RACING REVIEWED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21530, 18 December 1939, Page 8

RACING REVIEWED

Favourite Disappoints Milestone 621-468 dominated the betting on the Claremont Handicap, there being a big drop in the figures to Reta’s Own 193-256 and Lady Ede 142160. Lady Ede and Co-Director broke at the start, and Millisle after going 100 yards. Cracksman led into the back stretch from Fluke, but Reta’s Own travelled fast along the running and at the top the order was Cracksman, Axworthy, Reta’s Own, Appomatox, Fluke and Lady Ede. Appomatox Lady Ede and Milestone all made mistakes, and coming down the straight Reta’s Own took charge from Cracksman, Axworth, Fluke, Gaynor and Patch’s Discovery, the rest being in the discard. Turning into the back the last time Reta’s Own was six lengths ahead of Cracksman and Axworth. The last-named left his feet, and at the top Reta’s Own and Cracksman were 15 lengths clear of Axworth and Gaynor. Reta’s Own breezed away again in the run home and won easily oy three lengths from Cracksman. Axworth was ten lengths away, with Premier three lengths further back. Consistent but Neglected For the Salisbury Handicap, Washdyke furnished the favourite in Rowi 467-352, from Labour Day 323-284, Rosalind Maid 272-279 and Rollalong 187-195. Rollalong went away galloping, and Macgregor, Jerry Parrish and Petite all broke. Rosalind Maid and Drumcree took up the role of pacemakers, with Rowi and Charles Russell in attendance, and passing the stand Drumcree, Rosalind Maid, Charles Russell, Rowi, Wee Pal, Glenholme and Jerry Parrish were bunched. Drumcree piloted Rosalind Maid, Charles Russell, Rowi and Wee Pal to the back, but Charles Russell went to the front at the far turn and led Drumcree, Glenholme and Rowi across the top and to the straight. The Oamaru-owned gelding held his own to the finish, and won by nearly two lengths from Rowi, who beat Jerry Parrish by half a length. Drumcree was a length away, with a gap to Tiny Axworthy, Labour Day and Wainoni Girl. Although Charles Russell was twice placed at Forbury, he returned over a score. A Brilliant Four-year-old The withdrawal of Walter Gay from the John Hole Memorial reduced the field to ten without affecting the number of totalisator chances. The four-year-old Nelson Eddy 627-468 carried nearly twice as much win money as Acuity 309-277 or Battlefield 308-337. Nelson Eddy and Cruiser both broke at the start, but were not long in recapturing their gait. Jesse Owens led round the top the first time from Red Pigeon and Nelson Eddy, who had opened a long gap to Acuity and Jackaranda. Jesse Owens paced past the stand at a leisurely rate, closely attended by Red Pigeon, Nelson Eddy,

