Close Finishes

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 787, 7 October 1929, Page 12

Close Finishes

Thrilling Tussles at Ellerslie Spring Meeting Successfully Launched STIRRING contests were witnessed by a large crowd of spectators at Ellerslie on Saturday, the weather beingglorious and the course in great order for the opening of the Auckland Racing Club’s spring meeting. There were several very close finishes to thrill the crowd, and with the totalisator turnover showing a substantial increase, the first day’s sport could be regarded as most successful in every respect.

Easily the most popular victory of the day was that of Eaglet in the Great Northern Guineas, the success meeting with a flattering reception. She defeated Pink Coat comfortably, although the latter was made a lot of use of. Hunting Cry was third, but he was well back. Mr. F. Earl came in for hearty congratulations on the success of his splendid filly, as did trainer J. T. Jamieson and jockey H. Goldfinch.

Royal Ruler won the Welcome Stakes in handsome style, finishing very strongly over the last furlong. Chief Link and Imamint were second and third respectively, with the former a likely improver. Royal Ruler is owned by the popular Auckland sportsman, Mr. B. Hart, and is trained at Te Aw am ut u by W. Stone. The gelding was ridden by the successful lightweight apprentice, K. Voitre. Historic registered a splendid performance in the Mitchelson Cup, which he won strictly on his merits, although Star Stranger might have made it harder had he got a clearer run in the straight, where Piuthair also received a check. Historic carried 9.7, and the way he handled that big impost was impressive. The sprint provided a very thrilling finish, Lady’s Boy winning narrowly from a big outsider in Takutama. Mr. W. S. Spence had able control of the arrangements for the meeting, and there were no untoward events to mar the sport. The course and grounds were looking a picture, a. fact upon which the manager, Mr. A. J. Hill, is to be congratulated. Speculation was brisk, the totalisator handling £63.365. against £53,770, an increase of £9,595. Trial Hurdles A fine field contested the Trial Hurdles for which Golden Wedding £1.09S was a warm favourite, with Lady Spalpeen £616 and Cybele £561 best backed of the remainder, There was a big turn up, Catonian, making his first appearance as a hurdler, winning easily and paying a dividend of nearly half a century, there being only £6o£ invested on him. The Lamb led from a poor start and crashed at the first fence, Cybele. Te Kavyana, Ah Wera, Harbour View and Sir Archie coming down also in the bad mix-up that followed. Catonian led past the stands from Master Boon, Farndon. Waltzer, Golden Wedding, Gold Rep, Star of the East, and Lady Spalpeen. Golden Wedding made a forward move along tiie back only to lose her rider at the five furlongs fence. Catonian led across the top and into the straight, where he held an advantage of eight lengths over Lady Spalpeen and Waltzer, with Farndon, Star of the East and Gold Rep following. Catonian had no difficulty in holding bis own. finally winning by four lengths from Lady Spalpeen, with Gold Rep, Waltzer and Star of the East bunched a dozen lengths back. Master Doon, Adjuster and Sleepy Sol, followed at intervals. Great Northern Guineas The Great Northern Guineas provided a thrilling finish between Eaglet and Pink Coat, the former winning by half a length, with the others outclassed, Pink Coat £2,977 and Eaglet £2,333 monopolised the betting, with Hunting Cry £1,078 at the head of the other quotations. False Scent was left four lengths at the start. Leader and Eaglet going out fast from Pink Coat, Hunting Cry, Imperial Prince and Carl Idem. Passing the six furlongs, Pink Coat had run up to Leader, this pair being clear of Eaglet and Hunting Cry. with Imperial Prince at the head of the others. Crossing the top Pink Coat and Leader were still in the van. with Eaglet four lengths back and Flying Prince, Hunting Cry and False Scent following. Eaglet was closing on the pacemakers at the home turn. where she was within two lengths of them, Flying Prince, Hunting Cry and False Scent being next. Eaglet ran up to the leaders as soon as they straightened up, and Leader was the first to give in. Then Eaglet got to the front, and although Pink Coat made a desperate attempt to draw level he went under by half a length. Hunting Cry was seven lengths back in third place, and Leader was fourth. Then came Flying Prince, False Scent, Imperial Prince and Carl Idem in that order. The pace was on throughout, the first two furlongs being cut out in 25 1-5, the half mile in 49 1-5, and the mile in 1.38 3-5, a record for the race, beating Thespian’s 1.38 4-5. Shorts Handicap Lady Quex (£1,179) and Awarere ( £1,043 ) were the best backed in the Shorts Handicap, in which an uneven ! dispatch was recorded, Value, Haver- ! ing and Billikins being slow to move. KLingfield led out from High Finance, Vallar, Lady’s Boy, Awarere, Polyxena, Te Atiawa and Billikins, who ran through fast. High Finance went to the lead crossing the top, showing the way to Vallar, Taku Tama, King-field,

