INTERESTING RACING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32409, 20 March 1944, Page 5

INTERESTING RACING

OHINEMURI JOCKEY CLUB SUCCESSFUL AUTUMN MEETING ERNDALE TAKES CUP NICELY GOLD VAALS PAYS LARGE DIVIDEND In spite of travel restrictions and showery weather there was a large attendance at the Ohinemuri Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting held at Paeroa on Saturday when good fields provided some excellent racing. As a resu o recent heavy rain the track was a little holding. The Ohinemuri Cup, the principal race of the day was won by Erndale who was placed handily throughout the race for most of the journey to come on to win comfortably from the local horse Betterman, owned by Mr Harvey Evans of Paeroa, with Mr G. Newshams, of Kopuarahi, Air Port filling third position. The St. Patrick’s Handicap provided the sensation of the day when the rankest of outsiders, in fact the outsider of the field, Gold Vaals, owned and trained in Paeroa by Mr Frank Handley, got home in a thrilling finish to win by a short head from the well-supported Gentry and Atatu who was also a short head back third. Although few participated in the dividend of nearly £7O the victory was an exceedingly popular one, the crowd in the stand cheering the local winner with great enthusiasm. The second division of the Netherton Hack Handicap also provided the public with a thrill when the largely fancied Skydonna, owned and trained in Paeroa by Mr Harvey Evans, ran home a close winner in a hard-fought struggle down the straight. .... Investors, especially local punters, had quite a successful day although some handsome dividends were paid, notably Gold Vaals in the St. Patrick’s Handicap. .Other good dividends were paid by Rampede in the Karangakake Handicap, Spring Day, over £3O for a place in the .Handicap Hurdles, and Victory Torch almost £3O in the Second Awaiti Stakhs.

Although conditions were such, due to inclement weather, that efficient organising was a difficulty, the programme was smartly run off, the timetable being fairly well kept and under the circumstances the officials, directed by the secretary, Mr J. J. Poland, fully deserved the credit given them by patrons. Visitors were well cared for by the president, Mr P. E. Brenan and the stewards. Only one protest came before the judicial committee, Mrs E. M. Sloane complaining that Night Comedy had been hit over the head by the rider of Skydonna, Martinovich. The committee decided that the incident was accidental and did not affect the result of the race.

The totalisator showed a decrease of £10,654 10s on the day, £44,167 10s being put through the machine compared with £54,822 for the same day last year. t