WAIPUKURAU RACES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 81, 29 December 1937, Page 10

WAIPUKURAU RACES

"The Barb.")

& Form as a Guide to Hastings COMMENT ON RUNNING

(By

The receipts for the Waipukurau race meeting on Monday last fell short of expeetations. The aeeeptances were on the light side, as the grand total was but 65 for the eight races, and then on top of this there was no less than 22 seratehings on the day, henee the decrease in the tote receipts. The attendance also was not equal to last year s. • * • As a guide to form for the Hastings raees next Saturday the Waipukurau racing may be very aceurate, * * • The Maiden Race saw the public hoppihg off on the wrong leg, as King's Hope was made a solid favourite over Anini and Oha but fourth was his best after looking all over a winner half way down the straight. The Swinner, Taparau, was well back in the early stages, and when heads were turned for home was not being sought out as a likely winner, but hanging on well she eventually wore her opponents down to win going away by a length. This half sister to Antique will win good races later, particularly when the tracks are easier. Anini had every chance, but weakened into third at the finish. Oha whs first out, but was eased up going up the hill for King's Hope to take over the lead. • • • Rakahanga certainly won the Juvenile event, but had very little to spare over Diana Tretrix, albeit she may have had a' little more in reserve than that long neck. Rakahanga looked a little "big" in the birdcage, so that no doubt the race will do her good. Diana Tetrix showed her best effort to date. She was making her last appearance in Mr Ian Hamilton 's colours, as Mr (Jack) Svensen, of Wairoa, recently purehased her. In their finrl gallop Laughing Song beat Diana Tetrix by a dozen lengths at the least, yet on Monday the latter finished two lengths ahead of the Laughing Prince filly. Methinlcs that the tfp-and-down hill track at Waipukurau was anything but suitable to the action of Laughing Song. « • • The withdrawal of Granvale and. Wananga robbed the Amalgamation Hack Cup of some interest. Impersonator, who would never get in a beauty contest, was backed into second favouritism. He wa3 always in a handy position to come home the last furlong solidly and win by the best part of two lengths. The favourite Skyway was fourth, but little notice can be taken of that form as he is liable to do better in the near future. Le Toquet, had every chance, but third was his share. Dooley always had him in a handy position, and getting a splendid opening on the rails turning for home 'he momentarily looked the winner, but this his first attempt over ten furlongs saw him weakening at the finish. However, the experience should stand to him in the future. Tullamore could not get into his stride, and going up the hill was a long way in the rear. Her form is difficult to explain, and it is quite possible she will not come right until the autumn, as last year. Clavercourt was left by ten lengths, yet in the next furlong and a half was about six furlongs in the lead. She naturally "punetured" at the finish, beating only one horse, Gironde, home. e » • There were nine aeceptors in the fivefurlong hack raee, yet only three went to the post. Taro was made favourite, but could only run second for the outsider of the trio. First Chapter, to come home first. Marsyays rau poorly. Taro should have done better. First Chapter was last for most of the way and he appeared to come home solidly to cut the other two down, but I think it was not his finishing run that was responsible for the win but the coming back to him of the other pair. This track appears to be First Chapter's | iucky one. l tk & * *

When the weights appeared many designated the Hunter Handicap the "Aube Stakes," on account of the light impost given the Arausio gelding, and so it proved, as after being in the picture he went away at the finish to win as he liked by two lengths from Recitation, who will improve by the raee. Umpire was saddled up again to finish third, or a place worse than in the just because he was well served by Hack Cup.

• • # Paul Robes.n won the Novice Stakes horsemanship. Tommy Atkins was again second, making it lour on end. King's Hope did a little better to gain third, but this race was run a second and a half slower than when he finished fourth in the Maiden. Thala could only get fifth. Flying Comedy, tlie second favourite, Tvas not too well away to finish fourth. * • • Hatuma was fitter tlian many opined, for he came back to the bird cage as fresh as a lark. He certainly got there, but he did not have much to spare over Pladie. Slippery found the track too solid for his old pins, which preventOd him hitting out in his usual style. • » • The last race was a Stowe affair, as the first and third horses were trained by L. C. of that ilk, while his son rode the winner. The runner-up, Seyfried, is trained by F. W. of the same family. Agog, who has at last won a race, just waltzed away with the decision at the finish, with Seyfried outstaying the favourite, Felicitation, for second money. Nine stone proved too much for the diminutive Felicitation on this track. Fossielcer also found his 9.9 burden too much over a mile on the Waipukurau track, as fourth was his share. Tupai ran a fair race, but Haile Selassie was hopelessly left to have no chance from the very start.