SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 79, Issue 7138, 28 November 1949, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

VIGILANTIA’S CONVINCING VICTORY CALIBRATE WINS CHAMPION HACK (By “Old Rowley”) With the scratching of Quick March, due to inclement weather, the public turned their attention to Rosslare and made her a very solid favourite for the Piesidcnt’s Handicap at Te Aroha on Saturday, but they were doomed to disappointment, the usually honest maie, running well below her usual form. The winner, Vigilantia, was at false price considering his bold showings this season and the fact that he has indicated at every start that he would stay on solidly. The Foxbridge-Serenata gelding was not too well placed for the first three Lurlongs when Fifth Note went out and made the pace a strong one, but he camo home veiy solidly to hold off a deteimined challenge by the consistent Vice Chancellor. Vigilantia’s periol mance brings him into focus for future middle distance handicaps and adds another to the list for a season which promises to be a fruitful one insofar as distance handicap horses are concerned. Vice Chancellor became better placed in the early running of the race than he has hitherto, and |o the four furlongs post he was in fourth place, but he seemed to get a setback here and drifted slightly. He was literally flying at the finish, but had no chance with the winner.

The bold showing of Biassed, who challenged Fifth Note for the role of pacemaker in the early running and then fought on to be fourth passing the post, was very pleasing., although net unexpected by keen followers who have learned to lesnect this small, but game Pherozshah-Tirea colt. Biassed is duo to be rewarded for his sound galloping this season and with the country handicaps coming up for decision in the next three weeks his reward may come at one of these meetings.

Badly placed for most of the journey, Maricrana came home in fine stylo when contesting the President’s Handicap and may have been a distinct possibility had N. B. Holland gained an opening before entering the straight. The evergreen Conspiracy once again showed his superiority by making light of 9.3 on a slippery track to finish a close third. Cowper had every chance and actually entered the call at the straight entrance, but soon drifted again. Vane Master evidently needs real summer track conditions, foi he never galloped freely. Knight Templar gave an improved display of galloping, although he failed to run

An impressive feat of galloping by Calibrate and expert judgment by jockey J. Winder, saw the Contact gelding score a merited victory in the Morrinsvilie Champion Hack Handicap. With six furlongs of the journey still to go, Calibrate was fourth to last, but entering the straight J. Winder had gradually worked him up to be within reasonable distance on the leaders and he finished over the top of everything to win by a length, from the well-fancied Kohunui, Suprise Packet responding well under piessure to head off the consistent Fireman f >.• third money. Fireman, incidentally was always fairly well placed, but did not seem to be galloping as freely as he did at Te Rapa. Disappointments in the lace were Tenerani and Sanita: the foimer made an effort in the straight, but could net sustain it. Mary Marvel had every chance, but faded in the last two furlongs. Now trained by A. Keesing at Te Aroha, this mare is looking very well and seven furlongs or a mile may suit her better. Patuone found the journey too far, but should not be di opped on account of this failure. Rangi Nui, a quiet paddock tip, never flattered his supporters and although he was awkwardly placed on the rails for a while, he had an opportunity to come through when the field fanned out in the straight. Rangi Nui may improve when he settles down in his new quarters. Best Race For Some Time

Equator ran his best race for some time when he finished on for fourth place in the Piako Handicap; he began fairly fast and was in fifth place, nearly on equal terms with Sir Vite, as they swept into the straight. He had no chance with the first three horses, but his performance does suggest that he may be a factor to be reckoned with in the near future. In this race, although the Gollen-Flying Officer bracket was favourite -on the win machine, Te Paerata held pride of place with place bettors, who received a severe set-back when the Te Hero gelding failed to run on. Dougal and Ozami were other well supported candidates who were weil beaten.

Coming To Form The two-year-old Miss Hiawatha, which has shown promise in her track werk, ran her best race to date when she contested the first division of the Electric Handicap. She was a trifle slow to move, but responded well to the urgings of M. Koperu and actually ranged up along the leaders at the straight entrance, but could not go on with the good work. She finished fourth and more may be heard of her from now on.

Satisfactory Gallop Consequent upon his good effort at Te Rapa Beau fight er was very solidly supperted when he contested the Flying Handicap, and because he failed to finish closer than fourth many racegoers are inclined to condemn him. However, in the light of past performances it was quite a satisfactory gallop on the part of the Beau Repaire-Valpos gelding and he is still susceptible to improvement, for mentor L. J. Tucker is evidently not asking too much of the promising sprinter. Dixie Distressed

Dixie was in a position to win the Flying Handicap when the field straightened up for the run home, but to the consternation cf her myriad supporters she suddenly faltered. Returning to the birdcage she was obviously distressed and it is to be hoped that there is nothing seriously wrong with this brilliant filly who is certainly outstanding among her sex this season.