away third, with Imposture. Brilliancy, Mirth, and Deficit next. The winner is a fine type of colt that should be heard of again. A more experienced pilot on Paper Slipper would have made him a winner. Ruri, Kinnoull, Vanestep, Sweet Music, and Tunneller were struck out of the Wainui Handicap. Guarantee started favourite, but got badly away, and had a hopeless chance from the rise of the barrier. Big Dook, Farmer, Happy Landing. and Greek Shepherd were the early leaders, but Wino had taken charge at the far turn, where Guarantee was still last and Superex had dropped back to him. Wino led round from Farmer and a bunched lot and they were still in charge at the distance. West Tor and Jubilee Song then closed on the leader, and Greek Shepherd came with a strong run. Gree.c Shepherd raced up and won going on by a good neck from West Tor, who beat Wino by half a length. Farmer was close up, and then came Big Dook and Jubilee Song. , Shu and Boomerang were the early leaders in the Riniutaka Handicap, and Grev Honour and Top Coat joined them at the turn. Shu then drew clear, and won by two lengths and a-half from Grev Honour, who beat Top Coat by one length and a-half. . Pladie, .West Tor, Calientc, Big Dook, and Senior were struck out of the Wellington Handicap. Cuddle started favourite. The state of the going made punters diffident. There was a muddling pace for about half a mile, with most of the field under a pull, and Argentic getting a bad run. Silver Sight,, Fersen, Spiral and Vanestep were showing the way. and Argentic was last. Cuddle had been up with the leaders but dropped back. Silver Sight, Fersen, and Arctic King led into the straight, where the field closed up. Arctic King came on from the distance and won by two lengths from Fersen, who boat Sitnee by half a length. Argentic was close up fourth, with Walton lark and Vanestep next. It was one of the worst-run races ever seen in an important handicap. The scratching pen was freely used in the Wellesley Stakes, and they went strongly for Wild Chase, with good support for Pelmet, Notium, Moquette, and Dawning Light. They went oft to a good line, but Wild Chase on the extreme outside was a bit slow away. Moquette, Notium, and Pelmet were the early leaders, and they were joined by Wild Chase, Moquette, Pelmet, Wild Chase, and Gay Chief were racing in close order at the distance. Wild Chase, was first to drop out, and in a good finish lelmet stayed on to beat Notium by a neck. Gay Chief was half a length atvay. with Moquette close up. and then came Dawning Light and Wild Chase easing up. Bon Tray, Bodyline, Silver Streak, and Variant, were the early leaders in the Shorts Handicap, and Midian was slow away. Fair Weather began well, but dropped back. Bon Tray led Variant as they straightened for home with Silver Streak, and in. the run home Bon Tray stalled off Variant and beat her by half a length. Silver Streak was a length away and Hant Monde next, followed by Fair Weather and Bodyline. Valarth made a one-horse race of the October Handicap. He was always handy to the leaders, and after receiving a check near the home turn, finally ran to the front and won comfortably. Mount Val went a, good race without, however, being able to jeopardise Valarth s chance of winning.