Lady Quex and Lady’s Boy, but when heads were turned for home, Taku Tamil was in the van from Vallar High Finance. Kingfield. Lady Quex (wide out), Polyxena (who was off the course), and Lady’s Boy. The last-named challenged inside the distance and in a great finish got up to beat Taku Tama by a head, with High Finance and Value together, a similar distance away, although the judge mistook Polyxena for Value. Then came Havering. Billikins, Kingfield, Gold Money, Te Atiawa, Roi de Val, Awarere, Lady Quex and Benzora, with Vallar and Polyxena the last pair to finish. Mitchelson Cup There was not much between Prince Humphrey £2459 and Historic £2404 in the betting- market for the Mitchelson Cup, while Star Stranger £1.609 was next in demand. Amor, Talisker and High Pitch were together passing the stands from Historic, Desert Glow, Prince Humphrey. Singleton, Star Stranger, Piuthair and Transformer, and there was little alteration along the back, where Talisker went to the lead from Amor and High Pitch. Passing the half mile High Pitch was making play from Amor. Desert Glow. Historic. Singleton, Star Stranger and Prince Humphrey, The favourite los-

ing ground rapidly, and Talisker now well out of it. Amor was first into the home stretch from High Pitch, Desert Glow. Star Stranger, Historic, Talisker, Transformer and Prince Humphrey. At the distance Historic had drawn up to Amor, while Star Stranger was making up ground. A 100 yards from home Historic held command, but over the last little bit Star Stranger, who had to come out to secure a run, challenged hotly, but Historic retained his advantage to beat him by a neck. Amor was another three lengths away in third place, two lengths in front of Singleton and Desert Glow, together, and then followed High Pitch, Piuthair, Prince Humphrey and Talisker, with Transformer last.

