GLOAMING’S DEFEAT.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1924, Page 1

GLOAMING’S DEFEAT.

IN THE HILL STAKES. AYONDER-FUL FINISHING RUN. BALLYAIENA’S HALF HEAD VICTORY. There have lieeri some great flukes in the Turf, but probably none greater than Ballymena’s defeat of Gloaming in the Hill Stakes at Roseliill (says the Sydney “Guardia.il’’). Ballymena is a good horse, anil bo might prove tire host stayer at the A.J.C. meeting if he is not sent back to New Zealand, but were the Hill Stakes run nine times more, and run fairly. Gloaming would probably win the lot. For Ballymena, good as he is, is no match for Gloaming’s brilliancy over a mile. The strange thing about the two weight-for-age races, in which these horses have met-, is that Ballymena has been the thorn in the side of Gloaming each time. Ill* didn’t heat Gloaming the first time, lint he helped Heroic to. and next time he himself turned the tables on tbe old champion. It seems like the irony of fate. AVhcn Gloaming lay behind Ballymena and Golden A’oieo in the Chelmsford Stakes at Ramlwick, Coll Reed, on Ballymena, refused to let- Gloaming through, though lie no doubt realised by the time the home turn was reached that his mount was beaten. But when after A'oung bad moved Gloaming round the loaders, Heroic came along, ho made the way clear for the A’ictorian colt to go through and thus Gloaming was carried out of his ground, while Heroic .secured an advantage of three lengths, and won by a length and a quarter. Ridden a totally different race on Saturday, Ballymena’s efforts met with a different reward from the previous week. There he finished out of a place. On Saturday lie won.

Remaining behind, as a stayer should do, he swung round the field at the straight entrance, and, overhauling the leaders, was in front a. furlong from home.

And it was just here that all the damage was done, so far as Gloaming was coneomed. Careful to keep Gloaming clear of trouble in the Chelmsford, Young had stuck to the outside. On Saturday he went to the other extreme. Though the field was small, and it would have cost little to make for the outside when the straight was reached, he studiously stuck to the ruck, and his mistake in this direction proved fatal. He was chopped off when he went for an opening between two horses near the furlong post, and there must have been an impact, or else A'oung pulled him up sharply, finding that he could not get through. The old champion fairly recoiled and dropped back three lengths behind the field.

Almost as quickly he was into liis stride again, lmt there was not lnucli chance ol' success now. Those who hail seen the incident hardly gave Gloaming a lio|.’e of getting a place. But when Young urged him along ho responded like a bravo old ihoronghlired that he is. and overtaking lior.se alter horse, lie finally set sail after the runaway Ballymena. He gained, on the leader hy leaps and hounds, and at one stage there seemed a possibility of sm-i css, hut the run heme "as all .111.1 (. The |"> • n.:i.. * •si* h*‘*l when Ballymena "as half a neck to the, good. Two more strides, and Gloaming would have reversed the positions. If Gloaming had won, it would have been a wonderful recovery. Indeed, there are many keep critics who will tell von that even in defeat it was the best race he' ever ran in his life.

Gloaming has lost none, or little, of his brilliance. He might not lie as smart out of the barrier as of yore, hut he could have I wen nearer the leaders on Saturday, if Young had let him go. Xor has he lost anv of his dash or gameness. The best hor.se that was ever foaled couldn’t have regained his •stride quicker, or unwound a. more wonderful run than Gloaming put in under difficulties at the cud of Saturday’s race. The pity is that it was not rewarded with success. GLOAMING’S CONDITION' When Gloaming fell hack a furlong from home in the Hill Stakes at Posehill, as a result of interference, it was thought that lie might have injured himself. But his trainer, B. .1. Mason, stated afterwards that the horse pulled up all right, and was never in better condition.

Since the race he has eaten everything put in his box, and the log that previously caused trouble shows no signs of giving way.