STAR STRANGER WAS TOO HEAVY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 22, 18 April 1927, Page 8

STAR STRANGER WAS TOO HEAVY

GAME EFFORT FAILS PEGAWAY SCORES BRILLIANTLY The race for the President’s Handicap on Saturday was dominated by Pegaway, and yet nevertheless it resolved itself into a line contest when Star Stranger came with a bold bid for victory over the final furlong. Pegaway appeared to have the pace of his opponents all the way, and it seemed as if McTavish only had to ask him for the final effort and the race could be won. So it proved, for Pegaway, who was never further back than fifth, and that at one stage only, quickly ran up to the leaders when asked the question, to take the lead just after passing the three furlongs. The Lucullus gelding was the first into the straight, and then it was all over except the paying out, but this was not long delayed. Running on very strongly at the finish, Pegaway completed a splendid effort by winning by a clear length. It was a good win, too, and was suggestive of even better things to follow. A GREAT RUN One cannot be otherwise than full of admiration for Star Stranger’s fine finishing effort. He was well back in the early stages, and five furlongs from home he had but three horses behind him. Then he began to make up his leeway, and eetting a great run on the rails from the half-mile post he was lying seventh at the home turn. He quickly headed a beaten lot in the straight, and then the excitement became intense, as it looked as if he would succeed in heading Pegaway. However, fast and all as he finished, Star Stranger was unequal to the task of beating a horse in such good form as Pegaway, and he had to acknowledge defeat but not disgrace. It was no mean performance to run Pegaway to a length and a-quarter at a difference of a stone and a-half. Star Stranger must have carved out that last half-mile in very fast time, for the whole journey occupied only 2.7 1-5. Had lie won it would have been a most popular victory. ON THE IMPROVE Outside Pegaway and Star Stranger the best performance could be put down to the credit of Princess Ronnie, who filled third berth. The daughter of Polydamon was always in the picture, and to get third she gave one of her best performances to date, and finished very resolutely, although well beaten by the first and second horses. Alloway ran a remarkably good race, considering that he was in want of a run. For this reason his owner had very little financial interest, and he must have been agreeably surprised to see his horse finish right behind Princess Ronnie. The chestnut was not too well placed running out of the straight, and then Green gradually worked up to a better position, although he had drifted again by the time the straight was reached. He finished strongly to get fourth, so that his effort was a pleasant augury for the near future. HYNANNA’S FAILURE The disappointment of the race was the favourite’s showing. This was the three-year-old Hynanna, who failed to get near the front at any stage. He was near the ruck at the home turn, and although he finished better than the majority he could not keep it up, and was in the middle of the field as they swept past the judge. Hynanna will see a better day. Eden Hall was prominent throughout, and his downfall was brought about through the fact that he did not have a finishing run left in him. Income was prominent for about two furlongs, and Air Queen showed up for a mile. Muscari, the pace- . maker, ran a good race, and so too did t Gold Jacket, who made a good run from the three furlongs. Of the remainder, Star Comet did best. Barometer was in a good position at the home turn, only to fade out quickly and finish a long way back. RACING AT FEILDIW

NGATA WINS MANCHESTER Press Association FEILHING, Saturday. The Feilding meeting opened on Saturday in excellent weather and before a large attendance. Totalisator investments reached £31,816, compared with £35,031 for the corresponding day last year. Concluding results: HALCOMBE HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP Of £250; 7 fur. 7 BRIGADIER BILL, 7.11, T. Tito 1 8— PENEUS, 9.8 2 I—ROYAL DAMON, 8.9 3 Also started: 3 True Blood, 9 Danae, 8 Vivo, 4 Glengariff, 2 Allmarimba, 12 Phantasy, 6 Blue Peter, 10 Wilderness, 11 Miss Hupana, 13 Carniola. Won by two lengths, one length separating second and third. Time, 1.28 3-5. MAIDEN STAKES 1— MONSOGNE 1 2 CAVITY 2 6 HOLLOWMORN 3 All started. Won by two lengths, with a like margin between second and third. Time, 1.16 4-5. T AON UI HACK HANDICAP 7 furlongs. 1— VALKON, 8.3 1 2 PARTAGA, 8.2 2 9 CATCALL, 7.5 3 All started. Won by a neck; three lengths between second and third. Time, 1. 27 1-5. MANGAONE HANDICAP Six furlongs. 2—TUKIA, 8.11 1 5-ARCHEEN, 7.10 2 7BE VIS, 7.0 3 Scratched.—Avola. Won by a length, a neck between second and third. ONEPUHI HACK HANDICAP 8$ furlongs. 4 LIEUTENANT BILL, 8.6 1 5 CAPITULATION, 9.9 2 I—PAITONU, 9.2 3 Scratched: Valkon. Won by a length, head between second and third. Time, 1.48 2-5.