FORM IN THE HANDICAPS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1931, Page 15

FORM IN THE HANDICAPS

THE RACING AT WANGANUI HORSES WORTH REMEMBERING. I LIKELY AVONDALE CANDIDATES. (By “Hurry On.”) ' The winner of the principal flat handicap at Wanganui, Cessation, was having her first run this season, but T. R. George had her in good condition and, aided by fine horsemanship on the part of Gray, she had a neck advantage from Merry Damon when the past was reached. Nevertheless it was a solid performance, especially when it is remembered that she waft not nearly as well seasoned as her opponents. The race would improve her a lot, and had she started the second day there is no doubt that she would have been favourite. She is a four-year-old mare by Limond from the Kilbroney mare Termination, and therefore ranks as a full sister to last year’s Wellington Cup winner Staunehion. She is engaged in the Avondale Cup with 7.5, and must have a good cliance. Merry Damon was very confidently backed in the Marangai Handicap, but though he came along in the straight with one of his characteristic finishes he was unable to catch Cessation. It almost appeared that Gray outrode Morris as he got a break on him just entering the straight. Merry Damon is not getting any younger, but he is very fit and is entitled to a lot of respect wherever he starts in the future. When Orapai left New Plymouth. J. O’Neill was confident that the Thespian four-year-old was a much better horse than at any stage of his career, but considered that he would have to.be to defeat the field opposed to him in the Flying. He displayed his usual brilliancy at the barrier and Gray soon had him in a good position. Approaching the straight entrance he was behind Tobaccoland and Aston, but when his rider asked him for an effort he displayed .. wonderful burst of pace and was well in front when they straightened up for home. From thence on he never looked like getting beaten and held off Consent’s challenge. comfortably. In some ways Orapai has been an unlucky performer in as much ao he is now almost at the top of the handicaps and has not yet won £l2OO in stakes. However, there is no doubt that he is a top notch sprinter and will win more races yet. A New Plymouth stable carried off the sprint the second day, when Lady Quex, finishing brilliantly on the outside, just got up to head off Arisus and Silvermine. At the straight entrance she was tucked in on the rails'behind the three leaders, and for a moment it looked as though she might be blocked, but Morris was taking no risks and came on the outer, his policy proving a wise one. The brown mare is very fit, and much more forward than she was at thi • time last year. She will be a starter at Avondale and is confidently expected to go a great race. With his rider claiming a 51b. allowance Silvermine carried the confidence of his connections in the sprint the second day, and getting away smartly was soon in front with Arisus. These two clapped on the pace all the way, and Arisus, w’ho had had the advantage of a race the first day, just stayed on bettei’ to get second money. However, the race would do Silver Link’s son a lot of good. He figures in the Flying at Avondale with 8.10 and can be depended upon to go a great race. With Lady Quex, Orapai and Silvermine in this race Taranaki stables would appear to hold a strong hand. It is a great pity that Knollmere is such a bad traveller as there is no doubt that the son of Grandcourt is a really good horse. It is said that when he was taken to Riccarton for the Winter - Cup he did not eat one really good feed on the whole trip. Back home again at Wanganui, however, he soon started to improve, and hie connections fully anticipated his two wins last week. He wae certainly a little lucky the first day in getting through on the rails, but despite his welter impost, he was going away from his field at the finish. On the second day he just played with his four opponents and was never doing his best at any stage of the piece. The Arausio four-year-old Pewa went two slashing good races and. is on the up-grade. In the Seafield Handicap the first day he was very unlucky at the straight entrance, and had he enjoyed as good a run as the winner, Juggle, would probably have reversed places with her. He was produced in the Higgle Handicap the second day and, never further back than second or third, beat everything but Cricket Bat. He should certainly pay expenses on the northern trip. In view of the prominent place she holds in the market for the Avondale Cup, it was expected that Lady Pam would take a prominent part in the finish of the Higgle Handicap, but ehe was only a moderate fifth. If this were her best it would appear useless to take her north, but good judges expect hcr to improve a lot with her racing and anticipate a much bolder showing on Saturday. There is no doubt that she looks well, and her track essays have been very promising. Favoured by a good run in the straight, Juggle won the Seafield Handicap quite comfortably, but when opposed to Knollmere and Tobaecoland the second day did not cut a very impressive figure. It would appear that she is only useful. In the Ararwio—Hymarty three-year-old Curie Mr. F. Ormond has a particularly smart hack and one who should pay his way in open company before the end of the season. He beat all but Knollmere the first day and on the second went a great race after being left at the post; in fact, had his rider managed to get through at the straight entrance he might have troubled Impetuous. Curie is engaged in the Champion Hack event at Avondale, and though perhaps not quite up to the standard of Biddy’s Boy and company, he will not be disgraced. There wu. a late rush in the Maiden on Thursday to be on G. W. New’s Top Gallant three-year-old Haulbowline. However, hopes went west at the start when he ind Pomp were badly left. Nevertheless ,he displayed a great turn of pace and was in the middle of the field coming out of the back stretch. He continued his run and wan well up in fourth position at the finish. Taking a line through the form of Pomp the second day it would appear that Haulbowline is a fair sort, and if produced in the Maiden at Avondale ho should not lack support.