COMMENT ON RACING

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1935, Page 12

COMMENT ON RACING

RAIN AFFECTS THE COURSE TARANAKI HORSES JUST BEATEN. MANAWATU SCORES IN HURDLES. (By Telegraph—Special to Nevys.) Wellington, Last Night. Rain was falling when the Wellington spring races opened yesterday but the weather, cleared during the afternoon. The course was heavy and the attendance was fair. The totalisator receipts rose £487 10s from £21,257 10s to £21,745. Arctic Star made most of the running in the Glen Hurdle Race but a couple of bad jumps toward the end of the race cost him first place. Arctic Star led past the official stand from Count Roussillon,. Black Duke, Esteem, Manawatu and Invictus. Arctic Star increased his lead along the oack and at the six furlongs was four lengths clear of Black Duke, who was a few lengths ahead of the others. Manawatu ran into third place before the top turn was reached and was prominent behind Arctic Star and Black Duke entering the straight. Arctic Star led over the last hurdle but was then in trouble and Manawatu soon headed him, while a late run by Monastic placed the issue in doubt. Manawatu won by a neck from Monastic, with Arctic Star a length away third, just ahead of Black Duke, with Count Roussillon, Billy Boy,. Red Sun and Esteem'next. Manawatu handled the going very well and that won for him. Isms lost his rider at the second fence.

Kindheart’s Decisive Win. In the Taita Handicap for two-year-olds Amount, Asset, Mirth, Western Maid, Imposture and Kow Tow were handy at the course proper, where Kindheart was coming through strongly and Kow Tow was going fairly well but wide out. Kindheart ran on well to a decisive win by nearly a length from Paper Slipper, who was two lengths ahead of Kow Tow, who just headed Imposture. Following these were Brilliancy, Mirth and Deficit. Imposture had every chance but just failed to run the race out. However, the race should improve her. Kindheart is the first of the Philamors to win in New Zealand. Also it is the first success of Mr. A. B. Williams since he resumed racing. Stirring Finish.

The Wainui Handicap was won m good style in a hard finish by the Ilaid ftee-yeS-iia Greek Shepherd. From an excellent start Aiguxlle, Princess Doreen and Guarantee, were slow away. After a furlong Big Dook was showing out just in front of Fracas, Jubilee Song and Hunting Lodge with Happy Landing Greek Shepherd and Wino handy. Crossing the top Wino had charge from Big Dook, Fracas, Jubilee Song, Hunting Lodge and Passion Fruit. Wino led the others into the . straight, where Rompalong had run up close to the lea der s but was outside several horses. Greek Shepherd came with a great finishing run-but had to be ridden right out to beat West Tor, who ran on well under pressure and got to within a neck of the three-year-old. Wino was three-quar-ters of a length away third and Farmer was fourth. Then came Big Dook, Jubilee Song, Passion Fruit, Fracas and Hunting Lodge. Shu an Easy Winner.

The best backed in the field for the Rimutaka Handicap were Grey H °riour and Shu. Shu began well from No, 1 position and was prominent in the run to the straight, while Grey Honour, Hostis, Finnesko and Boomerang were well placed. Boomerang came on to the course proper just ahead of Shu, who was shaken up after passing the false rail and came away to win by two ana a half lengths from Grey Honour, who beat Top Coat by a length. Entheos fourth, and after these came Lifeguard, State Bank and Dark Red. Arctic King Beats Fersen.

The Wellington Handicap was a very slowly run race, nearly all the horae? being under restraint for half the journey. With a mile to go Spiral, pulling hard, was in front from Vanestep, Cuddle and Sunee, with King moving up from the back and Walton Park last. The positions changed a little in the run along the back, among those moving up being Fersen and Walton Park- With five furlongs to go Silver Sight had taken charge from Spiral, Fersen, Vanestep, Arctic King, Cuddle, Walton Park and Argentic. At the tum into the straight Silver Sight was still in front from Fersen and Arctic King, who were almost on terms with The Leader, and next to these were Spiral and Walton Park. Arctic King settled the opposition without much trouble but came over on Fersen a little in the run home. He was immediately straightened and went on to win by three-quarters of a length from Fersen, who was a similar distance in front of Sunee, with Argentic going well in fourth place and Walton Park, Vanestep, Spiral, Cuddle and Silver Sight following. The pace ruined the race and suited the winner. Notium Just Beaten.

Pelmet won the Wellesley Stakes after a hard battle all the way down the straight with Notium. Notium, Pelmet, Gay Chief and Wild Chase ran almost abreast in their approach to the course proper, with Cerre Abbas a long way back last. Notium and Moquette were first on to the course proper, where Pelmet was just behind Notium, and Gay Chief and Moquette were prominent. Notium took charge at the distance but was challenged immediately by Pelmet. For a while Ndtium looked likely to maintain the upper hand but when the whip was drawn Pelmet asserted herself and forged to the front to win by a short neck. Gay Chief was only a short neck behind Notium and Moquette was fourth. Wild Chase was fifth and then came Dawning Light, Cricket and Cerre Abbas. Favourites Defeated.

The southerners, Silver Streak and Fairweather were solidly backed for the Shorts Handicap but both were beaten and the decision went to another from the south, Bon Tray. Silver Streak slightly missed the jump away but was never badly placed. Bon Tray soon went to the front and led on to the course proper, where Bodyline, Haut Monde and Variant were handy and Midian was at the back of a bunched field. Silver Sight came through on the rails to challenge Bon Tray, and Variant handy. Valarth soon took charge and threw out a challenge on the other side. Bon Tray, however, hung on well enough to win by half a length, with Silver Streak three-quarters of a length away third and Haut Monde fourth. After the placed horses were Fairweather, Bodyline, Sweet Agnes and Midian.

“Explosion Start.” An explosion in the vicinity of the course sent some of the horses off from the barrier when they were lined up for

tire October Handicap. When a start was effected Valarth began well from an outside position and soon became prominent. Export had run to the front at the six furlongs and was followed by Hunting Cat, Mount Vai, Valarth, Ayrsleigh, Il Duce and Confiscation. There was not much change at the half mile, where Dorado had run into a good position. Export led into the straight from Hunting Cat, Dorado, Windward and Valarth. with Mount Vai handy. Valarth soon took charge and went on to win by two lengths from Mount Vai, who beat Chaste by a neck while Hunting Cat was fourth and Confiscation, Dorado and Taumau were .jext.