Pink Coat Puts Up Good Effort

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 597, 25 February 1929, Page 6

Pink Coat Puts Up Good Effort

PRAISE FOR SMART YOUNGSTER HOW RAPIER WAS BEATEN (Special to THE SUN) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The Canterbury Jockey Club held its mid-summer meeting at Riccarton today in good weather and before a large crowd. The track was in good order and some fast times were recorded. The totalisator handled £20,495, an increase of £450. Hornby Handicap Trainer F. P. Claridge secured the services of the North Island horseman, T. Green, for Evening in the Hornby Handicap, and the Day Comet mare thus had to carry a 71b penalty, as Green has not qualified over hurdles. Evening won impressively. She was one of the smartest to begin, and in the early stages was out with Aberfeldy making the pace. Turning for home she appeared to be going very comfortably, and it was very obvious that she would take a lot of catching. But when the hot favourite, Toawai, commenced a smart run at the distance his backers were on good terms with themselves. However. Evening held her advantage to the judge and lasted long enough to beat Toawai by a long neck. The Northerner, Ripdale, who was. brought South on Friday specially for the race, was close up t<hird, and Waterlow, a stablemate to Evening, finished fourth. During the first six furlongs there was a lot of scrimmaging for positions and several of the runners suffered interference. Star Raid was bumped near the five furlongs and this cost him whatever chance he had. Toawai also was stopped a couple of times on the journey, but he finished very gamely under pressure in the straight. When Zeuxis came into the picture at. the home turn it looked as if he was going to be dangerous, but he came to the end of his run a little farther on and was beaten out of a place. Trial Stakes

Chide registered a high-class performance when he annexed the Trial Stakes. He lost several lengths at the barrier, and with two furlongs covered was tailed off last, but approaching the half-mile post he put in a great run on the outside and by the time the straight was reached he had the measure of the opposition. Solgele, on whom A. E. Ellis had the mount, was in the van turning for home, but Chide quickly headed the Solferino gelding a furlong from the post and came on to win easing up. It was a performance of rare merit on the part of the hot favourite, who was going faster than everything else almost all the way. The Viscount, who had been galloping well on the track, finished well and with the improvement that is expected of him from now on till the spring he may yet live up to liis high breeding. Solgele showed his usual burst of speed, but tired over the last hundred yards. Sea Raid was the best of the others. Middle Park Plate Pink Coat retained his unbeaten certificate when he brilliantly won the Middle Park Plate from the three-year-old Goblin Market. The Hunting Song youngster began fastest, and with a furlong covered he and Gobiin

Market were going away from Rigmarole, who was followed by Comique and Stately. Entering the straight Goblin Market was just in front of the favourite, but both were going comfortably, and it was very apparent that they would have the finish to themselves. The pair were together at the false rail, but a little farther on Goblin Market was being ridden. Goblin Market and Pink Coat had a great fight over the last bit, but Pink Coat wore down his older rival and in an exciting finish got the judge’s verdict by a long neck. Rigmarole was three lengths farther back third, and then followed Bonrose and Stately. The latter got on to the heels of another runner at the top of the straight and narrowly escaped falling. It was a high-class performance by Pink Coat and he received an ovation on his return to the enclosure. To date he has succeeded in his three attempts in public, and the way he disposed of his field to-day left little doubt concerning his galloping prowess. When Goblin Market appeared to draw away slightly with a furlong to go the colt responded with great gameness and his finishing run impressed astute judges. Undoubtedly he is a Derby colt in the making, and if all continues to go well with him from now on he is sure to be the winter favourite for the New Zealand Derby, especially as Honour will be in Sydney in the spring. It is interesting to note that Pink Coat’s first registered name was Red Coat, but it was changed before lie raced. Midsummer Handicap

