CLOSE FINISHES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 470, 3 June 1932, Page 7

CLOSE FINISHES.

Fine Racing Seen During the Day. STRONG PERFORMANCES. Modern Girl was a little better backed than First Wrack in the Progressive Handicap, in which Peter Fashion and were scratched. Peter Elect and Fairyland were left at the start. Todd Bingen, after being slow to get away, was soon into his stride and was just behind Modern Girl at the end of two furlongs, with Great Burton, Rapture and Edith Voyage next. Todd Bingen joined Modern Girl in the lead at the end of six furlongs, but broke two furlongs further on, taking second place. Edith Voyage was third three furlongs from home, with Great Burton, First Wrack and Merce Bingen next. Todd Bingen finished strongly, but Modern Girl stalled him off and won by half a length. Edith Voyage was two lengths away, with Great Burton, Merce Bingen and First Wrack finishing in that order. Modern Girl was beaten at Timaru last month, but won in her previous two starts at Forbury Park. Symmetry and Aristotle, the popular fancies, fought out a great finish, in the Hare wood Handicap. Donna Gulvallis was smartest out, followed by Silver Bingen, Adjuster and Symmetry, with Holly Bank at the head of the next bunch. There was no change at the end of half a mile, where Great Thought and Tempo moved up, while a little further on, Colorado, Princess Thea and Headlight also joined in. Great Thought broke going out of the straight. Adjuster joined Donna Gulvallis in the lead going along the back, with Silver Bingen, Colorado, Aristotle, Headlight and Tempo all handy in the next bunch. Aristotle went to the front when the straight was reached, but Symmetry wore him down and won by a neck. Silver Bingen was a neck and a half away, while two lengths further back came Tempo fourth, with Headlight also prominent.

Impromptu and Great Logan were thfe first to show out in the King George Handicap, and Linkman soon moved to the front from Muriel de Oro, Golden Shadow and Pluto. With half a mile gone, Linkman was a length in front of Muriel de Oro and Pluto with Golden Pedro, Red Shadow and Rollo next. Impromptu made a forward move along the back. Linkman broke at the end of seven furlongs, leaving Pluto in front with Muriel de Oro and Impromptu close handy. This was the order at the stand where Red Shadow, Golden Pedro, Rollo and Lindbergh were next. Pluto retired in the back stretch and Muriel de Oro and Impromptu lead round the home turn from Red Shadow and Lindbergh with Golden Pedro and Rollo handy. Rollo moved up when the straight was reached and beat Impromptu by half a length. Lindbergh was a length and a half away, just in front of Muriel de Oro. The winner’s performance was very impressive, his driver seeming to be content to wait in the middle of the field until three furlongs from home, where he smothered the opposition with a wonderful burst of speed. Red Shadow failed to run on. Biddy Parrish carried a few more tickets than Gay Paree in the Elevation Handicap, while Todd Lonzia was not far behind when the machine closed. Todd Lonzia broke at the start, and his chances were soon gone. Dark M’Kinney led Gay Paree for half a mile, where Gay Pafee took charge, with All Peters handy and Great Way moving up. Going along the back, Gay , Paree was showing the way to Great Way, with Dark M’Kinney and Biddy Parrish at the head of the others. Great Way and Gay Paree were together in the lead starting on the last round, Biddy Parrish and Dark M’Kinney being two lengths away. They raced without change to the straight, and Great Way then took charge, but Biddy Parrish wore him down and won comfortably by a neck. Gay Paree was three lengths away, with Dark M’Kinney fourth. Biddy Parrish was making her first appearance after a few mopths’ spell, and her performance was a very attractive one.

Sunny Morn was a pronounced favourite for the Pioneer Handicap, and he had an easy win. War Paint, Wilbur White and Mountain Ore, who were next in order on the machine, all failed to get placed. Bay Admiral led out with Rolex, Chenaway, Travis and Sunny Morn next. At the end of half a mile, Sunny Morn and Great Parrish were Bay Admiral’s nearest attendants with Rolex and Travis at the head of the others. Bay Admiral Great Parrish and Sunny Morn were showing the way along the back and were still in front at the start of the last lap where Editor, Chenaway and Travis were next. Three furlongs from home, Bay Admiral, Sunny Morn, and Great Parrish were in charge, closely followed by Travis, Bracken and Editor. W hen the straight was reached, Sunny Morn shot to the front and won easily by three lengths. Editor stalled Travis off by half a length, Bracken, Great Parrish and Bay Admiral being next. Sunny Morn, who was bred in Southland, where he did his early racing, was making his first appearance as a member of O. E. Hooper’s stable. He registered an impressive performance which qualified him for a New Zealand Cup entry.