A.R.C. Spring Meeting Opens Successfully

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 171, 10 October 1927, Page 6

A.R.C. Spring Meeting Opens Successfully

Full Details of Thrilling Contests

STIRRING racing and a very large attendance, with a 25 per cent, increase in the totalisator turnover, was the cheering report of the successful opening of the spring meeting of the Auckland racing Club on Saturday.

THE Auckland Racing Club gave the splendid sum of £6,750 in stakes for the day, and theerfore it is all the more satisfactory to learn that the opening was such a huge success. The totalisator staff handled £69,821 10s, against £56,767 10s on the iirst day of the spring meeting eleven months ago, when the climatic conditions were the reverse of pleasant on the two days. The increase amounted to £13,054. There were eight races on each opening day. The course was in splendid order, a pleasing state of affairs upon which the racecourse manager and his staff are to be congratulated, in view of the fact that ten days prior to the meeting it was impossible to walk on the course proper. As is always expected of Ellerslie meetings, the management left nothing to be desired, the secretary, Mr. W. S. Spence, and his committee having all the arrangements in firstclass working order. Notes on the racing and details of later results follow: Branson at Last

Catkin was the only withdrawal from the first division of the Gordon Handicap, Branson, £1,119, being a good favourite, with fair support forthcoming for Wild Pigeon £1,055, Alonsoa £BO7, Wenday £636 and Restaurant £599. At the start, a good one, Wild Pigeon was the first to show out, being followed by Josie Melville, Branson, Nassock, Speechless. Daddy’s Girl and Killute, but running to the five furlongs Josie Melville was in the van, closely followed by Speechless, Wild Pigeon, Piet, Branson, Acushla, Wenday, Nassock and Te Tahi. So they raced past the half mile, but on the turn Nassock went ahead and showed the way into the straight from Speechless, Josie Melville, Piet, Branson, Acushla, Wild Pigeon, Te Tahi and Kiilute. At the distance Branson drew out, soon to be challenged by Wild Pigeon, and ridden out the favourite scored by a couple of lengths. Wild Pigeon was a length in front of Nassock, with Bold Front fourth. Next in order were Piet, Restaurant, Wenday, Alonsoa, Daddy’s Girl, Good Boy, Fiery Lad and Rahepoto. Paleta All the Way There were seven runners in the Great Northern Guineas, and Laughing Prince was installed a hot favourite, being entrusted with £2,937, against Great Charter’s £1,296 and the Dam-aris-Thaw’s bracket’s £1,035. It was a great race. Laughing Prince was first away, followed by Great Charter, Thaw, Paleta, Damaris, In the Shade and Catkin. Paleta did not take long to hit the front, and held sway past the five furlongs from Catkin, Laughing Prince, Damaris, In the Shade, Great Charter and Thaw. At the half mile Paleta was a length and ahalf clear of Catkin, with Damaris and Laughing Prince next. The leader was attended into the straight by Damaris, In the Shade, Great Charter, Catkin, Thaw and Laughing Prince, the field being in pretty close order. Paleta maintained his advantage, and holding off In the Shade over the last half furlong won by half a length. Thaw finished strongly a length and a-half away third, and Great Charter and Damaris were close up. Then came Laughing Prince, with Catkin a bad last. The winner paid a double figure dividend. The sectional times were: First furlong, 1.45; two furlongs, 25 2-5; three furlongs, 36; four furlongs, 48 4-5; and the first five furlongs, 1.1; the mile being cut out; in 1.39 4-5. AUSSIE BEATS PAGANELL! Sixteen came out for the Shorts Handicap, Paganelli £1,281, Kiosk £964, Aussie £B3l and Finelli £668 carrying most money. A brilliant start saw Finelli and Kipsk, on the inside positions, jump away into the lead, pursued by Master Doon, Ballymoy 11., Oration, Town Guard, Paganelli and Tinokoa, these comprising a bunch behind the pacemakers. Passing the half-mile Finelli was still making play, being followed by Paganelli, Kiosk, High Finance, Aussie, Ballymoy 11. and Town Guard. Aussie went roUnd the leaders and was first to turn for home from High Finance, and. Paganelli. with Kiosk, Town Guard, Grand Knight and Finelli. At the bottom of the straight High Finance was beaten, and Aussie and Paganelli came away, a fine finish between the pair resulting in favour of Aussie by a neck. Town Guard was a length and a-half away third, just in front of Kiosk. Then came Grand Knight, Ballymoy 11., Master Doon, Oration, High Finance, Tinokoa and Co vent Garden, with Serang last. Te Monanui’s Come-back The Mitchelson Cup was a fine race, and signalised the come-back of Te Monanui. Star Stranger was favourite

