RACING AT ASHBURTON

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 87, 4 July 1927, Page 6

RACING AT ASHBURTON

WINNER OF NOVICES UNDER ORDERS FOR AUSTRALIA (.Special to THE SUN.-) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The Ashburton County Racing Club held its winter meeting to-day in dull but fine weather. The rain overnight left the course in a heavy state. The totalisator handled £9,091, against £9,891 10s in 1925. Arikiwai, the winner of the Novice Plate, made his field look very ordinary, and the surprising part about his success was the good price he returned his supporters. Arikiwai is by Paladin from Waterspray, hence a half-brother to Pilliewinkie. He claims an engagement in the A.J.C. Derby, and will probably accompany Limerick to Randwick. Besides the Derby he has also been entered for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. The half-brother to Pilliewinkie is built on very solid lines, and looks to have the makings of a racehorse about him. THE OPENING EVENT The Novice Plate saw Arikiwai entrusted with most money, and he justified the support placed in his ability to win by scoring in very easy fashion. When the barrier was skied Arikiwai and Miss Trillion were the first to move. With two furlongs covered Arakiwai appeared to be going easily alongside Miss Trillion, the pair being in front of Captain Sarto and Cornstalk. Arikiwai and Miss Trillion were first to turn for home, but half-way down the running Cornstalk challenged. Arikiwai easily held off Cornstalk in the run to the post and won by the best part of two lengths. Wreath of Myrtle, who finished fast, was a similar distance away third. Miss Trillion tired into fourth place, while Diana’s Lad, who was slow to begin, was well up behind the placed horses. Armchair fell after going two furlongs. TROTTER’S SURPRISE Twenty-three candidates disputed the prize associated with the Lyndhurst Trot. Berma Pointer went out fast, but after doing well for a mile she shut up, the heavy going affecting her. Six furlongs from home Wee Gus and Locanda’s General drew level with Berma Poiner, with Mavis Wood, Jackie Audubon, Dillon Gold and My Sonny prominent. Rounding the far turn Mavis Wood shot up to'the leaders, with Dillon Gold, Locanda’s General, My Sonny, Wee Gus and Jackie Audubon in close attendance. When the straight was reached Dillon Gold and Mavis Wood came away from their opponents and went on to fight out the finish, which ended in favour of Dillon Gold by half a length. My Sonny beat Locanda’s General for third money. The winner was 15th favourite. He is a five-year-old chestnut gelding by Harold Dillon from Luvian D’Oro, and is trained by R. Townley, who seems to make a hobby of landing winners that pay big dividends. SHANDRE BEATS RONAKI After Arikiwai’s easy win in the opening event, backers plumped for Philanderer in the Moreton Hack Handicap. The winner, Shandre, was also well supported. When the barrier was released Chivalry was slow to move. Ronaki hopped out smartly and led Gaslight, Tannadice, Philanderer and Peho to the far turn. Ronaki piloted the field into the straight, where Shandre commenced to move up. Shandre challenged the leaders at the distance, and after heading Ronaki streaked away and beat the latter by three lengths. Peho showed a tremendous burst of speed near the finish and was half a length away third. Philanderer was fourth. The latter will be improved by the race. RADI AC’S STEEPLES Radiac was all the rage for the Dromore Steeples, and once again backers proved themselves to be right on the mark. Radiac was always well placed, and at the seven furlongs post went to the front and was never afterwards headed. Passing the stands the first time Radiac, Jovial and Message Boy were together, where Auburn came to grief at the fence near the nine furlongs post. Muzzle baulked and took no further part in the race. At this stage Jovial and Message Boy were just showing the way to Radiac, with Ethiopian several lengths further back. At the fence •by the six furlongs post Radiac outjumped Message Boy and Jovial and careered off into the lead. The big son of Absurd was always doing it nicely over the last three furlongs, and made an exhibition of Message Boy and Jovial. Ethiopian and The Babe fell at the last fence. The former may have beaten Jovial for third place had he stood up. THE BIG EVENT Chickwheat was a staunch favourite for the Mayfield Handicap, and though it looked as if Taboo might have beaten him half-way down the straight, Emerson kicked his mount out, and responding gamely, Chickwheat beat Taboo by three-quarters of a length. Dubious, who was always in a prominent position, ran a good race into third place. Margaret Birney never appeared tr be going well, but she must not be discarded on account of this .showing, for the going was decidedly against her. Happy Days led the field for above five furlongs, but then dropped back and finished a bad last. ONE FOR SADIE HUON There was good money for Colene Pointer, Bingen Lad and Audubon Lad in the Winchmore Trot, but none of them was conspicious at the finish. When the field settled down Quality was in front from Bingen Wilkes, Pageant, Direct Wave, Brent Fire and Sylvie Logan. Going along the back Brent Fire went to the head of affairs, being closely followed by Direct Wave and Sylvie Logan. Nearing the far turn Pageant, Sadie Dillon and Dillon Gold moved up to the front division. On reaching the bend for home Dillon gold was at the head of the field, but on reaching the distance Sadie Huon put in her claim, with Pageant after her. In the run home Sadie Huon won in good style from Pageant, who promises to develop into a decent performer. Sadie Huon is by Denver Huon from a mare by Prince Imperial. She is owned by G. S. Smith, who drove her. FAIRY TIDINGS’S WIN The meeting concluded with the Maronan Handicap, for which Shandre was heavily backed. His performance earlier in the day warranted the solid support accorded him, and though he made a game effort half-way down the straight he had to strike his colours to Fairy Tidings. Beaming was the first to become prominent, but Jarrietiere soon ran to the front, followed by Diana’s Lad, Fairy Tidings and Shancfre. Jarrietiere and Fairy Tid-

ings led Diana’s Lad and Shandre into the straight, but half a furlong from home Shandre and Fairy Tidings drew out, and in a good finish Fairy Tidings beat Shandre by half a length. Jarrietiere was a length away third. Beaming* who finished fourth, failed to handle the going, as did Ortego, but Diana's Lad, who was making his second appearance, ran quite a respectable race. TWO CASUALTIES Viewpoint broke a blood vessel when doing his preliminary in the big race, and with the permission of the stewards was withdrawn from the race. The money invested on his chance was returned. R. Allen, the rider of The Babe in the Dromore Steeples, was badly injured when his mount fell, and was sent to the hospital. Results: DROMORE STEEPLECHASE Two Miles. 1— RADI AC .. 1 2 MESSAGE BOY 2 3 JOVIAL 3 All started. Auburn, The Babe and Jovial fell. Won by eight lengths; twelve lengths separating second and third horses. Time. 4.35 3-5. maVfield handicap One and a-quarter miles. 1 CHICKWHEAT, 10.4 1 3 TABOO, 9.12 2 2 DUBIOUS. 9.8 3 Scr.: Margaret Birney, Happy Days, Courtley Rose, Beauty Light. Won by three parts of a lengths, one length separating second and third. Viewpoint was withdrawn after breaking a blood-vessel in the preliminary. WINCHMORE TROT HANDICAP Mile and a-half. S—SADIE HUON, scr 1 17—PAGEANT, scr 2 13— DILLON GOLD, 96yds 3 Scratched.—Underscrub and Heroic. Won by three lengths, one length between second and third. Time, 3.43. MARONAN HACK HANDICAP Seven furlongs. 2 FAIRY TIDINGS, 9.1 1 I—SHANDRE, 9.7 2 3 J ARRIETIERRE, 9.9 3 Scratched.—Ronaki, Money Bag. Won by half a length, one length between second and third. Time, 1.32 1-5.