TURF TOPICS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 95, 1 December 1939, Page 8

TURF TOPICS

RACING AT ELLERSLIE

(By Zetland) Fine weather favoured the Auckland Racing Club on Saturday for the opening of its mid-spring meeting, and the attendance of the jmblic was estimated at over Racing opened with the Melrose Maiden and victory went to the Hamilton owned May Fair, by Hunting Song, with British Talent and Pleuron in the places. The winner hit out much more freely than she did at Te Rapa where the racing track was too hard for her liking. This fillv is likely to increase her winning score before long. In the Mil ford Handicap the favourite division comprising Penzance, TaAviti and Eupatrid took little part in the final stages Miss Valerie, Sebrof and Pasture being the dividend payers, the return to Miss Valerie's backers being over a quarter of a century. The Vaals filly was capably piloted by O. Spinley, an apprentice who is becoming a decidedly popular rider. The Rotorua owned Ureklaw continued his winning career by prevail ing in the Tiri Hurdles. The Ace gelding is doing good service for his owner,, Mr J. H. Greenhead, and is ably taking the place of Erination held on lease for some years by this owner. The Alison Cup attracted a field of twelve, the three best backed contestants being Flood Tide, Balinavar and Golden Sheila. On recent form this order of backing should have been reversed, for while Flood Tide has been accomplishing good track gallops at Takanini, Golden Sheila has been winning with the colours up, both at Ellerslic and Te Rapa. In the early stages of the contest Royevrus, Birthday Boy, Royal Appellant, and Vaalso were prominent in the running, while Golden Sheila No. 9 at the barrier, could be noticed covering plenty of ground, but galloping in such effortless style as

to presage a victory. Entering the home run the field closed up, and seven horses were practically in line as they gathered up speed for the final dash. At the distance post Golden Sheila decided to break the line and ably sustaining a very brilliant run beat Royevrus by a length without being extended. The Gay Shield mare is now right at the top of her form, and as she conceded no less J than 3411) to the minimum division there was distinct merit in the victory. The resultant dividend was quite a remunerative one, and the victory ranked as a very popular one more especially Avith Te Aroha investors who took back to the tourist resort quite an appreciable sum of money. The Cambridge owned, and Ellerslie trained Happieoat Avon the Cambria Handicap in fine style from Phaleron and Queen City, the A\'in dividend being nearly half a century, and great Avas the glee in the Cambridge circle at Ellerslie. The public Avere Avell on the mark in the Takapuna Plate in Avhich Gamos, Silver Stick and Foxsen Avere the placed horses.

After many days the Beau Pere — The Begum respresentative, Arvakur, thought it Avas fully time for him, as a half brother to the great High Caste, to carry Mr T. Impey's colours AA r ith distinction. His rider, young Geoffrey Gilchrist, Avas quite of the same opinion, and with tAvo minds with one single thought Arva kur quickly took up his position Avith the leading division and made his opponents clap on the pace. Entering the home run he ran past the leader, the speedy Miss Te Koura. and in the final furlong xvtis a certain Avinner. This being so, and in order not to slioav up the opposition too glaringly, he eased up, and Avon by o\ r er four lengths.

Saturday's racing concluded with the Ponui Handicap, in which 15 competed. Consequent upon his close finish at Te Rapa with the winner, Foxmond, the Frank Tutchcn trained Starbright was installed first favourite, with Pern and Royal Tray next in demand. The winner,. Princess Val, Royal Tray and Greek Queen filling the places.

RACING FIXTURES Dec 2—Kurow Jockey Club. Dec 9—Hororata Racing Club Dec 9, 11—Woodville District Joc- | key Club. Dec 16—YVaipa Racing Club. Dec 23, 20, 27—Manawatu Racing Club. 26—Waipukurau Jockey Club. 2H-—Vv'esLkviHl Raeij;g Ciub. Dec 26, 27 —Dunedin Jockey (Hub. Dec 26, 27—Taranaki Jockey Club.