CLOSE FINISHES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 438, 2 December 1930, Page 4

CLOSE FINISHES

FEILDING CONCLUDES ST. ANDREW’S TO SILVERMINE TENTERDEN TAKES THE SPRINT SOME SURPRISE RESULTS

(By

“Kestrel.”)

With close finishes in rhe majority of events, the concluding day’s racing at the Feilding Jockey Club’s spring meeting was decidedly interesting, and though in some cases the results were not in favour of backers they came through fairly well. The attendance was good considering all the circumstances, and the fine weather experienced was to a certain extent responsible for this. The totalisator turnover reflected the financial stringency, the amount handled during the day being £16,985, compared with £21.034 on the concluding day of the 1929 meeting. The total for the meeting was £36.349, as against £53,012 at the 1929 spring fixture, the decrease being thus £16,663. The turnover at the 1928 meeting was £41,391, and as that meeting makes for a bet ter comparison, the 1929 fixture being the jubilee gathering, it may be seen that the decrease is not so great as many expected. In view of the fact that Takapuna has introduced the fiveshilling “tote,” whereas at Feilding the lowest unit of investment is £l, the proportionate decrease at Feilding is sure to prove surprising to many who follow the racing game closely. Two of the eight races were won by favourites, while on three other occasions the favourite was the runnerup. Some of the dividends were of rather large proportions, the total of the dividends returned by the eight winners being over £52. In one case the backers of a horse that finished second shared a dividend of more than a quarter of a century. Close finishes marked several of the events, and in the Colyton Handicap and the Nikau Hack only the judge could decide who had won, three horses finishing almost in line in each event. Twice the winning margin was returned as a neck, and altogether the results must have given much satisfaction t-> the handicapper, Mr J. E. Henrys, who has adjusted the weights for the Feilding Club for the best part of fifty years. At the same time the judge, Mr J. M. Cameron, was in an unenviable position with these “blanket’’ finishes. The work of the starter, Mr W. C. Price, was of such a high standard as to leave nothing to be desired. The principal event, the St. Andrew s Handicap, was won by the favourite, Silvermine, who scored nicely from the well-backed Arrow Lad. It looked as if Silvermine could have won with considerably more than the impost he carried, topweight as he was. Arrow Lad ran a good race but had to give in to a better horse. Shrewd who finished third, was not disgraced, coming from a long way back. Ruanui, who ran in the rear o'f the field for six furlongs, was finishing strongly. Keddar and Balloon ran fair races. The open sprint, the Colyton Handicap, was responsible for one of the best finishes of the meeting. Tenterden, who started in the Stakes on Saturday, was produced in good form an.l won by sheer gamcness. It was only by half a head that he prevailed over Autopay and Just an Idea, whom the judge could not separate. Autopay failed to secure an opening at th • ! critical stage and was only just beate-s, but Just an Idea should have won, for in another stride his head was in front. He had a lot of ground to make up and had to come round' his field at the straight entrance, where the ground is not too good. First Money had every chance, but Royal Ruler got squeezed out at the start. The Empire Handicap went to Miss Ransom, whose form at the Ricearton meeting last month should have earned her better support than was accorded. She was going away at the finish. Ankinui showed the improvement on first day’s form that the betting indicated, but he could not hold off Miss Ransom s challenge. Bonogne gave a good displav and was galloping over everything at 'the finish. Playground, who was well backed, ran only a fair race, but Limited and Te Awha both went well. Arisus won the Nikau Hack Handicap for his Wanganui owner-trainer, Mr L G. Paul, though he appeared to be rather lucky to get th verdict m a tight finish, when Rothen and Leisure appeared to head him. Rothen was unluckv as he did not h .ve the best of passages. Leisure ran a good race and should soon do better. Orapai was well beaten. In a large field of twenty in the Bongotea Hack Handicap bpearform, who had finished second to Acmil on Saturday after getting interfered with on the journey, made amends by winning at a nice price. Her effort was full ut merit. Hawkshaw, who was within a neek of the winner at the finish, is .1 promising sort and returned his supporters a decent dividend. who played up at the barrier, did well to get third, while Calamine and Callamart ran good races. The unlucky runner. however, was Grand Jury who could not get through when he made his attempt at he distance. . The Orona Nursery was responsible for a big surprise, the winner turning up in the Tea Tray-Kilcalin colt Hampden. owned by Mr F. Bristol, of Wan ganui, and trained by O. Cox at IL Ho was ridden by H. Gray, whose mount returned a double-figure dividend. Furlong, the Acre—Chui filly the Fordell stable, finished second without much assistance from his aPPJ'P tice rider. In his case backers share 1 a dividend of over a quarter of a cen♦,,rv White Squall, one of the tnpic bracket carrying the Kemball colours was a -ood third. The finish was spoilt for backers of the favourite, bv the Redfern filly running off the course at the entrance to the with the result that she lost al chance after bein" just behind the leading trio at the turn/ She appeared a certainty beaten. The Novice Stakes resulted in a will for the favourite, Pewa, a smart Arausio gelding owned by Mr Frank Or mond. He scored easily -rom the w an-ganui-owned and trained Hinewai, wno returned a nice dividend for second. Laconic, favourite the first day was only eleventh in order of favouritism but the Lackham gelding finished thir -. Easterly, who won the Highweight Handicap" at Levin a week earlier scored an easy win in the Cheltenham Hurdles. for which the Acre mare was confidently backed to beat Otairi. The

