RECORD IN THE HURDLES

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1934, Page 12

RECORD IN THE HURDLES

ILLUMINATE’S SUCCESS GAY MARIGOLD’S FOURTH WIN. SIDELIGHTS ON THE RACING. (By Wire —Special to News.) Auckland, Last Night. Conditions were perfect for the opening of the Takapuna Jockey Club's meeting at Ellerslie, and fast times were a feature of the racing. Illuminate established a New Zealand record of 3.9 3-5 for a mile and three-quarters in the Tiri Hack Hurdles, leading throughout. Gay Marigold scored her fourth successive win when she just prevailed in an exciting finish in the Alison Cup. Most of the winners were well supported, but British Columbia and Caliente both paid double figures on the win machine, and Moorwyn did likewise for a place. Illuminate was an each-way favourite for the Tiri Hack Hurdles, and he justified the support by leading throughout and winning by two and a half lengths from Clan Ronald, who was always his closest attendant over the last half mile. The Hiker was always handily placed and battled on for third ahead of Benighted, whose rider lost an iron in the early stages. Morrath bled after going about a mile and was pulled up. Archeen and Wing Win fell, the latter being in a handy position when he toppled over at the second to last fence. Illuminate galloped and jumped splendidly. Lifeguard Better Class.

In spite of the fact that he drew No. 15 at the barrier Lifeguard was a good favourite fdr the Melrose Hack Handicap, and he duly won. Lifeguard reach* ed the front after going a little more than a furlong and led into the straight from Moorwyn, Chief Emerald, High Crest, Royal Dance and Whirling. Lifeguard more than held his own in the run home to score decisively from Moorwyn. Arouse finished strongly to get third, and Whirling was fourth ahead of Sir Abb, Royal Dance, Harbour Bridge and High Tea. Lifeguard was better class than the others and won well. Whirling displayed fine speed after beginning from the extreme outside, and his turn Should corn© soon. Arouse ran on really well, and Sir Abb was also staying. Triune Beats Link Divine.

The'place favourite Triune narrowly defeated ths win fav6urite Link Divine in the Cambria Handicap. Triupe and Link Divine were smart to begin but were headed by Gay Shiek nearing the turn, where Link Divine appeared to be checked. Gay Sheik weakened in the last furlong and after ary exciting tussle Triune won by a head from Link Divine. Gay Sheik was two lengths away third and Arfeacourt was fourth. Triune was a little better seasoned than Link Divine and just wore her down at the end. The place-getters were the only ones who ever appeared to have chances, although Palardo, who is very green, displayed speed.

Kiltbwyn Unlucky. The favourite Gay Bldnde attempted to win the Alison Cup from end to end, and just failed. Gay Blonde, Cartex and Gay Broney were the leaders into the straigh'- from Royal Artist, Kjltowyn, Lord Vai and Baroscope, who were almost abreast ahead pf Gay Marigold, Carfex and Gay Broney. Gay Blonde weakened at the distance and Kiltowyn challenged. Then Gay Marigold came through with a well timed run to -win by a head from Kiltowyn, who defeated Gay Blonde by a head. Master Norval was staying oil in fourth position, followed by Royal Artist and Gay Broney. It was a great race over the last furlong between the placed horses, who were locked together at the post. Gay Marigold is at the top of her form. Kiltowyn appeared a shade unlucky, beipg hampered when Gay Blonde left the rails and came out on him at the finish. Fine Finish in Steeples.

There was a fine finish in the Spring Steeplechase, for which Miss Dazzle was favourite. Miss Dazzle made most of the running, but she was headed on the hill in the second round by Absent, who was not afterwards headed to score by two lengths from Neil. Copey, after being well back most of the journey, finished strongly to get third, and St. Wartigal was fourth. Miss Dazzle, Absent and Thespis, who pulled very hard, all pulled tip lame. Absent was very .vigorously ridd-- at the finish. Capella Abbey appeared likely at the last fence but tired in the run home. Namakia Shows good Form.

The three-year-old Namakia reached the front quickly in the Takapuna Plate and was not afterwards headed, drawing away in the last furlong to score by two lengths from Scotland. King Rey was a length away third and King Musk was fourth, followed King Mestor, Matomi and Midian. Namakia ran right up to her best form, and so did Scotland, who was her closest attendant practically throughout. King Rey was also well placed all the way. King Musk was very unlucky. He was squeezed back after being first out from No. 1 and was last at the end of a furlong. He made a fine effort in the straight but the task was too great. Sir Nigel ran badly, but Matorni made a creditable showing. Silver Jubilee Runs Wide.

Silver Jubilee was made a pronounced favourite for the Cheltenham Handicap but he was beaten into third place. He was going well in frd nt with Rereatu entering the straight but w6nt very wide, allowing British Columbia and Rerepai to challenge on the inside. . British Columbia finished sblidly to win by a neck from Rerepai, with Silver Jubilee third. Star Artist was close up fourth, followed by Prolyxo and Rereatu. British Columbia, who paid a fine price after his win At Te Rapa, and Rerepai were both a shade lucky to beat Silver Jubilee, who displayed brilliant speed early and would have won if he had not lugged outso badly. Star Artist was closer at the finish than at any othdr stage, and her turn should not be long delayed. Caliente Finishes Well. It was with a solid finishing effort on the rails that gave Caliente the victory in the Ponui Handicap. Caliente followed Harvest MOon, Merry Lap, Miss Lu, Princess Bede and On Parade into the straight, and slipped through on the rails at the distance to win by half a length from Harvest Moon, who defeated On Parade by a head. Princess Bede, who covered a lot of ground, was fourth, followed by Miss Lu, Merry Lap and Lagoon, who was on the outside most of the way. Caliente finished very resolutely, and Harvest Moon battled on well after making nearly all the pace. On Parade was staying on soundly at the end and was a trifle unlucky. Miss Lu tired in the last half furlong, and so did Merry Lap, who is returning to form.