King March Backed Off The Card

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1073, 10 September 1930, Page 13

King March Backed Off The Card

BADLY ROYAL STATUS’S COSTLY FAILURE Habashon, who has a Villiers Stakes to his credit, and also several placings in sprint races in good company, was rather nicely handicapped in the Glenloo Handicap at Warwick Farm on August 30. This fact, allied with tho popularity of his rider, J. Pike, caused him to be well backed. It was a welcome change of luck for Sir Hugh Denison, and his trainer. J. W. Cook. Now Habashon is a sure runner in tho Epsom Handicap on October 4, in which he has 7.12. His trainer is of the opinion that he might stay fairly, and if he misses the Epsom ho will probably tackle some of the middle distance handicaps later on at tho meeting:. Badly Drawn The Olenlee Handicap was a wide betting race, and backers paid strict attention to tho draw for positions. When it was seen that both the New Zealand horses, First Sight and King March, had drawn wide out, they eased in the market, while Ring Bov (another New Zealander), who was well drawn, firmed. However, just before the start a well-known punter went through the ring and literally backed King March off the card. This caused the books to tighten that horse up, and when late backers wanted to be on they were told: “You can get better elsewhere.” By the time they looked elsewhere the field was on its way. They saved money, as although King March moved up approaching the turn, and looked for a stride or two as if he would take a hand in the finish, lie was beaten just as quickly. Afraid of Veilmond? Bartle rode King March hard, but the three-year-old did not respond. When Jamieson withdrew King March from the Hobartville Stakes, and elected to run him in the Glenlee Handicap, it was thought that he had made a mistake, but nothing is more certain than that he would not have troubled Veilmond. Possibly it was Veilmond that caused Jamieson to take the step he did. Leisure Hour was the early leader, and he swung for home with Habashon, Black Douglas, and I’m Alone close handy. In the straight Black Douglas attempted to go for the run between Leisure Hour and Habashon. but ho was squeezed back. Not that it made any difference to

the result, but the black might have been closer at the finish. f First Sight Came Late When Pike saw that he had Leisure Hour beaten, he waited with him. but a hundred yards from the post he hustled Habashon along when he saw First Sight, on whom McCarten was working hard, finishing really well. First Sight came very fast, and in another half a furlong would have won. but ho could not reach Habashon or Leisure Hour. It was a good performance on the big New Zealander’s part, as he was badly placed early. He is a very slow beginner, and in large fields that will always tell against him. Ring Boy had every chance, but did not run nearly as well as at Rosehill. I’m Alone ran a good race, and the owners of the winners of the two novice races that lie ran in at Rosehill —when ho lost his rider at the start — and at Canterbury, when he was badly interfered with, can than). their lucky stars. . Boreign Legion did a littlo better than at Rosehill. but hardly ever looked like winning. Apparently lie is not going to be anything out of tho ordinary. Bawnna-Glas was never sighted, and of tho light-weights, nothing shaped better Ilian JCilumirri, who finished close up behind the placed horses. “Prince Humphrey's Brother” Royal Status, for whom the late Mr. John Brown gave 2,600 guineas as a yearling, believing that he was a halfbrother to Princess Humphrey, was last home, and at the present time he> is a very poor racehorse. TROTTING FIXTURES 1930 Methven T.C.—October 4. Waikato T.C.—October 11. Greymouth T.C. —October 2a, 27. Auckland T.C. —October- 25. 27. Oamaru T.C. —October 27. Wellington T.C.—November 1 N.Z. -Metropolitan T.C.—-Nov. 11, 13, 14. Nelson T.C. —November 21, 22. Forbury Park T.C. —November 2,, 29. New Brighton T.C.—Dec. 13. Ashburton T.C. —December 2G. Gore T.C.—December 26; \ Westport T.C. —December 26, 27. South Wairarapa T.C.—Dec. 2b, 27. Auckland T.C.—Dec. 27, 3C, 31. Winton T.C.—December 30. Inangahua T.C. —December 30.