Nell Grattan, Battlefield and Jackaranda. Going along the back the call was Jesse Owens, Battlefield, Red Pigeon, Nell Grattan, and they reached the mile in the slow time of 2.20. Commencing the final round Jesse Owens, Battlefield and Cruiser were in command from Red Pigeon, Nell Grattan and Acuity, with Nelson Eddy in a pocket inside Jackaranda. Cruiser broke again and lost his place, and going along the back Jesse Owens and Battlefield were joined by Acuity, the trio going on clear of Red Pigeon, Nelson Eddy and Nell Grattan. Jesse Owens led round the top from Battlefield and Red Pigeon, but as soon as the straight was reached Red Pigeon shot past the other pair and looked to have the race won. Then Nelson Eddy pulled out from the rails, put in a sensational burst, and came on to win easily by nearly two lengths from Red Pigeon. A length further back came Jackaranda. Nell Grattan, Jesse Owens and Horsepower with heads between them. Easy for Favourite Loyal Rey 600-379, Three Tens 599324, Axspear 234-297 and DevotionBattlevale 218-282 w'ere the popular selections for the Levels Handicap. Palomar, Joan Grattan, Three Tens and Kilrea all broke at or just after the start. Axspear was first to show, but turning into the back stretch, he was joined by Devotion, the two racing clear of Old Faithful. Colonel Axworthy and Royal Grattan, with Three Tens moving up. Round the top the leaders were Devotion, Three Tens, Old Faithful, and Axspear, and commencing the last circuit Devotion and Three Tens were on terms followed by Axspear and Old Faithful. Loyal Rey and Joan Grattan, and Colonel Grattan. Devotion led along the back the last time from Three Tens. Axspear. Old Faithful and Loyal Rey, but at the far turn Loyal Rey dashed to the front with Colonel Axworthy and Old Faithful in pursuit. Three Tens having buckled a wheel. The favourite was not extended to win by more than two lengths from Colonel Axworthy, who was nearly that distance ahead of Old Faithful. Kilrea and Axspear were next in a strung-out tail. Converted Pacer Wins Trot The Paddy’s Harvest-Mohican couplet 450-368 was preferred to Reception 391-314, Jenny’s Guy 322-324 and Gracie Fields 296-275 in the Waimate Handicap. Sonama King tangled and swerved about at the start, but at the end of a furlong he had run to the front with Violet Wrack, the two being just clear of Reception. Paddy’s Harvest, Dark Hazard and Gyrate. At the mile Sonoma King held a three lengths advantage over Reception, with Violet Wrack and Dark Hazard following at the same intervals. Racing up the straight the field commenced to bunch and entering the last lap Sonoma Hazard, Gracie Fields, Gyrate and King, Reception. Violet Wrack. Dark Mohican were all well placed. Paddy’s

Harvest and Parrish Guide had compounded and fallen to the rear. Trotting round the far turn Dark Hazard sprinted to the front and was soon three lengths ahead of Reception and Sonoma King, with Mohican heading the rest. Dark Hazard was not challenged, and won by three lengths from Reception, who beat Sonoma King by a neck. Jenny’s Guy and Mohican were next. An Appropriate Win Scratchings were numerous in the Kerrytown Handicap, the 16 on the card shrinking to ten, and there was a drop in investments. The Oraritrained four-year-old Ned Worthy 446-331 was preferred to Huguenot 361286, Shadow Queen 352-255, and Roll-along-Trireme 322-328. Huguenot and Ned Worthy both tangled at the start. Macgregor led out of the ' straight, but Rollalong was hurried round the first bend and led into the | back from Macgregor, Shadow Queen | and Trireme. Round the top Rollalong was three lengths ahead of Macgregor, then came Trireme and Shadow Queen, Glenholme and Wee Pal. Rollalong entered the last lap followed by Macgregor, Shadow Queen, Trireme, | Glenholme, Wee Pal, Silk King and Wainoni Girl. Except that Trireme broke and retired there was not much alteration as they hurried to the far turn; then Ned Worthy made a move, and swinging into the straight Rollalong was two or three lengths in advance of Ned Worthy, with Shadow Queen, Glenholme and Wainoni Girl in the next line. Ned Worthy made

