THE HOROWHENUA MEETING.

Shannon News, 18 November 1921, Page 3

THE HOROWHENUA MEETING.

NOTES ON THE RACING. The Horowhenua Club was the recipient of "many congratulations from visitors on the management and sue-* cess of Wednesday’s meeting. The condition of the track was the subject of special comment, racing men generally being unanimous that it left little to be desired. This speaks well for the caretaker, Mr C. Millen, who has spared no pains in his work, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that it has not passed unnoticed. The attendance at the meeting was better than .at the meeting of 1920,. there being a small increase in the outside gate receipts. The totalisator business of £18,397, taking into consideration the difference in the conditions to-day to what they were last year, must be regarded as another satisfactory feature of the day. The large fields and close finishes gave the public the full worth of their money, and it will be readily admitted that better racing could not be desired, well fought-out finishes being

provided in the majority of events. The good field of ten lined up for the hurdles, War Loan being the public fancy, whilst Nobleman, Royal Gift and Battle Song were next in demand. These, with. Toddy, were prominent for a mile' of the journey, when the last-named retired after making the pace to this point. Running to the home Jrend, Passenger joined the leaders, and ably handled by A. McDonald, went, on and fought out the finish with the favourite, landing at*the post a length to the <fßod. Royal Gift and Nobleman were next Passenger and Nobleman made their first appearance over hurdles, and both fenced well. Unfortunately the race was Nobleman’s last., as he dropped dead just after the finish.

Kuia’s win in the Welter Hack was one of the most decisive of the day. Vindictive was the favourite in a field of 16, but was never dangerous. Kail led out of the harrier, and along the back -was well clear of the field. Kuia made a great run when making for the turn, where he caught the lead- 1 er, and w r ent on to win. Kyoto came out of the ruck, 1 and under pressure beat. Kail for second money. March Oii and Vindictive were at the head of the others in a strung-out finish. The field in the Maiden Hack numbered 14. The public went for Rugby solidly, whilst Cochineal, with the sendees of A. Reid, was a good second favourite. The favourite made every post a winning post, and rjxn into the straight well ahead of the others. He looked all over a Winner when Cochineal came out and put in her claim. This pair fought out the decision all the way up the straight, the favourite getting to the post with only a nose to spare? The filly was travelling the faster-of the two at the finish, and a yard or two further would have given her the race. Panache was the nearest. of the others, four lengths back. With recent form behind her. Kikini was the popular choice in Levin Hack ' Handicap, Creme de Menthe, Lord Usk and Country Life being next in demand. Rose of Ath-

ens, with Messrs. Dwan Bros.’ colours up, was quick off the mark, with the favourite and Lord Usk her nearest attendants. The rest of the field was strung out. Rose of Athens showed the way into the straight, where the favourite ranged alongside and a fine finish saw the first-named get the verdict by a head.' Lord Usk did not sustain his position, and Melting Moments and Demoness were the nearest attendants to the leaders at the end of the journey. The Cup field of hi was, perhaps, tiie best, that has saddled up for the race. Detroit and Beloved were the only defections. Festivity was made a good favourite, but there was a lot of money for Red Boh, Kiirush, American Beauty and Tail. The. lastnamed was quickest on his feet, and led past the stand with Astinome, Sweet. Song and Kiirush next. In the back stretch Tari shook off a forward move by Astinome, hut Kiirush, Sweet Song and Matatua drew up on the 'leader, and a little further back the favourite was seen to he coming up. Tari was first into the straight, and Kiirush, hugging the rails, got up on the inside, and Festivity came very fast on the outside. Inside the distance Hunt, on Tari, broke a stirrup leather, but struggled on. Kiirush and Festivity were now out in front . and one of the best finishes seen on j the track resulted in the favourite snatching victory by a head. Tari I was two lengths away third, and then : followed Matatua, Bed Bob and Sweet ( Song. The local candidate, American i Beauty, got a bad passage. She was j humped badly just after the start, and I was not in the hunt afterwards. The investments on the race, just over £3OOO, were the largest of the day. There were five withdrawals from the Juvenile race, 1 including C. Millen’s pair, Bravato and Oweo, which were suffering from shin soreness. Six runners were left in, and of these Ares was favourite, and she justified r m m*

the public confidence by winning m easy fashion from Bonrina and Pirouette. Merry Knight and Recljerche got the worst of the start, and were never in the race. The winner is a half-sister to the loc.illy-owned Paphian.

Borealis carried the bulk of the investments in the McDonald Memorial, which contained a field of 15 goodclass horses. Ruatara, Nursing Sister and Detroit also cfaiified a good deal of support in that order. When the harrier was released Ruatara was out first, Nursing Sister, American Beauty, War Baby and Asterina being handy. Racing down the back Automoan a and Bonny Briar closed up, but Ruatara still held her own in the lead when heads were turned for home. The favourite came with a sustained run in the straight, and lasted just long enough in a gruelling finish to beat Ruatara by a head. Automoana and Bonny Briar were third and fourth respectively.

The Levin-owned Paphian was solidly hacked In the Hokio Handicap, the last, event, of the day, Jackaroo, the next in the betting, only carrying a tliird of the amount, on the favourite. Then came Gallia and Projector. There were 13 Starter* The favourite was quickest on his feet, hut. Gallia was slow in starting. Paphian had a clear break on the field down the back, but rounding the bottom turn Jackaroo and Projector had reduced the favourite’s lead. Once in the straight. Jackaroo came on resolutely and beat the favourite by a length and a-half, but. the latter stayed off a challenge from Projector, and finished second, the last-named being third, and Gallia, finishing fast, fourth, several lengths in front of the others.

Private watches hardly agreed with some of the official times recorded. In the Levin Hack Handicap Rose of Athens was credited with getting the six furlongs in 1.13 3-5, which time makes her a much better filly than is generally supposed. The Maiden Hack Race occupied three seconds longer--!. H