MANAWATU RACES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 173, 23 July 1931, Page 13

MANAWATU RACES.

NUKUMAI WINS AGAIN. (Special to the “ Star.”) PALMERSTON N., July 22. The Manawatu Racing Club’s win ter meeting was commenced in fine weather, but the track was heavy. Jiu Jazz, owned by the master of the Manawatu hounds, Mr L. 11. Collinson, scored a surprise victory in the Iviwitea Hurdles. She was in a rear ward position for nearly a mile, but when Unoco was running to the front she was also being forced along. After being practically on terms with Unoco and Evening Hero at the last fence, she streaked away to beat the lastnamed easily by two lengths. Evening Hero, Unoco and Gourmet, the early pacemakers, were almost in line, and Gambler and Day Lass were next. Useful Juveniles. The two-year-olds were definitely superior to their older opponents in the Rangitane Plate, a special weight event, and three of the first four horses, including the dividend payers, were of that age. Merry Hunter made the running to the straight, followed by Fiji, Curie and Beverage, but Curie then ran through and won easily by three lengths from Merry Hunter, who held off Beverage by a head. Fiji was a poor fourth, with Acrospire and ITystride next. The winner looks a better horse now than previously. Merry Hunter, a half-brother to Merry Damon and Merry Mint, was having his first race, and his effort was impressive. Nukumai’s Steeplechase. Nukumai won the Awapuni Steeplechase in similar manner as he did the Winter Hurdles at Trentham. Lying third till half a mile from home, he moved up quickly ahead of Omeo and Dark Prince, and although Omeo went with him to the finish, Nukumai always had his measure, and beat him comfort ably by a length. Dark Prince, fifteen lengths away, just managed to retain third money from Copey. Spalpiko fell, while Pangolin and St. Warrigal were pulled up. The winner made only one bad jump and his performance was very impressive. Omeo also made a fine showing, but Dark Prince was a little disappointing. Llyn Du in Form. Llyn Du, having his second race recently, upset the calculations of bettors in the Clifford Handicap. In the middle

of the field early, he was sixth into the straight, behind Manawhenua, Royal Opera, Little Doubt, Moutoa Treasury and Royal Game, but then put in a dazzling run along the outside and cut down the leaders in rapid succession, continuing on to beat Royal Opera by nearly two lengths. Manawhenua lost second money only bv a head. A length further away was Royal Game, followed by Merry Damon and Little Doubt. The winner was the outsider of the field, but the price was not so good as might have been expected, judged on his flat form this season. Royal Opera is improving. Another for Landmark.

Landmark definitely proved his class in the Rongotea Hurdles. He was last but two till three furlongs from home. He was then forced along and after following Callapat, Spearmiss and Callamart over the final fence, he was in front half a furlong off the post and ultimately beat Callamart by nearly a length. Callamart shot to the lead after landing over the final fence but could not withstand the winners claim. Spearmiss was purchased by Mr K. M’K. Duncan before the race. Auctioneer was the best of the remainder.

Easy for Adventus. Adventus was ridden a well-judged race by A. E. Elis in the Ruahine Handicap, but so definite was his superiority over the weak opposition that he would probably have won however he had been placed for the finishing run. He assisted Patearoa with the pacemaking to the straight and then drew’ clear. Kissless challenged, but Ellis did not have to ask his mount for his best to hold her at bay. Chief Savage was a poor third. He missed the jump-out, and his early effort left him Without reserve. A Great Finish. The Broadway Handicap provided the star finish of the day. Cook attempted to win from end to end, but Royal Black and Wild Country closed on him in the straight. Wild Country slipped through on the rails, and after a great struggle over the last half furlong beat Cook by half a head. Royal Black was another head away. Cook would have won had he not left the rails in the straight. Another Outsider. Bettors had a final knock when the outsider Juggle came home on them in the Stewards’ Handicap. Coon Song. Taranto, Arajean and Great Charter led her to the straight, but she then burst through and beat Taneriri by a neck, with Manifesto a length back third. Arajean, Taranto and Coon Song were next. Taneriri did not get clear of a crowded field till late, otherwise he would have won. Royal Finance looked a prospect in the straight, but was hemmed in on the rails. RACE RESULTS. Manawatu Racing Club. The following arc the results of the concluding events yesterday:— BROADWAY HACK HANDICAP, of 100 ] sovs: nine furlongs. 2—Wild Country, 0.0 (Wiggins) 1 1— Cook, 0.10 (Park) 2 4 Royal Black ,9.6 (B. 11. Morris) .. :J 3 Merry Melody 10.2 and 5 Sliootist 0.1 also started. Cook was favourite, but after leading all the waj was headed by Wild Country on the post in a great finish with the third horse only a head away. Merr> Melo,dy was fourth. Time—2min STEWARDS’ HANDICAP, of 130 sovs; six furlongs. 5 Juggle, 9.0 CL. a. Morris) 1 2 Taneriri, 10.11 (Foster) 2 6 Arajean, 9.0 (Mackie) 3 4 Great Charter 10.10, 10 Maui 0.11, 5 Manifesto 9.4, 0 Pdue Paper 9.4, Royal Finance 9.4. 7 Taranto 9.0 and 1 Coon Song 9.0 also started. This race produced another surprise. Coon Song was the pacemaker from Great Charter, Arajean and Taranto. Into the straight the field closed on