with £2,700 on his chance, being at a short price. Cohesion £1,103, Eden Hall £l,OBl, Royal Mint £964, Te Monanui £§97, and Desert Glow £842, were all fairly well supported. A good start saw Delightment,, Te Klara, Tresham and Star Stranger first to turn into the straight the first time. Delightment led past the post from Mask, Desert Glow, Star Stranger, Te Monanui, Eden Hall, Cohesion, Te Kara, Royal Mint, Tresham, Mint Leaf and Lord Star. At the six furlongs Delightment was still making play, attended by Transformer, with Desert Glow, Mask, Star Stranger, Cohesion, Te Monanui, Te Kara, Ecien Hall and Royal Mint following in order. There was no change among the leaders at the half mile, and Delightment and Transformer turned for home ahead of Desert Glow, Cohesion, Mask, Te Monanui, Eden Hall, Star Stranger and Mint Leaf. Delightment hung on in the run home, but at the furlong peg Mask and Te Monanui joined issue, the last pair fighting out a finish.. Te Monanui winning by half a length. Mask was a couple of lengths ahead of Delightment, who stuck on very -well. Next were Star Stranger, who was a neck behind Delightment, and Royal Mint. Desert Glow, Te Kara, Eden Hall. Mint Leaf, Cohesion and Transformer, with Tresham and Lord Star together last. Gleiridowie’s Easy Win Thirteen contested the Hunters’ Steeplechase, which revealed some good jumping until the field got on the hill the second time. Glendowie £1,764, Nukutere £1343, Mangani £976, and Sea Comet £764 carried

most money. At the double on the hill the first time Wiltshire was leading Mangani, Glendowie, Nukutere, Sea Comet, Nabob, Glenlight, Edifice, and Rafferty. Coming over the stand double there -was little separating Nukutere, Mangani, Glendowie and Wiltshire, with Sea Comet, Glenlight and Edifice following. Nukutere was in front of Mangani at the first fence on the hill the second time, and here Mangani fell, and Nabob, Glenlight and Town Hall also toppled over. Glendowie was first over the stonewall, and he and Wiltshire took the last fence on terms, with Nukutere, Sea Comet and Syndicate following. Once over, Glendowie, ridden a bit too confidently perhaps, won with ridiculous ease by half a length from Wiltshire, with Syndicate cutting Sea. Comet out of third place by two and a-half lengths. Nukutere and Rafferty were the only others to complete the course. A. Tricklebank, rider of Glenlight, appeared to be seriously hurt, and was brought back in the ambulance to receive medical attention. In the Hunters’ Steeplechase A. Tricklebank, the rider of Glenlight, was injured when his mount fell. Prince Humphrey Easily Fifteen saddled up for the Welcome Stakes, and in a big pool Knightlike was made favourite, being entrusted with £2,270, while Freehold carried £1,538. Others to be backed were the bracket Catonian —Prince Humphrey £1,246, and the Moehau —Orewa pair £940. At the start, Avoncourt, Freehold, Knightlike and Orewa were in the front division, with Catonian, Prince Humphrey, and Envoy. Chit moved up, round the bend, and was first into the straight from Orewa and Knightlike, little between this trio, with Avoncourt, Prince Humphrey, Freehold and Moehau following. At the distance Knightlike and Orewa were being ridden, and then Prince Humphrey came through. The last-named finished too fast for the opposition, and went on to score comfortably by two and a half lengths from Freehold, who was three par.ts of a length in front of Prodice, who came from the rear. Knightlike was fourth, and next to finish were Orewa, Chit, Catonian, Avoncourt, Moehau, Armenia, Volimond and Second Wind. Promising Hack Star God £2,166, Romford £1,229, War Officer £1,049 and Manly £982 were the best backed in the second division of the Gordon Handicap. Lady Robinson turned round when the tapes went up, and took no part in the race. Baby Bun went out best from Romantic, Manly, Romford, Respirator, Wyoming, War Officer and Brampton. At the five furlongs Manly was piloting the way to Ash Tray, Romford, Respirator, War Officer, Baby Bun, Wyoming, Brampton, Star God and Romantic. Manly held his position at the home turn, where he was still accompanied by Ash Tray, with Romford, Respirator, Baby Bun, Arch Queen, Wyoming:, War Officer and Brampton following in that order. At the distance Romford took command, and although challenged warmly by Baby Bun, the former won by a neck. Manly was two lengths away third, and the next to cross the line were Respiuator, War Officer, Arch Queen, Ash Tray, Brampton, Star God, Wyoming and Romantic. HIPO’S FLYING There were five defections from the Flying Handicap, and the most money came for Day Guard £1,844, Civility

