COMMENT ON THE RUNNING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26350, 3 January 1947, Page 7

COMMENT ON THE RUNNING

(Special) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 2. In the Mood, never further back than fourth, came home fast to win the chief event, the Mason Handicap, decisively. Lady Dawn set the pace with Parrish Lad, In the Mood, Navigate, and Safety Pin following. This was still the order when they started the last round save that Navigate had moved up to third place. He was second at the three-furlong post and joined Lady Dawn in the lead at the entrance to the straight. Lady Dawn was soon beaten and In the Mood came along to beat Navigate by over a length. Parrish Lad finished on to cut Lady Dawn out of third place, with Battle Colours and Safety Pin next. The favourite, Plunder Bar, was fractious at the start and his chance was quickly gone. Cameronian’s Double Cameronian repeated his first day’s form to win the Au Revoir Handicap easily. Pre-eminence soon took charge, but Cameronian and Loyal Peter headed him after three furlongs, with Sea Born and Dundee Sandy close up. Loyal Peter ran into trouble going to the back. Dundee Sandy moved up at the three-furlong post, but he had no chance with Cameronian, who won easing up. Jack’s Son was a poor third, with Bill Scott, Margaret Hall and Pre-eminence next. Coral Princess was soon in front in the Charles Cross Stakes, but Couhty Antrim and Golden Game headed her at the mile post. Sir Michael was well placed at this stage and he moved up along the back, taking charge in the straight, and hanging on to win by a length from Coral Princess. with Gay Piper and County Antrim ■ heads away. Free Fight, who was next, came home fast, after being badly placed till near the home turn. Sir Michael won this race as a three-year-old last season, and though he has not won a two-mile race he looks on the way to good class. Tolerate led Bridget Mac and Belle Header in the Progressive Handicao, but Bridget Mac took charge starting the last round. Gold Weed, who was seventh at this stage, moved up along the back and was third to the straight. Bridget Mac then broke, leaving Belle Header in front, but Gold Weed beat her easily. Loyal Flier, who broke early, came home fast in third place. There was a long gap to Tolerate and Parwrack, who headed the others. Never Caught Scholarship took the lead at the end of a furlong in the Middleton Handicap and was never caught. Noble Reta and Lady Spray followed him, while Bonny Bridge and Play Safe joined in at the mile post. Blen Sur and Lady Spray moved up at the home turn, but Scholarship beat them home easily. Limerick Pride broke at the start. Willie Winkie, from the back mark, soon moved up to a good position in the Hornby Handicap, and he won well. He followed David Dryden, Jock McGrath, and Castigate after going a furlong, but Jock McGrath and Castigate retired five furlongs from home. Willie Winkie Dryden at the entrance to the straight and then stalled off Nationalist and Royal Dale, both of whom came home fast, with David Dryden and Royal Stone heading the others. The favourite. Golden Amazon, broke at the start, where Rerewaka also lost ground. Special Force soon drew out from Fancy Goods, Elvo’s Pride, and Margaret Hall in the Selwyn Handicap. There was no change till half a mile from home, where Fancy Goods ran to the front and went on to win easily from Native Scott, who made up ground in the run home to beat Margaret Hall for second place. Won in Lasts Stride Quite Happy took the lead from Tam o’ Shanter, Wade Lane, and Manpower after half a mile in the Prebbleton Handicap, while Northern Lass and Windermere joined in a little further on. Quite Happy led to the straight, but Manpower dashed past him on the rails near the post, only to be headed by Wade Lane in the last stride. Northern Lass and Tam o’ Shanter were close up. A section of the crowd showed some dislike for two of to-day's winners. Scholarship and Fancy Goods, who had failed on the previous day when favourites. The improved form of Fancy Goods was the subject of an inquiry, but, after hearing evidence by her trainerdriver, it was decided to take no action.