1938-05-27 — Page 26

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 27, 1988.

RAIN RUINS FIFTH EXTRA MEET

ONLY THREE GOOD FINISHES IN CARD OF NINE EVENTS

Smiling Thru Triumphs Over Griffins

MR. GREGORY DESERVES

GRADUATION

(By "RAPIER")

HAVING attended race meetings for several years, I cannot recall having witnessed sport of such uninteresting type as that served up last Sat- urday at the Valley, during the Fifth Extra Race Meeting.

With the possible exception of the races won by Scenic View, Dekko and Estover, the finishes in practically every other event were uninteresting. In nearly every instance it was the case of a pony assuming the lead from the start and maintaining it to the end without being seriously challenged.

This was naturally accounted for by the heavy state of the track, which handicapped most of the ponies.

The anticipated return of Mr. V. V. Needa did not materialise, but it was good to see Mr. Chanson back again. Mr. C. Encarnacao did not take part last Saturday as he was indisposed, although by nothing of a serious na-

ture.

caused by the defeat of Strathroy, the reigning champion.

and passed Strathroy to snatch second place, while the latter had to be con- tent with third.

DAY'S BEST FINISH Quite the best finish of the day was witnessed in the third race, the West River Handicap, from the two mile post. After its run at the previous meeting, when it came second to Lan- cashire Lass, the majority of backers placed their bets on Scenic View to

"REVIEWER'S"

SPORTS COMMENTARY

McCormick Sets Up A Record

Win, and Mr. Pih, the jockey, certain-TH, Austrian E.

ly justified the confidence placed on him.

I must admit, however, that I was terribly disappointed with the poor showing of King's Lead. It looked as if it was in really fine condition and yet, after making most of the running within reach of the Rock, it faded out of the picture.

THE Australian team are rot worry- L. McCormick's extraordinary sequence of no-balls against Worcestershire on May 3-nor is McCormick himself.

The fast bowler made cricket history in his first spells of how- ling in England by sending down the unprecedented number of 30 no-balls in the course of 13 overs. In Worcester's first innings he was 16 were not scored off and the remain- no-balled 24 times. Of these deliveries

ing eight yielded 18 runs.

Coming into the straight it looked as if Just In Time (Mr. Tao) was going to win the race, but a generous In the second innings there were six application of the whip on Scenic View no-balls, of which three were not scor- had the desired effect, and it woned off. The other three gave 13 runs. with a head to spare. Coming through His eight overs in the first innings strongly, Laughing Girl (Mr. Liang) yielded 44 runs but no wicket. Just In Time. managed to snatch second place from,

The first spell by. McCormick, who is described by Don Bradman as the fastest bowler Australia has brought over since the war, was phenomenal. The record was:

FIRST OVER-NO-BALLED 8 TIMES; 14 BALLS IN ALL.

SECOND OVER.-NO-BALLED TIMES; 15 BALLS SENT DOWN,

9

OVER.-8

BALLS

THIRD

second spell of five overs McCormick

BOWLED; TWO NO-BALLS. Then Bradman took him off. In his

found his proper run, but he was again no-balled five times.

DEKKO'S GOOD WIN There was another interesting finish in the fourth race, the first section of the Peiho Handicap. Election Time the big (Mr. Colson), which paid dividend at the last meeting, had to) be hard held on the outside, and the This was not altogether unexpected start of the race saw it among

the as it was carrying 165 lbs. and was crowd in the lead. out on a track which was far too heavy for its liking, and the

It was difficult to distinguish which simply could not make progress de- coming into the straight Dekko (Mr. pony pontes were actually in front, but spite Mr. Black's effort on rounding Proulx) asserted itself. the bend.

It was strongly challenged, however, time of 2.16.0 returned for the dis-Valorous (Mr. Fung), but they were by the simple comment: "He was over- The race was fairly fast and the by both Piet Hein (Mr. Pih) and The umpire explained his decisions tance was certainly very satisfactory- unable to overhaul it and Dekko flash-stepping the crease."

