SIR ARCHIE AT LAST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 815, 8 November 1929, Page 12

SIR ARCHIE AT LAST

Scores Attractively in Cup FIRST DAY AT WHANGAREI

INCIDENTS were numerous at Kensington Park yesterday I on the occasion of the first day of the Whangarei Racing Club’s spring meeting, for. with outsiders in bir Archie and Thursby filling the major places in the Cup, Bombarder meeting with fatal injuries after previously winning a lace am Hector Gray duly landing a winner after several misses, sportsmen certainly had their attention focused on pioceeclmgs. (Special to THE SUN)

WHANGAREI, Thursday. Had it not been for exceptionally heavy rain on the preceding night of the races no doubt the attendance would have been swelled considerably, but still the public was there in plenty of force and totalisator receipts showed a decline of only £lB5. The figures yesterday amounted to £14,-214, as against £14.399 on the corresponding day last year. The track was very soft, and with drizzling rain setting in later in the day, the ground was chopped up and very greasy when the last race started. After the Cup race the president, Mr. R. G. Hosking,. congratulated the joint owners of Sir Archie, Messrs. H. Brady and F. Stenning, upon their win, and Miss Hoskins’, daughter of the president, presented the gold cup amid applause. The win was very popular, for F. Stenning has persevered with Sir Archie in the hope that he would return to the form he displayed two seasons ago.

During tho day two inquiries were held, the first in connection with the poor start in the Kensington Hack Handicap, when Mauriaena, Red Lion and Haviland were hopelessly left. The starter, Mr. C. O’Connor, stated that immediately the tapes were skied three horses wheeled. He did not blame the jockeys, and there was no question in l?is mind that the horses were facing the barrier. Mr. H. McDonald, the assistant-starter, supported Mr. O’Connor, and after hearing this explanation the committee accepted it. A nasty accident was narrowly averted in the Hikurangi Handicap when Bombarder fell about 200yds. from the post, the friendly bullet being requisitioned to end tlie horse’s sufferings. The inevitable inquiry disclosed the fact that another horse came back on Bombarder, the latter receiving such a bump as to throw him on to the rails, where he failed to recover himself and crashed heavily. Luckily liis rider, R. McTavish, received nothing worse than a few

abrasions. After hearing the evidence of the riders concerned the committee was unanimous in the opinion that it was accidental and no blame was attachable to anyone. Spring Handicap Crimestor £391 was a good favourite in the Spring Handicap, with Tetrarchate, who finished second, carrying only £l5O. Valorient and Norval Tea were the first to show out, but with a furlong gone the favourite was handy. Along the back Valorient and Norval Tea were together in front from Crimestor, Valquette, Tukunoa »md Land Measure. At the home turn the favourite was on terms with Norval Tea, Valorient, Tetrarchate and Wild Country also being being in the picture. In til© run home Crimestor hit the front and looked an easy winner, but had to be hard ridden at the finish to stall off a strong challenge from Tetrarchate, who made a fine effort, to suffer a neck defeat. Two and a-half lengths back came Wild Country, followed by Valorient, Norval Tea, Good Idea and Valquette. Kensington Handicap Bombarder £3SO, Red Lion £349, and Mauriaena £290 were the prime selections for the Kensington Hack Handicap, but backers of cue latter pair did not get a run for their money, as they, together with Haviland, were hopelessly left at the start. Luxurious was first away, followed by Diamond Queen, Roman Pearl, Big Bertha, Bombarder and Patutahi. Along the back this lot was in a bunch, but crossing the top Big Bertha went to the lead and piloted Roman Pearl, Luxurious and the favourite round the final corner. In the run to the post Bombarder did best and won by half a length from Roman Pearl, who was a length and a-half in front of Big

