FINISHED BRILLIANTLY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVXIII, Issue 53, 4 March 1937, Page 22

FINISHED BRILLIANTLY.

GOLD ROD'S VICTORY. CAULFIKLD FUTURITY STAKES. With a whirlwind finish as supremely dramatic as it was brilliant, Gold Rod captured tlie Futurity Stakes on February 2i> (says a Melbourne writer). Hi« victory placed him once again on the pedestal of pre-eminence among our active turf champions. The idolised chestnut .did more i than simply, win the race. He »*"t a record that three-year-old Futurity contestants in years to come may find it hard to break. Gold Hod had 9.4. inclusive of a I.">M> penalty—the greatest weight evf" carried to victory in the Futurity Stakes by a three-year-old, although many of that age have won the race. When Pamelue. who had been backed for a fortune, raced into the straight clear of the bunched field, the race looked all over "bar the shouting." Gold Rod had met with a check, and lost his position at the half'inile, and at the straight entrance was apparently in a hopeless position. Responding marvellously to McCarten'n vigorous riding, the colt came round the field, and, finishing wide out. gathered Fa in el ne and maintained hi« run to win by half a length. Hadrian and Beecliwood were smartest away from the machine, with Regular Bachelor again playing a tardy role. Hadrian led Country Party by a. length at the fiv-e-furlong post, with Boechwood. Gold Rod. Pa in el us mid Plymouth Sound close up and rather bunched. Fameliis eventually tinned clear of Country Party and Beeclnvood. with Plymouth Sound and Young Idea handy. Commencing the run home Gold Rod wim flying wide round Br-ccli wood and Plymouth Sound. About uOydx from the post there was a battle royal between Gold Rod and Painelus. but the colt was too good for the Queensiander by half a length. Young Idea finished well, only a long neck away third. Country Party, who was always handy throughout the race, and looked to be Painelns' only danger at the turn, wa« a very clone fourth.