THE TURF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19748, 22 January 1927, Page 4

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS (By * 4 Early Bird.’’) Doubt as to Civility’s stamina wUs jn«tifipfl in the M ellington Cup, for she failed to run on at the finish. She was asked to cover a Jot of ground, but even so Barry did his best to keep something in hand for a final burst. Civility responded, although the effort wus short-lived, and the AN anganui , mare finished well back. Brilliant she ■ undoubtedly is, but she does not ‘•always succeed in reproducing it in ? public. The form of Mask in the Cup was :also disappointing. Biding to instructions, Pine let the Limond gelding run along, and he was up with Fresco making the pace. According to private ; watches, they ran the first half mile in ■ 52 4-ssec.. and the mile in Imin. 44see., » which makes the last mile 1-39 2-5 and • the last half 48sec. If these times were correct, then the concluding ! stages were remarkably fast. Mask was a winner two furlongs from home, crying enough when the field closed on him. Perhaps the Limond gelding ,is not a true stayer and ten furlongs ' may be his limit. Recent performances . point to this being a correct summing up of the position. At no stage did Mandane flatter her supporters in the Wellington Cup. The conditions were to her liking, and yet the daughter of Panmure failed so convincingly as to seriously puzzle her trainer. The field had not gone a couple of furlongs before Mandane was seen to be not exactly revelling in her task, and five furlongs from home she had only Rapine and Star Stranger behind her. Crossing the top she hud moved up somewhat, but it was a halfhearted attempt, and at the finish she was in the ruck.

South Island horses again made their presence felt at Trentham, which on several occasions has proved a happy hunting ground. The Southerners* climax came when Rapier and Booster scored in the big handicap double, but it was rubbing it in when the second and third horses in the open sprint were also from the south.

Rapier's two thirds at Awapuni at Christmas were followed up by winning the Marton Cup with 8.6. Ho was weighted at 9.2 on the second day of that fixture, on the same mark as Civility (third in the Marton Cup), yet in the Wellington Cup Civility was asked to concede Rapier a conple of pounds over a mile and a-half. The connections of the latter showed fine judgment in not starting him on the second day of the Marton meeting, for Thursday’s win was worth £1225, including the trophy.

Thursday was not a lucky day for the Taranaki trainer E. George. He started three horses, and Mint Leaf 7ot third and Melissa and Te Moananui second. Mint Leaf looked as if he has had enough racing, for he was very listless before the race and ran as if tired of the game. He tailed the field most of the jojirney. and although he put in a great run over the last furlong he was passing a lot of beaten horses. A let-up would not do the Catmint horse anv harm.

In her engagement on Thursday MelisSh showed all her speed, getting away well in a big field and obtaining a nice position behind the leaders. She was taken to the front two furlongs from home, and only weakened over the last bit.

Te Monanui was considered unlucky to lose the Wellington Cup. At the bottom of the straight Rapier shot to •the front, and drew clear, and it was left to the Taranaki horse to hunt him home. He must have had eight lengths to make up in the last couple of furlongs. but he never shirked tatk, and his sweeping strides enabled him to cut ('.own severtir. Had he finished straight there might have been another story to tell, for he was only beaten by a nose by Rapier, and a stride past the post he was in front. It was so close that a dead heat would have occasioned little surprise. Te Monanui ha* been racing very consistently , under good weights and he is due for a turn of fortune. There was a good bit of money about in support of Deluge in the open sprint at Trentham, iind in view of the fact that it is nearly two years since he last won the price on offer was a false one. • The chestnut began brilliantly and held his position for two or three furlongs, and then faded out, to finish well back. Deluge stripped well and his showing was again disappointing. He now appears to be quite unreliable. Drawn No. 16 at the barrier. Thaw had to register a good performance to head those better favoured in the draw, and he delivered the goods. The Wanganui youngster was never up with the early leaders, and so when he came on to the course he was on the outside of several as he was straightened up. Then Pine sent him along and collared Melissa near the post to beat her convincingly. Thaw made up a lot of ground in the straight and his finishing effort was distinctly promising, for over the final furlong he buried overvthing for pace. The Limond geldin" looks like winning another race or two before the season closes.

Reremoana ran a fine race in the Telegraph Handicap, carrying his big impost into a position not very far back from the placed horses. His stablemate. Lady Cavendish, was never in the picture, and it is obvious that she is not herself. Absurd mares generally do not improve with age, and this may be the case with her ladyship, despite the fact that Oney Cox’ considered her good enough to win the A.R.C. Railway Handicap last month, had the ground been firm. Great Day was a possibility for the Ruapehu Handicap, for inside the distance he made an effort that carried him almost up to the leaders, but he could not keep it up. He was on the rails most of the way, with several in front of him at the false rail. It was not a strong field of hacks, however, and since the Day Comet gelding was reported to have injured himself he has not been showing the characteristic dash that was so conspicuous in his races last year.

