COMMENT ON RUNNING

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1935, Page 9

COMMENT ON RUNNING

SOME THRILLING FINISHES CLARION CALL FENCES WELL. EASY WIN IN STEEPLECHASE. Giving a splendid exhibition of fast, clean fencing Clarion Call had the Trial Hunters’ Steeplechase won at any stage. He was soon in front and though first Flockhart and then Croyden attempted to reach him he strolled away over the last half-mile to win easing up .by 10 lengths. He raced on the flat in the Bracelet at Marton but has improved greatly since then. He is by Hunting Song, whose stock are all partial to soft tracks. Croyden also fenced well and made a game effort to get to Clarion Call but never looked like catching him. Just Off was last most of the way but finished just too well for Poterie and Nimblefoot, though he never appeared likely to trouble the other two. Poterie was fourth. Nimblefoot tired in the straight after being third most of the final circuit. Flockhart fell when running prominently'at the double the second time and Tiger Bill came to grief at the first fence.' Redbray performed ■disappointingly, fading out over the final circuit •to finish last. Red Sand’s Scurry. After jumping out smartly Red Sand was always -one of the leaders in the Wereroa Scurry and stayed solidly in the run home to win well by a neck.. She had everything in her favour but carried out her task well. Lady Eka was soon running along in a handy position on the rails in fourth place. She .challenged Red Sand strongly over the last furlong but could not get up. Lady. Hoariri had every chance. She jumped out smartly and was in front with Red Sand at the straight entrance but then weakened. Bright Sky ran a capital race for a hurdler, being right up fourth after being handy throughout. Beau Star was also always in the picture. High Test was running on strongly after being well back early. Gay Poto displayed a great burst of speed to run .up to the leaders after being slow to begin. He was third into the straight and then faded out. Whoa Johnnie ran a fair race for a green horse. Fifth Win on Course, ' Tahurangi ' scored his fifth win on the New Plymouth course when he won the Whenuakura Hack Handicap. He did not begin well but had raced up into fourth place after going two furlongs. He followed Silk Sox round the High School bend and was almost on terms at' the home turn. He shook off Silk Sox at the distance but had _to withstand- a ■ challenge from Sporting Song. However, he ran on strongly to score by half a length. It was an attractive performance. Sporting Song , did not become prominent until the High School bend but was third into the straight. He finished gamely under pressure but could not reach Tahurangi. Silk Sox attempted to lead all the way and. though beaten was right up third at the finish. Ruaform could not foot the early pace but was running on strongly in fourth position at the finish. It was a good, effort for a hurdler. Prince Reno made a forward move at the three-furlong post but never really looked, dangerous. Revival was. well in the .picture until the straight entrance. Hunting. Lad ran a fair race. Red Panther was in front with; Silk Sox. for nearly half a mile but then dropped out. Petrarch Returns to Form. ; . ■ The Hunt Cup* was spoiled by a blinding shower of rain that commenced just after the start. Petrarch, the winner, was always handily placed and ran. to the front at the stand double the second time. From then onward it was a one-horse race. Petrarch, jumping splendidly, was 10 lengths clear entering the back, and making no errors he ran on to win with the greatest of ease by four lengths. He created a good impression. when; he won at Hastings in June but .his recent form, had been disappointing. He was well handled ,by A. McDonald.- The top weight, Prosy Boy, was a Jong way back in the early stages and was so far. away commencing the last round that his hope of even filling a place looked very remote. However, he) put in some great work oyer the final stages and finished a respectable second. It was. a fine effort under the conditions. Old Waitaunaha was always in the picture, fencing in great style and stayed on much better than was expected to pay a fine place dividend. Razor also performed creditably. Jumping in fine style he was never further back than third but his condition gave out over the last three furlongs. Panloff and The Storm Wind made the running for a mile and a-half but then began to drift. Miss Pango did not run on as expected, but Ngareta and Susie Pye were never possibilities. A remarkable fact' was that despite the storm every horse completed the course without mishap, reflecting credit upon the jockeys.

Splendid Finish. The Waihou Handicap . was productive of a great finish and only the judge was in a position to separate Gold Mission and Slippery. Gold Mission did not begin well and there was only one horse behind her when the field settled down. However, she had moved up into a ‘H^nriy. position, at the far turn coming with a fine run on the outside in the straight, collared Refresher about 100 yards from home but only just lasted long enough to beat Slippery by a head. As this was Gold Mission’s first race since June her prospects this season look bright. Slippery was a most unlucky horse. He was travelling well in third or fourth place on the rails coming into the straight, but could not get through and had to come on the outside. He was flying at the finish but the post arrived too soon. Another stride and he was in front. Refresher had every chance. He was first out and appeared to be going well in front at the straight entrance. He looked a winner at the distance but could not hold off Gold Mission and Slippery. Gold Cure ran a capital race, showing a fine turn of speed, only weakening into fourth place in the straight. Fersen was last early but was travelling well in fifth place at the finish. Orapai faded out badly after being prominent at the turn for home. Carfex was never a possibility.

Gainsay all the Way. Mr. K. McK. Duncan repeated his Ellerslie performance on Gainsay in the Ladies’ Bracelet, winning from end to end. Gainsay was always going well and had plenty in reserve when challenged by Santoft in the straight, romping away to win by four lengths. Gainsay has won two races and run a second and a third in four starts. As usual he was capably handled by Mr. Duncan, who is the Dominion’s best gentleman rider. San-toft was not well placed early but he came with a strong run in the straight. He beat the rest easily but could make no impression on Gainsay. Bay Sand was ridden a perfect race by Mr. J. Morris, but was not good enough. Poterie was staying on in fourth place. Sapless was Gainsay’s closest attendant most of the way but stopped in the straight. Shirley Temple was never a possibility, and Gallant Maid, who was pulled up, was bleeding on her return ter the birdcage.

Alchemic’s Good Finish. f The three-year-olds had the. finish of the Waverley Hack Handicap' to themselves, three of .that age filling- '. the places. Alchemic, the winner, was responsible for a good performance as-he had to cover extra ground.comin}/round the turn. Handling the going sp.endidly he came with a fine run in the'straight to cut down the. leaders and. ;xx>re by

three.-quarters of a. length. • He was a promising two-year-old, and n has started this season in a manner' that’augers well for his future. He paid a good doublefigure dividend on the straight-out machine. Lowenberg .was always in the picture, running a great race under conditions that did not'suit'him. He looked a. winner at the distance but. the heavy going beat him. Bantry was not well placed early, but-had'-raced-up into a

fair .position at .the home • turn. ' Ha ’ finished solidly in. third .place. Windsoreeri was the last-to leave the barrier but put in good work - over the ■ final stages to be right up: in fourth place at the finish. . Landlubber had every chance. He : was'soon • in front but was done with- as' soon ■as the. straight; was entered. .Blue' Tiger and Chikara both . disappointed,.- never - looking likely- to win. .