Jumping out into the lead, Court-ed first past the winning post, leav- ing Eve took command all the

waying the other two ponies to fill second the touring side, treated the matter as McCormick, who is the humorist of B. L. Tao

round. Electron (Mr. Liang), Lan- and third positions respectively. POPULAR NOVICE GRADUATES

cashire Chips (Mr. Proulx) and

a joke against himself. He smiled Two novice jockeys, however, came close the gap, but on coming into the

Strathroy (Mr. Black) tried hard tol

FIVE LAN CANDIDATES

when asked what he thought of the into the limelight. As a result of his straight Courting Eve lengthened the which was decided on the fifth race,

The first leg of the "Daily Double," umpire's decisions, and said: “I wish fine win on Centre Court, Mr. C. distance between itself and the other the Shing Mun Handicap, for Gregory graduated from the

"B" he was hoarse." class, and judging by the rapid im- ponies and eventually won by six Class China ponies, did not present The truth is that McCormick lacked provement he has made since taking Courting Eve with

lengths. Mr. Pih certainly handled any great difficulty, although many practice. He could not get the up riding a few years ago, his future Trailing behind fine judgment. punters must have been a little puzzl- rhythm of his long run, and often went

most of the career appears bright.

the five Mr. Gregory Blandford (Mr. Poy) revealed a fast presenting the Lan stable.

candidates has displayed great enthusiasm in rac- turn of speed over the last 200 yards

re-a boot over the line when delivering

the ball. ing, and he certainly deserves

(Continued on Page 20) gratulations on his well-merited ac- hievement.

Riding honours among the jockeys went to Mr. H. C. Pih, who scored three winners, as against two by Mr.

novice

con-

In one of his rare appearances, Mr. L. J. Fielden scored a meritorious success on Estover, which was in- strumental in paying the biggest win dividend of the day.

were

Lan,

Honours among the owners somewhat monopolised by Mr. who had three wins and a third, and the Eu Tong-sen stable did quite well In securing one first, one second and two thirds.

BARRIER DISPENSED WITH Six ponies went out to face the starter in the first race, the Yangtsze Handicap over six furlongs. The starting barrier was dispensed with for this race, probably due to the fact that Pinfarthings was too re-

Ative. The race started in a heavy shower of rain, and although Pin- farthings got away nicely, it was un- able to keep up with Expression Time (Mr. Tao) and Handicap Eve (Mr. Y, T. Fung).

Before reaching the Rock, Pinfar- things, which was quite well backed, petered out, and it was left to Ex- pression Time and Handicap Eve to fight out the finish of the race, as the other ponies were too much in arrears to challenge.

Expression Time and Handicap Eve continued neck and neck to the one mile beacon, at which stage the former forged ahead and won by 1% lengths.

It was quite evident that Handicap, Eve did not relish running on a heavy track, and Expression Time's win was due to its stronger staying power un der adverse conditions. Coming through from behind, Mr. Poy did quite well to snatch third place. Rose Jane,

...on

In the second race, the Brid bane Spring Handicap, for “A” Class Australian ponies over 11⁄4 miles, a minor sensation was

way,

ed about

*** *

**

Horse's Second "National"

OLD LIQUEUR BRANDIES IN winning the Grand National Stee.

FOR

THE CONNOISSEUR

B. B. PALE OLD

F.O. V. (Finest Old Vintage)

GODET FRERES 1852

ROUYER GUILLET 1865

EXSHAW'S V. F. O. (60 years old)

NAPOLEON 1814

plechase, at Aintree, Liverpool, as well as the American Grand National, Battleship has set up a record which may never be equalled.

Bruce Hobbs, the successful jockey, is the youngest rider to win the Na- tional. He was 17 on December 27 last, and not long ago he was at Newbury: Grammar School.

Mrs. Scott, owner of Battleship, is a member of the syndicate which paid $50,000 to the Aga Khan for the Derby winner, Blenheim.

**

*

*

W. J. Wallace, (1904-5 All Black) has retired from active office on N.Z. Rugby Union. Fortunately for the game, he will continue to assist schools Rugby. One wonders what would have been the N.Z. verdict when the change from the 232 scrum was made, had Billy Wallace and his contemporaries the responsibility of making the cision.

de-

R. M. N. Tindall, the former Cam-- bridge President, winner of the 400 metres hurdles event for Eire in the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and one of the finest all round athletes elther University has produced since the war, is to turn professional.

Greenwood, the former Sussex bats- man, is qualified for Northamptonshire this season, but may not assist them

CALDBECK, MACGREGOR & CO., LTD. regularly.

Before the new qualification rule was passed Greenwood arranged to play for Stoke in the Staffordshire League. He will, in any event, be available to play for the County in mid-week games.