DOUBLEACK AN IMPROVER

Southland Times, Issue 23649, 26 October 1938, Page 10

DOUBLEACK AN IMPROVER

Foxlove’s* Fine Form At Gore MOONRAIDER’S CLASSIC ENGAGEMENTS Nominations for the Southland Racing Club’s spring meeting close on November 2. Willie Win It is reported that Willie Win was distinctly lame after racing at Trentham. Rebel Mate Injured Rebel Mate was savaged by Willie Win on the voyage from Lyttelton to Wellington and he has a badly-bitten hock. Well Beaten z

Half and Half was not started the first day at Gore as he did not do too well on the trip, but he was produced in the Farewell Handicap on the second day, for which he shared favouritism with Cintilla. After losing ground at the start the Balboa gelding did not show up at any stage, while Ardmayle, who set the pace, did not make it any easier for those who had any leeway to make up. Half and Hair cannot be overlookeji when raced at the Cup meeting on account of this defeat. Out of Hack Class

Nightdress’s win at Trentham on Saturday was his third in succession for Messrs A. S. Elworthy and D. Gould. It put him out of the hack class, but he looks capable of making a useful addition to the ranks of middle-distance horses in the open class. He showed ability to run out a mile and a-quarter last spring when he finished second with 8.10 in the Otaio Plate at Riccarton.

Engaged at Riccarton Moonraider, who is engaged to contest the New Zealand Derby and New Zealand Oaks, at Riccarton next month, was only produced the first day at Gore when she finished third to Gay Vixen and Cone Peak over six furlongs run in Imin 17 2-ssec. This was only her second start and under the circumstances it was a capital effort as she was prominent in the running right through and hung on well at the finish. Moonraider will be improved by the recent racing she has had as T. E. Pankhurst has not hurried her in her work. She is by Night Raid from Aspiring, by Some Boy II from Silver Peak.

Stewards’ Candidates Two Stewards’ Handicap candidates, in Araboa and Moneyless, were raced at Gore, but neither , was able to get into the money. Araboa appeared to be carrying more condition than usual and the racing he had can be expected to bring him on for his Riccarton engagements. The first day he was raced over eight furlongs and a-half and was one of the leaders until the top of the straight when he dropped out. On Monday he started in the open six and after-being chopped back at the start did not threaten danger, at any stage. Araboa looks big and well and he should not be far from his best when the New Zealand Cup meeting comes ‘round. Moneyless had every chance in his races and on the strength of his form he cannot be seriously considered in # the Stewards’ Handicap. Cintilla’s Form

Cintilla, who will be taken to Riccarton next month with Milford, was produced twice at Gore and, carrying big weights, finished fourth each day. The first day he was chopped back at the start, but on Monday he had every chance and received the best of the start. He had to be made a good deal of use of to get to the front at the far turn and he showed little dash over the last furlong. Foxlove on the day always had his measure at the weights.

Promising Race Doubleack ran by far his best race to date when he finished third to Foxlove and Straightdell over a mile on Monday. It was a field of good-class hacks he was opposed to and, with the exception of the winner, he was finishing on better than anything else. In most of his races Doubleack has been slow to find his feet in the early stages and on Monday he confirmed the opinion that he may win good races over middle distances. He is only a three-year-old, being by Balboa from Morse Signal, the dam of Trebleack and Waitoru. Brilliant Customer Although he failed to finish in the money Silver Choir showed more speed than any novice produced at Gore. The first day he lost several lengths at the start and, after rushing up to third place at the far turn and holding this position to the straight, it was not surprising that he stopped in the run home. On Monday he was one of the leading division with half a mile to go, but did not sustain his run in the straight Silver Choir is not an easy horse to handle by any means, but he would only require to stand up to work to soon win his way from his present company. Best Hack Foxlove, who has been nominated to race at the New Zeaalnd Cup meeting next month, was by far the best hack produced at Gore. He was making his first appearance after an Absence of some weeks when he won over six furlongs the first day. In similar company the second day he was solidly supported, but he took no part in the race, Later he was produced in a mile hack race and scored one of the most comfortable wins of the meeting. The Gallant Fox gelding did not have to be ridden out to defeat Straightdell and Doubleack in Imin 44 4-ssec, time he could have bettered had he been (required to do so. He is a very easy galloper and, if taken to Riccarton next month, may prove the best of the Southland contingent to make the trip. Foxlove was a lazy track-worker last term and was inclined to be slow to find his feet in his races. This season he has put much more dash into his work and in his races, too, he has been able to go with his field in the early stages, while he has the ability to stay on better than most.

Successful Return

The success of Mona’s Song in the Charlton Hack Handicap on the first day promoted her from hack company. The Songbird mare has come to hand much earlier than she did last season and, as she can both sprint and stay, little difficulty will be experienced in placing her to advantage. Already she has proved that she is well up lo open company.