ANOTHER FOR PRODICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 884, 30 January 1930, Page 14

ANOTHER FOR PRODICE

Lady Quex’s Brilliancy PRODICE added to her reputation as being almost un'beatable on the Takapuna Jockey Club’s course when she walked away with the Takapuna Cup yestbrday, defeating a very useful field of handicappers. Although this brilliant daughter of Catmint won by a neck only, it might easily have been more, for it was'a clear-cut victory. Lady Quex showed undoubted brilliancy in easily accounting for the opposition in the open sprint, her win, like most of the others during the day, being achieved without much difficulty.

The conditions were ideal for racing, the warm sun shining at fitful intervals from an overcast sky. being tempered by a delightful breeze. The weather was threatening in the early forenoon, but the rain clouds soon faded away. Consequently, in spite of all the other Anniversary Day attractions, large crowds flocked bv ferry and car to the summer meeting of the Takapuna Jockey Club, the attendance being big. About an inch of rain fell on the eve of the opening day’s racing, but this did not affect the state of the going; in fact, what might have been a hard track developed into perfect going, with only the sting taken out of the ground, suitable for all horses. Cup Contest The contest for the Takapuna Cup was a splendid one, Royal Doulton being a solid favourite, with even backing for several others. Prodice, the actual second fancy, was at a wonderful price, and her supporters were rather fortunate in receiving such a return when she proved distinctly superior. She had-a short set-to with Corinax. who was second, and the favourite was right up third. Prodice was never far away, and it has to be said that she was ridden a perfect race by A. E. Ellis. Ownertrainer F. Loomb is entitled to the greatest credit for the splendid condition he has turned out Prodice for all her engagements. Lady Quex, a hot favourite, outclassed a small but select field in the Stewards’ Handicap, and in fact really made them look cheap. Prince Va) was second, and Gold Money third, the latter not having much luck in the running. Sho rt V/ eig h t Mithra sprang a mild surprise by winning the Zealandia Handicap after a close finish with Sir Russell and Maori Boy. The latter failed to draw the weight, his rider weighing in ?.§lb short, and was disqualified, White Wings being moved up from fourth to third place. The opening day’s racing was excellently conducted, and there was little cause for action. The stipendiary steward took action into the interference to King’s Guard by the winner, Luminary, in the closing stages of the Orewa High-Weight Handicap, but the judicial committee decided not to disturb the placings. The secretary of the club, Mr. F. D. McVay, had all the arrangements well in hand for the fixture, which was successfully launched.

The totalisator handled £45,613 10s. compared with £41,704, an increase of £3.909 10s. Notes on the racing and details are appended. Trial Stakes The Measurer-On Top bracket, £733. and Nassau Lady-Principal Boy bracket, £572, were given pride of place on the machine, but there was a surprise in store. Honiton, £315, and Cliromadyne, £7O. returning the respective dividends, the latter being solid double figures. Honiton was first to become prominent from Sir Mond, New Boy and On Top, but with, a furlong gone, Principal Boy and On Top had moved up behind the leader. Crossing the top the order was Honiton and On Top together, Cliromadyne, Sir Mond, New Boy and Atta Lad, and there was little change as the home bend was negotiated. Once in line for the box, On Top stopped badly, and Honiton finishing well won by two and a-half lengths from the outsider, Cliromadyne (having his first race), who hung on to stall off a challenge from New Boy for second place. Helium was fourth and theVi followed Loving Cup, Mon Star, On Top, Measurer and Sir Mond. Orewa High-weight Best backed in the Orewa HighWciglit were Cybele £755, and Luminary £704, and the latter duly won, but was lucky to beat King’s Guard, who carried £653. Golden Wedding and Wenday were badly left. and Luminary jumped out smartly to lead past the stand, from Serang, King’s Guard, Harbour View, Mashoor and Cybele. Along; the back the leader increased his advantage to six lengths, but crossing the top the gap was reduced by King’s Guard, Maslioor, Serang and Cybele, with Wenday making up ground. This was the order round the turn, and a desperate finish saw Luminary, who bored on to King’s Guard, get the decision over R. Hannon’s hprse by a head. Cybele was two and a-half lengths back third, and then came Wenday, Quincoma, Mashoor, Serang, Harbour View. Master Boon and Golden Wedding. Zealandia Handicap Sir Russell was made a hot favourite for the Zealandia Handicap, carrying while there was a good drop to the next division, which was headed by White Wings, £568. Mithra, the eventual winner, was hacked to the extent of £312, and gave a double figure return. Monsogne began best, and showed the way to Sir Russell, Gemlight, Respirator, Arikitoa, Cynthia N., Good Boy, and White Wings. At the half-mile post Cynthia N. had taken charge from White Wings, Monsogne, Mithra, Sir Russell, Gemlight, and Branson, but at the homo turn White Wings had headed Cynthia N., and Sir Russell was close; up. with Monsogne, Respirator, Mithra, Arikitoa, Maori Boy and Gemlight fol - lowing. The favourite collared White Wings, but was in turn supplanted by Mithra, who got up to win by half a length from Sir Russell, Maori Boy was a neck away third, but failed to draw the correct weight, and White Wings, who finished fourth, was given the position. Monsogne. Cynthia N., Arikitoa, Respirator, Gemlight, Mosque and Glenstar were next to cross the line. Takapuna Cup There was spirited speculation in the Cup, Royal Doulton finishing favourite with £1.492, next in order being Prodice £944 and Corinax £917. Corinax went straight to the lead from Eager Rose, Royal Doulton and Hipo, hut as they reached the stands Eager Rose had joined Corinax in the van, the pair being attended by a bunch comprising Prodice, Lucy Rose, Le Choucas, Hipo and Flying Juliet with Royal Doulton handy, while further back came Transformer, High Pitch and In the Shade, this trio being at big intervals. Passing the six furlong disc, Eager Rose and Corinax were two lengths clear of Prodice, Flying Juliet, Royal Doulton, Lucy Rose and I-lipo, but making for the final bend Prodice, on the outer, moved up, and entered the straight on terms with the leaders, the trio being pursued by Royal Doulton, Le Choucas, Transformer, In the Shade, Lucy Rose, Hipo, High Pitch and Flying Juliet. Eager Rose was in trouble half-way down the running, and in a stubborn set-to, Prodice gained the supremacy from Corinax by a neck, with the favourite three-parts of a length away third. Eager Rose was fourth, and then came In the Shade, Le Choucas, Lucy Rose, Hipo, High Pitch, Transformer and Flying Juliet. Ferry Handicap Carrying the tidy investment of £1,25(k the three-year-old Relation was made a solid favourite for the Ferry Handicap, but when running prominently approaching the straight the Chief Ruler colt dropped back suddenly. It was subsequently discovered that Mr. W. E. Bidwell’s colt had injured a shoulder and he was later destroyed. The winner turned up in Tuku, who carried £376, while second second-place getter. Volimond, was only entrusted with £IOB. Quirisilia, on the rails, was the first out, followed by Carl Idem, Crimestor, Nas-socl-c, Biddy Comet and Awamutu. tut with two fuVlongs traversed Tuku was in the van, closely attended by Awamutu, Carl Idem. Crimestor and Relation. Approaching the straight the last-named dropped back and Tuku led round the turn from Awamutu, Carl Tdem, Crimestor. Biddy Comet and Volimond. Tuku won comfortably by two lengths from the outsider Volimond, with another long price shot,