POMPEIUS SHOWS PAGE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1929, Page 5

POMPEIUS SHOWS PAGE

EASY VICTORY IN. NOLAN CUP WINNER 3 FURLONG'S FROM HOME. FAVOURITES IN HACK CUP FAIL. ANOTHER SECOND FOR CHOPIN. A surprise was in store for the public when the hunter Pompeius showed a clean pair of heels to 14 others who made up the Nolan Cup field. There was no mistake about his superior pace and, handling the going better than many, he took charge three furlongs from home to pass the post three lengths ahead of the consistent Chopin. The bracket, Make Up and Imateagirl, and' Dolomite, were the only ones seriously fancied, anything else being at a goci price. From the best start of the day Juggle and Marica were smartest to begin and, running on to the back, Marica was piloting Whisogne, Chopin, Austerity, Juggle, Make Up, Latakia, Dolomite, Pompeius and Skyrider.

Except that Pompeius, Skyrider and Latakia improved their positions slightly there was little change going down the back, and at the half-mile Marica and Whisogne were still battling along in front of Juggle and Chopin, with Pompeius making a forward movement. There was a shuffle on the bend and when the field began to string out Pompeius had taken the lead and was clear of Chopin, Make Up, Latakia, Juggle and Skyrider into the straight. The run to the winning -post was a procession. Pompeius cleared out from Chopin and won pulling up by three lengths from the Lord Quex gelding, while Make Up hung on just long enough to cut the fast-finishing Democratic out of third money by a head four lengths back. There was a big stfip of daylight to Juggle, 'Skyrider, Latakia, Dolomite, Mount Shannon, Spring Abbey and Imftteagirl. Pompeius was much too good on the day and he will be assured of better support next time out. Chopin ran an honest race, but strange to say was at a double-figure dividend to win. Make Up did not appear to be able to handle the going, but Democratic, after being in all the bother possible, finished on determinedly. Dolomite, who also received a bad passage, is another likely to be- greatly improved by the race.

HUNTING DAY .IS SMART. JUVENILE WIN . WAS IMPRESSIVE. Valpre and Manifesto dropped out of the Juvenile race at Hawera yesterday, 'but the Reed—'Hunting Day combination was too rich for the others, and once turned for home the favourite was gathering in his field so well that the punters at once rushed to the payout windows.

Odds were laid about Hunting Day and Clever, was the only other one seriously fancied. Just An Idea and Isa were fractious at the barrier, and when the' tapes finally rose Just An Idea and'Green Linnet were facing the other way and gave the field half a furlong’s start.

Isa jumped away smartly from Bon Eve, the latter taking up the running from Isa and Clever, with Paratoo and Hunting Day going well together next. Bon Eve was well clear as they ran into the straight, but compounded quickIsa soon following suit and leaving Clever clear of Hunting Day and Acreline, while Paratoo struck trouble.

Once fairly in line for the judge Hunting Day wore Clever down and had assumed charge at the . distance to riin away from Clever and pass the post two lengths ahead of the Psychology filly, while Paratoo was unlucky to be beaten for second money by a head. Acreline was a fair fourth with a break to Bon Eve and Isa, who stopped to a walk. Hunting Day simply outclassed the field and accomplished his task with such consumihate ease that a big rise in weight would have been needed to stop him. Clever was not impressive, but the judge came too soon for Paratoo, who had headed her a stride past the post. The Grandcourt two-year-old was paying more than a score to. win and it is safe to say that she will not be so neglected next time.

NEW PLYMOUTH AT LAST. j. SINGER TAKES FINAL HACK RACE With Make Up and Fernden out of the Waipapa Handicap the public were divided in their opinion of Monaloff and Singer, while Calamine also carried over £4OO. The public were fairly well on the mark, the fancies paying the two dividends.

Rotokare, Corwen and Fortalice received the worst of the start, Monaloff moving away from Tenacre, Singer, Remora °and Marjoram. Along the back Calamine was rushed along and at the half-mile had headed Monaloff, Tenacre, Remora, Singer and Marjoram. . There was a crowding at the turn and Singer began to go through the field. Calamine was still ;in front as the field swung into the straight, with his nearest attendants, Singer, Monaloff, Marjoram, Corwen and Tenacre. Singer was the first to • challenge the leader, but the leading half-dozen in the field joined in the finish 50 yards off the post and amid a flourish of whips and spurs Singer was doing the best at the finish a neck in front , of Calamine, while heads separated Marjoram, Monaloff, Tenacre and Corwen, It was one of the best finishes seen for a long time, and seven horses had equal chances half a furlong from home. Though he squeezed home by only a neck, Singer ran his best race since -coming to this island, and he should not have difficulty in shouldering more weight.