OVER THE BIG FENCES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19841, 16 May 1927, Page 4

OVER THE BIG FENCES

EGMONT MEETING CONCLUDES Giigai Downs the “Leppers” in Big Steeplechase —Zircon Takes the Hurdles STIRRING FINISHES IN EVENTS ON FLAT By “Kestrel.’’ The steeplechasing season in the Dominion opened at the Egmont Racing Club’s winter meeting at Hawera on Thursday and was further advanced on Saturday. It may be safely gathered, from the indications at the Taranaki fixture, that this is going to be one of the best winter campaigns for many seasons, both as regards the size of the fields and the quality of the “leppers” in commission. On Saturday Giigai, runner-up to Eonmark in the Hack Steeplechase on the opening day, convincingly reversed the positions in the big cross-country event, while Zircon, who won some good hurdle races last year, scored in the Manawapou Hurdles in a manner which showed that Thursday’s race had worked marked improvement. A slashing finish in the principal flat event saw Yoma scrape home to score his third win in succession, and Degage’s surprise in the open sprint, Toapaiti*s double success, and the downfall of the favourite division, were other outstanding features. That the Wanganui meeting on Thursday and Saturday will be equally as interesting as far as the jumping goes appears certain.

A SUCCESSFUL FIXTURE THREE IN A LINE IN DAVIDSON HANDICAP. THE RACING DESCRIBED. Weather conditions on Saturday morning did not appear too favourable for the success of the concluding day of the Egmont Racing Club’s winter fixture as there were a couple of showers and the outlook .was rather! threatening. However, though the rainj made the going rather holding near the rails and the track cut up in several places, it was not sufficient to affect the attendance to a material extent, though the 44 gate” for the two days showed a falling off of £l5O. The totalisator turnover was £17.592. a decrease of £6046 as compared with last year’s £23,638. while the total for ; the meeting was £34,823 10s. revealing | a decrease of £10.020 10s, the amount handled on the two days of the 1926 meeting being £44,844. Considering the lack of money for speculation these days and the reluctance of the public to contribute, through the medium of the totalisator tax. substantial sums to the Consolidated Fund, a decrease jf 224 per cent, can be looked upon as not unsatisfactory and, as the Egmont 2lub prepared for a larger drop, they should show a profit on the meeting. To the handicapper much of the mccess of the fixture was due and Mr H. Coyle is to be congratulated on the several stirring finishes which were brought about by his weight-adjusting. In the judge’s box Mr W. P. Russell gave every satisfaction, being as prompt and as accurate as ever with his decisions, and Mr C. O’Connor was as usual, in the top of his form at the starting barrier. No secretary could be more painstaking in his efforts to secure the smooth running of the clerical side of the day’s racing than Mr E. P. Cox, and there was not a hitch in the arrangements. There were no inquiries instituted during the day, but the Judicial Committee issued a report on the running of Sanforte in tho Egmont Steeplechase on the opening day giving the parties concerned 44 the benefit of a doubt.’’ Following is a description of the day’s racing, with full details of the fields. Toapaiti Makes a Start. Proceedings commenced with the Ngamutu Hark Handicap, in which Baby Bun was the elect of backers, carrying £523, as against the £396 10s on Onward and £293 10s on Helen. The favourite division were not in the picture at the finish, Onward being the only one to gain a place. Baby Bun was quickest into her stride but was steadied, and Denier was allowed to make the pace from Baby Bun, Onward and Helen. As they rounded the! far turn Denier was well in front of; Onward, who was followed by Toapaiti, 1 Baby Bun, and Bright Glow. At the turn for home the field closed up but Denier was first to straighten up, with Onward just behind and Toapaiti, Baby Bun and Bright Glow in a line just behind. In the run to the judge Toapaiti did best and drew out to win by a length and a-half, with Onward a length away. Baby Bun was fourth, followed by Bright Glow and Helen. Monsogne and Ranee were last to finish. Zircon’s Hurdles Win. Of the eleven starters in the Manawapou Hurdles Elvaette was £47 better backed than Peter Rosa, with Mount Marta carrying only £6 less. Troilus was first to show out from barrier rise but Dead Sweet ran into the lead coming into the straight, being followed over the obstacle in front of the stands by Just John, Troilus, Pekatahi, Zircon and Elvaette. At this hurdle Mount Marta ran down his fence badly, getting under the judge’s box. and lost a lot of ground. As they ran down the back stretch Zircon was in the lead with Troilus right up with him. Elvaette being four lengths away and Just John and Euchre nearest of the others. Troilus was