a game effort to overhaul Rollalong, but the Kerrytown gelding hung on to claim the verdict by a neck. Shadow Queen, the third horse, was five lengths away, with another gap to Glenholme. Oversize Field in Sprint All the 19 acceptors for the Pareora Handicap, except Walter Gay, went to the post. Silver Guy, Cruiser, Roan Duke, Quest, Zincali and Bill B all lost their chances in the early stages. Jesse Owens and Great Don were first to show and led round the top from Toorak and Red Pigeon. Waitaki Power sprinted up the straight, and passing the box the first time Jesse Owens, Great Don and Waitaki Power were disputing the lead, with Wee Potts, Red Pigeon, Lightning Lady and Toorak all handy. Jesse Owens and Great Don led Red Pigeon. Waitaki Power, Wee Potts and Lightning Lady along the back, but after turning for home Wee Potts was urged to the front and looked liking staying there. Her advantage was only momentary, as Lightning Lady cut her down and won by a length from Red Pigeon, who also outstayed Wee Potts by a length. Jesse Owens was a neck away, followed closely by Battlefield and Subsidy. The favourites were TokenBattlefield 410-457, Bill B 361-300. Wee Potts 313-306, Waitaki Power 285-241, and Great Don 254-332. Ferm Horses Pay Double Figures Four scratchings left 14 competitors in the Farewell Handicap, Coquette 764-261, Kilrea 590-320. Axspear 341245, Imperial Jade 305-340 and Colonel Axworthy 229-229 being the popular selection. Southern Smile failed to go away, and Refund lost a lot of ground. Brigadier assumed the role of pacemaker from Imperial Jade, Devotion, Axspear and Colonel Axworthy. Racing past the stand Brigadier had been joined by Kilrea, and they entered the last circuit with Imperial Jade and Axspear, Devotion and Coquette, and Colonel Axworthy trailing them. Palomar broke and dropped out five furlongs from home. Brigadier led Kilrea, Imperial Jade. Axworth, Devotion, Coquette and Colonel Axworthy along the back, but was beaten when Kilrea, Axspear and Imperial Jade challenged at the top. Axspear was just in front of Kilrea when the straight was reached, but Colonel Axworthy sprinted up on the outside and won comfortably by two lengths from Kilrea. who outstayed Axspear by nearly a length. Coquette was fourth. Devotion crossed his legs and fell when a furlong from the post, and hampered two or three horses, but none of these appeared to be a place possibility when the incident occurred. Colonel Axworthy had been runner-up to Loyal Rey earlier in the day, but backers neglected the tip.

RE-HANDICAPS By Telegraph Press Association AUCKLAND. December 17. Auckland Racing Club re-handicaps, are:— Railway Handicap. —Our Jean 8.2. Grafton Hurdles.—Hopalong 9.4. RACING AT ROSEHILL United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 17. 6.30 p.m.) SYDNEY. December 17. At the Rosehill races yesterday the principal results were:— DUNDAD HANDICAP, Grey Derby, 8.7 (Bartie) 1 Delmestor, 9.13 (Davidson) 2 Rival Hit, 7.7 (Thompson) 3 Fourteen started including Te Hero, who stayed at the post. Won by a short neck, half a neck between second and third. Time lmin 25secs. DECEMBER HANDICAP. Kurrawid, 8.6 (Harvey) 1 Santa, 7.2 (Podmore) 2 Gimme, 6.10 (Watterson) 3 Seven started. Won by a neck, one and a half lengths between second and third. Time 2min 20secs. At the Ascot races yesterday results were:— ASCOT CUP Of £500; 1.1 miles and 40 yards. Keeping Watch, 8.7 (Griffiths) .. 1 Keelie, 8.13 (Devalie) 2 Morvren, 7.3 (Powell) 3 Eleven started. Won by one and a half lengths, two lengths between second and third. Time 2min 9secs. LINCOLNSHIRE HANDICAP, Of £500; 6 furlongs. Riviera, 7.7 (Preston) 1 Ramdin, 8.12 (Box) 2 Lord Windburra, 8-5 (Breasley) .. 2 Ten started. Won by one and threequarter lengths, a head between second and third. Time lmin 123 secs. With the first mile occupying 2.20. the John Hole Handicap did not provide a test of stamina, but it revealed exceptional brilliance in Nelson Eddy His error at the start was not expensive, as he quickly sprinted into third place, but thereafter the black four-year-old was in every possible pocket, and even three furlongs from home his chance appeared remote. When pulled ■ out and asked to move Nelson Eddy I just paralysed the opposition, and I there can be few faster horses of any I age in the Dominion. Except for a soft patch near the far turn, the irrigation operations put the Washdyke trotting track in fine order for Saturday’s meeting. With the one I exception mentioned the going was fast, but the strong easterly wind made very fast times inpossible. The beneficial effect of the watering was indicated by comparison of the trotting path with the untreated galloping track which encircled it, this being hard and dusty. The success of last week’s experiment makes it appear likely that there will be no more concrete or dusty tracks at Washdyke even in the biggest droughts.