OPENING DAY AT TRENTHAM

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 7, 9 July 1923, Page 11

OPENING DAY AT TRENTHAM

NOTES ON THE RUNNING

(BI "61R LAItCBIOT.")

Seasonable weather wus experienced for the opening day of the "Wellington "Winter Welcome' Meeting, held at Treivtham on Saturday. With the exception of one'or two lip;ht showers, it kept fine overhead, and as precautions had been taken fo spread a liberal; supply of etraw about the enclosures, the club's patrons, who mustered in force, were able to get about with little discomfort. It was a representative crowd of owners from Auckland' to Invorcargill, as well as' Turf. advisers for the annual confer-, ence, that was present. The new official stand, how well on- the way .to completion, provided ample seating accommodation, "and did away with the crowding formerly so pronounced. Those who were in tho habit of witnessing the steeplechase race from the top of the old stand were able to get quite as good a -view, Under more comfortable circumstances, from the top of the new official stand. The wisdom of reducing the price to the top was noticeable by the large number; that patronised that point of view. The. course was heavy, and got much cut up by the big fields. The bird cage suffered- in a similar respect, and looked like, a ploughed field late in the afternoon. ' ■ : v The amount . passed through the/ machine, £58.947 10s, was a decrease of £14,615 10s compared with the corresponding -day last year. VtTTORIA HURDLES TO FIRST ; . • 'BORN. Backers made a good beginning by selecting Firet Born, who won on both days at Ot'aki in heavy going, as the best of the fifteen runners for the "Vittorja Hurdle Handicap. Triboulet and Mountain Peer assisted in the pacemaking, and were prominent at the-stand. Cheer Up and Frenchman, who. carries the Hazzlc Dazzle colours." weie well placed at half-way. Cheer Up.hung, on-longest.. ancl did well enough to suggest that he will win when the going is firmer. First Born had worked his way to the front when two-thirds of the: journey had been, covered, and, rebelling in the mud, had/ his opponents well striing out when they, approached the home turn; He -woi> with, something in hand from Erie, with :Sir; Wii and Blue Socks handy. Both'winner.' au'J 1 runner-up are four years old, which is pnuch younger than the age.of ,tha; average hurdle horse. First Bom ""'was! purchased by. Mr. J. B. Gaisford in' March, at ths sale of his brother's horse* at-Dannevirke, for 225 guineas, and has won three' times in succession. -LOCAL HORSE SUCCESSFUL. : Nearly half the field for the Trial Plate was made up of two-year-olds, which have, in.previous years,, played a prominent part in the decision of the rate, uiid two of the number finished first and second. Star Ranger was considered the best of the Ttentham-trained ■ lot, and, beginning well, he was always prominent, and wo" fairly easily from Mountain Crag (Mountain KnightPetit Tor), who' \«as.. one of the, least fancied and.paid a great pries for: sec-: • "ond. Ma JSouaal .did. best, of the^older divisioiiggi'finisliin'^djpsc^.trjj in ..^.thirdi place, affij-'SSlbuftteili'iSignalf another of; the Mountain Kniglit- tribe, was next^ to-:,the placed division. Star Rnnger,' who was liiakjncf his second "piib'Jrc ap-' pearance, is trained at Trentham.by J. W. Lowe, for his breeder, Mr. A. J:' Toxward, who has not had much success as an owner since Lady Lucy won the New Zealand Cup. Star Ranger is'by Martian Gipsy Belle, whose previous produce'- were^Gipsy Gold (by. Bezonian) and Red Pepper (by Demosthenes). Star Hanger has been entered for the Melbourne Cnp. ' ; " SAN FORTE WINS HUNTERS' ' STEEPLECHASE. In what did not appear to be a strong field in the Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase, Raumanuwhiri came in for most support. She appeared to give. M'Sweeney a most uncomfortable ride, and although sho stood up and completed tile course, was always toiling at iho rear if the field. San Forte and Te Maire 1 .ingJed themselves out, ancl had the field well scattered when the stand was reached. Thei'e they led Orange Bitters' and Staff Officer by ten lengths, with Raumanuwhiii and "Whizz Bang together the same distance away. The two leaders kept together throughout, first one and then the other appearing to have, a slight advantage at the jumps. They crossed the final obstacle on level terms, audit appeared as if Te Maire would beat San Forte in the run' home, but the latter' responded well, and won by the smallest margin. Staff Officer finished well down the course, and Whizz Bang, Orange Bitters, and Raumapuwhiri came in in that, order. The \Riccarton representative, ■ Hereweare, toppled over at the sod wall,' and Blue Hall came to grief at the log fence. San Forte hails from 'Hawera, and is one of tho useful Guianforte tribe, i ■ AN OUTSIDER FIRST IN " STEWARDS. Sautonio (A. Oliver's mount), who'had ■won in heavy ground on the concluding day at Otaki, waa considered the best of the twenty runners for the Stewards' Handicap. He was right in the picture on the rails, a furious from himo, but was beaten in to fourth place. Aratuura, ■who was considered tho best of the Hawkes Bay contingent,.also came" in for a lot of support,'but failed to get iii-tho money. The West Coaator, Paphian, jumped out best, and was clear when they reached tho course proper. In th(J run to the post Joy Ride put in a strong claim, and, reachins; the leader, who' tired in the last bit. got up in time to win. Joy Ride did the best of the top Vvcig-Hts, and conceded both the other place getters 251b and a beating. • Joy .Ride is owned and trained by Mr. W. Howard, of Napier, and hae put tip quite a respectable winning recpfd since ho won at Waipukurau on Boxing Day. He won a double at, Trentham" in the autumn. Ho Was ridden by Mr. S. Howard, a son of the owjinr, and a (successful gentleman rider. Owing to the stale of t-he track his owner did not fancy his chance, and probably that w;ia why ho was allowed to pay such a, big price.

