NOTES ON THE RACING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22790, 27 January 1936, Page 13

NOTES ON THE RACING

(Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, January 25Racing conditions were perfect for the opening of the Takapuna Jockey Club’s summer meeting at Ellerslie to-day, when there were some fine dividends, Mungacre, Tin Laj) and Kurapae all paying double figures on the win machine. The each-way favourite Torch made a one-horse race of the Trial Stakes Handicap, running to the front quickly and drawing right away at the finish. Torch has shown pace in his previous races, and on this occasion ran on much better than formerly, demonstrating that he has made steady improvement since racing at Te Aw’arautu in December. Valise was not too well placed early, and ran on fairly well at the finish for second. Orefielil was always fairly handy, and High Quality was closer in fourth position at the end than at any other stage. High Quality looked big and may be improved with racing.

L’Ailegro scored an overdue victory in the Orewa High-weight Handicap, winning in good style after following the pacemaker, Tea Chat, for most of the journey. It i s evident that I’AHegro is in better form than he has been for some time past and should again race well at his next attempt in the same class. King Tut was responsible for a solid showing, fighting on well in the straight. Lap Up made a fine effort over the last three furlongs, but the task was too great and he tired in the last little bit after almost reaching the leaders inside the distance.

Showing improvement upon his form at Thames last week, Mungacre scored in good style in the Ferry Handicap. He jumped out well from No. I, and after being headed off early by Bellkyrian, Gloucester and King Brierly, came on well in the straight to win from King Brierly, who also showed to more advantage than at Thames, where the going wag soft. The top-weight, Whirling, was unlucky. He and Fleetwind were squeezed back early after hopping out smartly from inside positions, and it was only by a good effort that he got up third. Bellkyrian failed only near the end after showing brilliant speed and Professional, who was badly placed early, did best of the others. Gloucester and Fleetwind performed creditably without having the best of the luck and either may win at any time. The moderately fancied Gay Rose gained a well-deserved victory in the Takapuna Cup, for which Mazir and Royal Appellant were the favourites. Scotland slowed the field down when he ran to the front early, and it was then

that Monanui moved up from a rearward position to join him in the lead. Scotland and Monanui carried on with the paceraaking until the straight was reached, where Kelly and Royal Appellant were the first to challenge. Gay Rose then made an effort and ran on very resolutely to win from Royal Appellant, who fought on tenaciously without being quite good enough for the winner, who was seen at her best after being quietly ridden over the first mile by R. W. M'Tavish. Mazir finished on well after being second to last at the turn, and he may do better. The win favourite Inver missed a place in the Calliope Handicap after failing to jump out well from the extreme outside, Ko. 13. The race was won by the improving Rulette, who was splendidly handled by H. Goldfinch. Rulette was actually first away from the inside, and when Surella ran up to make the pace a cracker she was steadied in just behind. Inside the distance Surella appeared likely to hold on but Rulette just outstayed him in the last little bit. Gay Streak ran on resolutely in the last furlong to be a close third and Inver was fourth. Inver made up some ground quickly just after entering the straight, but he failed to do quite as well aa expected in the last furlong. 1 The Wynyard Plate provided a thrilling finish, the moderately fancied Tin Lap winning narrowly. An outsider, Sweet Rose, carried the field along fast early, and after going a couple of furlongs Prince Ven was just behind her and clear of Tin Lap and Valmint. Coming round the bend into the straight Prince Yen vent up on the outside of Sweet Rose, and soon after straightening up she began to bore him out. Tin Lap and Valmint then made efforts on the inside and then Light Comedy also challenged, Tin Lap having a clear run to win by a head from Valmint, with Light Comedy another head away third. Prince Ven was almost in line fourth.

The consistent three-year-old Galilee gained a narrow t victory from the favourite, Rereatu, giving the Te Awamutu trainer A. Cook his third win of the clay, his earlier winners being Torch and Rulette. Galilee soon ran to the front from Star Artist, who was just on the move at the start. _ Galilee ran on very strongly at the finish to win by half a head from the fast-finishing Rereatu, who was cut off early and was back near the rear, some lengths behind the leaders, approaching the home turn. Princess Star battled on to get third and Crooning was fourth, ahead of Star Artist, Puss Moth, and Boughal. Galilee recorded a sound performance but Rereatu appeared to be a shade unlucky. An outsider in Kurapae brought off a surprise in the Rangitoto Handicap, leading practically throughout and paying the best price of the day. Kurapae ran to the front after going about a furlong and scored very decisively from Tuaheahe, who ran on gamely after being fairly well placed all the way. Te Broney came from well back to get third and Polly Douglas was fourth. Vera Acre, Bonnie Song, and Arawa Rose did best of the others.