Bertha. Patutahi was fourth and then came Luxurious, Diamond Queen and j Carl Idem. Huanui Hurdles Golden Wedding £597 carried the bulk of the investments in the Huanui Hack Hurdles, Adjuster, who finished second, carrying £173. The race was just a procession, the favourite going o the front and increasing her lead the further they went. Night Comet set out to go with Golden Wedding, but crashed at the first fence. Along the back Adjuster, Automne and Sleep* Sol were the leader’s nearest attendants, but the mare turned for home ten lengths ahead of Adjuster, wlio was twice that distance in advance ot Sleepv Sol. The favourite won with ridiculous ease from Adjuster, while Serang. coming with a late run got up to snatch third place from Sleepy Sol. Bob Aina ns and Michael were next to arrive. Whangarei Gold Cup High Pitch £670, and King Emerald £490 were the best-backed in the Whangarei Cup, but a surprise was in store fo.r punters. Sir Archie £9- and Thursby £ll7 returning the dividends, both of which were substantial. Thursby led out from Sir Archie and Le Choucas, and this trio was in front passing the stand from Palmares, High Pitch, King Emerald and Wenday. Along the back Thursby opened up a gap from Sir Archie and Palmares, who were together, closely followed by Le Choucas and High Pitch, and as they turned for home Thursby was still showing out in front from Sir Archie, High Pitch and Le Choucas. In the final run Sir Archie came away to win decisively from Thursby, with the favourite third, just in of Le Choucas. Then followed Wenday, King Emerald and Palmares. County Handicap The Right and Left-Mineral bracket with £333 was the elect of backers for the County Handicap, while the dead-heaters Kildeer and Cynique carried £202 and £ll2 respectively. The dispatch was uneven, and Right and Left took no part in the race, while several others have their chance prejudiced, particularly Archanui and Cynique, who fooked as if he should have won. Furore went out quickly to lead from Mineral, Kildeer, and Blue Bonnet, and along the back Mineral and Furore were together in the van, their nearest attendants being Kildeer, Blue Bonnet, Welcome Home and Cynique. At the home turn Mineral, who was then in front, ran wide, Furore, Blue Bonnet, Kildeer and Cynique being bunched. At the distance Kildeer showed out and looked all over a winner, but Cynique finished determinedly to make a dead-heat of it. Mineral was two and a-half lengths farther back third, followed by Blue Bonnet, Furore 'and Sunny Morn. Hikurangi Handicap Imperial Prince, ridden by Hector Gray, was elected favourite for the Hikurangi Hack, with £555, while Diamond Queen, who secured second berth, was only supported to the extent of £39 and paid double figures. Diamond Queen and the favourite were the early leaders, but going along the back stretch Red Lion dashed into the lead and was attended by Imperial Prince, Gay Cockade, Diamond Queen and Valquette. Crossing the top there was very little between the first three, and the favourite was on terms with Red Lion at the turn for home, where Diamond Queen and Gay Ccckade were handy, with Bombarder becoming prominent. The latter, however, was checked suddenly and fell, receiving fatal injuries. Imperial Prince did it nicely all the way to the post and won with a little in reserve by half a length from Diamond Queen, who beat Gay Cockade by a neck. Then came Red Lion, Valquette and War Officer. Manaia Handicap It Was not until the Manaia Handicap came up for decision that one of the most thrilling races of the day was witnessed. The scratching of Oration left only five starters, spirited betting finding most support for Lady’s Boy £663, The Begum £415, and Envoy £221. Lady’s Boy got the best of the start and at the end of a furlong the favourite was making play from The Begum, Macroom, Envoy, who was chopped out at the start, and Cymon. The Begum joined Lady’s Boy at the half-mile, and this pair were momentarily together from Macroom and Envoy, who were also on terms. Crossing the top Envoy moved up rapidly and he swung round the home turn with The Begum, these two being appreciably clear of Lady’s Boy. Envoy finished very determinedly in the run home to prevail over The Begum by a neck, with Lady’s Boy a head further back, followed by Macroom and Cymon. Lady’s Boy was ridden hard over the last bit and must be accounted a bit unlucky not to have been second. Parahaki Handicap One of the best pools of the day was in the concluding event, the Para-