latter, a good favourite, found the rise in weight not to his liking. Novar ran a fine race to get third money. The track was in good order, the fine weather and the drying wind contributing towards making the going faster than was the case on Saturday. This was reflected in the times recorded. After Denier’s display in the Empire Handicap, it was recommended that the Bisogne gelding be placed on the schooling list, and it is likely that his nomination will be refused until his manners improve. There were two falls in the Cheltenham Hurdle race, but fortunately in neither case was the jockey seriously injured. Easterly’s Hurdles. All started for the Cheltenham Hurdles. and Otairi (£373) was preferred to Disrank (£244), Call Again (£199) and Easterly (£182). At the first hurdle Easterly and Plain Jane were showing the way to Shining Armour, Otairi and Call Again, the last-named falling at the gecond obstacle. Passing the stands Easterly and Plain Janes were clear of Goblin Market, Otairi, Royal Acre. Shining Armour, Novar, Cloyne and Disrank. At the five furlongs Goblin Market had run up to Easterly, with Plain Janes, Royal Acre, Otairi, Novar and Shining Armour following in that order, Plain Janes coming to grief at the hurdle by the half-mile. Easterly turned into the straight ahead of Novar, Royal Acre, Otairi and Goblin Market, and held her own in the run home, to win nicely by two and a-half lengths from Otairi. Novar was three and a-half lengths away, third, and Royal Acre, Goblin Market, Shining Armour and Disrank followed.

