RACING AT RICCARTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1450, 7 February 1918, Page 24

RACING AT RICCARTON.

FORM AT SATURDAY’S MEETING.

(By Tele.—Christchurch Correspondent.’)

Though there was only a limited attendance at Riccarton on Saturday the meeting was quite successful, both from a financial and racing standpoint. There were a few visiting horses present, but their efforts were poorly rewarded, as only place money came their way. The track was in excellent order, and though a strong easterly wind had to be faced all up the home straight every race was run at a high rate of speed. Speculation was brisker than at most recent summer meetings, the total reaching £18,060, as against £14,571 last year. Glendower was made a strong order for the Trial Stakes, which proved little more than an exercise gallop for the greatly improved son of Gienapp. He did not appear on the scene till well into the heme straight, where Phil May was out in front. The latter soon beat a hasty retreat, and it was left to Thames, to chase the favourite home. Judging by his displays Phil May is still deficient in stamina. He showed a rare turn of speed after getting none too well away, but stopped to nothing in the last furlong. Backers, summed up the position very accurately in the Hornby Welter. Though most of the half-dozen competitors came in for good support, Majestikoff and Red Morn were the actual favourites. When the barrier went up Majestikoff appeared to be, turned half round, with the result that she lost quite four lengths. This she soon made good, and, with King Star, was first into the line for home. Under the circumstances her victory had a good deal of merit associated with it. Late scratchings reduced the field for the Middle Park Plate to five, of which number two came from R. J. Mason’s stable. In the absence of Long Range and Lionskin, the latter of whom was reserved for the Lyttelton Plate, Heathercote was deputed to do battle on behalf of the Chokebore stable. Almoner, despite his poor showing at Trentham, was backed down to slightly odds-on. He filled the eye as the gentleman of the party, and had a big pull over the others in the matter of racing experience. Mortham showed a fine turn of speed for three furlongs, but soon afterwards he had enough. This left Eleus out in front, going jwell, but once Emerson called on Almoner for an effort the result was quickly placed beyond doubt. Almoner is a great galloper, and of all the two-year-olds seen out at Riccarton this season looks most likely to develop into a Derby winner. Eleus ran a sterling race in getting second place, especially when it is remembered that despite the strong wind to be contended with the time established was a fresh record for the race. His chance was not improved by his jockey losing a stirrup in the straight. Margarine did not appear to be ridden to advantage in the Midsummer Handicap. She was last away, but at the end of three furlongs was rushed to the front. Evidently Wardancer’s rider had instructions to keep with her, and racing along the back the pair were on terms. Four furlongs from home Margarine appeared to be in trouble, and from this out gradually dropped back. Spangle put in an unexpected challenge in the home straight, but could not make the least impression on Wardancer. It was left to Multicipal and Rose Pink to chase the winner home, but though they had him doing his best there was still a length of daylight between them when the post was reached. Multicipal was lying a good way back all through the first mile. Over the last two furlongs he was going as well as anything in the race, and the gallop is bound to enhance his Dunedin Cup prospects. Quite the disappointment of the race was Margarine. Usually she can be relied on to finish with the best, but in Saturday’s contest she -was one of the first apparently beaten. Altogether her showing was much below what could have been expected on her track form. Torfreda’s track credentials appeared to justify the extreme confidence reposed in her for the Lyttelton Plate. She looked well and showed all her accustomed brilliancy. Once seriously tackled by Lionskin, however, she was quickly found wanting. Lionskin is a very resolute galloper, and bids fair to develop into a more than useful three-year-old filly. Evidently the experience she

gained at Trentham did her a lot of good; she raced there very green, but on Saturday went as straight as a gunbarrel from start to finish. Apart from the first and second place fillers, the others appeared to be a very moderate collection of juveniles. Daytime made a runaway race of the Craven Plate. He commenced with his accustomed smartness, and after settling the pretentions of Disdainful had matters all his own way. Under the circumstances his achievement of covering the seven furlongs in lmin. 26 4-ssec. was a particularly smart one. Spyglass, Kimbolton, Golden Prince, and Arihia made the early running in the Halswell Handicap, but the distance found them all out. Majostikoff, who had a 71b. penalty and a 51b. allowance, was always handily placed and stayed on well enough to win by a length from Luff. The latter had to make up a lot of ground over the last two furlongs and did really well. Polinis also made up a lot of ground in the home straight.