just behind Zircon when they came to the last fence, with Elvaette throwing out a challenge, but Zircon held them both off in the run home to score decisively by a neck, with the favourite two lengths away. Peter Rosa was five lengths further back, followed by Mount Marta, and Gold Peak was at the head of the bunch. Good Hunter Wins Steeplechase. Peter Rosa was the only defection from the Adamson Steeplechase and Lady Comet was best backed in an even betting race, but only £146 separated eight of the field. Lady Spalpeen was early in the lead from Little River and Kendal, with Omahu, who was moving up as the barrier went up, at the head of the others. Rayo fell at the second fence and when they jumped the double in front of the stands Kendal was in tho lead from Little River, Eonmark, Giigai, Passin’ Through, Lady Comet and Omahu, with Sanforte tailed off and Lady Spalpoen, who ran off, pulling up. Going down the back Little River was in front of Kendal, Eonmark. Passin’ Through. Giigai, Omahu and Lady Comet, but Kendal got into a couple of fences and lost ground. Eonmark took the lead over the sod wall and piloted Little River, Giigai, and Passin’ Through into the home stretch. Here Giigai came up with a determined run and, ridden in better style than on Thursday, beat the Trentham representative by three lengths, Passin’ Through getting up into third place three lengths away, with Little River, Dick, Omahu and Kendal following in that order. Degage’s Decided Improvement. Bonogne was entrusted with most money when the totalisator closed on the Mokoia Handicap, with a drop of £258 10s to Oration, but Degage was neglected. However the despised one came on the scene at the finish to fight it out with another outsider in Avola. Lady Bentinck was in the lead over the early stages with Sun Up, Oration, Avola and Papaponga following in that order. Sun Up was in front as they rounded the bend, but Avola was first to turn for home from Sun Up, Tip Tree and Bevis. In the run to the judge Degage came through, took the lead fifty yards from the post, and won by half a length from Avola, with Pop Off finishing on in third place. Tip Tree, Oration and Papaponga followed in that order. A Win for Royal Land. Backers of the favourite, Berinthia, in the Shorts Hack Handicap had bad luck as, with Tangerim, she was badly left and ran a furlong in the rear all the way. Subdivision was the early leader from Royal Land and Nastori aud was the pilot out of the back stretch, being followed by Denier, Eka, Royal Land and Nastori. Denier was first to turn for home and Subdivision, Eka and Royal Land were next. Over the concluding stages it looked as if Denier were going to bring it off but Royal Land dashed up on the outer and beat Denier by a length. Nastori was a length and a-half away, third, and Eka and Subdivision were next. Yoma in a Slashing Finish. Betting took a wide range in the Davidson Handicap, Shining Armour carrying £389 10s and Danae £373 while Yoma, Ngata and Vivo each carried over £3OO. As on Thursday Shining Armour was in front as they ran past the stands, with Royal Mint, Hipo, Danae, Nukumai, Yoma and Ngata following in close order. Going into the back stretch Hipo ran to the front and piloted Shining Armour. Royal Mint, Danae, Ngata, Nukumai, Yoma and Vivo down to the bend. When they straightened up Danae was in front of Shining Armour, Lady Anstruther, Nukumai, Yoma and Ngata, but they bunched at the distance and a slashing finish resulted in Yoiua crossing the line a long head in front of Ngata and Shining Armour, whom the judge could not separate. Royal

Mint was close up and Nukumai, Lady Anstruther, and Diogenes were almost in line with him. Toapaiti Completes a Double. Partaga and Onward declined their engagements in the concluding event, the Borough Hack Handicap, while Toapaiti, who had won the Ngamutu Hack four hours earlier, was saddled up again. When investors got to work they made Paitonu favourite, carrying £523, while Manly (£484 10s), Henna £454 10s) and Acred (£416 103) were fancied in that order, good support being forthcoming for The Swell and Toapaiti. When the tapes went up Paitonu was quick to find his feet and assumed the lead from Manly, Onward, Sovena and Romantic. There was little change as the field ran out of the back stretch, save that Romantic moved up into second place and Toapiti improved his position. The favourite was first to turn for home, with the outsider, Romantic, still alongside him and Toapaiti at the head of a bunch. Paitonu was doing best over the final furlong when Toapaiti challenged him and, heading the favourite a chain off the judge, got home a neck in front, with Manly, two lengths away, cutting Romantic , out of third money. The next to finish were Bisox, Mister Gamp and Henna. FULL DETAILS.

