ASHBURTON RACES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 291, 21 September 1935, Page 6

ASHBURTON RACES

THE SPRING MEETING. WILD CHASE WINS JOHN GRIGG STAKES. HAMDICAP to silver sight. The Ashburton County Pacing Club opened! the spring season to-day when it held its spring meeting on the Ashburton racecourse. There was a large attendance and the weather was fine and sunny, with passing clouds. The track, following the rains and the attention given to it by the club, was in first-class order. ,The meeting was notable in that it included! the first running of the John Grigg Stakes, which is another expression of turf enterprise in Ashburton. The event drew the attention of a large number of people. Fields in other events were well filled by a good class of horse and the programme was a most entertaining one. The Ashburton Silver Band was in attendance and played a programme of music. . ~ Results up to the time the Guardian” went to press were as follow: —

LONGBEAOH HACK HANDICAP, of 80 sovs; minimum weight 9st. ■One mile.

4—Mr A. S. George’s ch g Gold Cross, aged, 9.2 (W. Cooper) ... 1 13 —Mr J. J. Lewis’s b g The Surgeon, 6yrs, (J. Kerr) * 3—Mr O. J. James’s br g Hunting Bag, 6yrs (:D. O’Connor) ... 3

Also started: 1 McHeath 9.13, 1 Star Raider 9.13, 10 Fiat Lux 9.4, 8 Elgindale 9.2, 5 Wonderful 9.2, 6 Nocturnus 9.2, 7 Knowledge 9.2, 14 Derive 9.0, 12 Isadore 9.0, 9 Girl Guide 9.0, 11 Sky Pilot 9.0.

After the field l had settled down, Hunting Bag was in the lead and then Elgindale took charge from The Surgeon and Hunting Bag. At the far bend Elgindale was tw r o lengths out m front. At the straight the order was Elgindale, The Surgeon, Hunting Bag and Gold Cross. The last-named came to light in the straight and won by two lengths from The Surgeon, wjth Hunting Bag two lengths back, third. McHeath, which with Star Raider, was favourite, was fourth. Time, 1.40 4-o.

NOVICE STAKES, of 70 sovs. For three-year-olds and upwards that have never won an advertised race at time of starting. Three-year-olds Bst, four years and upwards Bst 4lbs. Six furlongs.

2Mr W. T. Hazlett’s b m Madam Pompadour, syrs, 8.4 (M. Kerwin) 1 9—Mr J. M. Samson’s br f Greek Vase, 3yrs, 8.0 (E. Pinn) ... 2 3 Mr G. A. Kain’s b g Jack Ahoy, 3yrs, 8.0 (W. Jones) 3

Also started: 11 Princess Bawene 8.4, 14 Rebel; Queen 8,4, 12 Rotokmo 8.4, 5 Perfect Rose 8.4, 13 Master Tony 8.4, 10 Haste Away 8.4, 6 Honours Lass 8.4, 15 Glaze 8.0, 16 Golden Glow' 8.0, 8 Miracle 8.0, 7 Oulotte 8.0, 1 Hine Ra 8.0, 4 Universe 8.0, Master Tony took charge at the start, followed by Honours Lass, which then went into; the lead from Master Tony and Hine Ra. Honours Lass was first into the straight from Hine Ra, then Madam Pompadour forged ahead and won by two lengths from Greek Vase, with Jack Ahoy three lengths back, third. Hine R-a, which was third into the straight, was fourth, at. the post. Time, 1.13 4-5.

SELMA TROT HANDICAP (in harness), of 90 so vs. For horses that can do 3.43 or better. One mile and a half.

2—Mr L. A. Maidens’s chm Loretta, oyrs, scr (Owner) 1 I—Messrs Durbar Lodge, Ltd.’s b e Casanova, 3yrs, scr (G. Mouritz) 2 4 —Mr A. E. Messervey’s b g Hidden Charm, 4yrs, scr (L. Frost) ... 3

Also started: 15 Harlequin scr, 13 Dual scr, 17 Westcliff scr, 11 Civic scr, 10 Trireme scr, 5 Lady Hannah scr, 16 Locust scr, 7 Elite Rey scr, 11 Ray Flyer scr, 1 Mistral scr (coupled with second horse), 14 Celebrity scr, 9 Heather Queen scr, 8 Royal Crescent 12yds bhd, 12 Modern Lady 24, 3 Cruiser 36. First to pass the stand were Trireme, Harlequin, Loretta and Hidden Charm, and there was not much change in the leaders till the straight was reached. Civic was first into the straight, and next were Trireme and Casanova, with Hidden Charm in a handy place. Loretta went on to win in a great finish by a neck from Casanova. Five lengths back was Hidden Charm in third place, and close up was Lady Hannah in fourth place. Times, 3.24 .2-5, 3.24 3-5, 3.26 3-5.

ASHBURTON HANDICAP, of 120 sovs, second horse 12 soys and third horse 8 sovs from the stake. One mile and a quarter.

6—Mr A. Behan’s 1> g Silver Sight, 6yrs, 8.8 (M, Kerwin) 1 3—Messrs G. It. Hunter and P. 0. Webb’s b g Wino, syrs, 8.5 (M. Caddy) 2 2 —Mr T. Irving’s blk g Haere Tonu, oyrs, 8.1 (A. Messervey) ... 3

Also started: 5 Horowhenua 9.0, 7 Argentic 8.13, 3 Hunting Go 8.9, 9 Tout le Monde 8.6, 8 Trishna 7.13, 4 Glowlight 7.0.

With a great burst of speed Wino went to the front soon after the start and at the back was ten lengths ahead of Trishna. The rest of the field were strung out over a long distance. Wino led into the straight, but was stopping. Next came Glowlight and Hunting Go. Silver Sight came through to win by two lengths from Wino, and two lengths hack was Haere Tonu, with Argentic fourth. Time, 2.6 3-5.

JOHN GRIGG STAKES, of 250 sovs. For two-year-olds. Colts and geldings Bst slbs, fillies Bst. Four furlongs. 1— Sir Ohas. Clifford’s b c Wild Chase, 8.5 (E. Ludlow) 1 4—Mr E. Hay’s b f Pelmet; 8.0 (A. Messervey) 2 2Mr O. Hold worth’s b g Studley Royal, 8.5 (J. W. Jennings) ... 3

Also started: 3 Amount 8.5 (coupled with Almira 8.0), 7 Sunbeam 8.5, 12 Nuipai 8.5, 9 Dictate 8.5, 5 Double Gift 8.0, 10 Asset 8.0, 8 Silver Slipper 8.0, 13 Impact 8.0, 11 Pelian 8.0, 6 Golden Emblem 8.0.

After a. great deal of trouble at the barrier the field got away to a good

start, Golden Emblem being first to show out from Amount, avlio made the best start. At the entrance to the straight Studley Reval was leading from Golden Emblem and Sunbeam. Wild Chase came up in the straight to win from Pelmet by a head, Studley Royal being third, three lengths back. Amount was fourth and Asset fifth. Time, 48 4-5.