LEVIN RACING CLUB’S MEETING

Shannon News, 23 November 1926, Page 3

LEVIN RACING CLUB’S MEETING

RECORD ATTENDANCE SPLENDID RACING. DIOGENES WINS THE CUP. Although the weather conditions about 7 a.m. on Saturday did not look promising for a fine day, a light shower or rain falling and the sky being overcast, it fortunately cleared by 9 o clock when the sun .made its appearance, with the result that the Levin Racing Club were' favoured ivitli a glorious day for their annual fixture. There was a large, attendance of patrons, the special trains from north and South bringing many, extra carriages having to be put on to the Wellington train. Among the visitors the Government was well represented. Three Ministers of the Crown (the Hons. Iv. S. Williams R. F. Bollard and W. Noswortliy), the Speaker of the House (Sir Clms. feriit.ham) and Messrs W. Field, J. Link ' later and J. A. Nash, MJV* were present. ' . A marked contrast to the previous arrangements for dealing with traffic at the entrance to the course was the, allotting of a parking area for cars. In the past, patrons suffered delay m Ravine the course, owing to the congestion of traffic, after the last race. Bv the new arrangements this has been eliminated. Another improvement that drew forth favourable comment was the alterations that have been carried out around the grandstand, where a wide concrete approach has been constructed with concrete steps leading up to the stand, thus giving patrons an uninterrupted view of the whole course from the stand and also the terrace m front, The course wap in good condition, thus enabling fast-run races. The fields were well filled, there being few scratehings. Splendid racing was witnessed, each event being well contested; The handicapper, M. H. Coyle, had the winners well concealed, proof of the excellent handicapping being shown in the number of close finishes, notably m the Lake Hack Handicap, where heads separated the first five horses, and in the final event when Jazz Baby and Kilmezzo dead heated, with the next horse on their quarters. The • task of despatching the fields was in the hands of Mr 0. O’Connor, and although he had several unruly performers it the harrier, he was successful in getting them off on even

terms. An excellent day ’s sport was largely due to the splendid manner in which the meeting was conducted, thanks to the watchful eye of the genial President, Mr T. Be van, the self-sacrificing labours of the stewards and the secretary (Mr E. R. Bryant) who gave the smallest detail their atention. It was generally expected, owing to the tightness of the money market, there would be a considerable drop in the totalisatov returns, as compared with the meeting of 1925, which was a record, when the sum of £19,578 was put through the machine. Although there was a drop in the returns, it was not as much as many expected. The sum of £18,573 was* put through the totalisator during the day showing a decrease of only £IOOS on last year s figures, and an increase of £2404 on the corresponding meeting held in 1924, when £16,169 was invested. An extra • day was held in June, 1924, when the return was £16,474. , The principal event, the Levin Cup, was won rather comfortably by Mr H. P. F. Blundell’s colt, Diogenes. A good deal of interest in the race was marred by the rough and incompetent riding of some of the apprentice riders. The interference at times was positively dangerous; The winner was fortunate enough to occupy a good position, throughout the race, but practically all the other horses struck trouble at some part of the race. Hipo and Kilfaire, the second and third horses, were sent to "the rear early in the race and had they held good positions, while not suggesting that either would have defeated the winner, the finish no doubt would have been closer. Rouex was nearly down at the four furlongs, and at the turn Benmure was knocked to his knees. Indian Sage was also in the thick of the trouble. On the tapes being released Hipo was one of the first out, but passing the stand the first time round the order was Bcnmuie, Misgovern, Diogenes, Indian Sage, Rouex and Nukumai, but Indian Sage aitd Rouex got knocked back going around the bend and at the back th.e latter nearly fell. 'Approaching the turn coming to the bend leading for home theie was a general mix up, from which Morris brought Diogenes away and he led into the straight from Nukumai, Bonhomme and Beaumont. In the concluding stages Hipo and Kilfaire got through but Diogenes was able to fi-n ish well clear of them.

In the Hurdle Kace Merry Sarto was left and took no part in the race, while Bisk and Salamis lost their riders at the last jump. • , . After the big handicap the handsome silver cup donated by Mr F. F. Newman was presented to Mr Blundell, the owner of Diogenes, by the lion. R. F. Bollard, the ceremony taking place m the birdcage, and the recipient being warmly applauded.