Favourite Wins Novice Stakes. Of the twenty starters for the Novice Stakes Pewa (£429) was twice as well backed as Viaduct (£202), with Beverage (£168) also supported and Hinewai (£94) at a good price. Protomint was slow to move and Black Duchess went out to show the way to Pewa, Hinewai, Baskier, Tar Baby and Viaduct. After they had gone three furlongs Black Duchess, Hinewai, Pewa, Viaduct, Baskier, Tar Baby, Laconic, Gran Chaco, Chief Savage and Enter were racing in that order. Viaduct moved up fast across the top and was with Hinewai into the straight, being followed by Pewa, Laconic, Baskier and Black Duchess. Once straightened up Pewa asserted himself and came on to win by two lengths, with Hinewai a length in front of Laconic. Baskier was fourth and Chief Savage, Viaduct, Tar Baby and Black Duchess were next to finish. Silvermine Too Good. Mendip was the only defection from the St. Andrew’s Handicap field, and a firm favourite was found in Silvermine (£591), "with Arrow Lad (£488), Ruanui (£348) and Paiko (£340) carrying most of the others. Hopwood, Paiko, Silvermine, Arrow Lad and Imateagirl led out of the straight, but when they entered the back stretch Imateagirl was in front of Paiko, Arrow Lad, Silvermine, Hopwood, Shrewd, and Balloon. Arrow Lad was in front with Silvermine at the half-mile, with Imateagirl just behind them and Paiko and Balloon next. This order was not changed on the turn for home, where Ruanui was making a forward move, but once fairly in line for home Silvermine threw out a claim. The pair came away from the field and Silvermine got home by a neck from Arrow Lad. Shrewd was third, five lengths behind the dividend-payers, and then came Ruanui, Keddar and Balloon. Outsiders Pay Dividends. Seventeen juveniles were saddled up for the Oroua Nursery Handicap, for which Korokio (£430) and Haulbowline (£312) were better backed than Teller (£230). Hampden (£B5) was not much in request and Furlong, who eventually finished second, carried only £l4. Several green youngsters dwelt at the barrier and Interlocutor, Korokio, Furlong, Haulbowline, Hampden, Jean Ladosio and Brittany were the early leaders. The field was soon well strung out and there was little change in the order as they crossed the top, Interlocutor, Hampden, Haulbowline, Korokio, Brittany, Furlong and Jean Ladosio being the only ones with a chance as they I entered the straight. Korokio ran wide at the bend, being nearly off the course, and when Interlocutor compounded Hampden went to the front, to hold off Furlong and win by a length, with White Squall a length and a-half away. Drama, Sailing, Interlocutor, St. Roger and Korokio were next. ■ Consistent Spearform. There was a good pool on the Rongotea Hack Handicap, with Acmil (£351) best backed and Grand Jury (£231), Joyspear (£207) and Crennatown (£192) preferred to Spearform (£163). After Goldlike had delayed the start they got away well, Joyspear, Acmil, Grand Jury, Goldlike, Fitzquex and Bon Acre being in the van as they ran out of the straight. Acmil was in front into the back stretch, with Nightmare, Bon Acre, Goldlike, Joyspear and Grand Jury following. There was little alteration'as they crossed the top, and Acmil, Nightmare, Goldlike and Joyspear were the leaders as they swung round the turn for the run to the judge. Spearform came through at the haltdistance and Hawkshaw also showed up, the pair asserting themselves at the finish, when Spearform was a neck ’.n fcpnt of Hawkshaw, and Goldlike threequarters of a length back, third. Calamine was right up alongside Goldlike, and Callamart, Grand Jury and Joyspear next. Three in a Line. Though there were only seven starters for the Colyton Handicap the race was an interesting one and the finish a thriller, three hors'es flashing past the post in line, with the outsider of the field getting the verdict. Autopay (£573) and Just an Idea (£532) were most in request, but there was a lot of support for First Money (£460), while Tentcrden (£181) was neglected. Cuticle, First Money, Autopay, Tenterden and Just an Idea were the early leaders, Royal Ruler and Kahikatoa being squeezed out. Thus they raced across the-top, and turning for home Cuticle, First Money, Kahikatoa, Autopay and Tentcrden were in the van, with Just an Idea commencing his run. Inside the distance Autopay (on the rails), Tentcrden and Just an Idea (on the outside) were having a great struggle, with Just an Idea making up his leeway, but as they flashed over the line Tentcrden still had a bare halfhead advantage over Autopay and Just an Idea, whom the judge was unable to separate. Three lengths back came

First Money, followed by Royal Rule r and Kahikatoa.

