WINTER RACING OPENS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1934, Page 10

WINTER RACING OPENS

SUCCESSFUL EGMONT MEETING RIOTOUS WINS THE STEEPLECHASE RURI AND ORAPAI ON THE FLAT 'J'HE winter racing season was ushered in yesterday, when the Egmont Racing Club held the first day of its annual steeplechase meeting. It was certainly ushered in most auspiciously, as from every point of view the meeting was successful —the most successful winter meeting the club has had for many years, and it looks as though the turning point has been reached. The club’s policy of increasing the stakes was reflected in the size and quality of the fields, which ranged up to 15. Five of the races drew three-dividend fields, while in the other two there were two dividends. The racing was exceptionally interesting, there being several thrilling finishes in which the placed horses were separated by heads and necks, that being the case even in the hurdles, a fact that must have proved gratifying to the handicapper, Mr. A. Trouson. Mr. W. P. Russell was in the judge’s box.

INCREASED ATTENDANCE TOTALISATOR TURNOVER UP. DIVISION OF THE HONOURS. The weather was fine, though there was a tang in the air that reminded one that it was a winter meeting, whereas last year the weather necessitated the first day being postponed from Wednesday to Thursday. The gate takings showed an increase of £B3 14s on last year for the first day, when £l2l 15s was handled, the increase therefore being 68.8 per cent. The totalisator staff under the charge of Mr. W. O’Callaghan yesterday handled £8457 10s, compared with £6191 on the first day last year, an increase of £2266 10s, or 36.6 per cent. The course was in splendid order as the fast times show, while the surroundings were also looking well, Mr. A. Morse having given their preparation careful attention. There were two accidents during the day.-Manuiri fell at the first fence of the double but the well-known cross-country horseman W. Bowden escaped injury. In the final race Prince Reno fell in the straight, his rider, S. Tremain, being severely shaken. Six competed in the Egmont Steeplechase, which saw the Awapuni-owned Riotous win from the northern horses Brown Abbey and Sir Musk after being well placed all the way. Five started in the principal flat race, the Mcßae Handicap, which was won,by the Haweraowned Ruri from the New Plymouth horse Prince Colossus and the Hawke’s Bay Chopin after a great race. Orapai won the open Flying Handicap from British Columbia and The Tiger in another thrilling finish.

Taranaki trainers took their share of the spoils. Besides the two chief flat races the Telegraph Hack went to a Stratford' trainer and the Hack Scurry to New Plymouth. Visiting trainers won three races, the other two being the Hurdles, which went to Gisborne and the Tawhiti Hack to Hawke’s Bay. The public correctly assessed the merits of three first favourites, but they were well astray in the other four races, three horses paying double figures. Mr. C. Gomer, chief stipendiary steward, was present and held one inquiry after the Mcßae Memorial Handicap. G. Duncan, rider of the winner, Ruri, was before the stewards for alleged interference with Chopin in the straight, but his explanation was accepted, no action being taken. The large fields no doubt causing extra work in the totalisator and delay at the start caused the last race to be run late. The Hawera Municipal Band provided an enjoyable programme of music. The details are:— TONGAHOE HURDLES HANDICAP, of £120; second horse £l5, third horse £5 from the stakes. One mile and ahalf. 4- MILLION, Mrs. R. H. Biggar’s ch m, aged, by Autumn—Abundance, 9.7 (J. Walsh) ./. 1 1- PAHU, C. Pritchard’s bg, aged, by Warplane—Cinnamon, 10.5 (P. Burgess) 2 2- —ESTEEM,' W. H. Gaisford’s b g, 4yrs, by Pombal—Eulogy, 9.0 (C. Thompson) 3 Also started: 10-8 Hounslow, 11.0 (W. A. Pascoe); 3-3 High Falutin, 10.6 (A. Jenkins); 6-7 Consent, 10.7 (F. McHugh); 7-5 St Ames, 9.9 (D. Craddock); 9-10 True Shaft 9.7 (M. H. Nicoll); 5- Richfield, 9.2 (W. Grindlay); 8-9 Don Erma, 9.0, carried 9.2 (J. M. Pine); 12-12 Stanchion, 9.0 (I. Tucker); 11-11 Chief Line, 9.0 (B. Sullivan). Winner trained by H. Martin, Gisborne. Won by a short head, with a neck between second and third. Chief Line was fourth. Time, 2m. 46 4-ss. There was considerable delay at the start, of which Richfield received the worst Consent and Hounslow were first to reach the front from Chief Line. True Shaft hit the hurdle at the foot of the straight Consent was well clear passing the stand from Million, Don Erma and Hounslow together, followed by Chief Line, High Falutin’, Pahu and Esteem, with Stanchion last. Million was up with Consent leaving the straight and along the back the pair were followed by Don Erma and Chief Line, Hounslow, High Falutin’, Esteem and Pahu, the latter moving up fast Stanchion was last. Consent and Million led into the straight from High Falutin’, Don Erma, Chief Line, Esteem and Pahu. A great finish saw Pahu came fast to get within half a head of Million, with Esteem, who also finished fast, a neck behind, just in'front of Chief Line. Then followed Don Erma, Consent, High Falutin’ and Hounslow.

