WANGANUI WINNERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 92, 20 April 1938, Page 4

WANGANUI WINNERS

ELLERSLIE “CLASSICS” ICING AND RUSSIAN BALLET Of particular interest to Wanganui followers of form were the results oi the “Classics” at the Auckland Racing Club’s Easter meeting on Saturday and Monday, for the Great Northern Oaks and Great Northern Champagne Stakes were won by Wanganui-owned fillies, and the Great Northern St. Leger winner was sired by Chief Ruler at Mr John Donald’s Westmere Stud, now dispersed. After being well back in the early stages, the favourite Icing (Limond— Aspic) ran to the front at the turn in tne Great Northern Oaks and was always a winner in the straight, although she had to be shaken up at the distance to withstand challenges from Wildflower and Airam. However, Icing was definitely the best slayer in the field and she was going away al the finish to score in time that was seven seconds slower than Oratory's race and course record in 2.32. Icing carried the colours of her breeder, Mr G. M. Currie, who won the race previously in 1928 with Damaris. Wildflower, always well placed, and Airam, who came from the rear, had a great tussle for second, the former just gaining the honour. The others all failed to stay and were weil beaten, Gle/;gil doing best of them for fourth. Accomplice, Aiwai and Fleur d’Oi were the first Io become prominent, Fleur d’Or being about five lengths clear, after going two furlongs, from Wildflower and Aiwai, who were together ahead of Glenogil and Accomplice, with Icing and Aiwai bringing up the rear. Turning along the back Fleur d’Or was out three lengths from Wildflower, Aiwai, Glenogil, Airam, Icing and Accomplice. Near the five-furlong post Aiwai moved up and at the half-mile she was about two lengths clear of Fleur d’Or, dropping back, Glenogil and Wildflower, with Icing moving up. Icing was in front before reaching the turn and she led into the straight, front I Aiwai, Glenogil. Wildflower and

Airam. A furlong from the post Wildflow'er and Airam challenged strongly, but Icing was too good and she was going away at the finish to win by a length from Wildflower, who beat Airam by a head. Glenogil w'as about four lengths away, fourth, followed at intervals by Aiwai, Accomplice and Fleur d’Or. Time, 2.39.

Sectional times were as follows: Frst half-mile, 53sec.; live furlongs, 1.7; six furlongs, 1.20 2-5; seven furlongs, 1.34 4-5; mile, 1.48; nine furlongs, 2.1 2-5; and the last half-mile, 51sec.

After giving some trouble at the post and being sent to the outside, Russian Ballet (Nightmarch—Praise) registered a good performance to win the Great Northern Champagne Stakes. Added merit was also given to the performance by reason of the fact that she did not jump out well and was not prominent until reaching the straight, where she smothered the opposition in the last furlong. She is owned by Mr Russell Grace, who also races Smoke Screen. Surmount ran a fine race for second after failing to jump out cleanly and going very fast in the middle stages. Arvakur attempted to lead all the way but the last furlong found him wanting and he weakened to third. The favourite Hot Box, who covered a Jot of ground, was fourth, his effort falling short of expectations. Rehearsal was out in front with Arvakur until reaching the straight but failed to run on.

Russian Ballet and Surmount, were a trifle slow' to begin, Bronze Emerald. Arvakur and Vitemcnt being the first Io show out. As they crossed the top Arvakur and Rehearsal led by three lengths from Hot Box, Bronze Emerald, Surmount, Vitemcnt and Russian Ballet. Rounding the turn Surmount and Arvakur w'ere in front, closely followed by Hot Box, Bronze Emerald (who fell at this stage), Russian Ballet, and Vitement. Halfway down the straight Surmount looked like winning, but Russian Ballet finished very resolutely on the outside to beat him by a length and a-half. Arvakur retained his place in third position, a length and a-quarlei away. Hot Box was fourth, followed by Vitement. and Rehearsal. Time, 1.16.

Sectional times: First, furlong. 14 2-ssec.; two furlongs, 26 l-ssec.; three furlongs, 38sec.; six furlongs, I.IG. After Wildflower and Aero King had taken turns in the pacemaking in the St. Leger Stakes, Francis Drake drew to the front before reaching lhe seven furlongs and w'on easing up by eight lengths from Wildflower. Aero King was- third,