Great Delight's Splendid Form

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 643, 20 April 1929, Page 11

Great Delight's Splendid Form

CAPTURES TWO SILVER TROPHIES ADAMS GOLD CUP IN SIGHT Each season is responsible for a ‘‘find’’ among the light-harness competitors on the TaranakiWanganui circuit, and the functions just concluded at Hawera, New Plymouth and Wanganui have proved no exception to the general rule, Great Delight being the particular bright star on this occasion. Great Delight is a six-year-old chestnut gelding by Kea Dillon from a Paraita mare, owned by the Manawatu sportswoman, Mrs. R. M. Beatty, and trained by H. Garnett at Ash hurst. Pie is a compact customer, built on good lines, and was produced at the Easter carnivals in excellent condition by his trainer, who also drove the gelding in his various races with excellent judgment. The Kea Dillon representative first came into prominence at the Wanganui fixture 12 months ago, where he ran second to Peter Pirate in a novice heat, clipping quite a lot of time off his handicap. At Hawera he ran a couple of sound races, and again at New Plymouth returned his few admirers a big second dividend. This season Great Delight attracted attention by capturing a stake at the South Wairarapa Christmas fixture, but it was not till the Hawera Easter meeting was in full swing that the Ashhurst-trained pacer began to show marked improvement. Good Effort at Hawera In the opening heat of the carnival he was noticed flying into fourth berth after being well back over the earlier stages, and later id the day Harry Garnett looked sure to win the slow two-mile with his charge, but a bad break at a critical moment sent him right back from the leading position to finish out of a place. On the second day the public made Great Delight a good favourite for the Trial Handicap, but he . did not go evenly, and failed to get a situation. Backers have often times a very short piemory, and when the son of Kea Dillon was harnessed up for the final event—a two-mile go—five other runners were preferred to him. However, Great Delight proved too good for the opposition, and he handsomely defeated a field that included Arachne, Wakefield, Hostess, Native Hero, Te Wahia and Lightfoot, reeling off the

16 furlongs in 4.43 from a 4.50 mark, and returning his supporters a price that was in the vicinity of double figures. Two Cups in Quick Succession Being placed on the front of the Taranaki Cup—4.44 class—the Ashhurst pacer looked to have a good chance of success, and with. the scratching of Derby Lynn it was thought in certain circles that H. Garnett would again lead the field home. When the machine closed the Kea Dillon gelding was at a false price, and home he rolled to pay another remunerative price—this time reaching double figures. For this effort he was only required to register his handicap, 4.44. After this success Great Delight was brought back in the Wanganui Cup from 48yds to 72yds, this placing him on 4.42 —and still giving Garnett’s charge a fine chance of completing the hat trick. On this occasion the pacer was third choice in the betting, but with such parcels for Regime and Hostess, the favourites. Great Delight was enabled to pay another good dividend. To secure the stake Harry Garnett had to drive his pacer past the post in 4.37 2-5 —a splendid go. Having captured three on end, the handicapper decided to give him a big task on the final day, and the dual cup winner was placed on 4.39—being 108 yds behind the limit contingent. The back-marker, who was made favourite, put up a sound effort, finishing in fifth berth, and as the winner, Native Hero, tramped 4.42 from the front line, Great Delight would have required to put up the remarkable go of 4.32 to capture the thick end of the purse. As it was he traversed the distance round about 4.35—a truly fine performance on a track that was not over fast. Future Programme There is no doubt that Kea Dillon’s son will continue on his upward march, and in future he will be found racing in higher society. Trainer Garnett informed “Abaydos" after the Wanganui fixture that the chestnut’s next outing would be at Alexandra Park in June, and he will add interest to any event that he is asked to contest. While it is yet two months till the flags will be unfurled at Epsom, the writer will not be in the least surprised to see the sturdy pacer playing a prominent part in the Adams Memorial Cup. Mrs. Beatty received a silver cup at New Plymouth and Wanganui, and she will be a proud owner indeed if Great Delight can add the handsome Adams Gold Cup to his season’s trophies.

Broadcasting Despite the lessons being learned in Australia, in regard to the manner in which broadcasting of racing has adversely affected the finance of clubs, and the obvious appertains also in New Zealand, it is surprising to learn that some members of clubs are still in favour of the broadcaster being permitted, comments “Vedette.” So far as can be learned, however, the agitation is restricted to Taranaki, from which province some extraordinary ideas on racing emanate at times. A meeting of the committee of the Waverley Club was held last week. The Egmont Racing Club wrote asking for the club’s support regarding the remit to the Racing Conference: “That radio broadcasting of results from the racecourse be permitted.” After a good deal of discussion on the matter, favourable and otherwise, Mr. C. Honeyfield moved that the club support the remit. On a show of hands Mr. Honeyfield’s motion was carried.