TWO DEAD HEATS AT MEETING

Southland Times, Issue 23648, 25 October 1938, Page 10

TWO DEAD HEATS AT MEETING

DEFAULTER NEARLY BEATEN

FRANCIS DRAKE’S EFFORT IN HARCOURT STAKES

(Special to The Times) WELLINGTON, October 24. Beau Gallante led the field in the Rona Hurdles Handicap to the five furlong post, where he was pulled up because of getting his tongue over the bit. Pango then went to the front ana led into the straight from Tareha and Sunee. The last-named made a faulty jump at the last fence and although Pango was hotly challenged by Tareha he had a comfortable win, while Sunee, with a late effort, got to within a head of Tareha. Southern Blood, Redolent, Alloa and Entheos followed. An exciting finish in the _ Spring Novice Handicap gave the Riccartoh filly, Good Passage, a narrow verdict from the favourite Beaupartir. The latter was the early leader, but was displaced at the five furlong post, by Good Passage, who led into the straight from Beaupartir, Morning Flight, Saki and Hagen. Beaupartir drew up to Good Passage early in the run home and was in front 100 yards from the post, but the latter came again in the last few strides to snatch victory by half a head. This pair had the finish to themselves as the third horse was five lengths away with Namara, Kindly, Hagen and Te Morehu next. The second dead heat of the meeting was recorded in the Tararua Handicap. The favourite, Royal Star 11, led from the early stages and piloted Punurua, Misurina, Phalanx and Trebor into the straight. Punurua drew alongside the favourite a few chains from the post and the pair settled down to a neck and neck struggle, the judge being unable to separate them. Nerena finished from the middle of the field to get third from Lady Lyric, with Erlick, who was last away, and Vadanoe next. Nora Gregor, by Bulandshar, justified her favouritism for the Roseneath Handicap by an all-the-way win. She was followed throughout by Vascones, by Gascony, who tired badly and only hung, on long enough to hold off Serenata, by Nightmarch from Praise. For second Millament, by Beau Pere, was four lengths away in front of the second choice Pen, who lost several lengths at the start. Wild Chase and Lucullus Lad .had a close dispute for favouritism in the Pearce Handicap. The latter was first away and led round the top and into the straight from Rollicker, The Crooner, Royal Minstrel and Homily. Lucullus Lad and Rollicker -were fighting out a sustained finish when Homily, who was well back at the straight entrance, dashed up on the outside and gathered them in in the last few strides to win going away, Lucullus Lad just holding on for second money from Rollicker. Waitaka, with a late run, was a good fourth, in front of Royal Minstrel and Wild Chase, with Kinnoull in place. Wild Chase, when going well behind Homily at the half-mile, evidently got on to her heels and narrowly missed a fall. He took some time to recover, and was never afterwards able to get within reach of the leaders.

Defaulter, at a cramped price for the Harcourt Stakes, followed Francis Drake from the start until turning for home, where he drew past him and 50 yards from the post was four lengths in front, but when his rider, stopped riding on him Defaulter stopped almost to a canter and Francis Drake flashed up and missed snatching the honours from him only by a short head. Arctic King was four lengths away, six lengths in front of The Buzzer. Defaulter would probably have won by a wide margin if his rider had kept at him. It was a case of a colt who is notoriously lazy taking advantage of his easing up and the rider was caught unawares. At a meeting of the stewards after the race Humphries admitted he rode over-confidently and was fined £lO. Rakahanga, the favourite for the Nai Nai Handicap, was first away and led into the straight from Triune, Ivar, Debham and Majority. The last named came through on the inside at the false rail and, gradually drawing past the leader, won with a good deal in hand. Triune finished fast to deprive Rakahanga of second honours at the post. Ivar was a length away in front of Mittie, Whirling and Debham. Nightdress was favourite for the Ruahine Handicap. She was well up early, but was one of the rear division turning for home and finished well back, but the second choice, Dainty Sue, made amends for her ill-luck on the first day by an impressive win. Sigurd led into the straight from Son and Heir, Screamer, Earl Colossus, Dainty Sue and Lady Rosette. Inside the distance Dainty. Sue showed out in front and holding off all challengers secured a narrow verdict from Le Toquet, who came from well back, while the Riccarton gelding, Waka, finished fast into third place, just in front of Lady Rosette, Rustem and Screamer in line.

ROYAL CHIEF AND AJAX TO MEET AGAIN SILVER BOND WINS AT GEELONG . (Received October 24,10.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, October 24. Royal Chief and Ajax will meet again in the Mackinnon Stakes next Saturday. Fred Jones, the trainer, is pleased with Royal Chiefs progress, though he is not hopeful of . turning the tables on Ajax, whom Jones considers a wonderful horse. ■> Balkan Prince was sold today for 140 guineas. Silver Bond, trained by J. Fryer for Mr J. Barton, won the second div'Xm of the Centenary Cup at Geelong today. Raeburn was narrowly beaten by Manolive in the Vincent Handicap. Sir Ken and Saccone failed in the Trial Handicap. Ortelle’s Star has been rehandicapped 61b in the Melbourne Cup, and will be ridden by A. Breasley. i J. Holt is pleased with Nuffield’s gallop on-Saturday, but the crisis is not over. The colt is expected to be fit for the Derby, but the veterinary surgeon fears a possible breakdown if the horse starts in the Cup. Every effort will be made to run the colt in both races.