Arisus in a Slashing Finish

Fourteen contested the Nikau Hack Handicap and another splendid finish was staged, three going over the line in a bunch. Callapat (£467) was the favourite, with Orapai (£360) and Arisus (£303) better backed than Leisure (£218) in a good-pool. Getting away to a splendid start, the field raced almost in line for a furlong, and then Arisus showed out from Orapai, Patcaroa an 1 Rothen. Three furlongs from home Arisus was ahead of Leisure, closely followed by Orapai, Rothen, Tentcall, Pass On and Patearoa, and this was practically the order into the straight. Orapai was fourth, on the rails, at the distance, w’ith Arisus well out in the middle and Leisure coming fast, while Rothen was putting in a run on the outside of Arisus. Over the last hundred yards there was. a thrilling set-to, in which Rothen, Leisure and Arisus flashed past the judge in line, that official declaring for Arisus, with Leisure second and Rothen third. A length away was Orapai, two lengths in front of Tentcall, Projection, Courtlike and Callapat. Miss Ransom’s Good Price. The best totalisator pool of the day was recorded for the concluding event, the Empire Handicap. Arikinui (£500) was nearly twice as well backed as Playground (£285), with Maui (£277) and Malayan (£272) evenly supported and Miss Ransom (£200) at a nice price. Once again Denier played up at the start and finally the field was sent away without him. Arikinui and Broad Acre wore soon in front and piloted Malayan, Tenacre, Maui and Miss Ransome down the back. Miss Ransome improved position across the top, where she wfcrun up into second place, just . behinurkrikinui, while Tenacre, Broad Acre, Malayan and Bonogne followed them into the straight. Miss Ransom held Arikinui safe from the distance and came on to win by a clear length, while the favourite just secured second money by a neck from Bonogne. Playground was fourth and Limited, Te Awha and Broad Acre were in a bunch behind him. DETAILS OF RESULTS. CHELTENHAM HURDLES (Of 150 sovs; about 1% x -les.) 4 —Easterly (Mr T. F. Rolling) b.m. by Acre—Sansevieria, 4yrs., 9.0, K. F. Robinson 1 I— Otairi (Mr K. McK. Duncan), 11.1, A. McDonald 2 10 —Novar (Mr D. Munro), 9.4, H. Gordon • Also: 6 Mister Gamp 11.9, (R. C. Miles), 8 Demcratic 11.0 (A. E. Stratton), 2 Disrank 10.7 (W. J. Bowden), 5 Royal Acre 10.3 (A. Jenkins), 3 Call Again 9.13 (M. H. Nichol) fell, 13 Goblin Market 9.34 (I. Tucker), 7 Shining Armour 9.34 (A. Skipper), 9 Cloyne 9.0 (C. Robinson), 11 Lady Mid 9.1 (A. Hobson), 12 Plain Jane 9.0 (M. Moran; fell Two and a-half lengths; three and a-half lengths. Time 2.57 2-5. NOVICE STAKES (OI 125 bovb: six furlongß.) I.Pewa (Jtr Frank Ormond) b.g. by Arausio —Parearau, 3yrs., 8.8, a'. E. Ellis 1 7—Hinewai (Mr A. Mangusson) 8.8, * J. Barry “ ll Laconic (Mr H. Hupaea), 8.8, L. Dl Berry 3 Also: 12 Enter 8.8 (T. Stokes), 4 Tar Baby 8.8 (B. H. Morris), 14 Qucanbeyan 8.8 (J. M. Pine), 3 Beverage 8.8 (H Gray), 5 Baskier 8.8 (R. Reed), IS Ngapara 8.8 (S. Anderson), 6 Flute 8.8 (H Wingins), 9 Protomint 8.8 (T. Rowan), 8 Lone Raider 8.8 (L. J. Ellis), 10 Black Duchess 8.9 J (L. G. Morris), 2 Viaduct 8.8 (R. Coveney), 16 Dcka B.lls (C. Broughton), 13 Gran Chaco 8.8 (C. W. France), 19 Jocose 8.8 (J. H. Wills), 19 Takahuc 8.8 (E. Manson), 15 Chief Savage 8.8 (H. Goldfinch), 17 Braggart 8.8 (T. Green). Two lengths; length. Time 1.17 2-5.

ST. ANDREW’S HANDICAP (Of 300 bovs ; 1 mile and distance.)

1— SILVERMINE (Mr A. Alexander) br.g., by Catmint —Silver Link, 6 yrs., 8.8, H. Gray .. .. 1 2 ARROW LAD (Mr E. W. Collins), 7.10, L. J. Elhs J S—SHREWD (Mr A. Symes), 7.8, Alf McDonald ■ ■• •■, 3 Also: 3 Ruanui 8.4 (B. H. Morris), 4 Paiko 7.6 (8. Gerrand), 8 Imateagirl 7.64 (R. Coveney), 6 Keddar 7.51 (H. Wiggins), 9 Balloon 7.3 (W. H. Jones), 7 Hopwood 7.0 (J. M. Pino). Neck; five lengths. Time 1.56 4-5.

OROUA NURSERY (Of 175 sovs; five furlongs.)

B—Hampden8—Hampden (Mr F. Bristol), b.c. by Tea Trav —Kilcalm, 8.11, H. Gray 1 13—Furlong (Mr W. McA. Duncan) 7.7,’W. N. Taylor - white Squall (Mr W. R. Kemball) 7.7, W. Broughton “ Also: 1 Korokio 9.0 (A. E. Ellis), - Haulbowline 8.3 (R. Reed), 3 Teller 7.13 (H. Wiggins), 4 Interlocutor 8.1 (B. H. Morris), 6 Brittany 7.13 (S. Anderson), 5 Gallant Fox 7.12 (J. Hurry), 9 St. Roger 7.12 (S. Wilson), 12 Black Songster 7.12 (A. Eastwood), 7 Sailing 7.7 (A. Dick) and Thermopylae 7.7 (R. Coveney) bracketed with White Squall, 13 Anemometer 8.41 (T. Green), 10 Drama 7.7 (J. M. Pine), 13 No Humbug 7.1 (W. H. Jones), 11 Jean Ladosio 7.101 (L. J. Ellis). Length; length and a-half. Time 1.4.

