Some Great Finishes Witnessed At Wingatui.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18888, 14 October 1929, Page 2

Some Great Finishes Witnessed At Wingatui.

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING

IS MOST SUCCESSFUL OF RECENT YEARS.

DUNEDIN, October 12. The spring meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club -was concluded to-day. The weather was dull and a trifle cold, but it remained fine throughout the day. The racing was full of interest, and, with the exception of two events, the finishes were close. The handicapper, Mr C. E. HassalJ, came in for wellearned commendation on his work. The new judge, Mr B. Ireland, was well tested. Pie had some very close finishes to decide and he emerged from all the difficulties with an established reputation. From the club’s point of view it was a very successful meeting. There was an increased attendance each day and an advance of £B6OO in the totalisator investments, so the meeting should produce a good profit, a welcome position for the officials. Racing opened with the Wakari Hurdles, Rangatahi, racing in the same interests as the first day’s winner, Carinthia, was a good favourite, but several others were backed. Taramoa led Rag Tag and Guncase over the first hurdle. All Smiles then ran into second place, but a bad jump in front of the stand settled her chance. She lost her rider at the next obstacle. Taramoa led past the mile post from Rag Tag, Antrim Boy and Guncase, but going along the back Antrim Boy took second place, with Rangatahi handy. Antrim Boy made a bad jump at the six furlong post, and fell at the second last hurdle, where he was well beaten. Taramoa was followed round the home turn by Beauty Light and Guncase. with Rangatahi and Kapuna not far away. Taramoa seemed to have the race in hand when well in the straight. Then Beauty Light a pea red with a challenge and he was on terms with the leader before Taramoa’s rider realised the danger. The result was that Beauty Light won by half a length. Guncase was two lengths away, with Rangatahi and Kapuna next. The winner showed a lot of improvement on his first day’s form. Rangitab i was going well at the turn but failed to go on. It looked as if Taramoa should have won. The scratching of Glenrowan and Comique, each with a later engagement, left thirteen starters for the Kaikorai Handicap. Town Major was a pronounced favourite, Tembroney being easily second fancy and Sailing Home third chance. Lucky Light, Dumblane and Bellicose were slow to begin. Royal Flower was smartest out, followed by Some Toff, Topere, Tembroney and Battle Screen. Royal Flower was soon replaced in the lead by Some Toff and Fallow, who were joined by Salmo Salar after going almost half a mile. A little further on Fallow dropped out, Some Toff and Salmo Salar being followed round the home turn by Topere, with Tembroney, Town Major and Crossbow handy, while Sailing Home was moving up from further back. When fairly in the straight, Salmo Salar retired. Topere then took charge, and at the distance was challenged by Tembroney. These two were engaged in a sharp struggle when Sailing Home appeared on the scene and got up to beat Topere by a neck, with Tembroney another neck away. Some Toff was two lengths further back, closely followed by Crossbow and Town Major. The winner has beerr expected for some Time, and apparently be needs a longer journey than he has been racing in lately. Topere ran a solid race and was unlucky to be beaten on the post. Tembroney put up one his usual solid races. Some Toff failed to stay. Town Major had every chance, but was not good enough. Salmo Salar was going well at the home turn, but collapsed in the straight. The scratching of Night Lad left six runners for the Shorts Handicap. Meadow Lark was a pronounced favourite, with Royal Saxon easily second fancy. The start was a bad one. They were sent off from a walk, with Waving Corn in front of Meadow Lark and the others in straggling order. Black Duke and Aspiring being last. Waving Corn shot out well clear of Meadow Lark, and at the end of three furlongs Aspiring rushed through to loin the leading pair. Aspiring ran wide at the home turn and drifted back to last, where she finished. Once in the straight Waving Corn went right away and she beat Meadow Lark easily by lengths. Francolin was a length away. Black Duke was a length further back, his performance I being a good one after his slow start. Royal Saxon ran a bad race, as after going well for half a mile he faded out. Waving Corn had the race made easy for her when she jumped away in front.

