THRILLING RACING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 69, 14 December 1937, Page 15

THRILLING RACING

Francis Drake Scores An Easy Win IVAR'S JUVENILE (Special to the Herald-Tribune.) WOODVILLE, Last Night. Sljppery was tlie hero of the principal handicap at Woodville to-day when the Woodville Club concluded its summer meeting under ideal conditions. The Hastings-owned veteran, who was fifth choice, led all the way and survived in a thrilling finish with another Hastings runner in Soho, whose form was a marked improvement on his effort in the principal handicap on the opening day. The sprint signalled the return to form of the class colt Francis Drake, a leading juvenile last term, who outclassed the field in the Railway Handicap, scoring oue of the easiest wins of the day. An inquiry was held into The Bigot losing his position in the first furlong of the Railway Handicap. Goulsbro' s explanation tliat Rakanui, who was in a sour mood, hung over on The Bigot, was accepted, the stewards being satisfied that Goulsbro did his best to keep the offender under control. Cletrac, at a surprisingly good price considering his hrst day form, was equal to the rise of 12lbs. and won the Rapatawa Hurdles more eagily than lie accounted for his opponents on Saturday. He went into the lead before reacking the second to last fence and drew away at the finish to win easing up by four lengths. Rapa Waiata, tiiird iuto the straight behind Pladie, just outstayed Aurora's Love for second money." Pladie was prominent over the last half-mile and is improving with experience, Count Willonyx, second on tlie first day, was taiied 0ff early and did not make mucli improvement. Red Cat Beats Novices. Red Cat, the favourite, jvon the maiden race easily, She ran with Pursuit to the home turn and then came on to win easily by two lengths from Tommy Atkins^ who was checked early and was about eighth at the home turn. He tinished very fast to beat Lovelilt, who will not be long winning a race. She did not jump out too well and had to be hard ridden all the way to keep a position. Haile Selassie was another well back at the home turn and finished full of running, being only a neck from the third horse. Full o' Scotch, Twilight Song, Aria and Anini ran fair races. The veteran Slippery won the Gothard Memorial Handicap all the way, but had to fight off two strong challenges from Sobo and Wildflower, the three being practically in line at the finish. Soho was handy behind the leader all the way, ' but Wildflower was well back early and did Oot get a clear passage nearing tlie post. Big Dook and Corroboree were close up- at the home turn. but both were beaten half a furlong from the post. Legatee went a poor race. The Juvenile Handicap was a race. Ivar soon ran to the front and won in a canter by three lengths. The only surprising feature was the good price paid by Jeanne for second place. Phil just beat Dunmanway for third, but it was a poor third, six lengths behind the second horse. Cherry Plum, a massive and good looking colt by Beau Pere from Cherry Pie, liaving his first race, revealed a good galloping action, but he may take some time to come to hand. Class Of Francis Drake. Francis Drake, one of the leading two-year-olds of last season and having his first start in New Zealand since his unsuccessful Australian trip, outclassed the sprinters in the Railway Handicap. He and Pakanui led by several lengths t0 the straight, whero Francis Drake drew right away to win by three lengths from Pakanui, with The Bigot another three lengths baek third. The Higot jumped out all right, but was pinched back in the first furlong ^nd he had to give the winner about seven

lengths start from the home turn. Pukeko, last early, was fourth and then came Bodyline, Aiwai and Mata Hari. Francis Drake's performance had a tnuch of class about 'it. Fossic.ker won the George Handicap, coming through with a fine run just short of the post to beat Red Sand, who appeared to have the race won when he had beaten off Taro and Bluffer. Le Toquet again finished strongly for third place a short neck behind the second horse, and Marsyas, who was always handy to the leaders, right up fourth. Blutter and Taro, the first and second favourites, had every chance. Granvale was up early, but was beaten at tlie distance. Lady Siegfried and Dawning Light both showed up wide out at the home turn. Lady Siegfried was well up sixtli, but Dawning Light faded out. Grand City gave his supporters in the Kiritaki Handicap a bad turn wheu he was left some lengths at the start. Goulsbro allowed bim to make up his ground gradually and came with a late run on the outer to snatch victory just on the post from Captain 'Treville, with the rank outsider, Rowaua, a close third, then Thala, Gasman, Imposture and Thala. It was a solid performance on the winner' s part and a sharp improvement on his first day's form. / A Processicn. The start of the last event saw the chances of Chat and Naughty Marietta Jiminisbed through both these mares getting chopped out. The early running favoured Wananga, Mishna, Buster Brown, Aube, Lustral aud Tullamore. At the half-mile Aube was in charge, but at the three-furlong post Wananga ran up fast to establish a lead of three lengths, and the further they went the further he was in front, and passing the winning post must have held a six-lengths advantage over Mishna, who was four lengths in front of Buster Brown, with Aube fourth, Tullamore fifth, Lustral sixth, Tidewaiter seventh, and Mahutai eighth.