Rapier was a hot favourite for the Midsummer Handicap, but after looking a winner with 50 yards to go he failed, to shake off the lightly-weighted Beau Geste, who gained the verdict on the post by a nose. Still, the Greyspear horse put up a great performance to concede weight all round nad then succumb only in the last stride. Pride essayed to lead throughout, and with Prickles she led into the straight. Bagby, who was riding a patient race on Rapier, shot the Greyspear horse through at the false rail and in no time lie had headed his field. Inside the distance, however, Beau Geste came fast on the outer, and in a great finish just managed to defeat the topweight. Bagby gave a masterly display of horsemanship on Rapier He had the favourite in a good position throughout and made his run at the right time, but at the weight Beau Geste proved the better. Rapier is still susceptible to a good deal of improvement, and he should be cherry ripe for the Trentham Gold Cup next month. Beau Geste ran much better than at Wingatui last week. Apparently he thrives on racing, but with a Jess vigorous rider than L. J. Ellis lie would not have pulled his backers through. Lyttelton Plate Juniper, who carried the of Mr. George Gould, the chairman of the Canterbury Jockey Club, scored a popular victory in the Lyttelton Plate and returned his supporters a very appreciable dividend. Entering the course proper he was in the van with Courtlike, and this pair had the finish to themselves. Over the last furlong Juniper bore out under pressure and carried Courtlike out with him, but the Riccarton-trained gelding finished well over the last 100yds, and got the

verdict by half a length from the favourite, Courtlike. Straightcourse, having his first run, performed impressively to gain third place. Desert Song and Jaleux both finished strongly over the last furlong, while Belcaire was also running on at the finish. Craven Plate Meadow Lark, with C. Emerson in the saddle, was a pronounced favourite for the Craven Plate, but after having every show he went down to an outsider in Arrowmir. The latter was sixth favourite, but lie was fancied in the right quarter. He had accom-

plished fast gallops earlier in die week, but it was thought that he was not far enough advanced in condition to win. Soon after the start lie ran past Meadow Lark and led into the straight from the favourite, Gold Brick and Sudden Storm. At the furlong post he was still in charge, and though he was stopping slightly at the end he hung on long enough to gain the judge’s verdict by a head. Arrowmir races in the ownership of Mr. J. Beale, who was a well-known jockey at Riccarton a few years ago.

Silver Coot finished strongly in third place, and of the others First Raid and Gold Brick did best. Halswell Handicap Great Star was a firm favourite for the Halswell Handicap. He was always in a leading position, and though challenged strongly over the concluding stages by Arch Arrow he hung on gamely to win by half a length. Paper Boy came with a fast run and gained third place, and of the others Starshooter did best.

Following are the results; Hornby Handicap, of £200; 9 fur.—6 Evensong, 9.9, T. Green, 1; 1 Toawai, 10.6, A. E. Ellis, 2; 7 Ripdale, 9.1, P. MeBrearty, 3. Also: 3 0 Aberfeldy, 3 0.6; 2 w, 10.2: 4 Zeuxis, 9jTO; 9 Guncase, 9.3; 3 Star Raid, 9.7; 13 Lady Clarenceux, o 5 Queen, 9.12; 12 Prompter, 9.8; 8 Killaddie, 9.0; 3 1 Wrigley, 9 0 Won by half a length, with three-quarters of a length between second and third. Time,

Trial Stakes, of £200; 7 fur.—l Chicle, 8.0, A. Eastwood, 3 ; 5 The Viscount, 8.0, W. Pascoe, 2; 2 Solgelle, 8.5. A. E. Ellis, 3. Also: 4 Arch Arrow, 8.5; 6 Roval Chiron, 8.5; 7 Pledge, 7.11; 2 Sea Raid, 7.11. Won by two lengths, with a similar

distance between second and third. Time, 1.26 3-5.