NGAMUTU HACK HANDICAP. (Of 175 sovs; six furlongs.) 6—Toapaiti (Mr G. Kehely) b g by Antagonist—Cojrnice, 4 yrs., 7.0., P. Ad lam 1 4—Denier. 7.10. L. A. Pine 2 2—Onward. 7.12, S. Wilson 3 (Winner trained by J. T. Wade, at Stratford). Also: 3 Helen, 1 Baby Bun, 5 Monsogne, 7 Bright Glow. 8 Ranee. Length and a-half; length. Time: 1.16. MANAWAPOU HURDLES HANDICAP. (Of 200 sovs; 1 miles.) 4 ZIRCON (Mr J. Paterson) ch g by Merry Moment—Hope Diamond, aged, 10.10, L. Colman .. 1 B—TROILUS. 9.0. R. Miles 2 1— ELVAETTE, 10.10, J. Proctor . . 3 (Winner trained by owner at Ellerslie). Also: 7 Euchre, 2 Peter Rosa, 3 Mount Marta, 5 Gold Peak, 6 Dead Sweet, 10 Just John, 11 Festive, 9 Pekatahi. Neck; two lengths. Time: 2.50. ADAMSON STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP (Of 300 sovs; about two miles.) 5 GILGAI (Mr A. Mercer), b g by Husbandman colt—Lady Rea, aged. 9.0. A. Jenkins 1 2 EONMARK, 10.1, W. Bowden .. 2 3 PASSIN’ THROUGH, 11.9, H. Burt 3 (Winner trained by owner at Patea. Also: 7 Omahu, 6 Kendal, 10 Dick, 1 Lady Comet, 11 Birkenella (pulled up), 8 Little River, 4 Lady Spalpeen (fell), 9 Rayo (fell), 13 Sanforte, 12 Tres Bon. Three lengths; three lengths. Time: 4.64. MOKOIA HANDICAP. (Of 225 sovs; six furlongs.) 10—DEGAGE (Mr E. Simpson) br m by Kilbroney-—Miss de Vai, 5 yrs., 9.5, J. T. Young 1 B—AVOLA, 7.94, L. A. Pine .... 2 6—POP OFF, 7.24, J. S. Potter .. 3 (Winner trained by J. T. Young, Trentham). Also: 2 Oration, 1 Bonogne, 4 Sun Up, 7 Lady Bentinck, 3 Bevis. 9 Papaponga, 5 Tip Tree. Half a length; two lengths. Time: 1.154. SHORTS HACK HANDICAP. (Of 150 sovs; five furlongs.) 5 Royal Land (Messrs J. and F. Whiskie) b g by Acre—Vladimir mare, 4 yrs., 7.7, H. Wiggins .. 1 2 Denier, 7.12, L. A. Pino 2 6 Nastori, 7.9, R. Reed , 3i (Winner trained by G. New at Awapuni). Also: 1 Berinthia, 4 Eka, 3 Subdivision, 9 Kawhakina, 8 Wingold, 7 Tangerim. Length; length and a-half., Time: 1.4. DAVIDSON HANDICAP. (Of 250 sovs; 1 mile & distance.) 3 YOMA (Mr A. W. Budge) br g by Campfire—Martingale, aged, 9.2, A. MeCormac 1 I—SHINING ARMOUR, 7.7, J. S. Potter * 4 NGATA, 8.12, B. H. Morris .... * *Dead-heat for second. (Winner trained by J. F. Butler at Stratford). Also: 10 Diogenes, 6 Hipo, 9 Nukumai, 11 Income, 5 Vivo, 8 Lady Antsruthar, 6 Royal Mint, 2 Danae, 12 Captain Gazeley. Yoma won by a long bead, the dead-heaters being threequarters of a length ahead of Royal Mint. Time: 2.1. BOROUGH HACK HANDICAP. (Of 175 sovs; 7 furlqngs.) 7 Toapaiti (Mr G. Kehely) b gby Antagonist—Cornice, 4 yrs., 7.3, P. Adlam 1 1 — Paitonu, 8.11, L. G. Morris .... 2 2 ManJy, 8.11, R. McTavish .... 3 (Winner trained by J. T. W'ade at Stratford). Also: 4 Acred, 11 Bisox, 8 Orcados, 9 Sovena, 3 Henna. 5 The Swell, 10 Mister Gamp, 12 Gold Collector, 13 Lady Acre, 15 Romantic, 7 Komak, 14 Otapawa. Neck; two lengths. Time: 1.31.

