THE MINOR EVENTS

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

THE MINOR EVENTS

WELL-CONTESTED RACING

The Masterton Racing Club's Spring "' Meeting was concluded at Opaki on Satur- ■' - day in fine weather, but there was a . strong, chilly wind and no sunshine, in •„ marked contrast to the opening day. The • Wairarapa missed the rain that fell on the south side of the Rimutakaa, but the attendance was affected measurably by the .' conditions in Wellington and was little '■ if any better early than on Friday, though ■it improved during the afternoon. The track was again in great order. The totalisator investments amounted to ■•' £6551, making a total of £12,403 for the meeting. Last year on the single day the - turnover was £7011 10s. The club had ..based its programme on a joint pool^ot £15,000 for the two days, ho the meeting ' could hardly have been a financial success. The racing was again well contested, but the riding, with the absence of most '' of the leading jockeys in Auckland, was ■' • not always of the best. Tho favourites did not fare 90 successfully as on the iirst ■ day, but there were no exceptional divi- . , dends. TWO GOOD PRICES. In contrast to the opening event on the ' first day, the favourites failed to justify their support in the Novice Stakes, and ■■ two of the less-fancied candidates paid the ' dividends. The Foxtou-owned and Treut-ham-trained Otauru King essayed an end- ■ - to-end win. but his rider (R. Flower) did not make the most of his chance over the final couple of furlongs and the Foxton owned and trained Enif drew up to him '; ' and beat him home by a short neck. Enif was third following Otauru King and Redeem in the running to the straight. ' The leader was still bowline along well ■ approaching the distance, but his rider did not appear to realise that Enif was coming with a challenge and when he did go for his whip it was too late. Enif r .is a four-year-old brown gelding by Thomond from the ' Boniform mare Bonny Louisa, a half-sister to Henna, and ho is owned by Mr. V. E. Bryant, who also ' races Arikira. He had had only four or five previous starts, and on Friday had ' ■ been one of the lenders to the straight. ' His name appears to bo an nnacrain of "fine." Otauru King was probably unlucky to Id.sr.'. but a turn should come shortly. A. .Jenkins, who was on him in his lir.-a .stint in a race on Friday, was on hi» victor ..h Saturd.-iy. Th<: ljr.-.--t of thr othfu- w;i.< l.i'itli, the '■' iiivourito, who just boat Out^piiii tor third j

