NOTES ON THE RACING

Evening Star, Issue 22453, 25 September 1936, Page 4

NOTES ON THE RACING

' [By St. Clair.] There was bright sunshine without a breath of wind for the opening day of the Geraldine Meeting, and the attendance must have exceeded all expectations, as the supply of race cards was exhausted before the first race was run. The course, which has been thoroughly done up since it was last raced on, was in excellent order, but carried too heavy a sward of grass to be fast. Mr J, Bridger’s starting was not good, and he appeared to lack control of the riders. Punctuality was closely observed throughout the afternoon, and the last race was started exactly on the scheduled time. « * * * Vitaphone (416) and Redolent (250) were the best backed for the First Hurdles Handicap, Wexford Bridge (197) being the outsider of the field. ChrysolOgy led out from Wexford Bridge and Redolent, but at the second hurdle the last-named made a bad jump. Passing the stand, Chrysology was two lengths clear of Redolent and Wexford Bridge, the lastnamed making a faulty jump,, and Vitaphone moved up into third place. At the next fence Redolent outjumped Chrysology, who hit the hurdle hard, and then Redolent drew out three lengths clear from Vitaphone and Wexford Bridge. The last-named joined Redolent at the last hurdle and beat him home three lengths. Vitaphone was two lengths away third, with Chrysology eight lengths off fourth. Havering broke down half a mile from home. * * • • Culotte (493), Arrownilla (308), Desirable (221), and Fog Peak (185) were the best backed for the Ohapi Hack Handicap. The favourite was the smartest to jump out, and led Aggravate) Darien, and Arrownilla to the far turn. Halfway across the top Culotte was racing clear of Darien, Arrownilla, Desirable, and Fog Peak, and that order was maintained into the straight. At the distance Arrownilla, who was on the rails, began a good run, and getting up on the inside of Culotte, beat her a neck. Desirable was half a length away third, head in front of Darien. Then there was a gap to Shawlette, Fog Peak, and Roseman. i • * * * Wino (533), Davolo (453),, The Surgeon (403), and Rona Bay (316) were the favourites for the Geraldine Cup. After some delay at the start, in which Monipere gave most of the trouble, a fair dispatch was made, Cleaner and Daring Deed leading through the straight from Wino, Gold Cross, and Monipere. Going to the back Cleaner was just clear of Wino, with Daring Deed Gold Cross, and Davolo next. Wino just headed Cleaner going to the far turn, with Daring Deed. Gold Cross,’ Davolo, The Surgeon, and Golden King all racing in close order next. Wino led across the top, and approaching the home turn Davolo joined the favourite, and was first into the straight from The Surgeon, Monipere, and Tout 1© Monde, Wino dropping back very quickly. Monipere joined Davolo at the distance, and just beat him to the post by a short neck. The Surgeon was nearly three lengths away third, with Daring Deed, l Golden King, Cleaner, Gold Cross, and Wino next. Rona Bay was last. Zincali (208). Little Derby (187), Janet Gaynor (183), and Serene Gold (162) were the best backed in the big field of 24 for the Geraldine Trot. Rhine Gold, Great Don, and Jambo led through the straight, and going to the back Rhine Gold, Great Don, and Post Haste, racing in close order, were just in front of Serene Bingen and Elite Rey. There was little change until approaching the home turn, where Great Don just headed Rhine Gold, and they were followed into the straight by Post Haste, Serene Bingen, and Elite Rey. At the distance the last-named and Zincali ran up on the outside, and in a good finish Elite Rey won by a neck. Serene Bingen was a length away third, then came Hytemoana, Great Don, and Tap Dancer. • » * * Grey Honour (718), Bay Duke (313), Arena (208), and Capital (195) were the best backed for the Squatters’ Handicap. From a snap start Metal Bird was the worst sufferer, and Great Star and Capital were the first out. After going a furlong Arrowrose ran to the front, and was followed by Great Star, Capital, and Grey Honour. At the far turn Bay Duke ran up into second place, and they were followed across the top by Grey Honour, Rebel Chief, and Great Star. Bay Duke ran to the front two furlongs from home, and was three lengths clear from the favourite, Rebel Chief, and Capital as he entered the straight. Bay Duke was not'troubled in the run home, and beat Grey Honour by three lengths. Capital was a length away third, closely followed by Great Star, Gaysome, and Rebel Chief. • * • ♦ Epic (484), Jack Ahoy-Stolen March bracket (414), Poniard (199), and Rose of Tralee (178) were the best backed in the Raukapuka Hock Handicap. The field was held up a long time at the start, and when released onlv those on the inside got away well. Epic, Universe, and Rose of Tralee were smartest out. and at the end of a furlong Universe was just in front of Rose of Tralee, with Epic, Elbanor, and Convivial next. At the far turn Rose of Tralee had headed Universe, and then the favourite ran up and joined Rose of Tralee, and they raced across the top, two lengths clear from Universe, Cvclonic. and Wild Career. Epic and Rose of Tralee entered the straight wide out and let Wild Career through next the rails. He was in charge at the distance, and went on to win by two lengths from Epic, who beat Rose of Tralee a neck. Poniard, Convivial, and Cyclonic were next. # * * ♦ Frisco Boy (547), Irish Aggie (486), and Fay Rey (429) carried the heavy betting on the Oran Trot Handicap. Tho favourite was slow to begin, and Shrewdie and Reno led Lux Lunae and Cam Dillon through tho straight. Going along the back Reno was in charge from Lnx Lunae. Cam Dillon, Shrewdie, and Irish. Aggie, the latter outside

about two sulkies. At the far turn Cam Dillon headed Reno, and. racing across the top Irish Aggie ran up into third place, with Fay Rey next. Reno," Irish Aggie, and Fay Rey were abreast as they turned for home, but at the distance Fay Rey drew out, and a little later on Irish Aggie broke. Fay Rey ran home a comfortable winner by two lengths from Shrewdie, who finished fast on the outside, and Reno was third. Dual, Irish Aggie. Greatfast, Gold Salute, and Frisco Boy were next. * * * * Epris (838) and Matoru (707) were the best backed for the Belfield Handicap. Epris got squeezed out at the start and lost three or four lengths. Matoru led Carfex and Queen Dorothy out of the straight, and the field had run over half a mile before there was a change, Acla moving up and joining Matoru round the far turn, the other three running abreast two lengths away. Acla led Matoru and Epris into the straight, then retired, and_ Queen Dorothy got the run on the rails. In the best finish of the afternoon she just won by a short neck from Epris, who beat Matoru by a head. Carfex was only half a length away fourth.