RACING

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3667, 13 February 1940, Page 5

RACING

THE ROTORUA MEETING FIRST DAY’S RESULTS The Rotorua Racing Club’s meeting on Saturday was marred by heavy rain, which fell most of the day. The track was heavy, in view of which the times were good. I . ; The high-weight provided an easy victory for Haile Boy, who led into the straight, and carried on to beat Norse Lady by two lengths, with Orient Dawn a length away third and Erination fourth.

After several placings, Merry Vaals scored his first win in the Waimangu Stakes, for which he was a firm favourite. Pleuron was six lengths away second and Commemoration third. Expellent and Loch Acre were the next to finish. There was an exciting finish to the Mokoia Hack Handicap, Sir Robin gaining the verdict by a head from Town. Section, with Kenneth Robert a similar distance away third, and Sir Tommy right up fourth. -

Suited by the heavy going, Kena won the Rotorua Cup in fine style from the place favourite, King Rey, and an outsider, Namara. The win favourite, Cornish, was fourth and Greek Queen fifth. Hunter’s Rose, who won her first race at Rotorua, scored again in the Hot Springs Handicap, although she had little to spare from Little Ruse, who was second, and Trig Station, a neck away third. • Gazeful was a good fourth. Nothing had a chance with Hunting Bee in the Geyser Hack Handicap. He commenced a run at the home turn, and keeping it up he overtook the leaders and went on to win by two lengths from the favr ourite, Kaspian, with First Gold Money third and Starbright fourth. In a close finish Surpai won the Arawa Park Stakes at a good price. Paymaster, who had shown form at Matamata, was second and Valsome came fast into third place ahead of Fairfield. Backers of Gorato in the final event had little suspense as he led all the way and finished two lengths clear of Noitaro, with the favourite Gamos half a length away third, and Tosh a moderate fourth.