WELLLN'GTOX STEEPLECHASE GOliS TO OAKLEIGH.

Ranui, First .Line, and Palenck were. the popular picks for the Wellington Steeplechase, but none of them finished in the placed division. Ranui set a good pace, being assisted by Palencia and Young Thurnham. Ranui jumped beautifully, but ran himself out half a mile florn home. He had the other pair that went with him, or rather tried to, •pi'otty tired before the end of the journey. Young Thurnham was nearly down at tho brush fence near the mile post, and Palencia was probably a beaten horse when he, toppled over at the logs. Seadown was then also hopelessly out of it, and was pulled up. Tigorlan.d Was always handy, but was probably* tiling when he fell at the Sod wall th.6 last time round. Tho surprise of the race was the performance of Dick, who was toiling at the toil end of the field ,in -the first round.' iHe cfadually improved his position; a-rtd wlieh Eaimi stopped half a, mile from home Dick was in front, with Snake ftiiil Oaklciah handy. There was noth- 1

ing between Dick and Snake at the last fence, wliich they jumped safely, as also did Oakleigh. The latter gradually overhauled the other pair, and won after a great finish. Oakleigh carried top weight, and his win was on that account well received. Snake ricked bis back, it is thought at the last fence, and did well under the circumstances to put up such a good finish. Dick, who, has evidently improved with the trip to Australia, also ran second in the Great Northern. Whipcord, Master Peter, and Vociferate only got as ' far as the first fence, a post and rails. Oakleigh ran second in. the -Wellington Steeplechase last winter to Master Strowan. ANOTHER HAWKES BAY WINNER, Nine withdrawals from the Welcome I Cup reduced the number of runners to twenty-two. Comical, who had a good race each day at EHerslie, was actual favourite, but several of the runners were well backed. Surveyor began smartly, and with Tiuohoi'o and Urgency, was prominent in the first port, Surveyor lost his position before-he-had gone two furlongs. With half the jouniev gone Tinohoro was showing the-way to Demos, Comical, Arch Salute, and Blackmail. Prince Ferouz and Urgency were also holding good positions as' they came round the bend. Comical was goinj; best at the distance, and '.Was disputing the last bit of the journey- with Urgency, when Tame Fox, who came from a. lons way back, shot out and cut Urgency out of second money. . Judging ny the way he finished,-it looked as if Tame Foxmight have "won had tho race been another furlong. Surveyor, who is not supposed to be a good horse in bad going. Blackmail, and Tinohoro were close up to.the placed division at the finish. Comical, one of the useful Merry Moment breed, is proving a good stake-earner .to his owner-trainer, Mr. H. M. Campbell, who was present to see him win. He won at Trentham in the summer time, and was recently successful at Ellerslie. TRENTHAM HURDLES WON BY PENURY ROSE. King Abbey. Mandrake, and War Loan were taken out of the Trentham Hurdle Handicap,' leaving' in thirteen runners. The field included a strong Auckland contingent', of which Royal Abbey and Poantii came in for most support. They went out to -make- the pace, but both were well. beaten a. Jong- wav from homo. Nukuniai was always in a liandy position, and when the two leaders stopped lie was at the head of affairs. In the straight Alteration threw out a challenge, and v^iien Nukumai had him beaten Penury Rose appeared on the scene, but only. got the verdict after a tjreat final effort. Alteration showed a return to form by finishinc. third. The three Trentham' representatives all failed badly. Cerberus was tailed off all the way, and was actually last to pass the post. Penury Rose scored a long overdue win for his Opaki breeder, owner, and trainer, Mr. R. Knox. Last winter he ran second in the same event to General Petain, and second in \ttie Winter ,Hurdles ,to Rorke's Drift. He has not incurred, a penalty in the last-named event, and will take some beatine. Alteration, who won the Winter Hurdles two years ago, is also in that event on Saturday next. ALAMO'S TE ARO HANDICAP. Birkenella, Mangawhero, aiid Hallo- ' voiiiawere withdrawn from the Te Ato Handicap, leaving in eighteen runners. Backers declared for Doleful Ditfy, who carries the same colours as Comical, and who had proved- a good mud lark at Ellerslie. He did'not begin too Well, but was galloping; strongly- at the finish to 't&feftit&fiA Al3S?