TELEGRAPH HACK HANDICAP, of £100; second £l5, third £5 out of the stakes. Six furlongs. 10-9—MOATOA, J. T. Wade’s b g, aged, by Potoa—Alice Montrose, 7.13 (L. H. Jones) 1 1-I—CHIEF MARIONETTE, Mrs. G. M. Bennett’s ch m, 4yrs, by Chief Ruler—Dolly Fisher, 8.7 (R. Reed) 2 6-7—CAWBEEN, W. H. Corlett’s br m, syrs, by Hunting Song—Wallaby, 7.8 (J. Leach) 3 Also started: 3-5 Pheon, 9.4 (L. G. Morris); 5-6 Sea 8.10 (S. Tremain); 8- Merry Way,. 7.13 (H. Goldfinch); 9- Illuminate, 7.9* carried 7.114 (K. Voi- I

tre); 2-2 Matomi, 7.4, carried 7.5 i (H. Wiggins); 4-3 Arauline, 7.2, carried . 7.7 J (P. Atkins); 11-11 Argument, 7.1, carried 7.2} (N. Vaughan); 12-12 Ingenuity, 7.1 (W. E. Pine); 14-15 Royal Peak, 7.0, carried 7.4 (K. Grylls); 13-13 Sandlark, 7,0 (G. Duncan); 15-14 Beau Star, 7.0, carried 7.3 (E. Coyle); 7-4 Bo wan Lea, 7.0, carried 7.9 (W. Broughton). Winner trained by owner, Stratford. Won by a head, with half a head between second and third. Pheon was fourth. The field was despatched after a little delay, Pheon at once going to the front from Arauline, Moatoa, Gowan Lea, Cawbeen, Ingenuity, Sandlark and Matomi. Along the back Pheon still led the way from Arauline, Moatoa, Cawbeen, Illuminate, Matomi, Gowan Lea and Chief Marionette, who had been hung up in the tapes. Pheon still held command from Arauline, Moatoa, Cawbeen, Illuminate and Matomi turning for home, but soon dropped back and Moatoa, finishing with determination, won by a length from Chief Marionette, who finished very fast to beat Cawbeen for second place by half a head. Pheon was fourth. Then followed Argument, Sea Fox, Matomi, Merry Way, Illuminate and Royal Peak. EGMONT STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP of £200; second £3O, third £lO out of the stakes. About two miles and a-half. 1- RIOTOUS, L. Knapp’s blk g, syrs, by Birkdale—Crosswords, 10.7 (C. Thompson) 1 2- ABBEY, Black Bros.’ br g, 6yrs, by Quin AbbeyBrown Nell, 9.13 (B. Sullivan) .. 2 4-S—SIR MUSK, W. M. Sharpe’s br g, syrs, by Musketoon—Archquil, 9.0 (J. Day) .. y 3 Also started: 3-3 Manuiri, 10.1 (W. Bowden), fell; 6-6 Royal Limond, 9.0, carried 9.2 (G. H. Murfitt); 5-4 Bon Aryan, 9.0 (J. Walsh). Winner trained by owner, Awapuni. Won by three lengths, with fifteen lengths, between second and third. Bon Aryan was three lengths away fourth. Time, sm. 18 3-ss. Brown Abbey and Riotous were first to negotiate the initial obstacle J from Sir Musk. Passing the stand double the first time round Brown Abbey and Riotous held command from Manuiri and Sir Musk together, followed by Bon Aryan and Royal Limond, the latter running off at the next fence. The fence by the five furlongs saw Riotous stumble, but he went on again to lead Brown Abbey into the straight, followed by Manuiri, with a gap to Sir Musk and Bon Aryan. Passing the stand double the second time round Riotous and Brown Abbey were on terms, with Manuiri close up, but Manuiri came to grief at the first, fence of the double. Brown Abbey and Riotous raced together along the back separated by several lengths from Sir Musk and Boh Aryan together. Brown Abbey did not jump cleanly here and Riotous established two lengths’ lead, which he increased by a further length before the post was reached. Sir Musk was a long way back, three lengths in front of Bon Aryan. FLYING HANDICAP, of £120; second £l5, third £5 from the stakes. Six furlongs. 1- ORAPAI, J. O’Neill’s ch g, 6yrs, by Thespian—Winkie’s Wheel, 8.1 (R. Reed) 1 2- BRITISH COLUMBIA, W. H. Maria’s br g, 4yrs,_ by Top Gal-lant-Columbia, 8.6 (S. Tremain) 2 5-S—THE TIGER, G. A. Richards’ b g, 6yrs, by Sheffield—Gazely mare, 7.4, carried 7.5 J (H. Wiggins) 3 Also started: 6-6 Carfex, 7.12, carried 7.9 N. Vaughan); 4-3 Cullus, 7.7 (P. Atkins); 8-8 Protomint, 7.5 (J. Cammick); 7-7 Royal Bengal, 7.5, carried 7.7 (J. Leach); 3-4 Diagano, 7.0, carried 7.2 (G. Duncan).

