MASTERTON MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 91, 15 October 1934, Page 6

MASTERTON MEETING

ANOTHER WIN FOR MIGHT

TYPICAL STAYER'S EFFORT

Might, as at Otaki a week curlier, improved his performance between days to score a narrow but attractive win in the C. F. Vallance Memorial Handicap, the principal event on the concluding day of the Masterton Racing Club's Spring Meeting at Opaki on Saturday. Although it wast an improved performance, however, it might not have been such an improvement in form as it appeared, for Might was not at all judiciously handled on the first day. Again as at Otaki Might won like a true stayer, and it now certainly seems as if distance races are going to suit him better than short courses. He settled down in fifth place, and J. McFarlane, substituting for W. J. Broughton, was satisfied to remain there. At the straight entrance Lady Ronald was still in charge from Gold Trail, Passion Fruit, Prince Colossus, and Might, but then the lastnamed moved out round Prince Colossus and Passion Fruit with his effort. Nearing tho distance Gold Trail was finding it all she could do to get the whip hand over Lady Ronald, and Might quickly fcettled the pair of them. Passion Fruit lodged a late .claim, and when McFarlane lost his grip on his reins the situation looked momentarily critical, but the jockey luckily found them again, and he drove Might on to a half-neck victory. With his light weight Might is a New Zealand Cup prospect, and his stock will be hardening after his two recent successes. A 51b allowance enabled him to • carry the minimum on Saturday, and he has a couple of pounds more than this in the Cup. On Friday Broughton was j much too anxious on him in sending him up to the leader six furlongs from home, but McFarlane did not fall into the same error, evidently having been strictly vastructed before the race as to what he had to do. . Passion Fruit, after drifting back nearing the straight entrance, came home with & late rattle and very nearly stole the race. It is clear that he is going to wan middle-distance races before long, for there is all evidence of stamina in him. Gold Trail, a hot favourite, was palpably beaten by her weight, but she was not quite the mare she was in other recent starts, po&sibly being in need ot a ehort rest in which to freshen up after her hard racing. She finished a poor third three lengths behind the dividend P! Lady Ronald, kept going all the way, stuck on well when beaten to be a handy fourth. She does better, however, when not bustled along early. The others were well out of the final fight. Prince Colossus ran like an improver, and Arikira may be in the same category. Walton Park was never dangerous, with his change of riders. Chopin was last to complete, being beaten as they turned for home, but he was then off the course. The field gave the starter a. lot of trouble to dispatch. Walton Park Go Id Trail, and Lady Ronald being probably the worst of several offenders. Mights behaviour, however, was exemplary.