FORM NO GUIDE FOR OTAKI MEETING

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 15 May 1961, Page 4

FORM NO GUIDE FOR OTAKI MEETING

Happy Luca Succeeds At Trentham

Th* Press” Special Ssrvtc*

WELLINGTON, May 4.

It was a tantalising day for most of the betters at the Otaki-Maori Racing Club’s meeting on Saturday. On form most of the winners appeared to be pre-determined, but not one of the favourites was successful. Four gained minor platings, but even an each-way bet on them would not have covered the outlay.

Happy Luca and Golden Candidate came into their own in the heavy ground to win the two main flat events, the Ta Timi Kara and Taipua Handicaps, the TAB. double. Their return for £1 was £174 19s 6d.

Cross - country honours went to Baron’s Craig, which made a successful debut in the role in the Nepia Winiata Memorial Steeplechase, in which he made most of the pace over the final round and withstood a strong late claim by Jungle. Happy Luca had not been successful since the M. B. Bergin Handicap at Foxton in August. She raced much below her best in her next seven attempts and she was turned out to spell. Saturday’s was only her third since she resumed training under J. K. Searle, at Levin. Earlier she was prepared by A. G. Waddell.

She enjoyed a trailing position to the straight entrance on Saturday and then established a winning advantage, scoring by a length and a quarter from Lorica, which came home well without appearing likely to overhaul the winner. Compensate (third) was the best of the two South Island invaders. The other, Gay Tommy, was eighth. Both had interrupted passages but it is unlikely that either would have beaten Happy Luca even with bettei runs. The unlucky runner appeared to be Melody Man (fourth). He was pulling hard along the back and had to be checked. As a result he was a long way from Happy Luca beginning the run home, but he reduced the gap to three lengths at the post. The favourite Musick was another which was checked along the back, but he made little impression in the run home, finishing seventh. Superior Trailing to the straight entrance in the Taipua Handicap. Golden Candidate quickly asserted his superiority, winning by two lengths with something in hand from Our Sal, which came home well to beat the favourite Toureg by half a length. Golden Candidate's last win was in the Trelawney Handicap at Cambridge in November. In between he had had 15 starts without being placed. He joined the Woodville stable of P. Burgess recently and Saturday’s was his second attempt from his new quarters. The Nepia Winiata

Memorial Steeplechase was a chapter of accidents. First the second favourite Jamasia crashed with a round to go, then Gold Caste and Parasol fell at the five furlongs and the favourite Napoleon Bonaparte blundered and lost his rider at the last fence when second, but weakening. Baron’s Craig was always well placed and took the lead with a round to go. Napoleon Bonaparte headed him at the mile, but Baron’s Craig regained the lead with a magnificent leap at the half-mile and was ahead of Napoleon Bonaparte and doing the better when the latter was eliminated.

It was left to Jungle to challenge Baron’s Craig and his claim failed by only a long neck. Had his rider saved ground beginning the run home the placings might have been reversed. Cadbury battled into third seven length away. Winners at double-figure odds were Red Trap (£l2 2s 6d), Happy Luca (£l7 Ils fid), and Trusion (£2O 14s 6d). The Woodville apprentice D. J. Strawbridge completed a double for his master. P Burgess, on Golden Candidate and Big Bill. The weather was overcast and cool and there was a good attendance. The track was heavy. The on-course totalisator handled £95,822 10s. against £63,773 last year when the meeting was held at Otaki, an increase of £23,044 10s. Happy Luca

After enjoying the run of the race, Happy Luca scored comfortably in the Ta Timi Kara Handicap. Imitation took charge at the outset, leading with a round to go from Lorica, Happy Luca. Lord Kildare, Compensate, Lord Nikita, Nine Days, National, Gay Tommy, Wonderway, Musick, Melody Man, Royal Howe, Balfast and Academy, which lost ground at the start. Imitation was a length ahead of Lord Nikita and Happy Luca at the half-mile and the most prominent of the others were Lorica, Compensate and Gay Tommy. Then came Academy, Royal Howe. Wonderway, and Melody Man with Balfast and Musick at the rear.

There was little change into the straight and Happy Luca immediately ran past Imitation. Lorica challenged gamely, but made little impression on Happy Luca, which beat him by a length and a quarter. Compensate was a length

and a half away, third, and Melody Man was a good fourth just ahead of Balfast. Then almost in line were National. Musick, Gay Tommy and Royal Howe. Steeples Running

Taking the lead with a round to go Baron’s Craig withstood a strong late claim by Jungle in the Nepia Winiata Memorial Steeplechase. Nicotian was the early leader, but with a round to go Baron’s Craig jumped to the front and led from Napoleon Bonaparte, Nicotian and Cadbury, with Gold Caste next, ahead of Jungle, Parasol. Happy Monarch and Great Guy. Jamassa having fallen st the second of the stand double. Napoleon Bonaparte momentarily headed Baron's Craig at the mile, but the latter was on terms again at the seven furlongs. Gold Caste fell at the five where Parasol also came down. Baron's Craig jumped clear again at the half-mile and turned for home two lengths in front of Napoleon Bonaparte, with six lengths to Jungle and Cadbury then a gap to Nicotian. Napoleon Bonaparte hit the last fehce. sprawled on landing, and lost his rider. It was left to Jungle to challenge Baron's Craig and he failed by only a long neck. Seven lengths awav Cadbury plodded into third and then at intervals came Nicotian, Happy Monarch, and Great Guy. Regained Form

Trailing the pacemaker to the straight, Golden Candidate then took charge to regain winning form in the Taipua Handicap. Major Effort and Gold Bracelet did not get the best of the start, Toureg beginning brilliantly from Summerford, Our Sal, Golden Candidate. Stitch. Romantic Knight, Donna Bella. Jayell, White Horse and Pandex. At the half-mile Summerford was half a length in front of Golden Candidate, with two lengths to Toureg, then Romantic Knight. Our Sal, Stitch. Gold Snlice, White Horse, Donna Bella, Pandex. and Jayell. The order was unchanged into the straight and Golden Candidate went to th* front outside the furlong and ran on solidly to win by two lengths from Our Sal, which finished well to beat Toureg by half a length for second. White Horse was fourth and the best of the others were Juventas, Donna Bella. Stitch, Jayell, Pandex and Romantic Knight Gold Bracelet brought up the rear.