THE CHINA MAIL, NOVEMBER 25, 1988.
P. Y. T. WEI'S UNFORTUNATE DELAY
Earlier Spurt Might Have Given Confusion Bay Victory: Silkylight's Three Major Triumphs
G. TREVERTON AND R. M. WOOD BOTH DESERVED WINS CAPE YORK'S BAD
BEHAVIOUR
(By "RAPIER")
not be recognised as Silkylight was running 3lbs. below weight for inches. I consider that the Dunbar Stable have no reason to feel disappointed over the defeat of their representa- tive. Confusion Bay certainly put up a gallant fight. It was full of running after passing the Rock for well the second time and had to be held. If Mr. Wei had taken up the in front, thus forcing Silkylight to take up the offensive over the last quarter, the result might possibly have been different. Furthermore.
Conditions were most favourable last Saturday when Hong he kept too close behind Silkylight, Kong Jockey Club held their 11th Extra Race Meeting, in the pre-and in attempting to get through to sence of a large and enthusiastic gathering.
As anticipated, with the possible exception of the first race, which was quite tame in comparison, racing generally was keenly contested, and the finishes in a few instances were close and thrill ing, a decided improvement over the previous meeting.
Honours among the owners andļ jockeys were quite evenly divided. However, Mr. G. Treverton, H. E. The Governor's Private Secre- tary, deserves special mention for his win on Brutus, which was very neatly executed. It was a little refreshing to see a novice jockey secure the better of the argument over the other "crack" riders.
Riding for the first time since his return from holiday, Mr. R. M. Wood rode with fine judgment when he brought in National Guard, in the
novices' event.
First Race Surprised
The day's programme started with the first section of the Shum Chun Handi- cap, over one mile, for "C" class China ponies, the result of which resulted in a surprise.
Harvest View (Mr. Y. T. Fung) went out in front at the start, followed by Tampa Bay (Mr. all, Wei). but to the amazement of especially those who hacked it, this after pony unaccountably bored out passing the 134 inile post. By the time Mr. Wei had regained control, the others were nearly seven lengths in front and I consider that in making up loss ground the race was just as good as lost for Tampa Bay at that stage.
В
Coming into the straight, the race resolved into a struggle between Tyne (Mr. L. B. Chao), Scenic View (Mr. H. C. Pih) and Laughing Girl (Mr. S. C. Liang). Tyne furnished stronger finish and passed the win- ning post 1% lengths ahead, whilst the other two put up a good fight for second place, with the verdict going to Scenfe View by a neck.
As Predicted
resulted
The second race, the New Bridge Handicap, for "B" class Australian ponies, over six furlongs, according to expectations, Vixen Tor (Mr. Proulx) making no mistake about it after a belated start.
As I predicted, Derby Day found the extra furlong a little too much, and simply faded out of the picture after taking the lead. Snowy River (Mr. Hearne) jumped out in front, but was soon overhauled by Derby Day, followed by Criffel (Mr. Needa). After passing the Rock, Vixen Tor revealed a fine turn speed and, after getting in front, its run down the straight was unopposed, (Mr. the next pony, Lucky Lad Colson) being three lengths behind it at the finish.
of
for
There was a keen struggle third place between Snowy River and Criffel, and the latter's defeat was no doubt due to the heavy weight which it was carrying.
Event of The Day
Then came the main event of the day, the Hong Kong St. Leger, with only four pontes accepting, Le: Confusion Bay (Mr. P. Y. T.. Wel), Jober (Mr. C. L. Gregory), Just In Time (Mr. Needs) and Blˇkylight (Mr. R. B Moller).- Both Confusion Bay and Silkylight appeared in perfect condition.
the rails his passage was barred, and
in fact, Confusion Bay faltered 100 yards from the post.
It was, however, a grand race and the circumstances considering all Silkylight proved itself definitely su- perior, but Confusion Bay will have to The four ponies were sent away be seriously reckoned with should they distance, together, with Just In Time taking meet again over a shorter the lead after the first few lengths. probably in the Autumn Champions. Silkylight was content to follow Just In Time, and Mr. Wei was evidently satisfied with keeping an open eye on Silkylight.
Spirited Struggle
one
Soldier of China and Laughing Bud- dha, resulting in a dead-heat. In my notes the previous week, although I could not say with any degree of certainty that it was likely to win, I advocated bearing Wild Cat in mind, and those who followed the tip had reason to be satisfied.
Two Start Badly
In the fifth race, the first section of the Castle Peak Handicap, which was a sprint event, there was another minor upset. This was also the first leg of the Daily Double, the betting on which was quite brisk.
On the rise of the barrier, Estover, ridden by Mr. Raymond, shot out in both front but it was noticed that Dekko (Mr. Moller) and Coronation Day (Mr. Wade) started somewhat late, the latter a little more pronoun- ced. This bad start had much to do with Coronation Day's eclipse.