Winner trained by owner, New Plymouth.

Won by half a head, with two lengths between second and third. Royal Bengal was fourth. Protomint got away badly. Cullus was the first to show out from The Tiger, Orapai, Royal Bengal, Carfex, British Columbia and Diagano. The Tiger soon shot to the front and across the top was two lengths clear of Cullus, Orapai, British Columbia and Diagano. The Tiger was still well clear when the field straightened up, but Orapai came with a burst and headed the leader a few strides from the post to win by a bare half head, with The Tiger two lengths away, just clear of Royal Bengal. Then followed Diagano, Carfex and Cullus.

HACK SCURRY HANDICAP of £100; second £l5, third £5 from the stakes. Five furlongs. 5-S—ILLUMINATE, J. N. Bell’s b g, 6yrs, by Illumination—Huipoto, 7.9, carried 7.10 J (K. Voitre) 1 2-2—PRINCESS STAR, W. Scholium’s br m, syrs, by Sandstar —Jolly Princess, 8.7 (R. Reed) . 2 1-I—SOLOMON, W. M. Taylor’s b c, 3yrs, by Chief Ruler—Hukapapa, 8.3 (H. Wiggins) 3 Also started: 3-4 Amyril, 9.0 (H. Goldfinch); 12-12 Musquil, 8.5, carried 8.0 (G. Cameron); 8-9 Grumpy, 7.11 (P. Atkins); 4-3 Moneygran, 7.9, carried 7.12(R. J. Mackie); 6-6 Hybiscus, 7.7, carried 7.2 (G. McNaughton); 7-7 Calcutta, 7.3 (G. Duncan); 9-10 Snowball, 7.1, carried 7.0 J (L. Jones); 14-13 De Trop, 7.0, carried 7.7 J (J. Leach); 15-15

Lady Cheval, 7.0 (R. Feasey); 10-14 Gold Mission, 7.0 (W. E. Pine); 11-8 Lebanon, 7.0, carried 7.3 (J. Cammick); 13-11 Colossal, 7.0, carried 7.6 J (S. Tremain). Winner trained by L. E. George, Omata.

Won by a neck, with a similar distance between second and third. Grumpy was fourth.

