WOODVILLE RACES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17781, 26 February 1926, Page 2

WOODVILLE RACES.

NOVAR WINS AGAIN. (Special to the “ Star.’') PALMERSTON N, February 25. The Woodville autumn races were concluded to-day in perfect weather. Novar won the big handicap decisively, and Papaponga ran away with' the open sprint, while Spode again scored easily in the juvenile event. The sum of £24,456 was put through the totalisator, £1877 less than was registered at the last autumn meeting. Ban juke’s gc.<od second on "Wednesday resulted in his being made favourite in to-day’s hurdle event, but he had a life at the fence a mile-from home, and from there on failed to jump right and in the straight was unable to put any dash into his finish. Tawehi went to the front as soon as the field was released, and he led through the straight from Suspicion, Banjuke and Asleep, with Alatu tailing in the rear. Suspicion was in charge along the back, with Tawehi and Banjuke next. Tawehi drew away after the last fence had been crossed and won by a couple of lengths from Suspicion, who was two lengths ahead of Banjuke. Festival was fourth and Matu fifth.

The withdrawal of White Fang from the Novice Plate left the issue open. Imitation, Capitulation, Windy Night and Bennanee were all well backed. Windy Night was first away and led for three furlongs, when Imitation took charge and was not headed in the run to the judge winning by three-quarters of a length from Windy Night, who lost his positic.-n but came again. Braeman and Capitulation were close up third and fourth respectively, imitation, who runs in Air W. G. Stead’s colours, is a good looking chestnut gelding by Absurd from Gold Painting. As his breeding and his looks suggested he outclassed the field.

Though Novar was favourite for the Autumn Handicap, Good Sport and Phoenix Park, who were fancied by their stables, were nearly as well backed. 'Novar began better than _ usual, and always was in a handy position. He allowed Phoenix Park and Crown Gem to lead to the straight, where he came away and, stalling off a short sustained challenge by Good Sport, won by half a'length from Phoenix Park and Allmarimba, who dead heated fo.r second place. Good Sport was a fair fourth.

Nadarino, White Fang, Bonideer and Nastori were the favourites for the Alangapapa Hack Handicap. Nadarino was first away, but White Fang ran to the front when the field settled down and led to the home turn from Lady Ideal, with Nadarino and Nastori together, just behind them. White Fang increased his lead in -the straight and had the race won a lon£ way from home, and he passed the post four lengths ahead of Nastori, who beat Nadarino by half a length. The next to finish were Lady Ideal, Royal Damon, Idanoe and Laifipyre.

Papaponga won the Telegraph Handicap* from end to end, passing the post four lengths ahead of Aterry Jest, who beat Koodoo by a head. Peneus was fourth. Alerry Jest was a very shortpricea favourite, but after beginning well she drifted into a hopeless position, coming again at the flnisJr to snatch second place on the post. Alagna Charta was a much better favourite than Spode for the Debutante Stakes Handicap, but the Woodville gelding had no chance with the more seasoned filly from Trentham. Magna Charta was restless at the post., and when the barrier lifted Reed, who had drawn the rails, hopped Spode out with a break of several lengths. Eloquent, who was coupled with Magna Charta, joined him in the run across the top, but Spode took the lead again at the bottom of the straight, and eventually won easily by a length from Eloquent; with Alagna Charta and Comedic next.

On the strength of his easy win on Wednesday Polyphemus touched a short price when the machine closed. A great start was effected and Willow Wai’s pace soon carried him to the front to lead along the back from Fillette, Aongatotoa, Westbroke and Tiega. Polyphemus made up ground fast on the top bend, and soon after the straight had been entered he gathered Willow Wai. Willow Wai could .not hold the big Polydamon gelding. Westbroke came at him over the last furlong, but Polyphemus won nicely by half a length. Willow Wai was a good third, Sanctuary a fair fourth,' Fillette fifth and Tiega sixth.

The Kumeroa Hack Welter Handicap, with which tho meeting concluded, was the best betting race of the day. Heavy support for Epistle just at the close made him a better favourite than Indian Sage. Royal Alint also was well backed. Bank Draff was first away, followed by Mime, Epistle, Salamis, Indian Sage and Royal Alint. Epistle and Bank Draft led into tho straight from Salamis. Epistle soon dropped Bank Draft, but Salamis came at him determinedly and Epistle •. had to be shaken up to win by a short neck from Indian Sage, who could not get clear in the straight, Mime Alime and Break o’ Day being next.