It was very unfortunate that the race for the Wellington Stakes was spoiled by an indifferent start. Hi£h

Finance, who refused to do a preliminary and jumped over the rails instead, dislodging Green, was hopelessly left, and to get up so close as she did was in itself a great effort. Lysander also appeared to lose about four lengths, which was remarkable in so brilliant a beginner, although his penalty may have had something to do with his being unable to gather the field in early. Limited, who sweated profusely, went out from the barrier like a shot from a gun, and really that was the end of the race, for he just stayed these to score a meritorious win. It was also a smart performance on the part of the two-year-old Silver Mine to get within a length of Limited. It was only Lysander’s doggedness that carried him up into third place, a length and a-half behind the winner. He was not looking so bright as usual and probably was still feeling the effects of his strenuous Derby contest at Ellerslie.

THE WELLINGTON MEETING SECOND DAY PROSPECTS FINE ACCEPTANCE LIST. (Special to ‘ 1 Chronicle. ”) WELLINGTON, Jan. 21. The Wellington Racing Club has received splendid acceptances for tomorrow’s racing and further interesting contests may be confidently anticipated. The track is hard and fast times should be recorded. The following will probably be well supported in their engagements: —• Mungaroa High-Weight.—Mint Leaf (L. G. Morris) and Capitulation (C. McGovern). Trial Plate. —Crown Area (C. McGovern) and Assurance (R. Coveny). January Handicap. — Ring the Bell (B. H. Morris) and Alloway (T. Green). Nursery Handicap.--Thaw (L. A. Pine) and Paleta (D. C. Watts). Wellington Racing Club Handicap. — Footfall (F. E. Jones) and Star Stranger (R. Reed''. Douro Hark (’up Handicap.— Outfit and Stormy. Metropolitan Handicap.—Limited (L. G. Morris) and Corn Monev (E. Metcalf). Camp Handicap.—Lady Ideal (W. H. Jones) and Sagittarius (F. E. Jones). Following are the acceptances: — MUNGAROA HIGH WEIGHT. (Of 300 pots ; I’4 miles.) Mint Leaf ..11 2 Capitulation .. 99 Alaric - . 1" I’. Lady Gay.. .. 9 6 Bennanee ..10 5 Ardfinnan .. 9 4 Sottano . . 10 2 Matu 9 0 Wedding March 10 2 Lady Passenger 9 « TRIAL PLATE. (Of 300 sovs; 7 furlongs.) Serotina Gourmet Mountain Star Hymgreat Mister Gamp Kilmoyler Assurance Lucre Crossbow Zarisee Brown Area Climax Dimmer JANUARY HANDICAP. (Of 500 sovs; one mile.) Royal Damon 9 2 King Smock .. 8 5 Centrepiece .. 8 11 Rascal . . . . 8 3 Penman .. 8 It Inferno .. .. 8 3 Piuthair .. .. 8 10 Perle de Leon 7 13 Ring the Bell 8 8 Joy Bird . . 7 10 Alloway . . 8 8 Decoy Bird . . 7 7 Corn Money .. 8 7 NURSERY HANDICAP. (Of 500 sovs; 6 furlongs.) Laughing Prince 9 5 Marsurd .. 7 4 Paleta . . .. 9 5 Historic . . .. 7 4 Thaw 8 10 Don Jose .... 7 3 Chips 8 0 Tone 7 3 Ti Tree .... 8 0 Wild Pigeon 7 0 Otairi . . .. 7 S WELLINGTON R.C. HANDICAP. (Of 1000 sovs; 1 mile 3 furlongs.) Count Cavour 10 0 Alloway .. 7 8 Star Stranger 9 5 Piuthair . . . . 7 8 Footfall .. 8 9 Frisco .... 7 3 Mask 8 1 Front Rank .. 7 2 Merry Day .. 7 10 DOURO CUP. (Of 700 sovs; one mile.) Stormy .. .. 9 9 Gardant .. .. 710 Queen's Choice 813 Battle Colours 710 Horomea .. .. 8 11 Vertigern .. 7 9 Starboard Light 8 8 Gold Mint .. 7 7 Outfit .. .. 8 G No Favours .. 7 5 Vesj>enis .. 8 3 Bronstell .. 7 2 Rosenor .. . . 8 2 Son o' Mine 7 2 Great Day 8 2 Jemidar .. 7 0 Kilmiss .. .. 8 0 Royal Picture 7 <J Kilmezzo .. 7 12 Peggy Ford .. 7 0 Inoe 7 10 METROPOLITAN HANDICAP. (Of 600 sovs; 6 furlongs.) Royal Damon 8 5 Corn Money .. 7 6 Limited . . . . 8 4 Licinius .. 7 5 Booster .. .. 8 4 Nadarino .. 7 3 Mimetic .. .. 7 12 Standard .. 7 2 Paperchase .. 712 Benzora .. 7 0 Father O’Flynn 7 9 Receipt .. .. 7 0 Cawnpore .. 7 7 CAMP HANDICAP. (Of 300 sovs; 6 furlongs.) Starboard Light 9 1 Frivolous 7 4 Sagittarius .. 8 4 Motion .. .. 7 2 Lady Ideal .. 7 12 Royal Land .. 7 2 Royal Tractor 7 8 Theodolite .. 7 0 Baby Bun.. .. 7 8 Dark Spot .. 7 0 Some Lad.... 7 4