RACE TRACK EVENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1930, Page 4

RACE TRACK EVENTS

'nil-: MANAWATU MEETISG. (Notos by “Paritutu."). Slightly warmer weather, or, ro be exact, less cold weather, resulted in a better attendance of spectators at Awapuni on Saturday, when the Manawatu Racing Club’s winter meeting was brought to a conclusion. The totalisator handled £14,221, making a total of £25,092 for the two days, which was very poor for Awapuni. On the face of it f.he club would be very “game’ to make the winter meeting a permanent fixture. Money is “short” with everybody at this time of the year, and the publie ‘'bucked'' at the 1.2 s admission charge to the lawn, while many .stayed away because of the absence of the I.os totalisator. If the meeting is to be popularised the club must meet the public on these points.

Considering the microscopic stakes offered, very good fields obtained in all races at the meeting, and the sport loft little to complain of. The bulk of the runners, of course, were trained in tho'district, but there was a fair sprinkling of horses from Taranaki, Wanganui, Auckland and Wairarapa, and practically all the 'best ‘horsemen were there. Winners were not easy to pick, particularly on the second day, when the public’s choice only won one race, and at odds-on. There appeared to be a fair amount of rough riding during the two days, and if some of the jockeys do not mind themselves they are sure to attract the attention of the stewards before the season is very far advanced. ■‘Slowing the field down” may be a clever bit of work, but when a leader applies “the brake” too swiftly, those following cannot avoid getting on top of one another, and serious accident must happen sooner or lat er. One rider was ‘•told oil’” by an irate trainer in the birdcage after a particularly glaring piece of such work, and. was lucky that the matter . was not taken “upstairs.”

Another striking example of., poor horsemanship was the number of leaders which left the rails at the end of races, allowing horses to get through and beat them to the finishing post. Had horses been kept-straight when the whips were Hying, instead of permitting them to run out “against” the whip, results would have been different. One old-timer expressed the opinion that when a school for riding is inaugurated the tutors “should start on the leading jockeys.” And there is a good deal of truth in the observation, judging by last week's exhibitions.

Punters’ troubles on Saturday begun with the Hunters’ Steeples, which was reckoned a fair thing for Mr. K. Dunean’s bracketed pair, Trouble and Hisk, but they were not in the picture after the first mile, both probably feeling the effects of racing at the Point-to-Point at Marton on Wednesday, and at Awapuni the next day. It was asking untrained hunters too much. Maidos was the early leader, but five furlongs from home Powhiri pulled to the-front, and the race was all over. Mandate again stuck ou gamely, and. he may reward S. J. Watson’s perseverance before long.

- Another! new-comer, Glenrossie, upset the favourites, Portray, Shortly and Zarene, in the Rangiotu Handicap, getting through on the rails in time to catch and pass Zarcne. Portray was the early leader, and had every chance, but Shortly began badly, and was closer at - the finish than at any part of the Hutter. Abbey Queen, as usual, began better than she finished. Ruby Dawn, a fuu r year-old mare by Day Comet — Ruby, trained by J. F. Tutchen at Frankton, covered a lot of ground to •gain third berth. She will be heard of again. Potoaform, with A. McDonald up, was not fancied, but was noticed running on at the end. Desert Lad rar, a fair race.

Llyn Du was made very hot in the Longi'.urn Hurdles, but was well beaten. Disrauk, who von in hack hurdle company on the first day, was again neglected in the betting, but jumped out in front, and was never actually headed, though Omeo and Llyn Du took him on approaching the home bend. Llyn Du’s challenge did not last long, but Omeo (who had 2Olbs the worse of the weights) battled it out in the gamost possible manner, and only suffered defeat by a narrow margin. The mile and three-quarters was run in 3min 19 2-5 see, which is not a bad gallop for this time of the year, and Omeo lost no admirers hy his showing. Interest was taken in the running of Mister Gamp (W. Bowden), and all that can be said is that the Bronzetti gelding finished fast in fourth place after tailing the field. He had 12st, all but a pound, in the saddle,, and his showing was encouraging. Diana’s Lad was disappointing, as was Beaumont. .