It was a splendid contest, with Historic taking the honours of the race. Star Stranger went well and was a bit unlucky in the straight. Amor hung on well, but he was in receipt of 311 b and 341 b respectively from the horses in front of him. Piuthair was never prominent, but Singleton, High Pitch and Desert Glow went fair races. Prince Humphrey was very distressed when he pulled up. They ran the first half mile in 54 1-5, six furlongs in 1.19 2-5, and the mile in 1.44 4-5, the mile and a-half taking 2.35, the final half in 50 1-5. Hunters’ Steeplechase Pomp v eius, £1,655, was backed with spirit for the Hunters’ Steeplechase, Sea Comet, £837, being the only' other candidate in demand. Tin Whistle, Mashoor, Lucess and Pompeius were the early leaders and this was the order over the hill the first time, where Foxhound and Odin fell. At the stands double Tin Whistle was four lengths out from Pompeius, Marita, Star Comet and Calithe, but the leader was in trouble after negotiating the old water jump, and Marita took charge and led up the hill attended by Pompeius and Sea Comet. At the top Lucess came to grief and Pompeius took charge going down the slope, Sea Comet, Marita and Calithe being handy. The leader was clear into the straight, but ran about and Pompeius, whose rider had lost an iron, came through to win by a neck. Calithe was third five lengths back, heading a tired lot in Marita, Soami, Town Rambler and Mashoor. Sea Comet might have Avon had he come home the shortest Avay from the last obstacle. Rayonnant and King Fame fell. The former, owned by the popular Te Kuiti sportsman, Mr. B. Brewer, broke a leg and was destroyed. Welcome Stakes The Welcome Stakes saw spirited betting between several candidates, Chrysology (£1,229) finishing up favourite from Imamint (£1,074) and Royal Ruler (£1,049), while Chief Link carried £BBB. Protomint was left, and Royal Ruler hopped out to show the way to Isa, Lineage, Imamint (who was on the extreme outside), Oil King and Chief Link, but the latter Avent through smartly. At the end of a furlong Isa held charge from Royal Ruler, Chief Link and Cylinder. Isa had a slight advantage over Royal Ruler, Chief Link and Cylinder at the home turn, Grand Spirit and Chrysology being handy. Once straightened up the leaders had a good set-to, but Royal Ruler was in front at the furlong post and gradually forged ahead, finally winning by nearly a length from Chief Link, with Imamint, Avho finished well, a neck away third. Isa Avas next, and then followed Cylinder, Valmarie, Chrysology, Oil King, Grand Spirit, Bells of Shandon, Lineage (avlio lost his position early) and Tarcha. The Avinner scored convincingly. The result of this race showed that the Avondale Stakes form was all wrong, as contended in these columns recently. On Saturday the first furlong Avas run in 13 3-5, and the first two in 24 4-5, the last half mile being covered in 47 4-5. Gordon Handicap Prince Val, £2,394, Avas the elect of the Gordon Handicap field, Sea Cob. £1,435, being best backed of the remainder. Alloy, Clopton, and Currajong were slow to move, Red Lion taking up the role of pacemaker from Sea Cob, Good Boy, Ivawainga, Some Lady, Spring Abbey, Arikitoa, Brampton and Prince Val. Red Lion was bowling along in front at the halfmile post from Good Boj r , Prince Val, Kawainga, Sea Cob, Some Lady and Brampton, and the light-weight was first to turn for home, his closest attendants being Prince Val, Kawainga, Sea Cob, Arikitoa, Some Lady, Spring Abbey and Brampton. Red Lion hung on gamely in the run home, but was outpaced by the favourite over the final 100 yards, who won by a length and a-quarter, with Sea Cob a length and a-half away third. Currajong was flying in fourth place at the finish, and followed Arikitoa, Some Lady, Spring Abbey, Kawainga, Brampton, Clopton, Good Boy, Alloy and Indolent. It was a line performance on the part of the Avinner, but the really unlucky horse of the race was Currajong. Flying Handicap Reremoana £2,820 found most support in the Flying Handicap, while Merry Mint £1,196 was next choice, the winner Otairi carrying £632. At the start Reremoana, on the rails, began best from Mithra, Maori Boy, Otairi, Respirator, Bennie and Eager Rose. Ohinemuri, Standfast, Mervette and Merry Mint being sloav to leave the barrier. At the half-mile post Otairi was in front from the favourite, with Merry Mint, Mithra, Eager Rose, Respirator, Lucy Rose, Maori Boy, Ohinemuri and Mervette folloAving. Otairi led Merry Mint round the turn, Reremoana and Lucy Rose being handy, and the favourite issued a challenge, but Otairi finished strongly to Avin by two and a-half lengths, Avith the fast-finishing MerA'ette a neck away third, right on the outside rails. Then came Respirator, Lucy Rose, Ohinemuri, Maori Boy, Merry Mint, Standfast, King Emerald. Eager Rose and Mithra. Following are the results: — TRIAL HURDLE RACE Of £400; 12 miles 13—-CATON lAN (Mrs. S. L. Parsons), b g, by Catmint—Spinster, 4yrs, 9.0, T. Williams ~ .. i 2 LADY SPALPEEN (Mrs. B. McLeod), eh m, by Spalpeen—Belle Annie, aged, 9.13, J. Sharkey ... 2 P —GOLD REP (R. J. Mears), eh m. by Spalpeen—Fraulein, aged, 9.2 F. Foster ; Also: — I—Golden Wedding, 10JJ, L. Husband lost rider 0 G—Star of the East, 9.11, H. Dulieu " 3 Cybele, 9.11, R. Savage, fell .... 0 s—Waltzer, 9.1 t (car. 10.1), R. Symt 0 S—The Lamb, 9.11. R. Olive, fell .. u 4 Ah Wera, 9.11, J. Burgess v 15—Farndon, 9.4, J. Liddell 0 11 — Harbour View, 9.0, A. McGregor, fell 0 12— Master Doon. 9.0, (car. 9.1 D, A. McNeill n 10 —Adjuster, 9.0, A. Moore 0

