WINGATUI RACES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 955, 27 December 1933, Page 10

WINGATUI RACES.

Riccarton Horses Much in Evidence. (Special to the “ Star.”) DUNEDIN, December 26. The Dunedin summer meeting was opened in fine weather and attracted a better attendance than usual. The going was a bit greasy at the outset, but it improved rapidly under a breeze and sunshine. Rasouli was travelling like a winner in the Otokia Hurdles when he struck the second last jump and spoilt his chance. Rational 11. was always well placed and won in a close finish with Fleeting Glance and Don Jose. Fleeting Glance hit a hurdle, but shaped very well for a novice. Rameses slipped up when landing in the lead over the first hurdle and Gallivanter dropped his rider at the second. Lady Zephyr stayed on better than usual when winning the Trial Stakes from Daring Deed and Silver Sight. The last-named did not get too good a run in the race. Sungem’s rider lost a leather and was pulled up. Queen of Song outstayed Invoice under a driving finish, while Cup Bearer dropped out after helping Invoice to make the pace to the straight. The others made no show. Gaysome justified the solid support accorded her by the way she won the Federal Handicap from Kerbside, who instead of going out to the front came well after being patiently handled. Royal Sceptre, as usual, petered out after forcing the pace up to the distance. Fair weather stopped after looking dangerous at the distance, but the race should improve him, as he had to be stopped in his work during the two davs preceding the meeting. Mobile ran below form and track work. Irish Lancer was staying on after being slow at the start. The Otago Handicap field was bunched all the way. Some Shamble made the running, but failed to stall off Locksley at the finish. Cough did not get a good run, but finished a close third. Argentic might ha* e been more dangerous if better handled, and the same remark applies to Worship. Sailing Home may improve on the form he displayed. Vintage won going away in the Salisbury Handicap, in which Kamal Pasha collapsed after leading into the straight. Cleaner -was staying on, but without any chance of heading the winner. Chief Light won the Burnside Handicap nicely, but not by much, from Niggerhead and The Masquerader, with Grand Finale close up. Grand Finale had trained off during the last day or two. Final Shot won with a strong finish in the Milburn Handicap and got up to head off Repudiation and Moneygran, who had made most of the running. Silver Jest was always fairly close up, but could not reach the money. REEFTON JOCKEY CLUB. Win and Place Betting to be Used. The Reefton Jockey Club has decided to continue with the win and place system of totalisator betting at its summer meeting, to be held on January 6 and 8. RANDWICK RACES. Sister to Closing Time Beats Sir John. SYDNEY, December 26. The Australian Jockey Club’s meeting was continued at Rand wick in beautiful weather, and with a large attendance. The principal events resulted as follow : DECEMBER STAKES, of ICOO sovs. For two-year-olds. Five furlongs. MYRA TIP, Mr H. White’s ch f, by Tippler—Miss Myra 1 SIR JOHX, Mr E. Moss’s br c, by Limond—Jewel of Asia 2 SU.N'CLAD, Mr A. E. Cooper’s ch g, by Sun Cure—Lineith 3 Myra Tip, trained by J. T. Jamieson, is a sister to Closing Time, and she also won the second division of the Xursery Handicap on Saturday. AUCKLAND RACES. Form in Cup and Railway Handicap. (Special to the •• Star.”) AUCKLAND, December 26. The Auckland Racing Club’s meeting was opened in fine weather, the course being in great order. There was some excellent racing, and the southern contingent did well by capturing the two leading handicaps, thus repeating last year s result, while the two-year-old Variant was another Ricfearton winner. A well-conditioned field lined up for the Auckland Cup, Rocket being favourite from Nightly and King’s Knave, the winner, Minerval, paying a double-figure dividend. When the field passed the stand Minerval was lying second to King’s Knave, but took charge at the end of the first mile and was never headed. King’s Knave challenged him on entering the straight, but when asked for a final effort, Minerval went right away and won by a couple of lengths. King’s Knave weakened Over the last furlong and Red Sun dropped out at the home turn. Speedmint finished on to get third, but bored out badly in the last fifty yards, interfering with Nightly and others. Nightly was putting in a good run at the time and, though he may not have won, would have been closer. Speedmint, also, if she had kept a straight course, would have been second. Gold Trail ran a poor race, tailing off over the last mile and finishing well back. Silver Streak, favourite for the Railway, put up a great performance to win. He drew the rails and got away well, but was knocked back early in the race and lost his position. Half a dozen horses were in front of him at the home turn, but he put in a brilliant run to win by a head. Diatomous led until the last furlong, where Gay Sheila loomed up and beat him tor second money. Gay Sheila finished on particularly well. Star Artist ran a good race and was close up to the placed horses at the finish. Variant was chief fancy in the Nursery Handicap and won handsomely. She is a smart filly, who is likely to win plenty of money before the season ends. Rerepai went a fair race; so did Royal Appellant, who hung on well in the straight. Gay Egypt had every chance, being in front till the home turn, but failed to run on. Bodyline was close up at the finish and is a likely improver.