When Gray’s name was hoisted as the rider of Paddon, who was unfortunate on Thursday, the public “fixed bayonets and charged,” and the totaiisator worked overtime, a long shade of odds being laid by backers of Air. G. Seifert’s gelding. Paddon won, but he was not the certainty which the figures indicated. The first day’s winner, Marjoram, who only carried a little over one-third of Paddon’s total; and?was paying a great price- for a second favourite, was al-ways-mi the front line, and looked a winner inside the distance, when he had shakeji off Black Mint. Then Paddon, who had been running along sweetly in third and fourth .position in various stages, came, with a late run, slipped through on the rails, and had the race won before Marjoram’s rider seemed to realise that everything in the garden was not “lovely.” Gray was certainly semi to advantage here. Black Alint ran well, and the unfortunate Moutoa Treasury made up a lot of ground in the straight. The rest hardly merit mention, though Ilynanna (Goldfinch) ran' veil for a few furlongs. Orazone (L. G. Morris) was never dangerous; nor was Duellona (T. Green). On the form shown both Paddon and Marjoram should be worth watching in future events.

Jin Jazz, runner-up on the first day, was preferred to Areheria and Pikimai in the Hunters’ Hurdles, and returned a short second dividend. The winner turned up in Postman (Archiestown— Pillar Box), who gave a greatly improved exhibition this time, jumping well, and running on strongly to win by several lengths. Jiu Jazz was easily second, Copey being a poor third, and Rhodesian next. Pikimai got into trouble at the stand fence, and gave Jenkins a bad fail. Areheria tired to a walk, and is a frost as a hurdler—and at any other branch of sport for that matter.

Postman, as stated when he ran at the Manawatu Point-to-Point, is a good sort, and J. Morris will win more races with him. • Robbie’s Mistake, who was second to Adventus at nine furlongs on Thursday, was backed for most money, in the Terrace End Handicap, but failed to see the extra furlong out, and finished well back. Airforce, Calamine and Callamart all made play in the early stages, but in the straight there were only three horses galloping, and they were proved stayers like Courageous, Whakaue and Kilorell. It was really a good thing for Courageous, who is a distinct cut above this class. Whakaue, a five-year-old gelding by King Mark from the All Black mare Earthshine, is a good hack, and looks like staying for a week. Re should win a fair middle-distance handicap this year. Spearform, who was fourth, has beer a disappointment to F, McKay, but may make amends if tried over a distance of ground. She is by Greyspear —Merriform, by Bonifonn from that great stayer Merrivonia, and is bred to run a distance. Calamine was hunted along by B. Morris in this race, and tired at the end.

The Mcßae Handicap was a good betting race, and Cadland, Hop wood and Royal Damon were solidly supported. The surprise of the race was the forward running of Arrow Lad, who did not look ready, but was a quiet tip all the same. Blue Paper adopted tearaway tactics, and Arrow Lad led the next bunch. - The leader compounded at the home turn, and Cadland came through. Arrow Lad and the Fordell hack were having a battle royal when the first day’s winner, Broadacre, was let through on the fence to win by a head, Arrow Lad being a similar distance in front of Cadland. Royal Damon was Tunning on strongly in fourth place, and Hopwood and Otairi were next. Broadacre’s second win was well received, his trainer (F. Cannont) having recently had a good deal of bad luck, topped off with a serious illness, The. gelding again paid a good price. Arrow Lad’s party nearly brought off a fine coup, and the running of the son of Arrowsmith suggests an early return to the winning list. Cadland is racing more solidly now, and “Snowy” Morris, though beaten each day at Awapuni, is in hopes of scoring soon with the Acrj geldhig. Hopwood and Gray do not go well together, and cost the public a ton of money last week: Otairi lias not been up very long, and is improving all the time.

The day’s disasters, concluded with the Milson Handicap, the large field :of nineteen lining up for the five furlongs sprint. Taranto was a firm favourite, carrying about 150 more tickets than Pandia, while Gray’s mount, Okapua, was also well 'backed. When the tapes lifted, the outside division were the first to find their feet, Abbey Queen and Sporting Chance showing out from Pandia and Dick Whittington, Taranto being in the middle of the field. Sporting Chance, Abbey Queen and Dick Whittington were in close company racing to the straight, where the last-named tired. The leading pair had a good setto in the run t) the box, Green driving Sporting Chance, home a winner by a hare half-length. Pandia finished on best of the rest. The winner, who carries Mr. C. T. Keeble’s colours, is a three-year-old colt by Lackham —Signal March, and he looks like turning out useful. Pandia, who finished third each day, is a three-year-old filly by Chief Ruler--Panpipes. She also goes well.