SPORTING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 9 January 1931, Page 6

SPORTING

REEFTON JOCKEY CLUB MISS MERCIA WINS PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP JAEL HOME FIRST {By Telegraph—Pres* Association) REEFTON, Bth January. The concluding results on the second day of the Reefton Jockey Club’s Meeting were as follows : Waiuta Trot, of 95 sovs; one mile. — 6 August Pointer (T. Burrows), 12yds blul, 1; 7 Flying Kate, 82yds bhd, 2; 1 Nelson Chum, 12yds bhd, 3. Scratched: Jean Drusus, Nelson Parrish. Won by two lengths and a half. Time, 2.20 2-5. President’s Handicap, of 140 sovs; one mile.—Miss Mercia, 7.12 (Hughes), 1; Coomassie, 7.5, 2; Sapient, 8.7, 3. Scratched: Killigrew. Won by two lengths, one and a half lengths. Time, 1.44 1-5.

Cronadun Handicap, of 95 sovs; seven furlongs—l Jael, 8.3 (Eastwood), 1; 2 Gourmet, 8.9, 2; 3 Quillfire, 8.4, 3. All started. Won by a length, two lengths. Time, 1.31 2-5. Inangahua Handicap, of 95 sovs; six furlongs —4 Coomassie, 7.13, 1; 1 Taku Tama, 8.0, 2; 3 Baby Bun, 8.5, 3. Also started: Sagittarius, Wise Choice, Buoyant, Waihemo, Bank Draft. Won by a length and a half. Time. 1.23 2-5. Broadway Trot Handicap, of 100 sovs; one mile and a half—l Location, scr, 1; 9 Leading Lady, 24yds bhd, 2 ; 2 Jester, scr, 3. Also started: Tini Uria, Matchglow, Undertaker, Great Thought, Indian Author, Alpine Melody, Gold Rush. Won bv a head. Time. 3.37 4-5. Farewell Handicap, of 100 sovs; seven furlongs.—B The Dove, 7.10, 1; 3 Jael, 7.3, 2; 7 Bright Spear, 7.5, 3. Also started: Killigrew, Miss Mercia, Fortalice, Landmark, Atone, General Assembly, High Court. Won by a neck. Time, 1.31.

Investments on the totalisator amounted to £7,720, as compared with £8,184 10s for the second day last year, making a total for the meeting of £14,191. as against £15,697 for both days last year. THE CHIEF EVENT DESCRIBED MISS MERCIA’S PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP (By Telegraph—Special to “The Mail”) CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. The best betting of the meeting was recorded in the President’s Handicap, Black Duke and Sapient being most in demand, with only 13 tickets separating them, and there was a break of 160 tickets to Miss Mercia. Black Duke was a failure on this occasion, and was labouring under his big weight throughout, eventually to finish down the course. From a most unsatisfactory dispatch Miss Mercia shot to the front, but was steadied, and Coomassie headed the others going out of the straight. This pair disputed the lead going along the back, but entering the straight Miss Mercia was again well clear of Coomassie, with Sapient and Fairy Tidings next. Coomassie ran up to the leader when the business stages were reached, and threatened danger, but Miss Mercia responded to a little vigorous horsemanship and came away to win in an attracoive manner by a length. Sapient made one promising effort in the straight, but it was not sustained, and she drifted to third place three lengths away. Fairy Tidings, The Dove and Cold Bag followed at intervals.

This was Miss Mercia’s most solid race on the trip, as she did not flinch under pressure, and was going away at the finish. Sapient lost a lot of ground at the start, and gave the two leaders an appreciable break, but was up within reach of them at the end of three furlongs. This effort left her without a finishing run.