RACING REVIEWED

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1394, 11 January 1917, Page 21

RACING REVIEWED

MANAWATU R.C.’S SUMMER MEETING. NOTES ON CONCLUDING DAY’S RACING. (From Our Special Correspondent.) The Manawatu summer meeting was concluded in glorious weather, but a blustering wind rather interfered with the comfort of patrons. The totalisator figures still soared upwards, an increase of £8770 being recorded, the total for the meeting being £105,709, as against £76,573 last year, an increase of just on £30,000. The Trentham Military Band played again and were heartily applauded, and the general administration of the day’s sport was on the high level of the rest of the meeting. Proceedings opened with the Whitmore Hack, for which the Kiwitea mare Miralma was hoisted into first position by the betting public. Captain Glossop made the early running but was cut down at the last by Namur, who is a greatly improved mare. She was ridden by B. Morris, who broke a somewhat lengthy spell of non-success. Silenus made a fine run down the straight, and will soon be amongst the money. Parawanui, with L. Traill up, was best backed for the Hurdles, with Portland Lady next in order. The

latter led all the way, and won pulling up from Atuatoro, who jumped better than he has ever done and showed great pace. Jem ran a stout race, but is far from sound in the wind, and is inclined to throw up the sponge when a stern effort is required from him.

A bad start spoilt things in the Claudeboye Welter, Otter getting a ten lengths’ break on Carillon and Rockbound. In justice to Mr. Skipwith, whose work throughout the meeting was of uniform excellence, the bad appearance of the start was due to a violent bump collected by Rockbound from Carillon and Marsinah, who both jumped inwards as the barrier went up. Carillon made up ground in the straight at a great rate, but could not reach the winner. The time, however, was fast, and the

winner had plenty of friends. The big race of the day fell to Red Ribbon, who paid a surprisingly good price considering her consistent form. Client was made a hot favourite, and ran a good race, but never looked like beating the winner. Bronk Delaval ran disappointingly, and is far from the horse he was at the Feilding meeting. Rose Pink led most of the distance, but was beaten out of it by Bon Reve, who has raced lately with the most persistent bad luck, running staunch races each time out. When he goes back to the illegitimate game in the winter he will be a particularly tough nut to tackle.

The Westbury Hack was a “turn up.” Comment, a four-year-old nare by Provocation from Wailethe, was elected a hot favourite, but after getting well away she faded out at the business end and was never seriously close to the money. Golden G'lade led into the straight, and won nicely from Merrie Poto, who made a desperate effort to reach him from a bad position on the rails. Lady Edith, who has run consistently into places lately, was a good third. Otaki got a somewhat overdue turn in the Camp Handicap, which was won by Ladify, after the daughter of

Sir Laddo had worried Pearl Marie to a standstill The mare has shown her mentor some grfeat track work, and was at one time thought a possibility for the New Zealand Cup. In her Camp Handicap engagement she won at the finish with great ease, a stern struggle ensuing for second place between Ararat and Dribble. The latter is another consistent mare, who is always running into places. The race was a suffragette victory, the four mares who started filling the first four places. Namur was sent out again in the Christmas Welter, but although she ran a fine race she Lad to succumb to Probation, who vas too much of a proposition for a second time trier. Quin’s Post was third, and ran his best race of the meeting. The last race of the day saw a big pool in the totalisator, over £5OOO going into the division of chances. Cease Fire was made favourite, but the runaway tactics of Gazique settled her chances. The gallant Rangitero tackled the leader with his usual resolution, and it was thought possible that with an earlier run he might have carried his 9.9 to victory. Gazique registered his third successive victory at the meeting, and is evidently far from ordinary. The principal winning owners were “Mr. Highden” £570, Mr. E. Short £570, Mr. W. Duncan £5OO, Mr C. J. Bennett £4lO, and Mr. F. Dorset £360.