KONGOTEA HACK (Of 150 sovs; 1 mile and distance)

s—Spearform (Mr E. O. C. Boyd) b.m., by Greyspear—Merriforni, 6 yrs., 7.4, C. Brodie 1 9—Hawkshaw (Mr W. H. Gaisford) 7.31, S. Gerrand - 14—Goldlike (Mr O. A. Thompson) 7.13, S. Wilson Also: 11 Tunbridge 8.6 (T. Green) 1 Acmil 8.4 (S. Anderson), 3 Joyspear 8.1. (B. H. Morris), 8 Auctioneer 7.13 (J. Barry), 6 Fitzquex 7.12 (L. J. Ellis) 7 Nightmare 7.2 (IL Stokes), 2 Grand Jury 7.7 (H. Wiggins), 10 Kilorell 7.fi (R- Coveney),. 15 Desert Lad 7.51 (A. Dick), 4 Crcnnatown 7.2 (A. Eastwood), 17 Calamine 7.0 (J. M. Pine), 13 Auckland Gas 7.0 (W. J. McDowell), 16 Callamart 7.21 (W. Broughton), 18 Day Lass 7.21 (R. Horne), 12 Futurist 7.3 (Alf MacDonald), 20 Bon Acre 7.0 (J. Webby).. Neck; threequarters of a length. Time 1.15.

COLYTON HANDICAP (Of 200 sovs; six furlongs.)

7 TENTERDEN (Mis C. E. Elgar), b.g. by Chief Ruler—Rossellatc, 3yrs., 7.10, L. J. Ellis 1 IAUTOPAY (Messrs Aitken and Woods), 8.9, A. E. Ellis * 2—JUST AN IDEA (Mr C. R. S. Paterson), 7.10, H. Wiggins ... • Dead heat for second. Also: 3 First Money 8.3 (H. Gray), 6 Cuticle 7.10 (Alf. MacDonald), 5 Royal Ruler 7.5 (R. Horne), 4 Kahikatoa 7.7 (S. Gerrand). Tenterdon was half a head in front of the dead-boat-ers. Time 1.14 3-5.

Nikau hack (Of 150 sovs; six furlongs.) 3 Arisus (Mr L. G. Paul) b.g. by Thespian—Pennon, 3 yrs., 8.10, T. Green 1 4 Leisure (Mr L. H. Collinson), 7.5, W. J. Broughton 2 10 —Rothen (Mr B. Dooley) 7.4, A. E. Ellis 3 Also: 2 Orapoi 8.10 (H. Gray), 1 Callapat 8.8 (J. Barry), 7 Projection 7.11 (R. Coveney), 13 Latakia 8.14 (H, Goldfinch), 9 Seneschal 7.7 (S. Gerrand), 12 Courtlike 7.9 (S. Wilson), 5 Tentcail 7.6 (J. M. Pine), 8 Some Acre 7.0 (H. Stokes), 10 Patearoa 7.5$ (H. Wiggins), 6 Pass On 7.2$ (Alf Macdonald), 14 Tapestry 7.0 (W. H. Jones). Half-heads each way. Time 1.15 2-5. EMPIRE HANDICAP (Of 200 sovs; seven furlongs.) 6—MISS RANSOM (Mr W. R. Kemball), b.m., by Hymcstra— Miss Nanna, 8.4, S. Gerrand .. 1 I—ARIKINUI (Mr J. J. McGrath) 8.3. H. Goldfinch 2 9—BONOGNE (Mr H. L. Vine) 7.121, K. Grylls 3 Also: 4 Malayan 9.0 (B. H. Morris), 3 Maui 8.7 (H. Wiggins), 5 Broad Acre 8.91 (A. E. Ellis), 8 Limited 8.6 (T. Green), 7 Tenacre 8.5 (H. Gray), 2 Playground 8.1 (T. Webster), 13 Dolomite 7.13 (J. Barry), 10 Royal Damon 7.12 (L. J. Ellis), 16 Kawhakina 7.11 (P. Adlam), 15 Montoa Treasury 7.9 (8. Wilson), 12 Te Awha 7.9 (H. E. Coveney), 14 Pedestal 7.7 (J. M. Pine), 11 Denier 8.51 (H. Mills). Length; neck. Time 1.29 2-5.