RAPINE SCORES IMPRESSIVELY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 38, 7 May 1927, Page 9

RAPINE SCORES IMPRESSIVELY

CIMABUE SHOWS CLEAN PAIR OF HEELS IN H.B. STAKES (Special to THE SUN.) HASTINGS, Friday. The Cup meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club opened on the Hastings racecourse to-day in beautiful weather. The prospects early this morning were not at all bright, but by 10 o’clock the heavy mist had cleared away and the sun shone out brightly. The recent rains have improved the course wonderfully, and the track was fairly good, though soft. An inquiry was held into the falling of Rory Morin the Nursery, and the following was handed to the Press; “Having considered all the evidence, the committee is of opinion that there is not sufficient evidence to enable it to say what was the immediate cause of the horse falling, and there is no evidence from the riders in the race which would justify the committee in finding that there was foul or careless riding.” RAPINE’S GREAT EFFORT The race for the Cup was a great triumph for Rapine, who carried 10.7 and put in a wonderful run at the finish to win by three-quarters of a length. When the horse returned to the birdcage he was accorded a great ovation. A feature of the day’s racing was the success in the saddle of Roy Reed, who steered three winners, a deadheat for first and a third. The totalisator handled £13,628, compared with £18,290 on the opening day of the last autumn meeting. HURDLES TO SAN PEDRO San Pedro was always favourite for the Mangatarata Hurdles. Anchor, Lombardo, Merry Singer and Asleep were the early leaders, with San Pedro heading the bunch. There was little change till half a mile from home, when Anchor went up to first place.

He was in the lead from Lombardo and San Pedro, but the latter went up to first place at the last fence and beat him by half a length, with Lombardo a length away. There was a big gap between the fourth horse, Asleep, who was followed by Peshwa, Merry Singer and Maunga. MERLE’S HIGH-WEIGHT There were no scratchings for the High-Weight Handicap. They were let go in good line, Coot going to the front from Merle, Gordon Swift, and Rakauponga. The same order prevailed along the back, and coming round the bend Merle went up to Coot and this pair led into the straight from Mandarine and Rakauponga. Merle drew away at the distance and won by four lengths, Mandarine heading Rakauponga on the post by a head. Coot was fourth. DOREE WINS EASILY Autumia was the only withdrawal from the Nursery Handicap. Rory Mor, Doree (a hot favourite), Polydectes and Teri were the first to show out. Coming round the bend Doree was leading Polydectes and Keen, Rory Mor having fallen. Into the straight the order was Doree, Polydectes, Keen and Lady Limond. The favourite had plenty in hand and won by half a length, a length between second and third. Teri was fourth. CIMABUE ALL THE WAY The Stakes field was reduced to four runners, Shirley being favourite and Cimabue next. They got away in even line, Cimabue going to the front and stopping there. The order to the home bend was Cimabue, Shirley, Great Charter and Grand Knight. Cimabue finished on well and was a clear length ahead passing the post, there being three lengths between second and third, Great Charter and Shirley. The time was good and makes the winner out a very smart youngster. Grand Knight will do better as a result of the race. RACE FOR THE CUP All the acceptors but Vertigern went to the post for the Hawke’s Bay Cup, and despite his 10.7 Rapine was backed to a very short price. The bracketed pair, Merry Day and Cohesion, were next in demand, and Clarinda and Perle de Leon were in fairly heavy request. Cohesion took up the running as soon as the field was released on its journey. Royal Divorce, Clarinda and Rapine were next, with Mah Jong and Novar handy, and then Perle de Leon and Addlepate. Cohesion was still clear going out of the straight from Royal Divorce, Mah Jong and Novar. Cohesion put a big break on the field round the back, but near the Railway Road bend he came back to the field and the order into the straight was Cohesion, Royal Divorce, Clarinda and Rapine. Cohesion looked a winner half-way down the straight, but Rapine came with a great burst and won by three-quarters of a length, with three lengths between second and third. Clarinda was fourth and Royal Divorce fifth. A DEAD-HEAT There was a good field for the Poukawa Handicap. Eloquent, Tameterangi, Hathor and Inner Harbour were in that order when the field had settled down. Coming round the bend Tameterangi was still clear of Inner Harbour and Hathor. A good finish resulted, and the judge was unable to separate Hathor and Sir Kay. Kalos was two lengths away third, Inner Harbour fourth, and Moepai not far behind them. EASY FOR BENNANEE There was an early rush to be on Starboard Light in the Autumn Handicap, and he remained favourite to the end, with Vertigern and Q:ueen’s Choice best backed of the others. Bennanee, who drew the rails, jumped out with the lead and was in front all the way. Starboard Light was in behind him along the back, where Vertigern, Queen’s Choice and Serenade were handy. Bennanee led round the bend, where Good Sport made a lot of ground. Starboard Light looked like taking a hand in the finish, but though he was vigoorusly ridden he could not run on and several horses passed him in the straight. Good Sport tackled Bennanee, who, however, held his plg.ee and won by half a length. Vertigen was a good third, and Bonhomme fourth. Next came Queen’s Choice. ANOTHER WINNING BRACKET First Acre finished up favourite for the Porangahau Handicap, with Rascal next in request. The first to show out when the field was let go was Licinius, but First Acre, Ngawati and Rascal were all close up. First Acre, Rascal and Ngawati were in line at the bottom of the straight, and the two