SANFORTE’S RUNNING

EXPLANATION DEMANDED. CONNECTIONS GET 1 ‘ BENEFIT OF A DOUBT.” In the Egmont Steeplechase at the Hawera fixture on Thursday Sanforte, the winner of the Wanganui Steeplechase in 1924, was always in the rear and toiled home a furlong behind the placed horses, an inglorious showing which was followed by a request for an explanation. The inquiry, which was opened on Thursday but was adjourned until Saturday, elicited the statement that San forte, who favoured, a leg in each start, was unsound but was considered to have a chance The finding of the Judicial Committee was couched in the following terms:— The Committee are very dissatisfied with P. Holman’s handling of Sanforte in the Egmont Steeplechase and the evidence adduced on enquiry is far from being satisfactory, especially that as regards the horse being started when not in anything like racing condition, and the Committee wish to place on record that they do not and will not countenance horses being started in races merely for training or schooling purposes. Having given the evidence in this case due consideration the Judicial Committee are of opinion that it is not quite conclusive and resolves to give the parties concerned the benefit of a doubt.

WINNERS REHANDICAPPED RESULT OF EGMONT MEETING. WEIGHTS ADJUSTED FOR WANGANUI AND ELLERSLIE. As a result of their wins at the Egmont Racing Club’s winter meeting on Thursday and Saturday the following horses, state Press Association telegrams from Wellington and Auckland respectively, have been rehanrlieappcd for the Wanganui and Ellerslie fixtures: — At Wanganui. Purua Hack Handicap: Town Bird 9.4 (8.9), Toapaiti 8.2 (7.3), Royal Land 7.8 (7.3). Hack Steeplechase: Eonmark 10.12 (10.4), Giigai 10.2 (9.2). Century Hurdles: Zircon 10.5 (10.2), Brigadier Bill 10.0 (9.10). Connolly Handicap: Dcgage 9.9 (9.7), Yoma 9.4 (8.8). Borough Handicap: Benzora 9.1 (8.8). At Ellerslie. Cornwall Handicap: Yoma 9.9 (9.0). WANGANUI WINTER MEETING ACCEPTANCES DUE TO-NIGHT. The Wanganui Jockey Club’s winter meeting will commence on Thursday and will be concluded on Saturday. Some of the visiting horses, including Mr. J. Bull’s trio, Ngata, Brigadier Bill and Omahu, and L. Knapp’s team, Little River and Lady Comet, arrived on Saturday, while the others will arrive to-day. Acceptances for all first day events close to-night at 8 o’clock. AUCKLAND NOTES DAY BELL AND MODEST BOY FOR WANGANUI KILBRONEY TO STAND IN AUCKLAND DISTRICT (Special to 11 Chronicle. ”) AUCKLAND, May 14. Provider! transport can be arranged Day Bell and Modest Boy will leave to-morrow night for Wanganui to fulfil their engagements at that fixture. Day Bell figures in the Century Hurdles with 9.6 and Modest Boy has 8.1 in the Purua Hack, both events to be decided on the opening day, Thursday next. The successful sre Kilbroney (by The Wag-Innismakil) left Lyttelton last evening for Auckland and it is here that this horse will in future be at the service of breeders. Last racing year Kilbroney’s progeny won 46 races worth £21,372 in stakes, and this placed him third on the winning sires’ list, those above him being Absurd (£27,606) and Solfcrino (£23,425). The progeny of Kilbroney in eleven complete seasons and for the half-year ending January 31 last have captured in stakes £167,173. THE KENTUCKY DERBY H. P. WHITNEY SUPPLIES WINNER Received May 15, 9.50 p.m. (A.&N.Z.) NEW YORK, May 14. ’ The fifty-third renewal of the Kentucky Derby resulted as follows: WHISKERY JOE (Mr. H. P. Whitney) ... 1 OSMAND (Mr. E. Widner) 2 JOCK (Mr. E. B. McLean) 3 The time for the mile and a-quarter was 2min. Gsec. The winner’s portion of the stake money was 51,000 dollars (about £10,500).

