BLUE TIGER'S EFFORT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 2, 3 July 1939, Page 13

BLUE TIGER'S EFFORT

DANNEVIRKE HUNT

HUNTING MINT SUCCEEDS

(By "Binocular.")

Favoured by fine weather, the Dannevirke Hunt Club's Annual Meeting on Saturday attracted a large attendance of patrons, and the club was in the happy position of showing an increase of approximately 40 per cent, on its totalisator figures of . twelve months ago.

The track was in surprisingly good order and, with fields reasonably large, interesting racing resulted. Blue Tiger signalled his return to the active ranks after a long absence by winning the Hunt Cup Steeplechase, but he had to produce a sustained effort to score, his position entering upon the final mile appearing to be well-nigh hopeless. Honours on the flat went to Hunting Mint, who beat a useful field of handicap performers nicely, and gave the leading horseman, W. J. Broughton, his second success for the afternoon. , Mishaps befell two prominent horsemen, W. E. Pine suffering an injury to his collarbone when Hilaria fell in the Hunt Cup, and J. Chaplin ricked his back when riding Te Morehu in the hurdle contest. THE "TROT" CONTINUED. Although Liberal Star was installed favourite for the Oringi Hack Hurdles, the Sunstar gelding never flattered his backers, but the second elect, Harbour Bar, saved the day and carried the run of successes of H. S. Greene's Greenmeadows stable still further. Whakao, a candidate from Gisborne, was distinctly unlucky not to score at his first time in the role, but he ran inwards just short of the post and allowed Harbour Bar to touch him off. Tigreterre could not make; any real impression over the last half-mile, but was a fair third, and Master Hector was too far back in the early stages to threaten danger, although he improved his position over the last half-mile. Royal Lack fell early and Ayrsleigh lost his rider at the last fence. Although he was a winner, Harbour Bar gives the impression of developing into a useful 'chaser, rather than a class hurdler. CHERRY PICKER SCORES. For the second occasion in succession No. 12 saddle-cloth was carried to victory - when Cherry Picker won the Takapau Novice Stakes from start to finish. The winner was favoured by the jump-out arid he was always doing it nicely thereafter. .: I Eola, for whom Vthere was strong support, attended Cherry Picker out from the barrier, but crossing the top Colossal Chief ranged up alongside of Eola and the pair followed Cherry Picker into the straight, where Split Second, a commanding-looking filly by Bulandshar, loomed up on the outside. The leader was kept going to win by a couple of lengths with Eola weakening into third place behind Colossal Chief. Split Second was close up fourth, with Inchkeith an excellent fifth, the last-named coming from well back. Kaiwaka, the favourite, never looked likely. A GOOD PERFORMANCE. Although representing superior class, Blue Tiger, favourite for the Dannevirke Hunt Cup, had to produce a big effort to gather up Master Turbine .on the final round, the latter running a great race for a horse of his inches. Barney set a merry pace for a few furlongs, but Hilaria took over the role going away from home with Master Turbine handy. Meantime, Umpire was improving his position and he had'headed Given when the latter fell at the brush rounding the turn. Going along the back on the final circuit Master Turbihedrew clear of Hilaria and Umpire, with Blue Tiger coming up fast. Hilaria fell three furlongs from home arid, over the final stages, Blue Tiger had too much speed for the pacemaker, and he went on to win quite comfortably by a couple of lengths. Umpire Was eighty yards back, with Summons and Bang Bang following at slightly shorter intervals. It was the winner's first start for some considerable time, and his performance was an excellent one. ONE FOR BROUGHTON. The leading jockey, W. J. Brpughton, added to his total for the season when he scored on Screen Star in the Rakaiatai Hack Handicap. Although the smartest to begin, Screen Star allowed Quilp to take up the role of pacemaker and it was not till well into the straight that the Siegfried gelding was called on for an effort. The field went away to a snap start in- which Haile Selassie, Marsyas, and Royal Tinge suffered, whereas Screen Star and1 Quilp began smartly. Quilp promised to be the winner a> the field straightened up for home, but the topweight weakened and Screen Star ran past to score by a shade over a length from Lindrum, who had moved up on the turn, with Miss Waitarere finishing on half a head away. Quilp was fourth. , THE FAVOURITE FAILS. Favourite for the Kaitoke Handicap, Granvale did not enjoy th& best of luck in the running, but he was beaten a long way from home, the promoted hack Hunting Mint coming through

to beat the little-fancied Middle, who ran surprisingly well for a fresh horse. The role of pacemaker was filled by Reipar and he held charge from Hunting Cat, • Diamond Cutter, and Granvale for the major portion of the journey, it being not till the straight was reached that he retired. Hunting Mint well back early, steadily improved her position crossing the top and she gathered vp v the leaders in the run home. Middle also' finished from the rear, but he could not reach Hunting Mint. Diamond Cutter, third in the running throughout, finished in. that (position, with Reipar alongside. AMATEURS HOLD SWAY. The Akitio Lady's Bracelet was productive of quite an interesting contest, but it marked the defeat of the pronounced favourite. Inheritance, who failed to gather up Kohika in the run home. Although he did not get away particularly well, Kohika was able to secure a run through on the rails to take up the running from. Gladium, Inheritance, and Lacan. There was little change in the order thereafter, but three furlongs from home Kohika's rider slipped his field to turn into the straight well clear. Inheritance set out after him, but the leader held on to win by a couple of lengths. Gladium ran an honest third, with Lacan staying in fourth place to the close. A CLOSE CALL. The Ring and Seyfried dominated the betting in the Greenhills Hack Handicap, and the pair fought out the finish with little between them; indeed, although the verdict went to the former by the shortest of margins,. a stride past the post Seyfried was definitely in front. After attending Marsyas into the back stretch Twilight Song ran to the front to open up a gapi but he could not maintain the effort and retired at the straight entrance. The Ring was well back early and although he made more than one bid to get through it was not till into the straight that he secured an uninterrupted run. Seyfried was holding, a nice^ position on the turn, but he was forced to come up on the outside of The Ring and his effort came just a shade too late. Richelieu pearl ran her best race to aate to be third, although some distance back. Guiding Light, who had been prominent throughout, failed in the run home and was fourth.