NOTES ON THE RACING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21576, 12 February 1940, Page 8

NOTES ON THE RACING

Special to “ The Timaru Herald.” CHRISTCHURCH, February 10. The Canterbury Park Trotting Club was very unfortunate with the weather for its meeting. Rain set in during the morning and the track gradually became soft, as showers continued through most of the afternoon. A Promising Trotter Three horses had things their bwn way most of the journey in the Progressive Handicap. Milestone and Chateau, the two favourites, were among a bunch who broke in the first furlong. Native Ruler was soon showing the way to Millisle and Royal Parrish, these three being well clear after two furlongs. Lady Ede and Reta’s Own moved up in the last half mile, and Royal Parrish dropped back a little farther on. Millisle headed Native Ruler three furlongs from home and won decisively. There was a gap to Reta’s Own, who finished well. Lady Ede and Royal Parrish were next. The winner, a five-year-o.d by Peter Moko, trained by P. Gallagher at Washdyke, looks like going on to much better

class. Reta’s Own went a good race, as she began on a pace and then broke, losing a lot of ground.

Easy for Labourman

Labourman soon took charge from Gay Avon and Ochiltree in the Telegraph Handicap. Ochiltree, the favourite, was not pacing smoothly and he dropped right out after three furlongs. Labourman and Gay Avon were followed by Mankind at this stage, but Sports Review moved up fast, taking the lead three furlongs from home. There was no change to the straight, where Sports Review retired. Gay Avon was left in front, but Labourman ran past to beat her easily by two lengths. Mankind was four lengths away, with Sports Review and Repeal next.

Back to Form

A field of 20 lined up for the Pioneer Handicap, but they were strung out early. Guncase did not go off at his best, but soon struck his gait, being in front before going two furlongs, with Lady Slipper, Becky Direct and Diversion next, while Golden Mist joined in after half a mile. Three Tens moved up along the back, while Palomar was improving his position at the three-furlong post. Lady Slipper and Golden Mist retired at the home turn. Guncase held his place in front and won easily. Diversion and Three Tens followed him to the straight, but Palomar finished with a fast run to beat Diversion for second. Three Tens being close up. The winner had previously shown his fondness for a soft track, in which respect I he is a typical son of Man o' War, but he lost form some time ago. He is back to his best and is liable to get i some more money. Palomar should be an early winner. Three Tens was handicapped by failing to begin as fast as some of the others. An Overdue Win Though there were only seven in the' field, the Paparua Handicap provided plenty of interest. Waipahi soon took charge from Frisco Boy and Nelson Eddy, but after three furlongs Jackaranda rushed up to join Frisco Boy in second place, Nelson Eddy and Bill B heading the others, with Toorak and Lightning Lady bringing up the rear. There was no change till three furlongs from home, where Jackaranda took charge. Nelson Eddy moving into second place, with Waipahi dropping back to third. Jackaranda broke at the home turn and faded out. Then Waipahi rushed into the lead again, while Lightning Lady moved up fast to take second place when the straight was reached. Nelson Eddy and Frisco Boy being next. Nelson Eddy, on the rails, moved out smartly but broke. Toorak, on the outside, staged a brilliant run over the last furlong, getting up to beat Waipahi by a length, while Lightning Lady, two lengths back, beat Nelson Eddj’ by a length. This was Toorak’s first success for more than two years, and in the interval he had been placed 19 times. Bill B went well for a mile and then stopped. A Dead-heat Scratchings reduced the field to nine in the Advance Handicap in which three horses staged a great finish. Cruiser broke badly at the start, where Worthy Need and Slippery Sam also lost ground. Ochiltree soon took the lead and stayed there most of the way. Harlequin, Connenora and Red Pigeon followed her for seven furlongs, when Harlequin broke. Ochiltree led Red Pigeon and Connenora along the back. Roan Duke then moved up and he was just behind Ochiltree at the entrance to the straight, with Red Pigeon handy. In an exciting finish, Roan Duke got up to dead-heat with Ochiltree for first place, Red Pigeon being a neck away, with Treasure Bond fourth. There was a bit of a demonstration after the race, some of it due to what was considered improved form by Ochiltree, who had been badly beaten earlier in the day in the mile saddle race, for which she was favourite. Roan Duke lost some ground halfway through the race and this enhanced the merit of his performance. Gracie Fields All the Way Jenny’s Guy tangled soon after the start of the Strowan Handicap, leaving Gracie Fields showing the way to Parrish Guide, with Ganton next. Mohican broke a little further on, Timworthy colliding with him and losing a lot of ground, while Mohican was pulled up. Gracie Fields continued to lead Parrish Guide throughout and won easily. Aristotle was soon well placed, taking third place after a round. Timworthy, driven wide out where the going was firmer, made up ground gradually, and after being handy, a round from home, he beat Aristotle comfortably for third. Had he missed his early trouble he I would have been dangerous. Gracie Fields, however, was always going solidly. A Close Finish F. Holmes, with Wainoni Girl, tried to win the Harewood Handicap from end to end. Hidden Charm, Sentiment, Master Potts and Refund followed her early, while Waitemata moved up to second place after, half a mile, only to break a little further on, leaving Wainoni Girl in front, with Master Potts, Refund and Sentiment next. Charles Russell had been handy, but dropped out five furlongs from home. Rollalong, Old Faithful and Zingarrie moved up along the back and they were well placed at the three furlong post. Refund retired when the straight was reached. Old Faithful then challenged and beat Wainoni Girl by a neck. Three lengths back Zingarrie got up to snatch third place from Sentiment, while Master Potts was close up. Old Faithful put up a good performance, but Zingarrie impressed with a brilliant effort, after meeting trouble early. Marsceres Scores The Au Revoir Handicap, with only six starters, was a good race most of the way. Waipahi was smartest out. but George Rey headed him after two furlongs, with Donald Dhu next, while Marsceres had moved up fast to be fourth, with Jackaranda and Lightning Lady handy. There was not much change in the order to the home turn, but George Rey dropped out when the straight was reached. Masceres then moved up on the outside and won easily by two lengths, Waipahi beating Donaid Dhu by a length, with Lightning Lady next. G. McKendry, who has recovered from a broken wrist, which kept him out of the sulky for a few months, resumed his old place as driver of Marsceres, one of the best pacers in the country on the soft track.