Lady Cheval and Moneygran caused a little delay at the start, breaking through the tapes. Solomon was first to show out but when the field settled down Princess Star took the lead from Solomon, Snowball, Amyril, Hybiscus and Moneygran. Along the top Princess Star was just clear of Solomon, Illuminate, Hybiscus and Moneygran, with Lebanon handy. Princess Star led ‘into the. straight and another stirring struggle up the home stretch took place. Solomon made a hot challenge but could not quite reach Princess Star. Illuminate, however, came with a rattle to win in the last stride by a bare neck from Princess Star, with Solomon a neck away. 1 , Grumpy was close up fourth, followed by De Trop, Snowball and Hybiscus.

McRAE HANDICAP, of £150; second £25, third £lo’out of the stakes. One mile and a-quarter. 1- RURI, J. Fryer’s ch g, syrs, by Surveyor—Joanna, 7.6 (G. Duncan) 1 2- PRINCE COLOSSUS, Mrs. N. C. Keaney’s b g, 4yrs, by Colossus—Willonyx, 7.9 (H. Wiggins) 2 4-S—CHOPIN, W. J. Woods’ b g, aged, by Lord Quex—Tuneful, 7.5, carried 7.2 (L. H. Jones) .. 3 Also started: 3-3 Alloy, 7.10 (S. Tremain);) 5-4 Round Table, 7.3, carried 7.0 (E. Coyle). Winner trained by owner, Hawera. Won by a short head, with a length and a-half between second and third. Alloy was fourth. Time, 2m. 10s. A splendid start was effected. Round Table early took command passing the stand two lengths clear of Ruri, with Prince Colossus a length further back, followed by Alloy and Chopin. Running to the six furlongs Ruri took command and led along the back from Round Table, Prince Colossus, Chopin and Alloy. At the half mile Prince Colossus moved into second place, with Round Table and Alloy next. Chopin moved up to Ruri three furlongs from home, while Alloy also made a forward move. Ruri was just clear of Chopin entering the straight, but once straightened up Prince Colossus put in a challenge, failing to sustain it only by a bare head. Chopin was a length, away, with Alloy fourth and Round Table well back last. TAWHITI HACK HANDICAP, of £100; second £l5, third £5 from the stakes. Seven furlongs. 7-7—TRES SEC, J.D. Todd’s br g, syrs, by Gainscourt—San Pluie, 7.5, carried 7.8 (J. Leach) 1 2-2—SILK SOX, R. G. and S. Topless’ blk g, 4yrs, by Royal Divorce—Ribbonwork, 7.4 (G. Duncan) 2 4-4—GAY COURT, Creswell and Harman’s ch g, syrs, by Gainscourt—Polonaise, 8.9 (H. Goldfinch) 3 Also started: 9-8 Tea Garden, 7.11, carried 7.12} (R. J. Mackie); 1-1 St Clara, 8.3 (R. Reed); 8-9 Bugle Call, 7.8 (J. Cammick); 3-3 Headmistress, 7.3 (W. E. Pine); 10-10 Freeze, 7.2, carried 7.0 (S. McLaughlin); 6-5 Lady Ronald, 7.7 (P. Atkins); 5-6 Prince Reno, 7.0, carried 7.4} (S. Tremain). Winner trained by G. E. Tricklebank, Waipukurau.

Won by two lengths, with half a length between second and third. Lady Ronald was fourth. Time, Im. 28 l-ss. A good start was effected from the moving barrier. Prince Reno was momentarily in front but after half a furlong Headmistress took command from Tres Sec, Gay Court and St. Clara, with Bugle Call tailing the .field. At the three furlongs Prince Reno had moved up into fourth place, followed by Silk Sox. Across the top the order was Headmistress, Tres Sec, Gay Court, Prince Reno, Silk Sox and St. Clara. There was no alteration into the straight but the run home saw considerable changes, Gay Court putting in a strong challenge. Headmistress was done with but over the last 100 yards Tres Sec and Silk Sox came with a great burst, the first-named winning by nearly two lengths from Silk Sox, who beat Gay Court by half a length. Then followed Lady Ronald, St. Clai Headmistress and Bugle Call. Prince Reno struck trouble 100 yards from the winning post, his rider, S. Tremain, being injured.