haki Handicap, in which punters went solidly for Liaison .£399, Ti Tree £591 Thursby <£32S and Maori Boy £26’' The race proved to be a one-horse affair. Maori Boy clearing out three furlongs from home and winning ridiculously easily by three and a-half lengths. Thursby was always prominent and was unlucky in meeting such a good one as the winner. The favourite Liaison was a further three and a-half lengths back, and then it was a procession. Cynthia N. being succeeded by Ti Tree, Right and Left, Gcmlight and Wenday. Details ar» Spring Plate, of £110; 0 furlongs.— l Crimestor, S.O, Keesing, 1; 4 Tetrarchate, S.O. Jones, 2: 5 Wild Country. 7.9, Davis, 3. Also: 10 Tuku110a, 11 Valorient, 14 Howiek, 13 Good Idea, 13 Lady Eustace, 6 hand Measure and Section (bracketed), 9 Miss Mavis, 3 Sea Song. 7 Snow Plane, 8 Valquette, 2 Norval Tea. Won by a neck, with two and a-half lengths between second and third. Time._ 1.18 4-3. Winner trained by W. C. Woods, Avondale. Kensington Hack Handicap, of £135; 6 furlongs.—l Bombarder, 8.9, McTavteh, 1; 4 Roman Pearl. 7.10, Conquest, 2; 8 Bi? Bertha, 7.9. Ludlow, 3. Also: 6 Carl Idem, 9 Patutahi, 2 Red Lion, 3 Mauriaena. 7 Diamond Queen, 5 Haviland, 11 Luxurious. 10 Waiau Lady. Won to Vi"lf a length, with a length and a-halt between second and third. Time, 1.19. Winner trained by J. Williamson, Ellerslie. Huanui Hack Hurdles, of £150; sJarat 1' miles —1 Golden Wedding, 10,6, Dulietl, 1-0 Adjuster, 0.0, McGregor, 2; 5 Serang, q o MrGuire. 2. Also; , Autonme, 6 Bob A Ilians 4 Michael, S Night Comet, 2 Sleenv Sol. Won by 12 lengths, with •I Similar distance between second and third. Time. 3.7 2-5. Winner trained by owner, EUerslie. WHANGAREI GOLD CUP Of £450 and gold cup; H miles. B—-Si R ARCHIE (F. Stenning), 7.4, Wiggins •• J 7—THURSBY, 7.2, Cammick 2 I— HIGH PITCH. 5.3, Manson ! \lso: 3 Le Choucas, 5 Transformer, t King Emerald, 4 Palmares, b Wenday. Won by two lengths, with two and »- half lengths between second and third. Time, 2.12. Winner trained by owner, Ellerslie. County Handicap, of £120; 6 furlongs. —7 cynique, 7.1. Parsons, and S Kildeer, 7.13, Mclnally. dead heat, 1: 1 Mineral 7.0 Cammick, ... Also: 1 Light and I .eft 5 Welcome Home, 2 bunny Morn. 4 Liehtwood, « Blue Bonnet, 8 PurQre. 9 Archanui. The third horse ™.two and a-half lengths away from the deadheaters. Time. 1.20. Cynique trained by owner, Dargaville; Kildeer by owner, Whangarei. Hikurangi Hack Handicap, of £133, 7 fur.—l Lmperiai Prince, S.i, Gray, L S Diamond Queen, 7.1, Jones, 2; - Gay Cockade 7.13 L. Manson, 3. Also: 4 Bombarder (rehandicapped 0.2), 3 Red Lion, 5 Brampton, « War Officer, 7 Mountain Guide. S Roval Seagull, 10 Yalquette. 1' on oy half a len#th.-with a neck between *O- - and third. Bombarder was kiUed. Time, 1.33. Winner trained by b. Hodge, Takanini. Manaia Handicap, of £225; furlongs.— 3 Envoy, 7.0, Gilmer 1: - T h ?, 7 3 Wiggins, 2; 1 Lady s Bo>, 9-W* 3* ’ Also: 4 Mac room, 5 Cyrnon. Won by a neck, with a bead between second and third. Time, 1.19. M inner trained by S. Hodge, Takamni. Parahaki Handicap, of £ 15 °: 4 Maori Boy, 9.3, car. 8.12, Thursby, 8.8, Gill, 2; l Liaison. 8.8, vv^V gins, 3. Also: 2 Ti Tree, 7 Hipo. | Quincoma, 8 Wenday, 9 Cynthia i.. Gemlight, 10 Right and Left WonW three and a-half lengths, with distance between second and « Winner trained by owner, Avonaa . Bookmaker to the Rescue Th*b only favourable result for tbe bookmakers at Moorefield on Saturday week last was in the pr event, and, singularly enough, it w brought about by Magnetic, owned oy Mr. J. T. Hackett, one of the le <hng operators. Mr. Hackett leasedl the horse for two years to the trainer S. R. Lamond, jun., an “ “L was the first win for the new party. Magnetic was not greatly fancied, b cause his recent form had not been couraging, and only a few pounds invested on him. Mr. Hackett, ho » like most bookmaker-owners, does no lav against horses in which he interest, and consequently the succ«« was profitable as well as pleasing, was backed in a manner suggesting® was the only horse in the race. He fourth early, and still held that P® 1 lion at the top of the straight, but wa seventh at the finish. He did not seem in the mood to do his best on smaller course. Loud Praise care - away to the front from the start, ' she was not run down until roua r~Jr the turn into the straight. There Mag' netic, who was always in a fairly g position, made post haste for judge, and won well by a length f Western Lass, who finished stl *s >Tl f h and would probably have f® una . distance of he Moorefield Handicap# for which she was an acceptor, ® to her liking. Golden Music, Vert and Cave Dweller were costly failures-