STELLA LUX’S HURDLES

Southland Times, Issue 24574, 24 October 1941, Page 3

STELLA LUX’S HURDLES

Minority Narrowly Defeated (Special) WELLINGTON, Oct. 23. GLEN HURDLES HANDICAP.— The hurdle race was won decisively by the fifth favourite each way, Stella Lux. Majority made the pace and was joined at the mile by Great Quex, the others being headed by Student Prince. Rounding the home turn Student Prince and Stella Lux ran up and joined the two leaders, Night Dress following, but not going too well. Stella Lux came down to the last fence in front and ran on to win easily. RIMUTAKA HACK HANDICAP— The Rimutaka Hack Handicap was run in divisions and both’ were won decisively. In the first Daljarrock, Scottish Dale, Sandy Bay and Willow Wood led on to the course proper from Deolali, but at the last furlong Deolali ran to the front and went on to win running away from Sandy Bay, who finished a little better than Daljarrock with Scottish Dale weakening. In the second division the South Island produced a smart performer in the Iliad three-year-old Egyptian Rose. She did not become prominent till well in the straight, up to which stage the prominent places in the running had been occupied by Theatre, Lady Derby, Croupisino, Ata Puwhero and Roeon. WAINUI HANDICAP— There was a great finish to the Wainui mile, Hearth, .who divided favouritism with Wild Talk, just defeating Minority, who was in front a stride past the post. Hearth got a good run on the fence all the way, but Minority was decidedly unlucky. With Kotua he was the last to leave the mark and although he afterwards got a good run through the field on the inner and was handy at the false rail, his effort after giving everything a start was phenomenal. At the halfmile Minority had threaded his way up just in behind Hearth, and Par Avion was also beginning to move forward from well back. Rakahanga took charge at the three furlongs and led into the straight from Boden Park, White Rajah, Flying Spy, Hearth and Minority. Hearth gradually overhauled the leaders to take sole charge just inside the last furlong. In the last 100 yards Minority, sticking to the fence, put in a great challenge and just failed to get up. CHURCHILL STEEPLECHASE: The Steeplechase provided one of the most spectacular races seen on the course. The favourite was the Grand National winner, Astral Flame, and he gave his supporters a great run for their money. He was always one of the leaders and appeared to hold the issue fairly safe coming to the last fence, where he made the only real blunder in the long journey. Before he could recover Summons had ranged alongside and he also ran in badly on Astral Flame, giving the latter a severe check. Summons was then left in sole charge, but Conflagration, finishing strongly from a handy position, wore him down for a decisive win. WELLINGTON HANDICAP: The sixth favourite, Gladynev, outstayed his rivals at the end of the Wellington Handicap. He was always well placed. Night Pilot made the pace until displaced at the mile by Beau Ciel and they were followed by The Raker, Gladynev, The Monarch, Trench Law and Lambourn. Beau Ciel led into the straight from Night Pilot, Amigo, Lambourn, Gladynev, Happy Ending, Trench Law and The Monarch. Night Pilot was clear half-way up the straight, but Gladynev challenged and soon asserted superiority. WELLESLEY STAKES.- Indian Sign added the Wellesley Stakes to his record by a narrow and fortunate win over Rink. Rink drew No. 1 at the post, but missed the jump and was the last on to the course proper. Indian Sign took over from the early leaders, Transcend, Foreign Princess and Dash Up leaving the false rail, but Rink came fast from the distance and got on terms with the leader. Indian Sign was able to produce an extra effort and draw away a little, but Rink was going the better again at the post and just failed. There is no doubt he was very unlucky. SHORTS HANDICAP— The topweight, Kentucky, was responsible for a solid effort in winning the Shorts Handicap from a strong field. He was always fairly handy and in the finish was too good for the three-year-old Burra Sahib, who had run down the leaders in the last furlong. OCTOBER HACK HANDICAP— Battledress and Salutation shared the favouritism in the concluding hack mile, and although Battledress was | called upon to concede the Dunedin Guineas winner 161 b when she claimed an apprentice allowance, he was good enough to do the job. However, had Salutation had a stronger rider the probabilities are that she would have reversed the placings as she had him flat out a good way off the post without her rider being able to draw his whip. Both the winner and the run-ner-up were always fairly handy.

GALLOPS ON GORE TRACK YESTERDAY MORNING’S WORK Training work in preparation for the Gore Racing Club’s meeting tomorrow was carried out on the Gore tracks yesterday morning. A strong wind was blowing for the early morning gallops, and conditions were unpleasant later when the pacers were working. J. R. Cochrane’s team was given the final work-out, and these were the only horses to do any fast work. The trestles were a few feet out from the rails. The track remains hard and fast. Aravane and Rosaleen Dhu were set a mile task and both went over the distance under a strong hold. They finished practically on terms in 1.49. Gold Amber, carrying a lightweight, and Queen Beth went out together over six furlongs. Gold Amber got a break at the jump out, and Queen Beth ran up for the pair to finish practically on terms in 1.19 2-5. Gold Sequin had an advantage of nearly two stone on Lady Adin in a six-furlong gallop. The former had very little advantage at the finishing post, and they covered the distance in 1.18 1-5. The two novices, Red Prize and Red Law, were set a short sprint. The halfmile was covered in 52 2-5, the last three in 40. T. G. Pollock’s team, which galloped on Wednesday, was restricted to slow work yesterday morning. Atua Rere, Red Feather, June Night, Fidelis, Phalanx, Lake Mist and Amoriad all did two rounds of slow pace work. Atua Rere and Phalanx have been given schooling over the hurdles, and both have shown promising form. Work among the pacers was mainly restricted to the schooling of novices yesterday morning. Horses with engagements at Gore were jogged on the inside, and little fast work was done.