£1,674, King Lu £1,363, and Sir Archie £9lB. The leading bunch early was King Lu, Hipo, Value and Day Guard. Passing the five-furlong post Hipo and Sir Archie were together, followed by Value, Day Guard, Gala Day, Master Doon, King Lu, Ruanui, Civility and Archeno. There was little change further on and Hipo led Sir Archie into the straight, with Value, Gala Day, Civility, Mastcsr Doon, Day Guard and Archeno following. As soon as they straightened up Sir Archie and Hipo got together again and in a great finish between the pair Hipo got the verdict by half a head. Archeno was three lengths away third, and the next to finish were Gala Day, Value, Civility, Day Guard, High Pitch, Sleepy Sol, Thursby, Golden Krist and Master Doon. WELCOME STAKES Of £1,000; 5 furlongs 3 PRINCE HUMPHREY (C. G. Macindoe), b g, by Duke Humphrey— Shepherd Princess, 2yrs, 8.5, T. Green 1 .2—FREEHOLD (W. McA Duncan), ch g, by Absurd—Tahua, 2yrs, 8.5, L. G. Morris 2 5 PRODICE (F. E. Loomb), b f, by Catmint—Hyades, 2yrs, 8.0, H. Lee 3 Also started:— 1— Knightlike, 8.5, R. Reed 4 4 Orewa, 8.0, E. Keesing 5 6 Chit, 8.0, R. McTavish 6 3 Catonian, 8.5, E. Tuohey 7' 11— Avon Court, 8.0, L. Marison .... 8 4 Moehau, 8.0, E. Ludlow .. .. .. 9 13—Armenia, 8.0, W. H. Jones .. .. iO 7 Volimond, 8.0, H. Wiggins .. ..11 8— Second ’Wind, 8.5, D. Morris •• .. 12 10— Envoy, 8.5, J. Cammick .... 0 12— Perception, 8.5, A. Tinker 0 9 Shot Silk, 8.5, E. Ridgwav 0 (Winner trained by J. T. Jamieson, Papakura.) Won by two and a-half lengths, threequarters of a length between second and third. Time, 1.3 1-5. GORDON HANDICAP (Second Division.) Of £325; 1 mile. 2 ROMFORD (H. S. Wj’att), ch g, by Nassau—Fallwin, 4yrs, 7.7, Foster -j 11— BUN (H. B. Philcox), br m, by Some Boy ll—Bonny Doreen, 4yrs, 7.3, H. Wiggins 2 4 MANLY (C. A. and L. B. Arnold), br g, by Archiestown—Ladv Glad- . stone, syrs, 8.8, R. McTavish .... 3 Also started:— 10 —Respirator, 7.2, J. Cammick .... 4 3 War Officer, 8.0, S. Henderson .... 5 7 Arch Queen, 7.0, Davis 6 13— Ash Tray, 7.0, E. Lee 7 12— Brampton, 7.1, Davey 8 I—Star God, 7.0, W. H. Jones 9 8— Star Comet, 7.3, C. Goulsboro .. 10 9 Wyoming, 7.0, R. Reilly il 5 Romantic, 8.5, L. G. Morris .. .. 12 14 —Slump, 7.0, Bound 13 15—Royal March, 7.0, E. Tuohey .. .. 14 6 Lady Robinson, 7.5, Akersten, left at post. (Winner trained by W. M. Douglas Jn., at Cambridge.) Won by a head, two lengths separating second and third placed horses. Time, 1.42 3-5. FLYING HANDICAP Of £600; 7 fdrlongs 13 — HIPO (E. George), blk g, by Potoa

