HOW THEY RACED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1355, 5 February 1912, Page 7

HOW THEY RACED.

SIR G. CLIFFORD'S SIXTH WIN. IN THE PLATE. The attendance at Riccarlon on Saturday was greater than that of the opening day, but speculation was restricted. The principal event, the Middle Park Plate was a- very tame affair, and was won.by Antumnus in an easy manner, this giving Sir Ceo. Clifford bis sixth consecutive win in this race. Half-way down the running Canute, whn was going unkindly, cannoned into Winning Way and, as a result, ha was very lame afterwards. ' Rose Noble's performance in the big hmuliraj) was a distinct improvement on his effort on the first day, but his Thursday s form is attributed to the vagaries "f one of the other animals who was engaged with him. Only two first favourites won on the day, and the meeting did not provide the rich harvest for backers that it has done in years gone by. Proceedings commenced with the Richmond Plato—a handicap for two-year-olds.. Brown Owl was imule favourite,' with 'Gnome next in demand. There were nine runners, and, after a little delay, Mr. Piper sent them oil' to a good start. As far as could be seen Gnome was leading for a couple of furlongs,- with tho remainder bunched. AVhen it came to real business in the straight, Brown Owl quickly asserted herself, and, coming on full of running, won in convincing fashion. There is no doubt that the winner is a splendid filly, and, later, when opposed by the best of the year, she | may assert her superiority. In tho past: she has been n difficult marc to train, but she now appears to have got past all that John Bunyan was the best backed mount in tho Linwood Welter, which \«as a scrambling sort of race from the barrier rise. Night Light led down the back, with Kills next, and Kimona last. The last-named got anything but a good run, while equaliy bad fortune came the way of' Colleen Marv. As thev swept into the straight Night' Light still led, but Kilts then came away, and Kimona put in a 'run on the fence, but got stopped onco more. Over the final luilf-furlong Miss Advance swept up in the ccntTe of tho field, and, getting clear, she won by a couple of lengths. The remainder, with the exception of Daylight Bill, finished close up. Very little interest was taken in tho Middle Park Plate, it being generally considered that the race was a gift for Aiitunnius, and so it proved, for he was in front as soon as the colours became perceptible, and was.not again troubled Bon Ton surprised many by his forward sliowing, and it was only in the last few strides that Canute cut him out of second money. The last-named-again showed a regueish disposition, and Gray had the whip on him a good deal during, the journey. A dead-heat was recorded in tho St. Albans Handicap. Odessa was a good favourite, and Muinuro, n;ho, to-day, had the services of H. Gray, was next in demand. Mumura was the first to show, cut after the start, but Gray ; .s.teadiel ; him,, and Englcstone joined in the lead followed by Oratava and 'Hose-'Noble;" with Odessa next. As they swung round the bend, Odessa and Oratava moved up, and were in a line with the leader's when heads were turned for home. Next Nose Noble put in a claim, and he, with Odessa! singled themselves out from the field. In a good finish Rose Noble got rip in the last stride, and the judge declared-a dead beat. Mumura was just clear of.Oratava.Aimwell and Aphaea'were backed in that order in the' Selling Plate.' l 'The: latter won quite comfortably from' Medallist, who just headed Avarice in tho last stride. The remainder were led bv Aimwell. 'Kilts was withdrawn from the Flying Handicap, up-.a' second time.'' , llls chance was "not''favour-' ably considered, as he had a race inlo him, and Sea King started favourite, with Ancilla also well • supported. The race requires little description, for the lightlyiveighted Pleasure Bent took command soon after tho start, and, revelling in her task, ran home an easy winner from Sea King. The latter had to be hard ridden to stall off Tannhauser, who finished in a most determined fashion. Ancilla was the last to pass tho post.

Bonny Glon was withdrawn from the Post Handicap on account of > lameness, and the pen was also ,put v through- .the names of Tanrihauser and Outlander, who had raced earlier in the day. Turha finished up a Rood favourite, with Troon and Parable best fancied among the others. The favourite was very sore, and, as usual, wa,s giving the field a big start at the end of the first furlong. With half tho journey gone, Troon and Golightly were right out in front, with True Knight at the head of ' the ' remainder, and Tnrna still last. The lastnamed put in a 'good run as they raced for the straight, and, Half-way down the running, it appeared as if he would win, but the effort told on him, and the weight stopped him over tho last fifty yards, allowing Troon to win by a neck. Parable came very fast over the last hit, and Rot third. True Knight was clear of the others.