NOTES ON THE RACING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23952, 30 October 1939, Page 2

NOTES ON THE RACING

(Special to Dailv Times) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 28. The conditions were ideal for the Banks Peninsula Racing Club’s meeting, which provided the final opportunity for a race before the opening of the Riccarton carnival.. The popularity of this excellent racecourse was shown in the large attendance, and there was some capital sport. Airline and Nlgella began best, from the rails. In the Okains Trial Stakes, but Hearth, from wide out. moved up fast to join Airline after two furlongs, where Nlgella drifted back quickly. Lady Don and Royal Lassie followed the two leaders to the home turn, with Sweet Mvstery next. Airline then weakened. Lady Don moving up to Hearth, who drew away in the straight to win decisively Sweet Mystery stuck on well for third, with Royal Lassie. Airline, Bvetown, rnd Mosgiel heading the others. Hearth, a three-year-old by Paladin from Kerbside, showed promise at Washdyke, and is likely to improve As usual. Fascinator streaked to the front early In the Kailuna Hlgh-welght Handicap, with Twenty Grand, Knight Commander, Benevolent, and Ngaltama next. Ngaltama made a move after two furlongs, being second along the back. Pink Lad started a run at the flve-fur-long post. Ngaltama retired at the home turn, Pink Lad and Knight Commander following Fascinator to the straight, where the last-named was done with Pink Lad then went on In front but In a hard finish Knight Commander got up to beat him on the post. Shanghai Lily, after being', last all the way tc the home turn, stayed on to be a moderate third, but it was below her best form. Benevolent headed the others. Fascinator being last. Knight Commander repented his Ranglora success, but he had nothing to spare. Prince Travis and Imperial Jade were the early leaders in the Duvauchelle Trot Handicap, with Durability, Silver Flash, Kohua, and Girl Pat heading the others. Loyal Ruflne went off badly, but moved up fast after two furlongs. Silver Flash, took the lead at the seven-furlong post, and a little further on Loyal Rufine was second, while Imperial Jade, Durability. Girl Pat, Golden River, and Kohua were in the next bunch to the home turn, where Imperial Jade started to drift. Robin Hyde then started a great run.

and an exciting battle up the straight saw Loyal Rufine stall off Robin Hyde by a headi Durability was half a length away, with Silver Flash Golden River, Kohua, and Girl Pat close up, at the head of a big bunch. The winner’s performance was good, after getting off badly. Waikari Chief, Formality, and Special Agent also went away slowly, while Thornworthy failed to start. In a spectacular finish, Wine Card got up in the last stride to win the J. F Buchanan Memorial Handicap. Swordstick and The Wrecker led out from Spartan and Sovereign Lady, Settlement being slow to get going, while Studley Royal was badly left. Capricious moved up after three furlongs, being in third place at the five-furlong post, with Spartan and Sovereign Lady still heading the others. Passaform being next. The three leaders were in line turning for home, but The Wrecker dropped out at the entrance to the straight. Capricious and Swordstiek were fighting out a great battle over the last 100 yards, but Wine Card and Sovereign Lady were closing up Just when Capricious had the measure of Swordstick, Wine Card swooped down to win on the post, with only a neck between second and third. Sovereign Lady was a neck further back, a good performance The Wrecker and Spartan were next, then the favourite, Passaform, who ran a disappointing race. Wine Card put In a great run. She was second to Dictate in this race last year. Phenomenal helped to delay the start ot the Halswell Handicap, and whipped round when the barrier rose, taking no part in the race, while Scold, wide out, was slow to move. Lord Midas and King Gustavo ran post St. Cloud at the end of two furlongs, Improvident, Jed Forest, Lord Lynn, Passenger and Muriet being next There was not much change to the straight, where Scold was moving up fast on the rails. King Gustavo then retired and 50 yards from home Lord Midas had St} Cloud and Scold as his nearest attendants. St. Cloud came home with a rush, beating Lord Midas by a neck, while Scold was three lengths back. Schoolgirl finished fast to be fourth, with King Gustavo, Muriet and Phil next, at the head of a bunch. St. Cloud raced well early in the season, but went out of favour as a result of some poor performances.

Nightcalm directed attention to his chance In the Stewards’ Handicap when he came on in the straight to win the Le Bons Handicap. Lady Leigh and Kilrobe were slow away. Toro Koura soon took charge from Nightcalm and Paper Slipper, but after a little- over a furlong The Sandwichman rushed to the front, to be headed by Kilrobe a little further on Kilrobe led Toro Koura to the straight, where The Sandwichman was drifting Kilrobe was beaten nearly a furlong from the post, where Nightcalm put in his claim. He ran past Toro Koura, but had to be kept going to stall off a late effort from Lady Leigh, who beat Toro Koura decisively. Paper Slipper, looking burly, finished on strongly in fourth place, and the race should Improve him. A year ago Lady Leigh won this event, with Nightcalm second. ••

The Little River Trot was a good race most of the way, though there were only three In the final struggle. Manpower, Boltalre, and Waikari Jack led early, and still were in charge at the home turn with Shadow Queen, Labour Day, Misdeal, and Playwright handy. Boltalre and Waikari Jack were beaten when the straight Was reached, leaving Shadow Queen in charge from Labour Day and Manpower, with Otaua coming fast on the outside. Shadow Queen tired in the last bit, Labour Day being hard driven to beat her on the post, with Otaua a length away. Manpower, Misdeal, and Waikari Jack followed after a gap. The Brackenfleld Handicap was easy for Montessa. who took the lead early and never looked in serious danger of being caught. When, the field, settled down Flame Queen. Guspinl, The Duel, Asia, and King’s Toast followed the leader, and there was not much change at the home turn, except that Guspinl had dropped back a little. Flame Queen challenged in the straight, but Montessa stalled her off decisively by a neck Asia finished well, a length back, while Prudent Prince came with a late rush to be fourth. Guspini, The Duel, Maroha, and Half and Half were next. Montessa is likely to go on to more improvement.