NAPIER RACES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 124, 11 June 1937, Page 13

NAPIER RACES

"The Barb. ' ')

Review of First Day's Running TO-MORROW'S PROSPECTS

(By

A short review of thc form displayed on Wednesday at Greenmeadows may help racing patrons in their summingup for the various races to-morrow. 'With the exception of the jumping of Cotsfield dn the Moteo Hack Hurdles the writer has never seen a, poorer exhibition given by a field of reputed hurdlers. Lady Wessex fell at the very first obstacle, bringing down Marching Song. The winner, Kentucky Song, jumped safely enough, but about four feet over each hurdle, while the runuer-' up, Bothwell, lost about two or threo lengthe at eaoh fence. Unexpeeted jumped without eonfidenee, but managed to gain third position. Mahala, who weighed dn fourth, has had little schooling, so may improve with more eXpeliencC. Taking the field as a whole, tliey were indeed a very poor lot and with Contact in to-morrow the publie may look for the winner elsewhere than from Wednesday 's field, , Paul Bobeson was made favouri.te for the Maiden Scurry and, drawing No. 2 at the barrier, was one of two to move first. t, Occupying the lead with Defend to the home turn, he then Went on to win by two lengths. Shajii from No. 4 barrier positiolx was fiever far back, so had every chance but over the five furlongs had little hope against the winner. Triplex l'an two gooa races at Hastings, yet on Wednesday only carried 33 tickets. This Joeulator mare ran a fait third, beiing alWays handy to the leaders. Tullamore was doing better at the finiBh than at any other part of the raoe, coming with a great burst to finish in fourth position. The best performance, not excepting ' that of the winner, was put up by the three-year-old GainscoUrt — Conchita fllly Jacynth. She appeafed to be barrietshy and when the tapes were released jumped back and was badly left. About three and a-half furlongs from home she was over twenty lengths behind the leaders and ten lengths from the second-last horse, yet findshed surprisingly close up fifth, a performance that stamps this filly has the makings of a good winner later on. It is to bo hoped that her barrier manners will not be against her, as those of progeny of her dam in Golden Chant, Journet and Bazaine have not been of the best. The public were again on the mark in the Hack Cup when they elected TraLer favourite. Mr Geo. JPriest's geldung was to be seen in front when they raced onto the course proper. He remained there practically the whole of the way, but had to be lidden rigkt out with the whip to win by a neek from the consistent LucnllUs Lad. Gironde was ridden a waiting race in behind and came with a fair run at the (inash to collect third money. Starting this gelding in this race appeared like throwing away the eubstance for the shadow, as he looked the best of good things in the six-furlong hack for which he was scratched. Boyal Feast rau a very disappointing race. For most of the journey he was laying in fourth positaon and entering the straight was against the bit, but when straightened up for home and asked to make an effort he failed to come on. Hunting Tartan ran his best race to date for fourth, while Buster Brown was well back, fifth. The steepleehaso saw a great Tace between Wykemist and Given, these two having the race to themselves over the last miie. The Hastings gelding in tho run home had a ldttle too much pace for Given. Hozie rau 3 poor race, appearing unable to go the first part, which was not in keeping with her past performances. Monarehy carried the best part of two stone overweight and ran a faix race for about a miie and a-half. Boyal Bengal tipped out at the double in front of the stand, otiierwise he might have taken & hand in the liniish with. Wykemist and Given. The winner was turned out in great nick by trainer W. D. Young and it was inainly his golid condition that pulled him through, though C. Carroll must be entitled to some of the praise for the capital race he rode. Another tight finish resulted cn the Ladies' Handicap when Tres Sec and limpire fought out the issue for Tres fciee to win narrowly, and here again condition told its tale. Salon was mado a warm favourite but went a very poor racej in fact his running was most difiicult to understand, more especially when one stops to think that Dusky Orown was third. Pukanui was mado tho hottest favourite of tho day and brought his hosfc of admirers through. safely. He was too classy for this field, bcing right back to his best form and this writer never saw him look better. His winming run has perhaps just eommeuced again. Blygain was ouce more runner-up, bringing her total of seconds up to 29. Gay Hunter did not enjoy the best of run« and should do better on Saturday, when the distance is a furlong longer. Lavina on.ee again proved a failure at this time of the year. Gasman was a fair fourth, but not one of the others ever looked like threatening danger to the piaced horses. Jovnality, for the second time in his racing career, was in galloping mood and ran away with the six-furlong hack vace to pay over a score. He would have only to be in the saine mood tomorrow to repeat the dose, but he canaot be relied upon to do so, though perhaps the light season he had at the Rtud has done him good. Fossicker, tho favourite, was sccond but liad no ehanco with the winnor. Hinepit and L'erfect Lady ran fair races and either is li'kely to win a race any day. but the showing of the Otaki winner, Marjorv I)aw. was disappointing. "When the official time 1,40 was holstcd aftcr thc hack. cup therc were

rnany who doubted it, including the writer. At the last meeting at Napier Park Wananga won in 1.38, when halfway off the course, so it looks very much as if the distance is not there, as nelther Wananga nor Trailer is capable of registenng such times under the conditions. The follOwing may cari'y most mone- . tary support in their races to-morrow: — 12.0: WAIOHIKI HURDLES.-— Contact, Kentucky Song, Master Hector. 12.40: GREENMEADOWS HACK— Fossicker, Joviality, Paul Bobeeon. 1.15: MAREWA HACK HANDICAP — Trailer, Agog. 1.50: PARK STEEPLECHASE — Wykemist, Dozie. 2.30: TRIAL PLATE,— Shani, Tullamore, Mon Aoo. " 3.5: WINTER OATS. — Pakanui, Gay Hunter, Blygain. 3.45: NEWSTEAD HACK— Gironde, Eoyal Feast, Hinepit.