CONNOLLY HANDICAP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19846, 21 May 1927, Page 4

CONNOLLY HANDICAP

WINNER’S GOOD FORM REVIEW OF THE RUNNING. Less than a furlong from homo in the Connolly Handicap on Thursday Civility was being hailed as the winner. It was not to be, however, for the weight told its tale, and, not being persevered with when her case was hopeless, the Auckland Easter Handicap winner was well back passing the post. One again Civility’s rider was unlucky at the barrier in drawing a fourteen marble in a field of fifteen, but the marc began brilliantly and after two furlongs she was actually in line with the leaders, comprising at this stage Day Guard, Bennance ard Royal Divorce. Along the back Civility was going very nicely in fifth place, and at the home turn she was lying in behind Bcnnanee and Royal Divorce. At the bottom of the straight she flattered, but it was only a spasm, and then the weight told its tale. In addition that last half-furlong found her out. Consistent Bennanee-

Putting up a pound overweight, Barry had the mount on Bennanee. The half-brother to Kick Off was always in the picture, leading over the last mile to score convincingly by a length, and with a little left in reserve. This was the third win on end for Bennanee, and apparently lie has not done winning. For his two wins at Hastings he was raised five pounds in the Cornwall ifandicap at Ellerslie, and now he is certain to be penalised again for his latest good effort. Royal Divorce recently went a good race behind Joy King in tho Ormond Gold Cup, and on the strength of that performance was quietly fancied on Thursday. He was always in tho van. anil he beat the others even easier than the winner beat him. A couple of years ago the imported horse was being hailed as something extra good, and this opinion was rather berno out when he won the Eclipse Stakes. However, he went off, and is only now recovering his galloping ability. Tresham’s Form.

It was pleasing to see Tresham so well up, and his third may be taken as a criterion of better things to follow. He was kept handy all the way, and although he finished better than most of his opponents he had really no show with the pair in front of him. Orazone, the favourite, was fourth, and in getting so close she performed very creditably. She drew the extreme outside but got into a position early, but she could not win from sixth place at the homo turn. On such a small track, which does not suit her, Orazone ran a very fine race, and next season she will probably have developed into a splendid handicap horse.

Alloway was unlucky. He was last after going a couple of furlongs, but crossing the top he made a big effort on the outside of several horses, finally finishing up in fifth place. He finished better than anything else in the race. Topweight’s Failure.

After Degage’s success in the sprint at Hawera a few days before it was expected that she would show up, and she did, but only at the end. In the early part she had one horse behind her, Alloway, and running to the halfmile she was last. Then she sprinted into fifth place crossing the top, and finally finished sixth, her efforts having left her without a punch. Degago would lose no friends by her showing for big events ahead.

horse of the whole race was undoubtedly Vivo. She lost several lengths at the start through standing on the mark, and then she was hurried up to her field. 1 At the end she was well back, although she must be credited with a good effort under difficulties. Other Also Rans. Rouex, Diamond Ring, Royal Mint, Day Guard, and Income performed indifferently. Day Guard was one of those that went down exceptionally well, but he was done with half a mile from home. Avola broke clown during the race, and it was all that she could do to get back to the birdcage, into which she was not permitted to enter until the placed horses had returned. It seemed an unnecessary adherence to a timehonoured custom.