A PLUNGE ASTRAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 304, 26 December 1933, Page 10

A PLUNGE ASTRAY.

One of the greatest betting plunges seen on a suburban course for many months went astray at Rosehill on December 16, when the top-weight, Closing Time, was beaten out ot a place in the Uundas Handicap. It was the general opinion tnat the calibre of the gallopers, together with the work of the handicapper, warranted a fairly wide,market, and for a considerable time the bookmakers were compelled to offer 5 to 1 the Held before business of any material dimensions could be recorded. There was hardly an inquiry for Closing Time in the early part oi the discussions, but so persistent was the demand towards the rinisli that it was impossiblcto secure better than half that price about him, and even that price was obtainable in only a few places, one bookmaker remarking after the race that he would not have liked to have had to place a commission of £100 while the horses were at the post. Closing Time is certainly a brilliant sprinter, and he more than paid his way for the trip to Melbourne during the spring, but he has yet to prove himself over a longer distance than six furlongs. The Uundas Handicap was run over- a furlong further, and Closing Time's task was not made any easier by his having No. 17 position at the barrier. As a matter of fact, it contributed largely to his weakening in the straight, as his rider had to urge him along from the jump out to take up a handy position. He was running fourth from the time the field had settled down to the turn, but at the finish he was only about sixth.