HE IS GOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 848, 17 December 1929, Page 14

HE IS GOOD

RICHFIELD PLAYS WITH THE HACK SPRINTERS TO BE TESTED AT ELLERSLIE Richfield was made a warm favourite for the Orakau Hack Handicap at Te Awamutu on Saturday, and while there was never any danger of his getting defeated, his backers experienced one or two qualms when his rider appeared to be taking things too easily. The favourite jumped out well, not fast enough to hit the front in a stride, for it was Patere that caught the jump out and was two lengths in the van before the remainder got properly going. Despite this early advantage gained by Patere, Richfield had wrested the lead from him before they had gone a couple of furlongs, to the great content of supporters of - the favourite. Crossing the top he was bowling along very freely clear of the field, and it looked as if it was going to be an exercise gallop only. Took a Risk A little further on Kawainga ran up to the leader, but the latter’s rider was-not worried. Then when Kawainga looked likely to run past Richfield, and others began to loom up on the outside, the danger of the favourite getting into a hopeless position on the rails, hemmed in, was apparent to the onlookers. However, a kick or two and Richfield began to hold his own again, but still he was doing it so easily that it was mainly a question of how much he would win by. Once a horse is allowed to take things too easily in front he is apt to think the race is over and stop accordingly. It looked this way with Richfield, for in the straight he had to be got going again over the lust half-furlong to assert himself. He won easily by a length, or perhaps a bit more, for the other horses threatening danger were very wide out. I repressive Taking the way the race was run it was a most impressive performance, and fully bore out what was said about the Taranaki gelding on the eve of the race in these columns. It would be interesting to learn just what the trainers of other horses in the race thought when called upon to chase Richfield home under the circumstances ruling on Saturday. The chance of anything but Richfield winning was indeed remote. The Taranaki hack is now due on the scene at Ellerslie, for he is to do his holiday racing here. To follow this programme his owner was prepared to forego his chance in tomorrow’s comparatively rich Nolan Hack Cup at llawera, where he -is trained, so that it must be recognised that the connections are well aware of how good their horse is. lie will be well tried out here, too, for he figures the first day in the Christmas Handicap, with 7.4, and the opposition is strong, wellknown handicap horses being in the same event. It can be let go at this: The best has not yet been ceen of Richfield. The Prince Improving A few yards from the peg on .Saturday it looked as if Cruachan would get second money, and perhaps with a strong boy in the saddle he might have done so, and therefore returned his few backers a dividend three times as much as the winner. instead it was left to Prince of Orange to follow Richfield home, and he finished strongly, showing that he is coming

Riccarton trainer W. Stone, who arrived back at Christchurch from Wellington on Saturday, informed the Christchurch Sun representative that Aspiring will not contest the Railway Handicap at Auckland. She will do her holiday racing at the Manaratu and Marton meetings.

to hand. The Prince is a good sort, and it is about time that he began to run up to expectations. On Saturday he carried 81b overweight to obtain the services of H. Goldfinch, and it probably paid then, although the horse will suffer in the future when handicaps are being adjusted. Kawainga ran a rattling good race, one of the best of her career, for she started wide out. Had her apprentice rider been a bit more patient she would certainly have been second instead of fourth. Of the remainder, Patere had every chance, but failed badly. Indolent went well after getting away badly, and Archieval should not be long in winning another race for Mr. H. Rothery, for he was always in the picture. He drew the ace, but this did not assist him. Rose Lupin was fairly handy over the last half-mile without ever looking likely to get into the money. She looked a bit fine, and it transpired that she is not a good doer.

NOT TOO HIGH

ARCHEEN THE FLYER THE WAIPA HURDLES Jumping like a cat. Archen pulled off the Pirongia Hurdles at Te Awamutu last Saturday in fine style. Tie peaked on landing over the last fence, but that made little difference, for he recovered smartly and then won by a length and a-half from the novice, Taumai. When it was given out that the mile and a-half was run in 2.42 1-5, there were many who scoffed, but the time was probably right. The writer clocked Arckeen to run his first half-mile—he Jed all the way—in 52 1-5, which was fast enough in all conscience, and the full journey in 2.42 3-5, which was only a couple of ticks outside the official time. That apparent discrepancy could easily have been brought about by the angle at the winning-post, for the Press stand is placed further past the post, whereas the timekeeper would be right on the line. . Spreadeagled the Field The walk-in start favoured Archeen, who was in front in a couple of strides. He was six lengths in front at the end of half a mile, and ihe field already was badly strung out —as well it might be when that 52 1-5 is taken into consideration. Half a mile from home Archeen was joined by Taumai, and this pair were half a dozen