>-3i'i?°:-' ty.o*L;s'eiiffrom 'tne:top';weight:' Eduadb'rV^ho'-was con-•ceding'tllfe-winner a'stone. 'The Tren-tham-trained Dominant did. best of the others,- 'finishing fourth. Alaric (San Fran—Dolly Grey) was making her first appearance in the colours of the Wavetley trainer, W. H. Dwyer, aud returned a good pjice. Alaric was placed second in the Lockwood Handicap to Black Cruiser on the concluding day at Awapuni, when many persons in a'position to see were of opimdn the chestnut won. Alaric was ridden by M. M'Carten, who brought his total 'for the season uptoDETAILS. ' Appended are details of the events i~VITTORIA HURDLE HANDICAP, of 050 soys; second, horse 70-sovs • and third 35 soys from the stake. One mile' : and three-quarters. . .'-,-.' J. B. Gaisford's biv. or Firsf Born, by Thurnham—Alicia, 4yrs, 10.8 (M. Conway) •. 1 J. G. Gant'o eh m Erie, 'by Nassau —Mountain Dream, 4yrs, 9.10 , (H. M'Sw'eeriey) .;:.....'. 2 R. Knox's b s Sir Wai, by Sir Knox —Kakawai, 6yrs, 10.0 (F. Corlett) 3 Also started: Toa Tana 10.12 (H. Bracken^, Rowan 10.7 (A. Ryder), Mountain Peer 10.3 (J. Roach), Price 10.3 (O. Edwards). Blue Socks 9.11 (S. AValls), Cheer Up 9.11'/(P. M'Brearty); White Ranker 9.10 (C. Rask); Triboulet 9.9' (J. "R: Kaan), Wild Pilgrim 9.4 (J. M'Chesrieyj, Maunga 9.4 {E. Copestake), Frenchman 9.2 (J. Humphries), Rimutaka 9.0 (A. J. Thorner)., . ' ; . Won by over two lengths, Sir Wai a close third 1. Time, 3min 31sec. (Winner trained by owner.) TEIAL PLATE, of 350 soys; second ■ horse 70 soys and third' 35 soys from i tho stake. Special weights. Six furlongs. ' . . . A. J. Toxward's b g Star Ranger, by Martian—Gypsy Bell, 2yrs, 9.0 (A. Reed) 1, J. J. Bryce's blk c! Mountain Crag, _■ j by Mountain Knight—Petit Tor, ' 2yrs, 9.3 (C. M'Carthy) ............ 2 W. J. Jorgenseti's eh g Jla Boughal, by Absurd—Moira Machree, 3yrs, ' 9.11 (F. Waddell) „,...... 3 Also started: First Aid 9.13 (A. M'Mullin), Lord TJsk 9,13 (F. Porter), Marmont 9.13' (A. Peach), Brigadier Bill 9.11 (L. I). Moms), Mountain Signal 9.11 (H. Byder), Proclaim 9.11 (H. M'Sweeney), Stream 9.11 (L. Butler), Tione 9.11 (L. Wikon), Dubious (H. Wheeler), Enthuse 9.0 (M. M-'Cai'ten) Hall Mark 9.0 (C. Eeed). Rene Mavis 9.0 (B. Brodie), Tawehi 9.0 (R. S. Bagby). , Won by three-quarters of a length, Ma, Bougbal a short neck away. Time, lmin 23sec. (Winner trained by J. W. Lowe.) FIRST HACK AND HUNTERS' STEEPLECHASE, of 350 soys; second- horse 70 soys and third horse 35 soys from the stake. Two miles and live furlongs. E.. Joyce't> br g San Forte/ by Guian- . forte—Lady San,. oyrs, '5.2 (lib over). (P. M'Brearty) 1 S. .R v Hammond's b g "T'e Maire, by . ' "Yankee Jack—Torpedo, aged, 10.6 (A. M'Donald) ..:.! 2 J. Gafianey's eh g Staff Officer, by Rose Noble—Order, aged, 10.0 ' (A. E. Ellis) 3 Also started : Raumanuwhiri 10.11 (H. M'Sweeney), Hereweare 10.4 (A. M'Milian), Whizz Bang 9.7 (W. D. Young), Blue Hall g.O (F. Corlett), Orange Bitters 9.0 (A. E. Home), Sartoline 9.0 (J. M'Chesney). Overweight: Blue Hall, 31b; Sartoline, lib. Won by a short head, Staff Officer fifteen lengths a.way.- Time, 6min Msec. (Winner, trained by N. K.,M'Donell.) STEWARDS' HANDICAP, of 400 kovs ; second horse 80 »ova aud . third 40 soys from Iho stake; six furlongs. W. H6\vard'» eh g Joy . Ride, by Merry, Moment—Sanguine, 4yis, 10,11 (S. Howard) :....„.„..„,„. l

