LUCKY, BUT EARNED

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 21, 25 January 1934, Page 8

LUCKY, BUT EARNED

SALT SPRAY'S SURPRISE

■ Salt Spray, who misbehaved in the Douro Cup and finally took no part in the race, made some atonement by winning the Melrose Handicap with a final late plunge. He was without much doubt lucky in more ways than one, but his effort was marked with com age and his .■success Was popularly received.

Salt Spray's first turn of luck came at 'the dispatch. The starter let them away at once before there was time for trouble to develop,' and Salt Spray, who had drawn tho inner, jumped out to the lead and stayed there for nearly, a furlong. Then Golden Chant, Purse,- Raparahara, and Oriel all raced past him, and he had to wait in on the fence behind. He moved up again,in the straight, but even then there did not'look much chance for him till Kapniuhiira left an opening on the fence after gaining the mastery over Golden Chant and let him through with a I.itc stab that gave him victory by half a head.

The winner is an Australian-bred five-year-old chestnut son of Sallash, and he is owned by Mrs.,S. E. Boyle, of Wellington. He does not "do much racing, and his only previous success was in a maiden at Marlon at his solitary start last season.

Raparahiira,.who had not previously started at the meeting, but w-ho had won a maiden event at Klarton early in the "mouth, carried solid support,, and he proved that it was.not wholly misplaced. Indeed, he was probably very unlucky to lose. " ■■.■'.■> •''. . - . ■; . ■

Golden Chant displayed all her usual speed, and was three lengths clear on the tyirn, but she just failed to beat off challenges, though she stuck gamely to her job when caught and was actually challenging back neat the finish.

Kalphyllis, the fourth hovse, looked to have a chance in the straight, but he was not able to see a promising eff6rt through. Silk Sox was finishing on fast after .not too good a beginning, but Oriel, Purse, High Grader, and Whetumaall had their oppoitunity Quietly and Lady Zephyr were loft at the stait, and atter showing up in the middle stages they weakened out of it again.