The, second leg of the double, the McDonald Memorial, for which No lavours was installed favourite, was won by First Acre in a great finish, who defeated Star Shell, who had led the field, by a head, with Joy Bird half a lengti away.

' The stipendiary stewards . present made a number of enquiries during the day, but stated that they had discover'

ed nothing on which action could be taken. Hurdles To Gauntlet. Matu, with A. McDonald up, was a much better favourite than Gauntlet for the Manakau Hack Hurdles. Tempean, Empire Camp and Gauntlet led through the straight from Axlo and Risk with Matu, hugging the rails, next. Matu made up ground nicely crossing the top, and half a mile from home was in the lead. Gauntlet went out after him and the pair raced together all the way to the last fence, which they olear.ed on even terms. Gauntlet did best in the run home and won by a neck. Six lengths away was Tempean, third, just ahead of Empire Camp and Sir Pam. Risk and Salamis lost then riders. Outsider Scores. Petal was the best backed of the Wcraroa Hack held, and there was big money for Our Jack, Ardfinnan and Gardant. From a good start Sole Mio led along the back from Our Jack Anchor and Petal- Sole Mio was still ,in front on the far turn with Our Jack and Anchor next and Garctant, Petal, Panart .and General Wai ail well placed. The- field closed up at the bottom of the straight and- Our Jack drifted out of the contest. Anchor stuck on well and lasted long enough to beat Panart by half a length. General Wai was a length away, third, and then came Asleep, and Gardant. Easy,For Kilmezzo. A good favourite for the Maiden Race, Kilmezzo, scored an easy win and paid a fair price. He was in front after the field had gone a little over a furlong, and led all the way to win by two lengths from Dominion Rose, who beat Molto by- half a length. Theodolite , and Humoresque were fourth and fifth. Favourite Fails Badly. The Trentham gelding, Black Mint, was heavily backed for ,tho. Mako Mako Handicap, but after giving a poor display, failed badly. Lin Arlington was early in the lead, with Take Take, Twink, Vivo and Volplane following in strung-out order. There was no important change in the run to the straight, but Vivo and Black Mint, slightly improved their positions. Lin Arlington kept his lead along the straight and won well from Vivo, who finished fast. Twink was a fair third, and Take Take and BlacK 1 Mint were together next. The Race For The Cup. There' was some even wagering on the Cup, Hipo, Diogenes, Indian Sage and Kilfaire all being well supported. Benmure, Misgovern and Diogenes were in' front passing the stands from Rouex, Indian Sage, Hipo and Penman. Along tho back Benmure was going nicely in front of. Misgovern and Nukumai. Rouex got sent back to last, and a.'little later ‘ Benmure went back. Positions changed rapidly and Diogenes led into the straight from Nukumai. Kilfaire, Hipo ana Penman. Diogenes drew away in the straight and won easily by threo lengths from Hipo who beat Kilfaire by half a length. Nukumai, Bonhomme and Penman were the next to arrive. A Close Finish. No Favours, backed down to ci short price in the Lake Hack Handicap, lost a great chance of winning, but finished well in the straight and was given second money. Conviction led in the early 'stages from Inoe and No Favours, but along the back No Favours drifted to tho rear and Panart moved up close to the front. Boon after turning for home Asleep am* Panart looked to l>avc the race be. tween them, but tho favourite finished fast. He could not get to Asleep, who Avon by a neck, with Panart a head away, third. Mountain Star was a close fourth, First Acre Wins In Good Contest. Epistle and Modern carried sufficient money in the McDonald Memorial Handicap to ensure that if anything else won it would pay a good price. Joy Bird on the rails jumped out quickly and made the early running from Star Shell and First Aero, but Stair Shell was not long in getting to the fi’ont and he led along the back by three lengths from Joy Bird and First Acre 'with Santonio and Modern at the head of the rest. Star Shell and First Acre led into the straight together. Star Shell ran wide on the turn and carried First Acre out with him, leaving Joy Bird a great opening to come through ok the rails. This Reed took full advantage of and Watts on Star Area followed him through. First Acre finished well and won by half a length from Star Shell, who narrowly beat Joy Bird for second place/ Star Area was fourth close up to the placed horses and just ahead of Epistle anc Santonio. Deat-llcat In The Last.

