Spills and Thrills in Te Aroha Sprint

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 591, 18 February 1929, Page 6

Spills and Thrills in Te Aroha Sprint

There was plenty to hold the attention of the large crowd of spectators at Te Aroha on Saturday, when the open sprint was in progress. In the early stages there was a. very nasty spill, three horses coming down, and as an anti-climax there was a stirring tussle between Pegaway and Glenstar. The field of nine had gone little more than a furlong, having actually negotiated the bend at the five furlongs, when Jolly Money was seen to fall, and then over the favourite bowled Tea Time and Macroom. Jolly Money appeared to be attempting to run off the course, with his jockey, L. Manson, fighting him, when horse and rider fell. Manson was badly shaken, but the other riders and their horses escaped injury. Jolly Money broke a leg and was destroyed within ten minutes of the mishap. Then Couldn't Win Tea Time was running in a handy position behind the favourite when the latter crashed. Jolly Money, too. appeared to be going nicely just in at the rear of the leaders. That the mishap affected the ultimate result was obvious, for after the crash High Finance and Kingfield were left on their own in front, six to eight lengths clear of the remainder. Ruffles had got to within a length and a-half of this pair at the home turn, while a similar distance away were Glenstar and Pegaway. Ruffles joined issue with High Finance and Kingfield, and then this pair compounded, failing to get in the money after having such a commanding lead and keeping out of all the trouble. A Rare Fight Actually on the turn into the straight Glenstar and Pegaway were together, behind the other three. Although they were still back at the bottom of the straight, it was realised that the issue was in their keeping. Pegaway (A. Tinker) went to go straight ahead, but Glenstar (J. Chandler) was coming out, and then all the way to the judge they were locked together.

Both riders were hard at it, and 50 yards from the post they had headed Ruffles and the others, Kingfield High Finance stopping badly. A great tussle saw Glenstar and Pegaway go over the line together, with the former having an advantage of inches, and Ruffles half a length away, third. Tinker rode one of his most vigorous finishes, but Glenstar and his diminutive rider carried too many guns. For Pegaway to concede 391 b to the improving Glenstar proved impossible. Ovation for Rider The skill and vigour shown by Chandler evoked the admiration of the experienced ones, for Glenstar is a big horse that takes some handling—and the sst 71b boy came through the ordeal like a tradesman. He thoroughly deserved the plaudits of the crowd, which commenced when he came back to salute the judge, and only ceased when the paper-weight disappeared to view. There was good-natured laughter and further cheering when Chandler, in unsaddling Glenstar, had to jump to reach the gear in order to give it clearance. It was a rather entertaining finale

to what in some respects was a disastrous race. Young Chandler fully justified. by his horsemanship, the good reputation he had gained on his home tracks. Me is apprenticed to G. A. Reid, who also trained Glenstar. and had led in another winner earlier in the day in Crown Arch. The exit of Jolly Money saw the passing of a really brilliant sprinter.

the best of whom had not yet been seen. With * another year on to his age. it was quite possible that the three-year-old would have taken high honours over short courses. To lose Jolly Money was little short of a tragedy for his owner-trainer, Mr. J. D. Kemp, of Onehunga. RACING FIXTURES February 16. IS—Te Aroha J.C. February 20. 21—Gore R.C. February 20. 21 Woodville J.C. February 21—Tologa Bay J.C. February 23—Canterbury J.C. February 27. 28—Dannevlrke R.C. February 28—Waiapu R.C. February 28. March 2—Marlborough R.C. March 2—Banks Peninsula R.C. March 6. 7—Rangitkei R.C. March 9—Franklin R.C. March 13—Otautau R.C. March 14—Waimate R.C. March 16—Opunake R.C. March 16. 18—OhinemurJ J.C. March 16. 18—Wellington R.C. March 23, 25—Oamaru J.C. March 30—Tuapeka J.C. March 30. April l—Wairarapa R.C. March 30. April I—Feilding J.C. March 30. April l—Auckland R.C.