the back Catkin rolled over on him, but the favourite suffered very little. That was what Laughing Prince’s rider said when questioned about it. HORSE OF MOODS? A couple of mornings before the racing commenced Laughing Prince moved very slovenly over half a mile. At the start of the Guineas he was hard ridden out of the barrier, to such effect that in quick time he was a length ahead of the others. Then, after hitting the front he was dropped in behind, and there he stayed, although he was not so far back that he could not have won had he been good enough. He was last into the straight, but even then he had a show, for Thaw, a shade in front of him, eventually got up third. Laughing Prince simply couldn’t go, and at the end Catkin was the only horse behind him. Obviously it was not the Quantock colt’s true form. HELD HIS OWN Paleta very nearly led all the way. With Catkin, he appeared to dwell slightly at the start, but the pair of them were soon on their way just behind the bunch. Inside a furlong Paleta was up with the leaders, and he then took up the running on the rails, and stayed there. He was going easily crossing the top and coming round the bend, and those who had seen him race before considered him a good thing. So it proved, for although he was hotly challenged in the straight he held his own, and was going as well as the second horse when they passed the judge. BACKERS' FORGETFULNESS It was a fine effort on Paleta’s part, and the surprising feature about his success was the fact that the Leighton colt was the outsider of the field, and gave a nice double-figure return. As a two-year-old Paleta had better performances than any of those that opposed him on Saturday. He met Laughing Prince once, at Trentham, and then beat him comfortably at almost level weights, both carrying over nine stone. To run out a solid mile as Paleta did on Saturday stamps him as a fine three-year-old, and his success throws a rather different complexion on the classic events to follow. He is the first Leighton to win over a mile, and it now remains to be seen if he can stay the Derby course. Perhaps we shall be given the chance to see later on. FINISHED STRONGLY As anticipated In the Shade proved himself a much better horse on top of the ground. He threw out a determined challenge to Paleta a furlong from home, and that he ran the winner to half a length indicates that the Australian youngster is going to come good this season. He, too, might prove ?. Derby possibility. The third horse, Thaw, finished very strongly, better than anything else in the race, and as stated earlier in the season there seems little doubt but that he will be a force to be reckoned with when the Great Northern Derby comes up for decision on New Year’s Day, January 2 to be precise. He came from the rear with a fine burst. A CHANCE LOST Great Charter was expected to go better on the improved going, but he was disapointing, fourth being his portion. Damaris did not do so well as her stable companion, and her trainer was very disappointed with her showing. She moved up into second position three furlongs from home, and it looked as if she was a distinct possibility. However, once she hit the straight she was all at sea, her rather extravagant action being no doubt responsible. At the finish Damaris was half a length behind Great Charter and three and a-half lengths from the winner. Laughing Prince was another couple of lengths away, and Catkin a bad last—outclassed. Why the lastnamed was not sent for the opening hack event, in which he had an undeniable chance;, is a puzzle. ' FAST PACE SET The pace was on all the way, as the following comparison of the sectional times shows. The figures in parentheses are the sectional times registered

in the previous event, the Gordon Handicap, first division: First furlong, 14 1-5 (14 2-5); two furlongs, 25 2-5 (25); three furlongs, 36 (37); four furlongs, 48 4-5 (50); five furlongs, 1.1 (1.2 4-5); mile, 1.39 4-5 (1.41 3-5). The second division of the Gordon Handicap five races after the Guineas, took 1.42 3-5. The sectional times in the Guineas were supplied by the official timekeeper, Mr. J. K. Douglas.