money over two lengths away. _ Both these horses were always just behind the leaders. Perimeter was fifth or thereabouts all the way. Delium, who drew the rail, failed to begin, but he was running on well in sixth place. Redeem, who has repeatedly been backed, failed once a;;ain to finish on and hm friends should be deserting her by now. King's Choice, Flash Uonald, and Oarlock, amonu the rest, ran fair races. Victory Tea wa.s completely left and Laliquc began poorly. IMPROVEMENT IN FORM. Mercian Prince went a much-improved race to win the Second Highweight Handicap. At times the big Mercian King fivc-yenr-old has looked a really good horse, but his form lately has been patchy in the extreme. On Saturday not only was he the favourite but he was the winner at all points. At the end of a furlonc Te Ua passed Chaste and again set down to make the serious running. However, Mercian Prince drew up to him on the home turn, and in the straight the fight between the pair was brief, Mercian Prince moving away to score by nearly three lengths, a margin that might have been even greater. Te Ua ran another useful race tor another second, but he was stopping at the finish. Chaste showed her likeliest form yet in filling third place less than a length away. Red Sun, Chile, and Leo Colossus all made moves towards the leaders at various stages, but none did his work too kindly. Under punishment Red Sun was fourth. MAIDEN FORM BEST. The first day's Maiden result proved to be the clue to the Macara Hack Handicap, but on this occasion Maine, at a difference of 111b iti weights carried, easily reversed tables on her earlier victor. Both horses had different riders, and Maine at least did not suffer thereby. Maine owed her success to a fine finishing effort. After drawing a wide marble she had to settle well back, and on reaching the straight Orby's Last, Wahinc Nui, Dawn Princess (all in line), Confiscation, Rone Belle, and Cawbeen were still ahead of her. Orby's Last slipped away a couple or three lengths clear a couple of furlongs from home, but he had made his effort too soon, and Maine, challenging resolutely, easily cut him down and went on to win by a couple of lengths. On the first day the situation had been reversed, Maine having come too soon and Orby's Last having dropped down on her. . Maine is a four-year-old bay daughter of Arausio and the Birkenhead mare Hoy, so that she is no other than a half-sister to Anomaly, Shirley, and Co., besides being a full-sister to the rather disappointing Normandy, now defunct. She carries the colours of the Hastings trainer J. M. Cameron, and was overdue for her maiden win. In this better class on paper she was at quite a handy price. Orby's Last went another excellent race and might have won had his rider' (S. Anderson) not been so anxious to leave bis field. His second dividend was also a good one. The hot favourites, Cawbeen, and Argument, finished next after the places, over two lengths away. Argument particularly had every chance, with an excellent run through along the fence. Rene Belle, Dawn Princess, and Wahiue Nui all failed to come on in the straight, and so did Confiscation. Pladie was last to leave and Sir Spear also began poorly. It was not a good start, Orby's Last again receiving tho best of it. SIR NIGEL DECISIVELY^ -Sir jSTigeJ, having his first start since he won at Wanganui a month ago, never gave his opposition a show iv the Champion Hack Handicap, which carried besides the stakes a trophy of a case of cutlery donated by the club. He was the first to break the line after a beautiful start, and, settling down in front, he was always displaying his plates to the others. Dorado and West Tor, were his most persistent pursuers, but he left them in the straight and won easing up by nearly three lengths. The success of Sir Nigel was the second for his Hastings owner-trainer J. M. Cameron during the day. He is an aptlynamed five-year-old gelding by Grand Knight from the English-bred Grosvenor mare Very Hot, whom Mr, J. Donald probably imported for his Westmere Stud because she belongs to the same family as Commendation, Honour, etc. He has taken time to mature but has now come into useful form. Dorado, after beating off West Tor, just hung on long enough to keep Blue Boy at bay by a head. These three horses and Sweet Music finished practically in line [after the winner, but all had every chance. 'Blue Boy and Sweet Music both came | home well. A VERY TIGHT FINISH. A hectic finish, closed tho Spring Hack Handicap, and although it was fairly clear that Royal Record wag the winner, .anything among the nest four or five horses might huve filled tho places. The minor placiugs did not appear to satisfy everyone/bUt trom the Press staud the angle is too deceptive for an opinion to be voiced. Royal Record improved just sufficiently on his first day's effort. Flamingo led him out, but he ran up on the inner to ahare the van at the end of a furlong, with Purse, Royal Bash, Cuddle, Timorous, Umpire, Koyal Banquet, and Grand Blow all in a-heap behind. Once on the home stretch Royal Record took charge, but challenges came in plenty down the straight, and the leader finally just won by the briefest of margins, Grand Blow (rail) being placed second and Purse third. No fourth was hoisted, but Royal Dash, Flamingo,.and Royal Banquet were all in the line. The winner is a four-year-old chestnut gelding by Royal Divorce, and he was successful previously at Hastings last Easter. He is owned by Mr. R. A. Williams, for whom he is trained by W. M. Bennett at Woodville. Grand Blow and Purse both finished solidly on the inner of the line, Purse coming again after a breather in the straight and Grand Blow getting through along the fence. Royal Dash, Flamingo, and Royal Banquet all went good races and any of them might have been placed. The favourite Cuddle hung out on the turn and lost her position, and Umpire failed to take part in the finish after being rather crowded for room. Timorous went a better race but again stopped over the closing part. DEAD-HEAT IN LAST. Although he was relatively not so well supported as on the opening day Hunting Jay was still. a good favourite for the Farewell Hack Handicap, but he ran like a horse who has had enough racing for tho time being and it will not 6urpriae now if he is allowed to miss his Treutliain engagements. After delaying the start he did not lose much ground in the dispatch and was within easy striking range all the way, but he infused no dash into his performance, finishing a moderate third. Bodyline attempted to repeat his first clay's effort, but he stopped fast near the end, allowing Wasteland to get up anil make a dead-heat of it. Bodyline began brilliantly, but Do Trop ran up to him after going a furlong. In the straight Bodyline came away again and looked certain to win passing the Press stand, but the extra 63 yards expended him, and Wasteland, finishing doggedly, was rewarded with shared honours. Only two numbers were hoisted by the judge, and after Bodyline had been accepted as the winner it was announced that a dead-heat was the intended decision. The well-fancied De Trop failed to run on and was last to complete. For the only time at the meeting the poo) on this race just topped the £1000 mark. RESULTS IN DETAIL. Results were: — Novice Stakes, £7*>; wcisht 5.3; !i furlongs. —l> Enlf, car. S.'J (A. Jenkins). 1: 7 Tauru King, 2; 1 Lcitli, 3. Also started: 2 Kedueni car. S.i!, 4 Black Uncle, 8 Victory Tea car. S.nv. and Perimeter (bracketed), :( Oclluni. ."> Afatrlniony car. H.O. 10 Hash KtmaHl. \~> Cheerful liny. II r-allqne. 0 Oulspan i-:ir. S.ii. I! Cm-lock, 1.-i King's Clioici-. 12 Ciiiicf-iitlnn. Time, lmin Wn-v. Second Hit'liiveight Hanillcai'. JJimi: I mile anil 03 yards,—l -Merciiin -PrincSj JQ.I (,\Y. J.