MIDDLE PARK PLATE Of £400; two and three-year-olds; C fur. 1 PINK COAT, 8.2, L. J. Ellis . 1 2—GOBLIN MARKET, 9.0, A. E. Ellis 2 2 RIGMAROLE, 8.1, T. Green .... 3 Also started: 4 Bonrose, 8.2; 5 Semper Paratus. 7.2; 3 Stately, 6.13; 6 Comique, 6.13. Won by a neck, with three lengths between second and third. Time, 1.12. MIDSUMMER HANDICAP Of £350; li miles. 3 BEAU GESTE, 7.11, L. J. Ellis . . 1 I—RAPIER, 9.9, R. S. Bagby 2 4 PRIDE, 7.2, R. Hensliaw 3 Also started: 6 Count flavour, 8,6; 2 Battle Colours, 8.5; 5 Prickles, 7.0. Won by half a head, with three lengths between second and third. Time, 2.5. Lyttelton Plate, of £200; for two-year-olds; 5 fur.—6 Juniper, 7.3, A. Messervy, 1; 1 Courtlike, 7.10, T. Green, 2; 8 Straight Course, 7.3, R. McCann, 3. Also: 2 Belcaire, 7.9, and Tarazana, 7.5 (bracketed); 3 Desert Song, 7.9; 4 Jaleux, 7.3; 7 Arrowshield, 7.3; 5 Arrowhead, 7.3; 9 Miss Niglitraid, 7.0. Won by a neck, with two lengths between second and third. Time, 1.0 2-5. Craven Plate, of £250; 7 fur.— 6 Arrowmir, 7.0, R. Coveny, 1; i Meadow Lark. 8.10, C. Emerson, 2; 7 Silver Coot, 7.0, K. Voitre, 3. Also: 2 Papercliase, 8.3; 4 Sudden Storm. 7.5; 8 Haze, 7.4; 5 Gold Brick, 7.8; 3 First Raid, 7.0. Won by a neck, with three-quarters of a length between second and third. Time, 1.26. Halswell Handicap, of £200: 6 fur.—l Great Star, 8.3, R. J. Rickerby, I; 10 Arch Arrow, 7.0, Jv. Voitre, 2; 8 Paper Boy, 8.8, W. Pascoe, 3. Also: 4 Philippic, 8.11; 5 Starshooter, 7.12; 3 Impertinence, 7.12; 7 Grey Finch, 7.7; 12 Skyquest, 7.9; 2 Phastar, 7.7; 6 Atone, 7.0; 13 Star Stranger 11., 7.0; 17 Prompter, 7.0; 9 Diseordia, 7.3; 34 Mentone, 7.0: 11 Pahautanui, 7.0; 14 Hounslow, 7.2; 16 Money Bag, 7.0. Won by half a length, with three-quarters of a length between second and third. Time, 3.12 1-5. Post Handicap, of £200; 1 mile.—4 Buoyant, 8.3, C. Emerson, 3; 3 Amor, 8.12, W. Pascoe, 2; 2 Paquito, 7.8, J. Olive, 3. Also: 1 Full Feather, 9.2; 7 Nincompoop, 8.11; 6 Gold Brick, 8.9; S Pangolin, 7.9. Won by a neck, with half a length between second and third. Time, 1.40.

GESTO A WINNER RACING AT ROSEHILL (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) SYDNEY, Sunday. At the Rosehill meeting yesterday the New Zealand-bred gelding Gesto scored a victory for his new owner. The following are the details of tlie race:— FLYING WELTER HANDICAP, Of £200; 7 fur. GESTO (J. Tylden), ch g, 3yrs, by Lord Quex —Queen Lizzie, 9.7 . . 1 CHUQUISCA, 8.7 2 BROADCASTER, 8.9 3 Fourteen started. Gesto won by two and a-half lengths, three lengths between second and third. Time, 1.27.

Superstitious Jockeys Superstition goes a long way with some sporting men. Trainers there are who will not permit a photograph of a horse to be taken before a race, and having such things in a stable as cats and goats as mascots is quite common. There was a case in South Australia in which a black cat played a leading part in the early career of Stand By, and it would have been death to anybody who had the temerity to do anything to that cat. Bob Lewis has his superstitions. It is said of him that lie would walk two blocks to escape a Chinaman, and an open knife is a sort of bete noir. Lewis regards canaries as an ill omen. While in Adelaide in the winter, Lewis paid a visit to W. J. Nolan’s stable, which at the time was unlucky. After inspecting the horses, the visiting horseman caught sight of an aviary of canrMes, of which Nolan was justly proud. '‘You won’t have much luck while they are about your house," remarked Lewis to Mrs. Nolan. Those canaries soon found different owners, and by a strange coincidence Nolan’s luck changed. He won seven or eight races, one of which was the Port Adelaide Cup, with Some Quality. It was rather strange, too, that Lewis gave Nolan a new surcingle for a Christmas Box, and Some Quality carried it the day she won the Cup.