EXCITING RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 283, 30 November 1931, Page 7

EXCITING RACE.

NOVEMBER HANDICAP.

Extraordinary Interest Centres

In Irish Sweep.

EX-AUCKLANDER'S SUCCESS

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 2 p.m.)

LONDON, November 29

The Manchester November Handicap, of £1500, in which extraordinary interest was taken owing to tlie Irish hospitals sweepstake associated with it, was run on Friday, and resulted in a win. for North Drift, with Signifier second and Pard third.

No Australians or New Zealandurs held sweepstake tickets on the placed horses.

North Drift, a four-year-old horse by Hainault or Bachelor's Double from Wrtritza, is owned by Mr. J. T. Downing, a Sheffield commission agent, and this was Tiis third win on the course. Last May North Drift dead-heated with Redeswood in the' Manchester Cup, one mile and a half, the same distance as the November Handicap. On Friday Redeswood was just beaten for a place.

The second, horse, Signifier, is owned and trained by the ex-Aucklander, Mr. B. Davis, and ''is a three-year-old colt by Harpocrate from Sunless. The third horse, Pard, is owned by Major F. B. Sneyd.

Forty-one horses scrambled for victory. Lord Bill refused to start. British Sailor was first to take the lead, but was outstripped by North Drift, Signifier and others who emerged from the mist three furlongs from home. North Drift then took command and gallantly won by half a length from,Signifier, with Pard half a length away third. The time was 2.52 '4-5.

There was. a record field for the race. The horees which prior to the event were thought to have outstanding chances were British Sailor, Ronk Star, Residue, Redeswood and North Drift.

The man who benefited most from the race was J. T. Downing, a bookmaker and the owner of North Drift, who made £50,000. He had always had confidence in his horse's chance, especially in muddy going. ' He acquired shares in several sweeps tickets on the horse.

The news of Mr. Downing's investments spread through the course' shortly before the race, resulting in .great excitement, the price coming down from tw.enties to eights in a few minutes.

LUCK OF THE SWEEP.

Young Baby and Labourer Gain

Fortunes.

NEW ZEALANDERS MISS.

LONDON, November 29.

In the Irish.Free.State sweepstake on the November Handicap ticket-holders in London and the home counties won £230,000. Four big prizes go elsewhere in England, four to Scotland, two to Canada and one each to Ireland and South Africa.

A ticket bought in the name of an 11 months' old baby, Jean Blyth, draw North Drift and won £30,000. The purchaser was Mrs. Moss, of Chester, the baby's grandmother. She shares half the ticket with'the infant's mother becauee they sold the other half to the owner of North Drift for £7,00.

Mr. R. W. Macey, of Faversham, a labourer, became a teetotaller when the price of liquor was raised, saved his pennies and bought a ticket. He also drew North Drift and won {£30,000, with which he intends to bring his, sons back from America, where they have been unsuccessful.

Mrs. Tuckwell, an unemployed London widow, wine £15,000, having sold half her ticket on North Drift for £800. Othciholders of.tickets on the placed horses also sold half shares in their tickets.

The first action of Mrs. Barker, aged 77, who won £15,000 on Signifier, will be to take her husband to visit their son's war grave in France.

Forty Irish roadmenders and civil guards whose remittances were too late for the Derby sweepstake had them transferred to the November Handicap and won £60 each.

ENGLISH TURF SEASON.

THE YEAR'S SUCCESSES.

(Received 11 a.m.)

LONDON, November 29,

Gordon Richards headed the .list of winning jockeys for the season with a total of 145, H. Wragg 110, Nevett 91, Fox 89, Perryman 81, P. Beasley 78.

The leading owner's winnings are:— Mr. J. A. Dewar £39,034, .Mr. W. M. Singer £27,764, Lord. Astor £26,959, Lord Eoeebery £19,766,' the Aga Khan £19,484, Lord Derby £18,514.