The scratching of Rapier and Royal Game left a field of nine for the Ranfurly Handicap. Night Lad wound up with a slight call over Pink Note and Celerity 11. They went off to a good start, Money Mine and Night Lad being first to show out. Night Lad drew clear at the end of a furlong, leading along the back from Money Aline, Narrative and Taboo. When the field had gone three furlongs Evening started a run, and at the far turn she and Narrative were two lengths behind Night Lad and Money Mine, who were still out in front. Celerity

11. was last at this stage and still was tailing the field as they raced for the straight. Then Celerity 11. and Pink Note put in their claims. Celerity 11. was in charge just inside the distance, with the race apparently in safe keeping. Night Lad was far from beaten, however. He came on with a late challenge, which failed by the narrowest of margins, Celerity 11. stalling him off by a nose. Narrative was two lengths away, with Pink Note close up fourth. The winner had not raced ior more than six months, and her performance was a great preliminary for other engagements this season. Night Lad ran a great race. It was a surprising reversal on his earlier form this season The Dunedin Guineas attracted a field of seven after Desert Song, Comique, Aspiring and Speed Light had been withdrawn. Dutch Monej was a hot favourite, carrying nearly twice as much as Meprisant, who was easily second fancy. Stealth was first put, followed by Flair and Meprisant, with Disorder bringing up the rear. Flair took charge after going a furlong, and a little further on Dutch Money took second place, with Stealth, Gold Tinge and Meprisant handy. Then Disorder put in a strong run, which landed her alongside Flair half a mile from home, where Meprisant had drifted back to last. Flair and Disorder raced round the turn to the straight, with Dutch Money as their nearest attendant. Disorder retired when fairly headed for home, and Stealth then drew out from Flair, while Meprisant could be seen making up ground from the back. Stealth was out by himself at the distance, but Meprisant wore him down gradually and won on the post by a nose. Dutch Money was four lengths away, with Flair fourth, followed bv Blue Metal, Disorder and Gold Tinge in that order. The winner’s performance was impressive. He came from a long way back and won through his stamina. His effort was a great improvement from his form on the first day, when he met trouble on the journey. Dutch Money disappointed, as she failed to stay. Disorder showed great speed, but was bustled too much in the middle stages. The scratching of Tea Party left ten runners for the Dominion Handicap Mr C. G. Dalgety’s bracket, Spoon and The Geisha, were easily first choice, with about twice as many tickets as Red Royal and A 1 Jolson, who disputed second position. The race was devoid of interest. A 1 Jolson was first to break the line, but soon dropped back. Kerbside was out clear before going a hundred yards, with Tracsono, Spoon, Countermarch and A 1 Jolson next Kerbside headed a procession all the way, winning with ridiculous ease by five lengths from Spoon, who finished on well and beat Tracsono by three lengths, with Rosy Morn and Countermarch next. The winner gave nothing a chance, and she looks like being a very successful performer, .as she has great speed. Taboo and Narrative were scratched for the Telegraph Handicap, for which there were eight runners. Circulation. Glenrowan, Sudden Storm and Coomassie were heavily supported. Sudden Storm got off badly. Martis, Glenrowan and First Raid were smartest out, but Glenrowan was steadied, and at the end of a furlong Coomassie joined Martis in the lead, with First Raid in close attendance, while Circulation. Royal Game and Glenrowan were not far away. The field raced without much change to the straight, where Coomassie retired. Then Royal Game shot to the front, but there was a big bunch going well at this stage, and the finish was one of the most exciting seen on the course for a long time. Circulation eventually beat Glenrowan by a nose, with Martis a head away, while Membo finished fast alongside First Raid and Royal Game. Circulation was well handled by A. E. Ellis, and she finished resolutely. A successful meeting was concluded with the Clarendon Handicap. Inevitable was a strong favourite, while Desert Song and Assemble also received big backing. Corn Queen was left at the post and took no part in the race, while Arrogant and Solmuri got off so badly that they had no chance. Assemble was first to break the line, but Inevitable was handy. Ell Boa joined them after geong a furlong Desert Song followed these three past the half-mile post, while at the home turn Jock o’ Hazeldean also joined in. On reaching the straight Jock o’ Hazeldean moved up to the leaders, but ran into trouble and dropped back. Inside the distance there was not much between Assemble, Inevitable, Ell Boa and Desert Song, while Jock o’ Hazeldean was coming on again. Assemble finished well and beat Inevitable by a neck. Ell Boa was half a length away, a head in front of the fast-finish-ing Jock o’ Hazeldean. Desert Song was nearly two lengths away, followed by Red - Boa and Crossbow. The winner’s performance was good, but Jock o’ Hazeldean was unlucky. Inevitable will improve.