NOTES ON THE RUNNING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26632, 1 December 1947, Page 2

NOTES ON THE RUNNING

SHERE KHAN'S DECISIVE WIN Special to the Daily Times CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 30. Vulnerable was showing out from Shere Khan and Maryburn when the field settled down in the Suburban Handicap, Reprimand, , Grand Forest, Wane and Brole being next. Shere Khan had dropped back to fourth at the five-furlong post. He moved up again in the straight, heading Vulnerable at the distance, with Wane handy. Shere Khan went on to beat Vulnerable decisively. Boolamskee and Beechwood finished strongly to beat the tiring Wane on the post. Pioneer Handicap Golden Amber and Airwyn were In the front lot from the start of the Pioneer Handicap, with Celtic Chief, Lady Josephine and Balkis also prominent, while Musselman, Trident and Robin Redbreast showed up a little further on. Golden Amber was always going well and won decisively, while Trident got up to beat Balkis by a nose. Two lengths back came Celtic Chief, Card Money and Airwyn, with Musselman and Robin Redbreast heading the others, Seymour Handicap Antibes was the pacemaker from the start of the Seymour Handicap, Blank Cheque, Te Tara. Sword Dancer, Mestiza, Deficiency and Primitive being prominent in a bunch behind he r to the straight. Antibes retired at the distance, leaving Blank Cheque in front, but Coral Arc staged a good run on the outside to win by a length. Sword Dancer, Deficiency, Primitive and Mestiza were next, and then Morning Watch, who put up a fine effort after losing a lot of ground at the start. New Zealand Oaks Angell led Lucy Bian and Golden Hope out of the straight in the Oaks, but after going half a mile Footlight took the lead, with Sweet Nymph and Banshee heading the rest, and them Angell, Lucy Bian and Renowned. Two 'furlongs further on Sweet Nymph moved up to second, with Renowned, Lucy Bian, Miss Bairnsfatlier and Ballochbuie all handy. Footlight was beaten when the straight was reached, leaving Sweet Nymph in charge, with Renowned and Miss Bairnsfather heading the others. This was the end of the race, Sweet Nymph going on to an easy win from Renowned, with gaps to Miss Bairnsfather, Lady Vite, Lucy Bian and Waimanu. ■ The winner had a mixed reception, and there was an inquiry into her form on the two days. The evidence showed that she was sick when she contested the Derby, probably due to kidney trouble. She responded quickly to treatment, and this was considered good reason for her improved form. Thp Metropolitan

King’s Ransom, Palm Bearer, Eriskay, Royal Victor and Welcome Guest comprised the front lot from the start of the Metropolitan, while after two furlongs Palm Bearer and Royal Victor were showing the way to the others. Signal Officer being at the tail of the field. Royal Victor went on from King’s Ransom at the mile post, Falconbridge joining Welcome Guest, with Merry Robin, Palm Bearer, and Eriskay next. There was little change along the back except that Signal Officer was improving his position, while Palm Bearer moved up at the six-furlong post to follow King’s Ransom round the turn. Signal Officer was closing up at this stage, and racing for the straight he had only Royal Victor, King’s Ransom, and Palm Bearer in

front of him, while Nightchild also made her appearance. Royal Victor was in trouble when the straight was reached, where Indian Dawn started a strong run. Signal Officer was in front over a funrlong from the post, and though Indian Dawn finished well she never looked like catching the Southland gelding, who won decisively, though only by a neck. Two lengths back King’s Ransom stalled off Eriskay by a neck, with Palm Bearer only half a head back. Merry Robin, Royal Victor, and Falconbridge headed the others, while Welcome Guest was last. Otaio Plate Altruist and Pimlico were smartest out in the Otaio Plate, Pageantry, the Stormovik and Spare Part being others prominent after two furlongs. The Stormovik /fan into trouble a little further on, losing a lot of ground. Pimlico lost his place along the back, and at the six furlongs Pageantry joined Altruist in the lead, Spare Part, Dark Arrow, and Blue Hussar being handy. There was little change to the distance, but Spare Part then drew away to win easily. Altruist hung on, beating Pageantry by a head. The Stormovik made a good run in the straight for fourth, with Fairholme and Blue Hussar next. Jockey Club Handicap Double Cross and Lexia led out from Voltaic, Wantwood, and Howe in the Jockey Club Handicap, with Detain and Lovemorn heading the others. Lexia was in charge after two furlongs, followed by Desert Girl, Revolte, Voltaic, Palomino, and Wantwood, with Zealander and Double Cross also handy at the halfmile post. Lexia led Revolte, Voltaic, Zealander, and Wantwood to the straight. Howe was a long way back at this stage, having drifted along the back. Once in line for home he started a strong run. Though under pressure to make up his leeway he finished on resolutely, and he was going away at the winning post. Lexia held on solidly to beat Wantwood for second, while Revolte, though tiring, stalled off Voltaic, Zealander, and Double Cross in a bunch. The winner’s performance was very impressive.