Good Racing

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 259, 23 January 1928, Page 12

Good Racing

DAY AT NGARUAWAHIA Successful Day’s Sport STAR COMET’S POPULAR VICTORY IF competent management and ability to run a race meeting with the greatest possible degree of success was all that was required to ensure the allotment of a totalisator permit, then the Ngaruawahia Club would not be waiting long to hear the bells of the machine tinkling on-their fine country course.

T>Y NOON a large crowd had collected to witness the good sport promised by the progressive club and to enjoy the popular fixture, which was held under ideal climatic conditions. The track is all that has been claimed for it—and more—and since the improvements have been effected it can lay claim to being one of the best found in any country district. In fact, with a few more improvements, which the live-wire executive of the club has in view, in the event of a “tote” permit coming to hand in a future shuffle, the Ngaruawahia racing track would be equal to anything in the Dominion. The course, since being extended, is a nine-furlong one, with a long straight which is almost

three furlongs in length. Elevated portions on either side of the track give * spectators a splendid view of the proceedings, and when the club finds it expedient to erect necessary appointments there will not be a great outlay in preparing sloping lawns and terraces. EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT The management of the meeting was par excellence, team work —so essential and yet so often lacking where bigger fixtures are concerned —being an outstanding feature of the general arrangements. Every man was at his post and attended to the duties pertaining to the particular office with alacrity and ability. Both the patron, Mr. A. H. Waring, and the president, Mr. A. Sutherland, carried out their duties in a most commendable and hospitable manner. In entertaining the visiting pressmen to luncheon, the president was assisted by Mrs. Sutherland, who made a charming hostess. The secretary, Mr. A. B. Jones, proved his right man in the right place, and had every detail at his finger tips,* Mr. A. Paterson, the starter, had a successful day, and many of his dispatches would have evoked rounds of applause on metropolitan courses. The judge, Mr. T. A. Taugney, gave his decisions with a correctness, and promptness that earned the commendation of the large assemblage. The racing was splendid throughout, close finishes being a tribute to the work.of the handicappers, Messrs. F. McManemin (galloping) and C. Gooseman (trotting). The track was in capital order, as was plainly indicated by the times. To further add to the enjoyment of the successful function, the Ngaruawahia Municipal Silver Band, under the conductorship of Mr. Geo. Large, contributed an appreciable programme of high-class selections. BRIGHT COMET OPENS THE BALL A good-sized field of 15 went to the post for the initial event, the Trial Handicap, and starter Paterson got the bunch away in good style. Sulla was the first to show out, followed by Bright Comet, Coma. Nation and Cometary. The latter was in second place at the turn for home, with Sulla still making play, but half-way down the running Bright Comet put in her claim and, finishing strongly, won by a length and a-half from Sulla, with Coma a similar distance away third. Then followed Cometary, Waimarie, Billy Boy and Arch Lady. EASY FOR STAR COMET

The scratching of Day Guard, Muscari and Haurua reduced the competitors in the Publicans’ Purse to four. Star Comet was generally expected to win, but many held that Captain Cobham would extend the Day Comet gelding. The Hannon representative, however, did not relish the hard track, and gave an indifferent display; finishing last. Hakanoa was out in front with Star Comet to the home turn, where Catclaw moved up handy. Once straightened up, young Brady sent Star Comet along, and he

outpaced the opposition, winning by three lengths from Catclaw, with. Hakanoa one and a-half lengths away third* ABBESS WINS NICELY The scratching pen was freely used in the Raglan Handicap, seven being withdrawn, but a similar number went to the post. The race proved an exciting duel between Abbess and Rangi Kokiri, while Sulla, who was expected to make the finish interesting, lost her rider just after the start. Rangi Kokiri and Abbess raced together for half the distance, the latter having a slight advantage at the bend, with Billy Boy and Cometary doing the next best. Rangi Kokiri tackled Abbess at the distance, but in a slashing finish the latter hung on to get a long-neck decision, Billy Boy being three lengths away third, followed by Cometary, Nation and Arch Lady. POPULAR WIN IN CUP Bay Guard, Macroom, Regent and Greekson were the late withdrawals from the Ngaruawahia Cup, leaving four to battle for supremacy and the handsome and valuable silver cup so generously donated by Messrs. Grant and Miller. Muscari was the first to show in front, and led past the stand from Rarangi, Star Comet and Catclaw. Along the back Rarangi dashed away with a good lead, but crossing the top Star Comet joined issue and led into the straight, going on to win nicely by a length from Rarangi, who was twice distance in front of Catclaw, with Muscari beaten off. The winner was well handled by P. Brady, son of Star Comet’s trainer, Phil Brady. The Bay Comet gelding is owned by Mr. W. Cook, and the win was a popular one. RANGI KOKIRI AND RANGI THOMPSON Rangi Kokiri, who had the services of Rangi Thompson, was expected by good judges to prove equal to downing Bright Comet, who was raised 51b, in the Tradesman’s Hack, and he duly fulfilled expectations, after a splendid race. Bright Comet was the early leader, but at the end of half a mile

the Rangi combination was in the van, leading round the home turn from Golden Comet, Master Roley, Coma and Bright Comet. In the run to the judge the latter made a big effort, but failed by a length to reach Rangi Kokiri. Coma was a similar distance away third, Waimarie, Master Roley and Golden Comet being the next to cross the line. ABBESS DEFEATS DAY GUARD Five withdrawals left seven starters in the Flying Handicap, Bay Guard, who had been reserved for this heat, being looked upon as a moral. He was, however, unable with his 10.6 burden to silence Abbess, who carried 8.8, having incurred a 51b penalty. Sulla was the quickest to begin, and led the field at a merry clip to the turn, where she had enough. Rarangi and Abbess were at the head of the remainder, and when Sulla weakened, this pair led into the straight, followed by Liona and Bay Guard. The latter put out a strong challenge, but Abbess finished gamely anpd had a half-length advantage at the box, Rarangi being a neck away third. Then came Wiltshire, Liona, Sulla and Catclaw.

NGARUAWAHIA CUP TN presenting the handsome cup to Mr. W. Cook, owner of Star Comet, on Saturday, Mr. A. Sutherland, in a happy speech, said they were all pleased to see the success achieved by Mr. Cook, who for the last 20 years had assisted the Ngaruawahia Racing Club. He was one of the old school of sportsmen, and always willing to give any help, said Mr. Sutherland. Last year a walk-over had been averted by the enthusiasm of Mr. Cook, who not only started a horse himself, but induced two others to do likewise, and a good race resulted. The president also congratulated trainer Brady on the success of Star Comet, paying a tribute to his son for the manner in which he steered the horse to victory. After referring in appreciative terms to the donors, Messrs. Grant and Miller, the trophy was handed over amid cheers for all concerned.

A POPULAR WIN TN accepting the valuable silver cup on Saturday from President Sutherland, the recipient, Mr. W. Cook, said old and all as he was he would sooner have ridden the winner than made a speech. “I have been trying to win a cup for a long time,” said the owner of Star Comet, “and feel just as proud to win the Ngaruawahia Cup to-day as I would an Auckland Cup.” Concluding Mr. Cook congratulated the club on its fine fixture, wished it future success and promised a continuance of his support at all times.