liouden), 1 ; 3 To La, 3.13, 2; 6 Chnslc. fl.O

Also started: 1 lteil Sun 10.S, 2 Leo Culcsmis IMS, H Cliilo U. 3, 7 Tannin tf.O. , Tina', Jmln jOsoc. Macara Hack Handicap, £100; « furlongs mid il;; yards.—,'j• Maine, car. 7.1 (.1. A. McKiirlanc), 1; 5 Orhy's Last, 7.12, 2; 1 Cawbecn. !!.:(, S. Also started: 1 l'ladio S..U, 2 Aru-ii-; nient car. 7.0, 5 Dover Patrol 7.0 (bracketed vvlrli Orhy's Last), 7 Confiscation car. 7.1, 0 Dawn Princess car. 7.1, 9 llcno Belle car. 7.11,. .10 Sir Spear car. 7.2, S Waliino A'ill 7.0. Time, linin 20sec. C. F. VALIiAXCE MEMORIAL HANDICAP, iMSO; 1U miles and tic! yards. 3 Might, car. 7.0 (,r. A. McFarlanc) 1 5 Passion Fruit, cur. 7.10 (S. Anderson) . 2 1 Gold Trail, 9.1 (L. G. Morris) o Also started: 2 Walton Park S.B, 7 Ariklrn ear. 5.3. 6 Prince Colossus 8.0, 4 Lady llouald car. 7.9, S Chopin 7.0. Time, 2min lusec. Champion Hack Handicap, £130; lJ,i miles and «3 yards.—l Sir Nigel, S.ti (G. Kidffway), 1; 2 Dorado', B.G, 2; 3 Blue Boy, car. O.O'A, 3./ Also stalled: 4 West Tor 0.0, 5 Sweet Music 7.0, 7 IWvival car. 7.5, G Invercsk ear. 7.11. Time, limiu 16 2-ssec. Wnlpipi Handicap, £130; 7 inrlonKs and U3 yards.—4 Hoynl Itoutinc, 9.0 (L. (i. Morris), 1; 2 Mercian Prince, 8.8, 2; 5 La Poupee, 5,3, 3. Alsu started: 1 Emotion 9.7, 3 Lady Spy 8.7, ti Koyal Bengal 8.2. Time, lmin 33 4-asoc. Spring Hack Handicap, £100; 7 furlongs and BS yards.—2 Royal Record, car. 7.12 (H. JlcKenzio), 1; 7 Grand Blow, car. 7.13%, 2; 4 Purse, car. 7.11, 3. Also started: 1 Cuddle S.O, 6 Timorous car. 8.2, S Royal Banquet 7.10, 5 Koyal Dasil car. 7.4, 9 Linoleum car. 7.2, 11 Padiios car. 7.5, 10 Flamingo car. 8.2, 3 Umpire 7.7. Timo, lmin 34 2-ssec. J

Farewell Hack Handicap, £90; 5 furluntrs.— 3 Bodyline, 8.1 (S. Anderson) and 5 Wasteland, car. 7.11 (dead heat), 1; 1 Hunting .lay, O.U, 3. Also started: 2 De Trop 7.13, (i Bellbroney ear. 7.0, -1 Ethiop 7.2. Time, lmin 3sec.