MARTON J.C.’S SUMMER CARNIVAL.

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

MARTON J.C.’S SUMMER CARNIVAL.

KEEN AND INTERESTING RACING. THE OPENING DAY. (From Our Special Correspondent.) The Marton Jockey Club’s summer meeting, which opened on New Year’s Day in fine weather, was spoilt slightly by the everlasting boisterous wind that prevailed throughout the holiday season on this coast. The attendance of the public was good, but owing to the dry state of the course and the heavy spell of preceding racing, the fields on the whole v ere light. All the Highden stable candidates were scratched owing to the unfortunate accident in Mr. Johnston’s family.

The totalisator figures, however, showed a good increase of £1683 on last year, the total tunover being £23,322. The racing was interesting, and the meeting was well handled, everything going smoothly and brightly under the capable management of Secretary A. Way and the club’s officials. The Hack Hurdles attracted a field of eight, Portland Lady, on her Palmerston North runring, being selected a hot favourite. She ran badly, however, the winner turning up in the consistent topweight, Kurapai, who, as the expression says, “made hacks of them” when he put in his final run. The winner is the best hurdler seen out on this coast for years, and his five races mark him as something quite out of the ordinary. He jumps with great resolution and very fast, and is always full of running at the finish. The Trial Hack was a procession. The Poseidon colt Ohoreka was backed down to even money, and, as if realising his responsibilities to a confident public, he jumped out at the start and streaked for home like an Austrian general making . for the Carpathians. The little-liked Warmaid was a poor second. The Dash Hack provided a popular win for a local mare, Vladineau, who has been off the scene since Waverley. She was well handled by B. Morris, and lasted long enough to win from the favourite Pohehe. The

time, viz., lmin. 14sec., was very fast. The Marton Cup went to F. Tilley’s stable, the Elevation gelding Client w nning after a tough go with Bon Reve. The win was the largest stake t ever landed by the popular owner, Mr. W. Duncan, in all his fifteen years of racing. Square Deal ran disappointingly, and Bronk Delaval got many lengths behind in the first halfmile. Bon Reve was left without much room at the finish, and Client’s rider received a warning after the race. The Juvenile Handicap saw the Australian importation Acre (Linacre —Miss Arlington) backed down to a very warm price. He went away at the start and won with great ease. The rest of the field was of poor quality, and the win had no particular merit. The colt, however, is big and muscular, and will win in better company before long. A quartette started in the Railway Handicap, Hushabye showing out as the barrier went up. Interlude was soon in charge, and although strongly challenged by Gang Awa, the Bezonian filly won nicely. The time was very smart, lmin. ISsec. being registered. An unknown quantity in Sail Home nearly provided a sharp surprise in the New Year Hack. Sail (Home is a chestnut gelding by Pallas —Sinn Fein, and led until the last stride, where Oliver just got up on Spain. Haupai was a first-class third, while Namur, who was whispered as the correct thing, was fourth.

Another small field lined up for the last race, three only making an effort in the Stewards’ Welter. Zola looked dangerous for six furlongs, then Detroit made his run, but Lady Amai won with plenty to spare over the last bit. THE CONCLUDING DAY. Bright sunshine greeted the concluding day of the Marton races, but the fields were again on the light side, and there was a considerable decrease

on last year’s figures for the corresponding day, with the result that despite the good increase cn the opening day, the total for the meeting showed only an increase of £23 for the two days. The poor fields were particularly noticeable in the open events. It is open to question whether the sacrifice of the holiday dates might not pay the club, in view of the strong opposition and the priority

of the -three days’ racing at Manawatu. The Hurdles saw the Maniapoto gelding Sir Fisher dispose of a good favourite in Arlington The Wairarapa candidate, Mania Park, made the early running, but could only get third. He is on the up-grade, however, and is a fine, natural jumper, well bred enough to win anything. The Poseidon gelding Ohoreka collected first money again in the Junction Plate, for which three starters only went to the post. The Fordell candidate, First Line, finished well in the straight, but had no possible chance with the winner. In the Welter Hack, Spain was made a hot favourite on his first day’s form. Third was the best she could do, however, the local mare Vladineau again winning comfortably. Carnival King, belonging to a popular Balls host, was carrying 121 b. overweight to secure the services of W. Young to get him off the mark, but he again refused, and seems firmly determ ned not to risk the barrier rise. The Summer Handicap, for a good stake, resulted in a well-deserved win for the consistent Bon Reve, who has been racing into places for several meetings behind some of our best. He had to do his very best to stall off Dribble, with McLean (51b. allowance) up. The latter lad is riding well, and promises to be a good lightweight this coming season. Mr. J. B. Gaisford rode Mattock in the Bracelet, and displayed great judgment, landing his mount in front at the business end with quite professional skill. Kylena went away with a great burst of speed over the first bit, but she died very quickly. The hurdler Golden March was a good second, with Lord Nelson third. A local whisper credited General Madero with great pace, but he ran disappointingly. That really good horse, Rangitero, disposed of Interlude in the open six furlong event, handing her a good lead at three furlongs. The winner is most consistent, and must be classed as one of the very best six furlong horses racing in the Dominion. He carried his 9.8. as if it were a feather weight, and ran like, a gentleman Gang Awa could not foot it with the other two starters. The Farewell Handicap saw another good favourite soundly beaten, Rewa Rewa, with W. Young up, being backed as if the race were over. Pohehe led to the straight entrance but Golden Glade made no race of it at the finish, and won with something to spare. A Sarto gelding, Tuticorn, ran a surprisingly good race, and will be heard of in the near future. The field was the largest of the day.

The Turakina Welter saw Mahzoltov beat .Namur in fast time after a desperate finish. There were only four starters in this race, and Lady Amai finished well behind the others. The meeting thus concluded will result in a substantial addition to the patriotic funds to whose purposes the club is devoting the whole of its profits.