THE HOLIDAY ROUND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17453, 30 December 1930, Page 3

THE HOLIDAY ROUND

SEASON’S BIG RACES COMMENT ON THE RUNNERS Hard and fast tracks suited the favorites at the Mane.wntu Racing Club's meeting, tlm first .choices winning in live out of the eight races on tlm first day, while in two others the favorites tilled second place. The Mnnawatu Cup race was one of the fastest yet run, and Historic! won a. well-merited victory, carrying his weight like a good horse am! coming on from the. furlong post to win by a head from Merry Damon, whose finish just nosed High Ealutin out of second money. The pace was on from tlio start, and none but the fittest of I he field was near the front over the second half of the distance. Tlio conditions' suited the- winner, who was paraded in great fettle for this event. * * * Apart from the sensation caused by the success of the protest against Gay Crest, and the subsequent reversal of the first and second placing,s in favor of Moim\ tlio Auckland Chip rare was ,f,nil of interest. The fast pace set m lias

instance did not favor the more fancied of the runners, and thoy had a lot of ground to make up when the time carao for the final efforts. Gay Crest was prominent at all stages of the event, leading for the first live furlongs, and then holding a /good position in behind Standfast and Gay Cockade to Iho straight. Motero was never badly placed, either, and from the straight entrance tame' on with Gay Crest, battling on gamely even after being crossed by his rival. Those who witnessed the race from good positions were unanimous that Motero would have won but for the interference, and this view was endorsed when the stewards reversed their platings. Concentrate was the only high weight carrier to keep in touch with the leaders, Nightmarch and Star Stranger being hopelessly out of it when Gay Crest, Motere, and Concentrate were deciding the issue. * ■* •» The victory of Ammon 11a in the Great Northern Foal Stakes, by three-quarters of a length from La Poupeo placed the question of two-year-old supremacy beyond discussion, in the opinion of good judges. Ammon Ha’s performances have been consistent, and the two-year-old lias shown powers that should develop with age. * * * It was a good performance that put Hunting Cry a head in front of Great Star at the finish of flic Railway Handicap at Ellerslie. .Hunting Cry and Great. Star filled first and second positions in the same race last year, and this lime they were given a good tussle by Pugaway, who was well in evidence over the last furlong, and was only a head away third. Toxcuma might have had a say in the decision of this event, hut was cut hayk early, and his strong effort towards the finish suggested that this was lucky for the actual place-getters. ‘ # * * The President's Handicap at Awapiini on Saturday was a two-horse contest between the favorites Arrow Lad and White Fang. White Pang made the pace clear oil Arrow Lad, hut Cray had the latter in front entering the straight and he ran home a comfortable winner by nearly two lengths. Spcarmiss showed a return to form by finishing over the beaten lot tor third money three lengths away, just cutting out Nlaghuntor for the position. Staghunter's first effort over a distance was a fair one. It was a good tiling for the winner, who, on his Feihliug, Woodvilie and first day's form, was nicely weighted. lie won with ..ridiculous ease. Lady Quex touched sri short price in the Palmerston North Stakes, hut she duly collected. At the same time she was lint mil at Iho finish. Lady Quex, Consent, and

King Colossus began best from Esteem. King Colossus and Lady Quex led Consent and Esteem past the half, but Lady Quox ran to the front on the home turn, and led into the ,straight from Consent, Esteem and King Colossus, Esteem running out a trifle wide. At this stage Lady Quex was doing it comfortably, but Consent and Esteem drew up on her, and she was doing her best at the finish to beat them by a good half-length. /Mainly through the vigorous riding of L. G. Morris, Consent just managed to squeeze home from Esteem 1 foisecond money; the latter would have been second but for banging out on the turn, and his effort was a very creditable; one. King" Colbwus -ran well for five furlongs. Lady Quex was not quite herself, having had a hot, dusty trip down from New Plymouth, tut she was superior class.