Big Event on the Flat Developed Into a Farce

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 811, 4 November 1929, Page 12

Big Event on the Flat Developed Into a Farce

The Akaroa Handicap, the main event on the card of the Banks Peninsula meeting on Saturday, developed into a farce. It was difficult to understand how experienced riders should fall for what they did, and the least that can be said for them is that they exhibited a sad lack of knowledge in judging speed. The race was run at a muddling pace, and this greatly assisted Quarterdeck to victory. Sea Raid and Meprisant soon *hit the front, but before the stands were reached they were steadied to a hand canter and the riders of other runners also slowed down their mounts. When the back stretch was entered Sea Raid was showing the way to Meprisant and Quarterdeck, while Count favour was next, with Hoylake occupying the rear P °At the six furlongs the race had begun to develop into a farce, but near the far turn Sea Raid began to draw away from Quarterdeck, while the others were also left in the. rear.

About three furlongs from home q Raid's saddle slipped and she had t be checked. In dropping back u hit Meprisant, who lost at least t lengths. By the time the straight 3° reached Quarterdeck had opened un break of three to four lengths on Con ' Cavotir. and Meprisant was next, 1101 Quarterdeck, however, had got s n .i, a break in the run home that Mean 1 sant failed to reach her and she s. the verdict by two and a-half Count Cavour was half a length behjmrt Meprisant in third place, and than followed Hoylake. with Sea r.aid tvh was pulled up, next. From the outset the race develop*! into a farce, but had young KastwpM on Meprisant sent iiis mount alom! earlier there is not the slightest douir that he would have won. Hoylake's rider also was tricked hv the slow pace early. At the far turn he was hopelessly out of the contest but he came through with a run over the last furlong and w,; less than a length behind Count Cavour at the close.