10—Sleepy Sol, 9.0, E. Stanway 0 14—Te Kawana, 9.0, N. Syme, fell 0 7 Sir Archie, 9.0 (car. 9.1), W. Nightingale, fell 0 Winner trained by 11. L. Russell, Te Awamutu. Won by four lengths. 12 lengths between second and third. Time, 3.13 GREAT NORTHERN GUINEAS Of £1,500: 1 mile 2 EAGLET (F. Earl, K.C.), b f, by Chief Ruler—Dovelet, Syrs, 8.5, H. Goldfinch 1 I—PINK COAT (J. Morrison), ch c, by Hunting Song—Red Edna, Syrs, 8.10, A. E. Ellis 2 3 HUNTING CRY (T. Fraser, Junr.), br c, by Hunting Song—Natalite, Syrs, 8.10, E. Keesing 3 Also: — 8— Carl Idem, 8.10, R. Hall 0 4 False Scent, 8.10. R. S. Bagby .. 0 7—Flying Prince, 8.10, C. W. France 0 6—lmperial Prince, 8.10, A. Tinker .. 0 5 Leader, 8.10, W. Pascoe 0 Winner trained by J. T. Jamieson, Papaltura. Won by half a length, third horse seven lengths away. Time, 1.38 3-5 (a record for the race). SHORTS HANDICAP Of £500; 6 furlongs S—LADY'S BOY (W. Henderson), br g, by Some Boy ll.—Lady Potoa, 6yrs. 7.11, K. Robinson 1 14—TAKU TAMA (R. Hannon), b g, by Quinn Abbey—Lord Multifid mare, 7.0. A. Connor 2 3—HIGH FINANCE (F. Earl, K.C.), hr m, by Paper Money—Rebekali, Syrs, 8.2, H. Goldfinch * S—POLYXENA (J. T. Jamieson), ch f. by Chief Ruler—Podokes, Syrs, 7.0, K. Voitre • *Dead heat.

Also:— 6 Benzora, 9.0, R. J. Mackie 0 9—Gold Money, S.G, L. Manson .... 0 15—Vallar, 8.6, R. McTavish 0 1— Lady Quex, 8.5, L. George .. .. 0 4—Havering, 8.1, W. Wiggins .. .. 0 2 Awarere, 7.11, J. Day 0 12— Kingfield, 7.4, C. Thomson .... 0 7 Value, 7.3, O. Mclnally 0 13— Billikins, 7.0, C. Davis 0 10— Te Atiawa, 7.0, W. H. Jones .. 0 11— Roi de Val, 7.0, R. Dunn 0 Winner trained by T. J. A. Carmont, Green Lane. Heads separated the placed horses, with a dead-heat for third place. Time, 1.13 4-5. MITCHELSON CUP Of £1,250; 1 i miles 2 HISTORIC <E. V. Riddiford), ch h, Nassau—Brayton, syrs, 9.7, B. H. Morris ' 1 3 STAR STRANGER (A. B. Williams), b g, by Martian—Star Lady, aged, 9.11, R. S. Bagby . . 2 S—AMOR (F. Williamson), br g, by Archery—Warlove, Syrs, 7.0, T. Melcalfe v .. . . 3 Also:— I —Prince Humphrey, 5.12, W. Goldfinch 0 7 —Desert Glow, 7.10, L. Manson (bracketed with Prodice) 0 4 Piuthair, 7.13, K. Voitre 0 5 Transformer, 7.11, W. Wiggins .. 0 10—High Pitch, 7.10, E. Ludlow .... 0 9—Singleton, 7.8, E. A. Keesing .... 0 6 Talisker, 7.1, N. Voitre 0 Winner trained by S. J. Reid, Trentham. Won by a neck, three lengths between second and third. Time, 2.35. HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE Of £400; 2i miles 1— POMPEIUS (C. Dawson), br g, by Lucullus —Miss Winsome, aged, 10.7, R. Syme 1 2 SEA COMET (A. J. Julian), ch g, by Day Comet —Seabird, aged, 9.10. J. Sharkey 2 4 CALITHE (D. R. Jackson), ch g, by California —Letliemorc, 6yrs, 9.10, H. Dulieu 3 Also f—--6 Odin, 11.2, G. Holland (fell) .... 0 7 Mashoor, 9.13, L. Dulieu 0 12 — Rayonnant, 9.5, Butterworth, fell 0 8— Town Rambler, 9.3 0 3 Soami, 9.2, N. Syme 0 9 Marita, 9.1, J. Burgess 0 5 King Fame, 9.0, A. Ruthven, fell 0 13— Foxhound, 9.0 (fell) 0 14— Tin Whistle, 9.0 0 10—Lucess, 9.0 (fell) . . ' 0 14—Stone Wall, 9.0, H. Jones 0