NOTES AND COMMENTS POINTERS ON HAWERA FORM. (By “Kestrel.”) The Wanganui winter meeting on Thursday and Saturday is the next to engage the attention of the sporting fraternity. Liable for Rehandicap. Winners at Hawera and Wanganui are liable to be rehanidjieapped for the Great Northerns or the Cornwall Handicap if engaged in any of ’these events. Remember Comical two years ago? Comical Jumps Well. With Wallace Young as pilot, Comical was sent over the country on Thursday morning and gave a splendid exhibition of “Jepping. ” The obstacles he negotiated were the hencoop, the brush, the double at the back, the log fence, and the first two fences again. As intimated e.arly last week, the Wanganui Steeplehase will find this impressive jumper a contestant. An Attractive Jumper. Nothing has been jumping better on the local tracks in essays over the battens than Attractive, and the Absurd—- • Finery gelding will play a not unimportant part in the decision of tin/ Kaitokc Hack Hurdles on Thursday, in which he has an impost 21b. above the minimum. Koauau ShoulU Improve. Koauau finished in third position in the Tongahoe Hurdles at the Egmont meeting but was some five lengths behind the winner. .He carried 11.8 and, as the. All Rad. gelding has only 10.5 in the Century Hurdles next Thursday, there will be a good many waiting to be on the Bulls-trained candidate. Brigadier Bill Impresses. In marked contrast to his display at Awapuni, Brigadier Bill was handily situated all the way in the Tongahoe Handles and, jumping faultlessly, outpaced his opponents on the flat. With 10.0 in the Century Hurdles the Brigadier will be a tough proposition, while with 9.5 in the G.N. Hurdles and 9.2 in the G.N. Steeples he is handily situated to represent Mr J. Bull at the big Ellerslie fixture.

A Clever Young Fencer. Among the hurdlers at the Egmont meeting none created a more favourable impression than Mount Marta, who filled the role of runner-up to Brigadier Bill in the Tongahoe Hurdles. A winner at this meeting last year, this five-year-olid; Mountain Knight gelding will be worth following this season, though he failed to gain a situation on Saturday.

Zircon Will Be Hard. That more will be heard of Zircon before long was evidenced by the manner in which tho Merry Moment gelding finished in the Tongahoe Hurdles on Thursday and then won in convincing style on Saturday. It should not be forgotten that Zircon was third in the last G.N. Hurdles and won the Panmure Hundfles (If miles) under J 1.4 at the same fixture, which, in conjunction with his second and third at the Wanganui meeting twelve months ago, entitles him to respect in the Century Hurdles and other important engagements.

To Be Kept In Mind. Among the runners at the Egmont meeting Dead Sweet was a Tongahoe Hurdles contestant who gave promise of pace as well as ability to jump. He is trained and owned at Dargaville and it may happen that his owner will not return to the 44 winterless” North ompty-hanidjed. The Quin Abbey gelding should be kept in mind for a hack hurdle race in the near future. Stable’s Three Candidates.

It is not infrequently noticed that, a trainer may have two horses engaged in a race; hut it must have been almost unique to find J. Fryer with four candidates from his stable, all under different ownership, accepted? for in the Telegraph Handicap. He scratched Monsogne and started Eka, Sicyon and Bright Glow but did not secure a portion of the stake money. Bright Glow finished well in fifth place, while Eka was next, but in the big field Sicyon was unsighted. Consistent But Unlucky.

Early in the season Helen promised to develop into something good and at one time the Limond—Bonny Portland filly was confidently expected to run prominently in the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton. However’the well-brad three-year-old (she is a half-sister to the brilliant Reremoana) seemed to lose all form for some time, but since getting back into the game lias been racing consistently but unluckily minor places being her portion. At Hawera on Thursday she was not prominent in the. early stages of the Telegraph Hack, but it might have been that the filly was slow to find her feet and did not settle down. However she would not, have had a chance with the winner, Town Bird. Town Bird’s Easy Win.

When the placings in the Woodhey Handicap at Awapuni were reversed and Waiculhis secured the thick end of the purse from Town Bird, it was the general opinion that the Archiestown gelding had been harshly treated. This he proved by winning the Telegraph Hack at Hrfwera in fine style, hitting the front at the rise of the tapes and keeping the lead until the judge- was reached, when he was two and' a-half lengths in front. Tho To Aroha trained equine has not finished winning yet and will repay bearing in mind.

Labour Day Feud. For a considerable time a feuidj has existed between tho Waikato Racing Club and the Waikato Hunt Club, the bone of contention being the use of Labour Day, which for a considerable time has been hold by the Hunt Club. Up to the present they have withstood, by the help of the Racing Conference, the designs of tho Racing Club, whose advocates declare that no Hunt Club should be allowed to race as late as the last week in October. This year the Auckland District Committee recommended Labour Day for the Waikato Racing Club, at the same time advising the huntsmen to select a day in the hunting season. This ultimatum is the signal for hostilities.