The meeting - concluded with the Hokio Handicap from which Argue, Note, Polonaise and Otauru Eclipse were withdrawn. The New Plymouth sprinter Jazz Baby, who had won at Trentham, was made favourite, touching a short price and there wat good backing for Royal Game, Kilmczzo and Starboard Light. Kilmezzo had been penalised 51b,s for winning the Maiden earlier in the afternoon, but as a 51b allowance was claimed for his apprentice rider, he carried the 7.3 at which he was originally handicapped. A great race saw a dead-heat, Jazz Baby and Kilmezzo crossing the lino together, with Royal Land, third. DETAILS OF RACING. MANAKATT HURDLES, Of 110 sovs; one mile and a-lialf. 2—Hon. K. S. Williams’s Gauntlet, br.g., Martian —Torquato, oyrs, 9.11 (I. Tilson) 1 I—F. F. Newman’s Matu, b.g., syrs, 9.9 (A. McDonald) 2 5 —F. A. Jensen’s Tempean, b.g., aged, 9.3 (C. McGovern) ...... 3 Also started-—4 Bonecto 10.2 (11. Ryder), 6 Sir . Pam 9.3 (F. Fowler), 8 Empire Camp 9.2 (E. Copestake), 3

4xle 9.2 (D. Butler), 5 Salamis 9 (P. Mcßrearty), 9 Risk 9. (R. V. Wiles), 10 Merry Sarto 9 (11. Gordon). Neck; length. 2.44 1-5. (Winner trained by IE B. Longan, Trentham). WERAROA HACK HANDICAP, Of 110 so vs; seven furlongs. —F. Ehrhrn’s Anchor, br.g., Acre —Lotus, 4yrs, 8 (P. Burgess) _ ' 1 (5—C. F. Johnson’s Panart, b.g., 5 yrs, 8.2 (T. Green) 2 5 Mrs K. Brough’s General Wai, 6yrs, 8.5 (G. Ridgwuy) 3 Also Started. —4. Gardant 9.1 (C. Brown), 2 Our Jack 9.1 (W. McEwen), 3 Ardfinnan 8.11 (I. Tilson), 8 Asleep 8.3 (L. A. Pine), Petal 8' (J. Barry), 7 Boy 8 (A. McCormac), 11 Sole Mio 8 (S ’ Wilson). Half length, 1.31. (Winner trained by owner, Waverley). MAIDEN RACE. Of 100 sovs; six furlongs. 1— J. O’Brien’s Kilinezzo, b.g. Kilbronev —Intermezzo, 3yrs, 8.7 (A. Hobson) 1 2. —II. S. George’s Dominion Rose, br.in., 6yrs, 8.7 (R. Reed) .... 2 6A. Trevor’s Molto, hm., 6yrs, 8.7 (J. Barry) 3 Also'sta rted.—l3 Palette (F. Fowler), 3, Eloquent (A. Lord), 4 Some Lad (T. Green), 15 True Step (W. Blanche), 12 Tirainoana (,C. France), 14 Vexatious (C. Harris), 5 Humouresque (B. H. Morris), 8 The Swell (N. Johnson), 9 Dale Ogden (W. Mitchell), 7 Theodoiite (I. Tilson), 10 Propellor (J. Blanche). Two lengths; half. 1.15 T-5. (Winner trained by A. Goodman, Trentham). MAKO MAKO HACK HANDICAP, Of 110 sovs; six furlongs. 3C. C. Biel’s Lin Arlington, br.g., Acre —Warmaid, 4yrs, 7.13 (P. Burgess) • * 4D. I. George’s Vivo, eh.m., 4yrs. 7 .*3 (J. S. Potter) 2 7E. Ingram’s Take Take, b.g., aged, 7 (C. Ingram) ?