A. R. M'Connon's b c Paphian, by Bc-Bonian—Paphia, 4yrs, 9.0 (A. Humphries) .....'. 2 P. Lynch's b g Avispado, by Winkie —Whiplash, 4yrs, 9.0' (J. WChesnoy) 3 Also started: Solfanello 11.10 (E. Reed), Civilform 10.13 (C. W. France), Bon Spec 10.8 (E. Lowe), Barrier 10.6 (F, Waddell), Musketoou 9.12 (W. Byd^r), Passionless 9.10 (A. Reed), Bonnie Heather 9.9 (J. Olsen), Tactful 9.7 J: O'Sbea), Ai-ataura 9.6 (H. Griffiths), bantonio 9.5 (A. Olliver), L'Amour 9.3 (R. S. Bagby}, Demand 9.-3 (M. M'G'arten), Tinihanga 9.0 (D. Cotton), Astinomo 9.0 J. Young), Backsheesh 9.0 (11. Young , Pink Rose 9.0 (S. Porter), Petunia 9.0 (J. Barry). Won by'a length and a- half, third horse a ten'gth away.. Time, lmin 25sec. ..■ (Winner trained by Owner.) WELLINGTON STEEPLECHASE, of 1500 soys; second horse 200 soys and third 100 soys from the stake. About three miles 'and a quarter. G. and V. Peach's b g Oakleigli, by St. Amans—Jean, aged. 11.2 (J. Roach) _.-. . i J. J. Corry's b g Dick, by Gluten-^ Zealandia Cole, aged, 9.7 (F. Henderson) 2 R. Hannon's b g Snake, by Quinn Abbey—Oison, 6yis, 10.8 (W. Rennie) 3 Also started: Tigerland, 10.8 (H. M'Sweeney), Ranui, 10.4 (R Copestake), Young Thurnham, 10.4 (A. M'Donald), First Line, 10.0 (J. Proctor), Palencia, 9.13 (A. Ellis), Seadown, 9.13 (H. Burt), Whipcord 9.8 (F. Walls), Vociferate. 9.3 (C. Cotter), Master Peter, 9.0-<C'. Rask), P.ed Cent-9.0 ' (A. M'Mullin), Zeus, 9.0,(J. Kaan). ■■ Won by a short length, third horse a length away. Time, 7min 56sec. (Winner, trained by C. Coleman.) WELCOME CUP, of 500 soys; one mile. H. M. Campbell's eh g ' Comical, • 6yrs, by Merry Moment—Mint Queen, 10.1 (R. Reed) 1 W. Duncan's b m Tame Fox, 11.0 (M. M'Cnrten) 2 H. A. Knight's Urgency, 10.6' (D. Cotton) 3 Also started: Surveyor; 10.13 (R, S. Bagby), Haurangi 10.8 (O. France), Bitters 10.3 (Hi P.ydor); -Kilbh'd 9.10 (H. 1 Griffiths), Tinohoro, 9.9 (It. M'Tavish), Arch Saint* 9.6 (A. J. M'Flinn), Demos 9.5 (A. Heed), TenterfieTd 9.4 (C. Reed), Prince Ferouz 9.3 (F. Porter), Tatau Tatau 9.2 (J. Bealo), Crucelle 9.2 (P. Rayner). Blackmail 9.0 (A. Oliver). Blisafulness 9.0 (A. Griffiths), Kahikatea 9.0 (If. Goldfinch), Kilkee 9.0 (J. M'Chesiiey); Lady Ben 9.0 (J. O'Shea), Martulla 9.0 (L. Morris), Patufci 9.0 (E. Lowe), Sir Agnes 9.0 (A. Broughton). ■ Won by three-quarters of a length. Time, lmin 55sec. (Winner, trained by T. Clark.) TRENTHAM HURDLE HANDICAP, of 500 soys; one mile and three-quar-ters.

