PRINCE OF WALES HANDICAP

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 78, 23 June 1927, Page 7

PRINCE OF WALES HANDICAP

A6A€HiN£ GUN WELL BACKED AND BEATEN There is no doubt that the heavy going yesterday was responsible for the downfall of several of the more fancied candidates in some of the events. When the contestants lined up for the Prince of Wales’ Handicap, the chief event on the card, the track was well chopped up and very holding. This did not, however, deter the public from pinning their faith to the fancied candidates of the opening day’s principal heat. Pre-post and double backers' would not hear of Cardinal Logan’s defeat, and when it became known that Hendricksen’s charge had been scratched there was a “weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth” in certain quarters.

The majority, however, took the withdrawal as a matter of course, and quietly placed a tick against the Cardinal’s name in the Au Revoir Handicap, which was to come up for decision later in the day. machine gun again favourite Speculation was spirited in this big heat, the chances of Machine Gun, Imprint, Terence Dillon and Peterwah being held in most respect, and when the final bell rang Machine Gun was, a:s on the opening day, a firm favourite, Imprint a good second choice, while there was only eight pounds between the first day’s winner, Terence Dillon, and the trotter Peterwah. Many hard heads were quite prepared to se Mr. Fisken’s good horse clean up the pacers in the heavy going. HAROLD’ THORPE ALL THE WAY As far as the winner is concerned there is very little to tell about the running of the event. After the field settled down to business Edwards took Harold Thorpe to the front and there he remained for the whole of' the journey, eventually winning by two lengths. The son of Our Thorpe fairly revelled in the going, and although Imprint and Terence Dillon made an effort to overhaul the leader, Edwards kept him bustling right to the post, and over the final furlong Harold Thorpe was travelling better than his pursuers. A USEFUL SORT Although fairly well supported, the winner paid a useful price, and during the season which concluded yesterday he has been a good stake-earner. The fact that he did not start on the opening day on account of not having thrived on the journey to Auckland kept a good number from viewing his prospects In a favourable light, but others, remembering his surprise victory over two miles at Oamaru, supported the son of Our Thorpe. The gelling, who is owned by Mr. R. Grant, a Southern sportsman, has won handicaps over all distances this season. He is trained and driven by the young Belfast mentor, M. B. Edwards, whose judicious handling of the pacer yesterday materially assisted toward his success. IMPRINT GOES SOLID The Nelson-owned Imprint, whose form on the opening day suggested he would again be in the ’money, put up a great race, and the fact that he was the back-marker of the field and covered a lot more ground than any other competitor makes his display all the more creditable. The Denver Huon horse made up his leew*ay quickly, and with half the journey covered was in a handy position, but travelling on the outside of half a dozen runners. Going out of the straight in the final circuit Berkett’s charge was in second berth, and his prospects looked h6althv. Imprint made a gallant effort in the run home, but had nothing in reserve. MUD-BOUND AT THE FINISH Terence Dillon, although defeated, was by no means disgraced, and for a young horse he put up a determined effort in the heavy going. At they end of five furlongs the Campbell Handicap winner was lying seventh, right on the rails, and when the box was reached the second time McLennan had moved the Author Dillon four-year-old into third place. The Oamaru-trained gelding made a forward move before reaching the entrance to the straight, and it looked as if he would be well in at the death. Terence made a gallant effort hut could not handle the heavy stuff over the concluding furlong, and was beaten into third place. When he tried to turn on the speed valve he got fairly hogged, and made little headway. FAULTED ONCE Those who pinned their faith to the square-gaited Peterwah, got a good run tor their money, and only for a bad break at one part of the journey the American-bred horse would have been much closer when the judge was reached. With a circuit traversed the andsome Gisborne representative was a move from the ruck, when he . hls feet, but settling down to his ask again gave a sound display. He

was still well back from the leaders at the home turn, but trotting faultlessly to the wire, secured the small end of the purse. FAVOURITE WELL BEATEN What of the favourite Machine Gun? He was well and truly beaten. Nicely placed over the earlier stages, Berry moved him into fourth berth passing the stand the second time, and his admirers were well satisfied with the prospects at this stage. At the halfmile post, however, the Australian-bred horse began to weaken and quickly faded out of the picture. Like some of the others the solid work in the heavy going probably told it stale, but the comparison on the day between the displav of Machine Gun and Terence Dillon'should set at rest any doubts existing as to the result of the Campbell Handicap on Saturday had the favourite not fallen. It is big odds that the public are now well satisfied that Terence Dillon is the better horse.