Valorous, the ultimate winner, kept nicely behind and only after rounding the bend did Mr. Needa start riding, but he then found Royal
Highness (Mr. Tao) also coming for- ward.
These two raced down the track practically together, but within the last few lengths superior riding by Mr. Needa had the desired effect, and Valorous passed the winning post by a short head.
In the meantime Dekko was coming up strongly and but for the bad start which he suffered, Mr. Moller would have done better than place third.
Day's Best Dividend The sixth race, the Newcastle Australian Handicap for "B" Class
This position was In the fourth race, the second sec- maintained for the first half of the tion of the Shum Chun Handicap, for journey, but before coming up to the "C" Class China ponies, over football' stands for the second time, mile, there was a spirited struggle Mr. Moller sent Silkylight into the for supremacy between Wild Cat (Mr. Ponies, over the two mile post dis- of the day. Brutus, the winner, was lead with Confusion Bay in close at Pih) and Rose Evelyn (Mr. Encar-tance, resulted in the best dividend tendance. Silkylight was nearly al-canao).
in great form, but evidently the ways about a length in front.
majority of backers did not have suf-
Great excitement prevailed when these two ponies came into the home strotch and a great battle ensued, with Confusion Bay making every effort to
Silkylight,
get in front..
Mr. Moller riding it with judgment.
rare
away to a fairly good start.
ex-
of
A good deal of difficulty was perienced in getting the ponies into line, due principally to Soldier China (Mr. Wei) boring inward, but after four attempts they were sent however, Election Time (Mr. Colson) prompt- provided a greater finish, and its win by 1/2 lengths was fully deservedly took the lead which it main- tained for quite a long way. Holding on to the rear most of the time, Mr. Encarcanso sent Rose Evelyn through after passing the Rock, and it leading when the home stretch was reached. It was here that Wild Cat came into the picture, and soon ran and these abreast of Rose Evelyn, two fought out the. finish.
Persistent application of the whin had the desired effect on Wild Cat. and with a superb effort it passed the winning rost just a head in front of Rose Evelyn.
Fine Achievement
Mr. Moller has thus won three major titles with the same pony, and his cup of sucress will be made com plete if Silkylight wins the Autumn Champions.
The fact that Liberty Bay's record was lowered was for this distance enough to show how fast the race was contested; the record, however, could great fight for third place
THIS IS
was
There was another
between
BURGUNDY WEATHER
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND
OUR FINE SELECTION OF
VINTAGE BURGUNDIES
THE QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE
OF THESE WINES BEING
UNSURPASSED IN HONG KONG.
CALDBECK'S
ficient confidence Mr. Treverton to
place their money on this combina-
tion.
Shortly after the start Cape York, noted for its bad temperament, gave another exhibition of misbehaviour. It evidently did not relish the idea of having Mr. Leslie Wade on top and started to kick and buck the jockey having no alternative but to jump clear off his mount." Mr. Wade was, however, uninjured, and he re- turned to watch the race, whilst
main entrance and was later led back by "a mafoo.
Cape York stopped just outside the
after
The race itself was quite interest- ing prior to the home stretch, but ready response from Brutus, his own nony, and won quite easily, with Twilight star Mr. Tao having the better of a great time (Mr. Needa).
that Mr. Treverton found a
Cape Comorin Disappoints
The seventh race, the Taipo Han- dicap, over the two mile post distance, resulted in a triumph for Mr. R. M. Wood, who rode for the first time This since returning from leave. event was confined to novice. jockeys, and I must admit that I was dis- appointed with the running of Cape Comorin, under Mr. Botelho.
no
The pony looked fit, but had finish. The ponies were fairly well clustered together for most of the way, with Acme in front, and it was only when approaching the straight that Mr. Wood asserted himself on Na- tional Guard, and its run home was not seriously challenged.
Wenning, ridden by Mr. Cooper, had the better of Five Rulers (Mr. Yeung Wing Kwai) for second place. Those who made the right connection. on National Guard in the double bet- ting had good reason to be thankful for the dividend paid.
Well Judged Finish
The last race, the Castle Peak Handicap, was another sprint event, in which - Mr. Potts found some dif ficulty in sending away the 15 ponies which accepted. When he did manage to get them off, it was a fairly good start, with the leaders bunched to- gether.
Handled beautifully by Mr. S. L. Yuen, Good Morning took command within a 100 yards from the winning. post, and its win was well-merited.
At the previous meeting, Good Morning, under Mr. Wei, did well to secure third place over a longer race, and on that performance I expected: that quite a number based their betting:
Meteor (Mr. Raymond) and · Dou- ble Chance (Mr. Hearno) provided a good: fight for second place, with the former winning by a neck.