Winner trained by A. P. Brady, Te Rapa. Won by a neck; five lengths between second and third. Time, 4.59. WELCOME STAKES Of £1,000; 5 furlongs (Two-year-olds) 3 ROYAL RULER. (B. E. I-lart), ch g, by Chief Ruler —Baby Doll, 5.5, K. Voight 1 5 CHIEF LINK! ’(A. Alexander), br . c, by Chief Ruler—Silv'er Link, 5.5, A. E. Ellis 2 2—IMAMINT (W. L. Casey), ch f, by Catmint—Ra Aroha, fkO, H. Wiggins *■, 3 Also:— 4 -Appeal, 8.5, B. H. Morris 0 4 Lineage, 8.0, E. H. Keesing (bracketed with Appeal) .. . . 0 9—Bells of Shandon, 8.5, H. Goldfinch 0 I—Chrysology, 8.5, J. . Barry 0 7 Cylinder, 5.5, R. S. Bagby 0 8— Oil King, 5.5, A. McCormac .... 0 13—Protomint, 8.5, A. Stead .. .. 0 10— Tarcha, 8.5, C. Thompson 0 12— Grand Spirit, S.O, E. Ludlow .... 0 6 Isa, 8.0, R. J. Mackie 0 11— Valmarie, S.O, L. Manson 0 Winner trained by W. F. Stone. Te Awamutu. Won by half a length, with a neck between second and third. Time, 1.1 2-5. GORDON HANDICAP Of £400; 1 mile 1 — PRINCE VAL (Jas. Clothier), ch g. by Valkyrian—Sports Queen, 4yrs, S.lO, C. France 1 11— -RED LION (J. C. Gleeson), br g, by Solferino—Rose Red, 4yrs, 7.0, J. Cammick 2 2 SEA COB (W. Montgomery), b g, by Quin Abbey—Seagull, 4yrs, 8.11, H. Goldfinch 3 Also:— 5 Arikitoa. 9.0. A. E. Ellis .... .. 0 9 Good Boy, 8.10, E. Ludlow 0 4—Kawaigna, 8.8, L. Manson .. .. 0 7 Indolent, 7.12, R. J. Mackie .. .. 0 8— Some Lady. 7.6, W. H. Jones .. 0 3 Brampton, 7.4, 11. Wiggins . . . . u 13— Nassock, 7.0. H. Gilmer 0 14— Bizarro. 7.0 (car. 7.3). T. Metcalf 0 6 Alloy, 7.0 (car. 7.2). R. McTavish 0 10—Currajong, 7.0 (car. 7.35), S. Bryce 0 15— Salamander, 7.0, N. Voitre 0 12— Clopton, 7.0, K. Voitre 0 16— Spring Abbey, 7.0 (car. 7.2-i), J. Conquest 0 Winner trained by owner, Matamata. Won by one and a-quarter lengths, half a length between second and third. Time-, 1.40 1-5. FLYING HANDICAP Of £500; 7 furlongs S—OTAIRI (K. McK. Duncan), b g, V».v Paper Money—lsabel, syrs, 7.9. E. A. Keesing l I— REREMOANA (S. F. Moore), ch g, by Hallowmas—Bonny Portland, i aged. 9.8. B. H. Morris 2 4—MERVETTE (J. Fraser Smith), b m. by Lucullus—Brayton, fiyrs. 7.9, J. McLaughlin 3 Also: — 12— Lucy Rose, 8.2. R. Hall. 2—Flying Juliet, 8.3. O. Mt-lnally .. 0 B—ln the Shade. 7.12, H. Goldfinch .. 0 P—Maori Boy. 7.10. E. Manson .... o. 6 King Emerald. 7.7, W. H. Jones .. 0 10—Standfast, 7.6. T. Metcalfe .. .. 0 7 Ohinemuri. 7.2. N. Voitre ... . 0 2—Merry Mint, 7.2, H. Wiggins .... 0 ll Mithra, 7.0, K. Voitre 0 15—Eager Rose, 7.0, C. Davis 0 1 4—Respirator. 7.0, A. Parsons. . .. 0 13— Bennie, 7.0. A. Nordstrand . . . . 0 Winner trained by L. Knapp, Awapuni. Mon by 21 lengths, neck second and third. Time, 1.27.