NOTES ON THE RACING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23118, 18 February 1937, Page 14

NOTES ON THE RACING

'Special xo Dailv Times i AUCKLAND, Feb. 17. Going seven seconds better than her handicap, the win favourite Pura Bingen gave a fine display of trotting to score in a close finish in the Manurewa Handicap. It looked as if the place favourite, Vain. Lad, would win when he assumed the lead from All Special after going a mile and led along the back from Pura Bingen, Elissa. All Special, Win Huon and Great Sonoma, Two furlongs and a-half from home Vain Lad broke and interfered with Elissa, who also left her feet leaving Pura Bingen to lead into the straight just clear with Vain Lad, Win Huon, Great Sonoma and Colleen Murphy in hot pursuit. Inside the distaiice Vain Lad had drawn almost level with Pura Bingen and Great Sonoma was endeavouring to come through between them, and Win Huon was also making an effort. Pura Bingen stayed on well to win from Great Sonoma, who paid nearly double figures for a place. Win Huon was a close third, and Vain Lad was almost in line fourth. The second fanev, Handicappcr. was responsible for a good performance in winning the Howick Handicap, finishing in great style after being a long way back early. Handicappcr struck trouble when Bronze Queen broke and went back on Gold Pointer after going about two furlongs and a-half. With a round to go Handicappcr was badlv placed in eighth position and at the home turn he was still behind Worthy Song, Kia Kaha, Accel and Hearsay. However, he outstayed the opposition to win going away from Worthy Song, who made a fine attempt to lead all the wav. Hearsay paced a fine race for third and Kia Kaha was fourth, followed by Accel Bold Venture and Dainty Lady. The public were right on the mark when the favourites, Horsepower and Axminstcr, finished first and second in the North Island Challenge Slakes, the first race for two-year-old pacers in Auckland. Real Jewel began very smartly, and led for five furlongs, when he gave way to Axminstcr and Horsepower, who drew' right away

from the others. Rounding the home turn Horsepower, on the outside, had his head just in front of Axminster, and they had a great race home, Horsepower winning by a long head. Hillcrest did best of the others to be a moderate third, and Sandusky, was fourth after breaking and losing a lot of ground early. The each-way favourite Lucky Jack, who was at odds-on on the straightout machine, showed himself to be a line stayer in winning the Alexandra Park Handicap. Frisco Lady went out fast, but was joined before going half a mile by Star Pronto, who was in front at the ■ mile and a-qu'arter. The field was in close order commencing the last lap, and Star Pronto continued to make play to lead into the straight from Lucky Jack, Frisco Lady, Gold Dredge, and Lady Fame. Once they straightened up Lucky Jack challenged, and he finished in resolute fashion to score by half a length from Gold Dredge, who also stayed on well. Frisco Lady was a good third, and Star Pronto, who broke near the post, was fourth, followed by King’s Guide and Lady Fame. The place favourite Kenworthy recorded a meritorious in winning, the Rangitoto Handicap. Bismuth led early, but he broke after going two furlongs and upset the field, badly interfering with Happi, Royal Jewel, and Kewpie’s Crest, who had their chances extinguished. Lucky. Love was then left in charge from Compass, Argolis, and Maunga Tangi. Going along the back Kenworthy commenced a fast run, and after being behind Compass, Lucky Love,. and Argolis at the home turn, he finished attractively to win from Compass, who battled on solidly. Argolis was a good third, and Lucky Love was fourth, followed by Maunga Tangi and Lady Amanda.; Kenworthy had to cover a good deal of ground, and thoioushly deserved his victory. . Swordsman failed to. trot, steadily in the Forbes Handicap and had to lower his colours to Audo Patch, who gave a solid display after being a trifle slow away. Great Sonoma, Debutante, and ■Mute had turns in the lead in the first mile, but the first-named made more than one mistake and was finally nulled no while Debutante was alsa unsteady. 3 Audo Patch was in charge commencing the last lap, and at the half-mile was closely followed by Mute, Swordsman, and Meadow King. Swordsman and Meadow King broke, and Audo Patch was never afterwards headed, winning comfortably from Swordsman, who lost a fine chance by making another break when going fast st the turn. Mute made a creditable showing for third, and Meadow King was fourth, ahead of Gala Day and Debutante. . The Canterbury trainer R. B. Beiry gained his third driving success,.of. the day when he steered Our Peggy to victory in the Richmond Handicap. The field went away well and Claudelahds made the running Our Peggy, Bedford, True Trust, and Mountain Flight, who were -in close , order. A"little over two furlongs from home Our Peggy joined Claudelands m-front, and they were in charge entering the straight from Mountain Flight .and, Bedford. Below the distance. Our Peggy was just in front and she stalled off: a determined challenge from Moun-tain-Flight to win going away from the latter. Bedford battled on gamely for third, and Claudelands was fourth. The next to' finish were Hot Point and Superfine. Ranfurly Lass was lame after doing her preliminary, withdrawn with the permission of the stewards, all investments upon her being refunded. Beginning very smartly from me limit, the each-way favourite Frisco Lady .scored an end to end victory in the Farewell Handicap. Ringtrue, Our M‘Kinney, and Nervie’s Last broke early, and at the end of a furlong Frisco Lady was clear of Kings Guide and Gold Dredge. With three furlongs covered, Star Pronto joined Frisco Lady in the lead, and they carried on the running, with King’s Guide and Gold Dredge in close attendance, ahead of Our M’Kinney. A furlong from the post there was little between Frisco Lady, Star. Pronto, and Gold Dredge, and Frisco Lady finished best to win by three-parts of a length from Star Pronto. Gold Dredge was a close third, and King’s Guide was right up fourth, followed by Ringtrue and Our M’Kinney. V . -v > f r..