Raulight Won Race at the Barrier

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 948, 15 April 1930, Page 12

Raulight Won Race at the Barrier

JUMPED OUT CLEAR HARD TASK MADE EASIER Had Rafflight not gc- a wonderful jump-out it is doubtful if he would have wo-n the Eureka Handicap at Te Rapa yesterday. The Ellersiie youngster was bracketed with Tremetus, and this combination was made a very liberal - priced favourite. Rafflight drew third place at the barrier, but backers of this colt were not well pleased with their chances of collecting a nice dividend when he refused to face the tapes. Tic backed out time and time again, and with several others on their toes the prospect of the field getting away in a line was anything but bright. Led In Finally Rafflight was led in by the starter's assistant, who took the colt up on the inside position and, with this undue advantage and the assistant still holding the youngster, up went the barrier and they were on their journey. Te result was that Rafflight got the jump-out and actually gained a length and a-half on the field at the start. Just how much this advantage meant will be realised when it Is said that the Great Barrier colt was.on the rails all the way and finally won by three parts of a length from Karangapai, the latter weakening over the last bit after appearar.g to have Rafflight beaten at the distance. Hampton Park finished well in third place, a length and a-half from the winner. So It will be seen that Rafflight wanted the benefit of the jump-out to pull it off. But for this he might not have been better than second or third. It meant all the difference to the other horses in the race- and in this case the one that was giving most trouble was permitted to get all the oest of the dispatch. Nevertheless, it looks as if Rafflight is going to fulfill the promise shown in his few earlier outings. This colt, who is Australia n-bred (by Great Barrier from Headlight), is a half-brother lo Gemligb t, who 45 minutes later won the Te Rapa Handicap. Rafflight is ■owned by the Sydney sportsman, Mr. G. P. Andreas (who purchased the edit for 100 guineas) and is trained by J. Williamson at Ellersiie.