Zella Was Lucky In Final Heat

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 634, 10 April 1929, Page 13

Zella Was Lucky In Final Heat

FAREWELL AT TARANAKI WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN (By ABAYDOS.) Whether Carmel or Ngahuia would have won the Farewell Handicap on Saturday at New Plymouth, barring the interference, is an open question, but there is no denying the* fact that Zella, who finally got the stake, was the lucky competitor. \VHILE it was bad luck for backers of the Carmel- Trustworthy bracket in the Farewell Handicap at N’ew Plymouth on Saturday to get a setback from first to third place when 'ho former won, it would have been a greater slice of misfortune for supporters of Ngahuia if they had been denied any return at all on their outlay. The interference which cost Ngahuia the race in the final pinch and ultimately led to Carmel losing the stake after being placed first by >ihe judge, was noticeable to all watching the finish, and while it was certainly unintentional, the fact remained that the occurrence was expensive to Ngahuia’s supporters. The lucky one at the end was Zella, who, dodging the trouble, made straight for the judge, but Carmel, finishing Strongly, just headed her off at the box. while the unlucky Ngahuia was hammed into third berth. Stipendiary Steward R. T. Reid lost no time in holding an investigation, •which was of such a lengthy nature it was decided to Pay all dividends at night at the secretary'* office. When the decision was eventually arrived at, Carmel was Placed third and the other pair advanced a point. Owing to it being Proved that Claud Fairman did not interfere deliberately with Ngahuia, lie not penalised, any penalty falling on backers of Carmel. Just as to what the result would have been had interference not taken Dlacs will long be the subject of discussion. It is a difficult point to adjudicate, but “Abaydos” is of the opin°a that the run Ngahuia was putting m would have landed him a narrow 'vinner from Carmel. Of course, had |he latter kept a straight trek he may h *v* won. but one thing is certain, and lh *t is Zella would have been third

Outside the winner, Haviland gave the steadiest display in the Waitara Trot and with two seconds now to his credit he should not be long in winning a stake for owner Ted Cann. Wild Downs was a nuisance at times in both races, but bad breaks settled his prospects. He looked like paying a second divvy in the shorter heat, but galloped in the straight and hud to be content with third money. After a sorry exhibition in his first essay Carwood did better the second time and with a mile gone was sailing placidly along at the head of affairs and backers of favourites looked glum. Then he broke and that was the end of the penny section for Carwood. Altonbrook gave an improved exhibition in the Inglewood Trot, and if Leo Berkett could have kept him down in the final dash Norm Emms’s gelding might have beaten Mokanna. He should get a race before returning home. Kolmar was conceding the opposition a long start in the two mile, but he trotted faultlessly and was in third place at the post. Charlie Willetts has the Nelson Bingen trotter in great shape and he now trots solidly as well as fast. # Laurier showed speed in patches on Saturday and at a mile and a-half he looked a possibility, but left liis feet and fourth was the closest he could get to the judge. The Massey gelding trotted fairly steady, however, and his turn will come again. After being backed and beaten at Hawera the first day in 3.47 Ben Bingen made amends in his second essay by strolling home in 3.44. He went off right and that was the finish of it. Bon will tackle a longer journey at Wanganui, but he should be equal to the task. Audo Spray, stable mate to the muchdiscussed and boomed Ukulele Lady, has been one of the disappointments of the Easter circuit and he has cost his par tv some capital. He may do better at Wanganui, but it will be difficult for him to head off some of those who finished in front of him last week.