R. Knox's br g Penury Rose, aged, by Penury—Merry "Rose, 9.7 IF. Corlett) ; 1, S. G. Davidson's br. g Nukumai, 9.13 (L. G.. Morris) 2 J. George's br g Alteration,' 9.10 (E. !■ Copestako) . 3 Also started:-Royal Abbey 11,4 (W: Ronnie), PbanUi 11.2 (S. Walls), Cerberus 10.11 (W. Scobie), Tinokaha 10.8 (W. Ayi-es), Vagabond 10.7 (11. Burt), En "Route 10.4 (H. M'Sweeney), Militnire 10.3 (P. M'Brearty). Peter Attiftns 10.1 (J. Roach); Mia Bella 9;12 (A. M'Don- ; ald), Matatua- 9.5 (A. S.-Ellis). Kyoto 9.3 (A. J. Thorner). Won by a length. Time -Smin 36sec. ; -■•;.-' (Winner,-trained ..by owner.) TE ARO HANDICAP, of 350 soys; six ' : furlongs. W. H. Dwyer's eh g Alario, 4yrs, by San Fran—Dolly Gray, 9.2 (M. M'Garten) ..., -. 1 W. Rosewarne's b g Ecuador, 10.2 (W. E. Pine) 2 H- N. Campbell's b g Doleful' Ditty, 10.2 (R. Reed) „ 3 Also started: Elcullus 10.4 (P. Raynor), Gluement 10.2 (F. Porter), Auckland 10.0 (R. Hatch), Feta 9.10 (R. S. Bagby), Frisco Mail 9.8 (J. Humphries). Princess Fran 9.8 (E. Garrett), -Zero Hour 9.8 •(J. Olsen), All Marimba 9.7 (A. Griffiths), Tinohari 9.7 (H. G. Morris). Arizona Maid 9.5 (A. J. M'Flinn), Dominant 9.5 (C. Reed), Distant Shot 9!5 (H. Limnatk 9.0 (S. 'fhompson), The Emperor 9.2 (A. Oliver), Red Courier 9.0 (H. Griffiths). Won by two lengths.' Time, lmin 24sec. ■

(Winner trained by owner.)