NOTES ON THE RACING.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13378, 29 March 1912, Page 3

NOTES ON THE RACING.

(Special to "The Colonist.")

Masterton, March 28. Ideal weather conditions prevailed for f.hn opening tiny. There was a large, attendance, :>nd speculation was brisk, exceeding last year by nearly £3000. Twenty-three started in the Maiden, mid a fine sight was presented, on the !iors"s entering tho straight. Daybreak, who wns well backed hopped off first, and was never headed, winning comfortably.

Effort nnd Ineurti were withdrawn from the March Handicap, Dirgp being K'-.nt out favourite-. Te Roti, .however, effected a surprise and beat Mr. Pros-

::.:t'o elect by half a "engtfu Eleven horses faced the starter in f!-e Masterton H.-indieai), Lord Kenown being tho most fancied." The Gisborne owned Mira getting a nic:> position, won fairly easily, returning its backers a good price.

There were no withdrawals from the Waipini Cup. San Pluie was made tho. favourite, but she was never dangerous.' During the rac'.' Golden Loop, who was also well backed, got caught in tho tapes, but succeeded in getting third place, half a length from the winner, Mescal, who paid a good price. St. Felix, who mado most of the running, finished a head behind the winner. Se.a Queen ran disappointingly. In the Ruamahunga Hack there were nine .starters. Xukuatau and Aloka wero the mast fancied, and the fonneT made all tlu» running, winning with a gfod length to spare from Merriniac, w ho returned hc\- backers a good price for second placo.

Thirteen faced th<\ barric-r in the .Ladies' rjraco'ot. Elfish got tho best of a bad start, and went to the front.

•■•') had m> {li,T>culty in defeating Prince Eddie, both returning good dividends. In tho Opaki Welter* Nogativo was ni.'ide favourite, and, with Master Syl■■h. fought out a good finish.

3''ourteen linod up in tho Dash Handienj), and Goldslcy eH'"cted the surprise (if the, meetii'.g, retuniintr his backers a dividend of n f-sw i>ounds"sh<;i'rof three i'gtircs, beating Gay Lawless, who was well yupjKirted, by a neck. Makara, •tlie favourite wa^. nev:-r prominent.