RACING REVIEWED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22554, 12 April 1943, Page 6

RACING REVIEWED

Tight Finish in Hurdles

For the Tekapo Hurdles backers selected Midgard 532-448, Nightcalm 473-400 and Ferriby 252-331. Thoraide and Valens were slow to begin. Jumping the second hurdle (opposite the stand) Midgard and Nightcalm were clear of Israel and Gay Boa. Nightcalm lost his place at the seven by a bad jump, but soon regained it. At the five the leaders were Israel. Nightcalm, Gay Boa, Midgard and Benevolent. Halfway across the top Israel, Nightcalm, Midgard and Benevolent were in line just in front of Gay Boa, and Nightcalm, Gay Boa and Israel jumped the last hurdle together. In a great finish Israel won by a head from Gay Boa, who beat Nightcalm by the same margin. Valantua was finishing strongly half a length away. Ferriby and Midgard were next. Novice Run in Divisions As there were only three scratchings, the Electric Stakes had to be run in divisions. With comparatively little form to guide them, speculators favoured Prince Leighon 630-640, Waltzing Matilda-John 0’ London 289361, Pal Bill 279-362 and Hunting Charm 198-259. In the first division, Waltzing Matilda and St. Nattar were soon in command from Burberry, Pal Bill, Gay Wells and Prince Leighon. The two last-named lost their positions on the far turn. Waltzing Matilda and St. Nattar led Burberry into the straight, but in the run home Burberry disposed of them comfortably and won by a length from St. Nattar. Perseverance was three lengths away, just ahead of Prince Leighon, who was not ridden out.

In the second division Hunting Charm made play from Greek Idol, John o’ London and Fairy Bard. At the three furlongs this quartet was followed by Salmafonn and Vafort. Hunting Charm was not troubled to win by three lengths from John 0’ London, who beat Fairy Bard by two lengths. Nisi Prius was fourth. Easy Win in Trot The popular candidates for the Gladstone Trot were Francis Logan 663-582. Trusty Scott-McAlister 607-661, Scotch Music 455-544, Ovend-Scotty BurnsTrue Potts 407-485, Horatio Nelson 332500. McAlister, True Potts, Vanard, Sea Fortune and Steamboat were among the slow beginners. Passing the stand the leaders were Ovend. Bonny Axworth. Francis Logan, Sylvia Direct. Horatio Nelson. Trusty Scott and Clare Morris. At the five this bunch had been joined by Lockheed and Great Artist. Across the top Ovend. Francis Logan, Sylvia Direct, Clare Morris and Trusty Scott were at the head of a big bunch. Clare Morris ran to the front on entering the straight, but was quickly passed by Trusty Scott, who went on to win easily by six or eight lengths. Clare Morris was three lengths ahead of Scotch Music, then came Great Artist, Lockheed and Major Grattan. Heads in Cup All the acceptors except Strip went to the post for the Timaru Cup. From the 14 starters speculators picked out Macedoine 669-763, Arctic Dawn 588744, Palfrey 399-514, Tire Raker 389615 and Dominate 292-432. When the field had settled to work Royal Chorus and Military Maid were leading from St. Cloud, Arctic Dawn and Eulogist. Passing the six the call was Royal Chorus, St. Cloud, Military Maid, Maggiore. Arctic Dawn and Eulogist. Across the top Royal Chorus led St. Cloud, Military Maid, Maggiore. Arctic Dawn. Eulogist, Royal Lancer, The Raker and Little Secret. Maggiore and Eulogist weakened, and Royal Chorus. St. Cloud and Military Maid led Arctic Dawn to the straight. St. Cloud was being acclaimed the winner a furlong from home, but the field closed up. and in a great struggle Arctic Dawn won in the last stride by a head from St. Cloud, with Little Secret a head away. A length back came Palfrey, Royal Lancer and Kevin in line. Macedoine was one of the rear division all the way, and Dominate and Nightglass never flattered their supporters. Score in Hack Sprint Tane Matua was the only non-starter of the 19 acceptors for the Smithfield Hack Handicap. There were eight wellbacked runners, with True Mate 784718 and Royal Rae 683-802 disputing favouritism. Bantas 582-501 and Lucky Girl 440-500 were next in demand. Lucky Girl got rid of her rider before the start. Royal Brief, Justitia, Dearo and Lucky Girl missed the jump-out. Royal Rae, Dash 0’ Dink, Night Believer and Bantas were the smartest beginners, and at the three furlongs Dash o’ Dink and Bantas, Royal Rae and Night Believer, Papette and True Mate were all prominent. Bantas was in sole command halfway up the straight, but Papette finished fast and won by a length from Night Believer, who finished strongly and beat Bantas by a head. Dash o’ Dink and Wise Girl were next. Papette paid another big dividend. First of Eighteen Months Fur Coat and Night Pal dropped out of the Doncaster, but there were still 14 starters. Grilse 1169-745. Scottish Dale 658-609. Lord Advocate 478-475 and Botany 448-540 topped the betting.

Tea Drop. Tutere. Lord Nuffield and King Gustavo lost ground at barrierrise. Top Row. Scottish Dale and Grilse were first to show, and they were still in the van at the home turn, with Lord Advocate and Botany in the next row. Grilse headed Scottish Dale a furlong from the judge and looked like winning easily, but Lord Advocate put in a brilliant run and failed by only a head to catch the filly. Rawhamai was a length or more away, with Straight Hat. Scottish Dale and Botany in line for fourth. This was the first win for Grilse since the Welcome Stakes at Riccarton 18 months ago. Double to Gunning Stable Canister 1472-1027, Premier Royal 701-464. In the Mood 612-707. Debtor 495-507 and Trikkala 459-513 were all stoutly supported for the Otipua Trot. Castlebar. Cinchona and Indian Wrack all broke early. Debtor began very quickly, and passing the stand she was three lengths ahead of Canister, who was five lengths in front of Jill and Cold Steel. Jill paced to the front at the seven furlongs, where Come Away and In the Mood joined the leading bunch. At the six the order was Jill. Debtor, In the Mood Canister, Come Away and Cold Steel. In the Mood made a bid for the lead but skipped and lost ground. Round the top the reading was Jill, Debtor, Premier Royal. In the Mood, Canister, Pontoon. As soon as they straightened for home Premier Royal dashed to the front and won very easily by four lengths from Canister, who finished wide out and snatched second money from Debtor. Sir Gaillard and Jill were next. T. H. Gunning thus won both harness races. A Southland Winner Donnybrook Fair 1595-1097 and Paladeo 1304-999 dominated the betting on the Rosewill Handicap, all the other starters being at double figures on the win machine. Faultless was left at the post. Lady Nuffield w’as the initial leader from Overland Red. Paladeo and Sascha, but at the five the order was Overland Red. Paladeo, Lunaria. Lady Nuffield, Sascha. Overland Red held command across the top from Paladeo, Sascha, Lunaria and Donnybrook Fair, but retired at the head of the straight. Sascha was left in the lead clear of Paladeo. and she was not caught, but Royal Writ finished with a great run and Sascha had only a head to spare at the wire. Paladeo was third, a length away, a neck in front of Roman Son.