■ Also started. —1 Black Mint 9.7 (4. Hobson), 5 Addlepate 7.5 (A. Fratus), 2 Volplane 7.2 (T. Green), 6 Twink 7.2 (S. Wilson), 8 Lhasa 7 (C. Goulsboro). One and a-half lengths. 1.14 3-5. (Winner trained by owner, Longburn). LEVIN CUP. Of 300 sovs; one mile and a quarter. 2 11. P. F. Blundell’s Diogenes, b.li. Cynic—Minora, 4yrs, 8.4 (L. G. Morris) 1 I—E; George’s Hipo, blk g., 8.2 (R. Reed). 2 3W. H. Gaisford’s Kilfaire, b.g. 6yrs, 7.3 (T. Green) .......... 3 Also started —4 Indian'Sage 8,7 (B. j 11. Morris), 7 Nukumai 7.13 (A. McCorI mac), 12 Beaumont 7.10 (K. Robinson), 5 Roncx 7.9 (L. A. Pine), 9 Bonhomme 7.6 (F. L. Butterworth), 11 Mah Jong 7.6 (P. Burgess), 8 Misgovern 7 (R. Wilson), 13 Stream ''7 (E. Taafe), 6 i Penman 7 (C. Goulsboro), 10 Benmure .7 (B. Brown). \ Three lengths. 2.6 3-35. (Winner trained by Geo. New, Palmerston North). LAKE. HACK HANDICAP, Of 110 sovs; ouo milerfuid a distance. -1 —H. J. Stanbridge’s Asie,ep, br.g., Sarto —Lady Napper, aged, 7.9 j (L. A. Pine) ? 1 I—Ebb Simpson’s No Favours, b.g., 4yrs, 7.8 (T. Green) 2 3—C. F. Johnson’s Pan art, b.g. 5' yrs., 7 (J. S. Potter) 3 Also started —2 Mountain Star 7.6 (A. Fratus), 5 Boy 7.1 (P. Burgess), 7 Inoe 7 (C. Goulsboro), 8 Conviction 7.2 (S. Wilson), 0 Take Take 7.10 (C. Ingram). Neck. 1.57 2-5. (Winker trained by J. Procter, Foxton). McDonald memorial handicap Of 200 sovs; seven furlongs j 4—A. Trevor’s First Acre, b.c., Acre I —Oka, 4yrs, 9.6 (J. Barry) . . 1 J g—H. P. F. Blundell’s Star Shell, j b.g., syrs, 8.2 (C. McGovern) 2 . 3—W. Higgins’s Joy Bird, b.m., 4 yrs, 9.4 (E. Reed) 3 Also started —5 Star Area 9.8 (L. Watts), 1 Epistle 9 (S. Anderson), 2 Modern 8.13 (L. G. Morris), 9 Birthmark 8.7 (A. Jenkins), 6 Santonio 8.4 (E. H. Morris), 10 Mountain Top 8 (A. Lord), 7 Bay Dighton 8 (N. J. Johnson), 10 Agitato 8 (C. Brown). Length; head. 1.30. (Winner trained by A. D. Webster, Otaki). lIOKIO HACK HANDICAP, Of 110 sovs: five furlongs. J—T. Clegg’s Jazz Baby, b.g. Tea , Tray—Dixieland, 3yrs, 8.2 (L. A. Pine) 1 3—J.,O’Brien’s Kilmezzo, b.g., Kilbrouey—lntermezzo, Syrs, 7.8 (P. Burgess) 1 6 —J. and F. Whiskie’s Royal Laud, b.g., 4yrs, 7.6 (T. Green) .... 3 ' Dead heat. Also started—4 Starboard Light 8.13 (J. Hockley), 2 Royal Game 8.6 (R. Reed), 7 Merle 7.8 (A. Fratus), 12 Bonny Marion 7.3 (E. Taafe), The Bolter 7.2 (B. Brown), 8 Twink 7.2 (S. Wilson), 9 Laudguard 7.10 (J. Barry), 10 Starbird 7, C. Goulsboro), 11 Palette 7 (J. Walsh). Half length. 11 (Jazz Baby trained by E. George, New Plymouth, and Kilmezzo trained by A. Goodman, Trentham).