MEMORIAL WIN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 1, 2 January 1945, Page 6

MEMORIAL WIN

JEFF IS SECOND

MAJESTIC'S SYLVIA

Exeter stamped himself as a liorso well above the ordinary when he carried 9.4 to victory in the. Nathans' Memorial on the concluding programme to-day of the Auckland Racing Club's summer meeting. He was backed down to less than six to four. This five-year-oia Foxbridge horse had won three mile races in succession when he took the Christinas Handicap on the opening day, and if he had not received a severe check which cost him several lengths in the Glasgow H? .dicap yesterday he would have won easily Instead of being beaten a short head by Babrow, a mediocre performer, to whom he was conceding 281b. In the Nathans' Memorial to-day George Cameron rode him a perfect race always having him well placed to bring him through on the fence in the home stretch and narrowly defeat Jeff, which also finished solidly. Royal Master, which had made most of the running with Billy Peach and Royal Merit, was three-quarters of a length away third, closely followed by Billy Peach, Sousa, Sir Dmk and Cornish. The Opening Event The Grey Handicap was the opening event, and this was run in divisions the topweight, Nepeta, winning the first heat at about four to one, and Gaelic Salute the second one, this winner being at double figures. Starter Skipworth was In good form, both divisions being dispatched 111 line. Nepeta was the first to become prominent in the opening heat; however, Gunman soon forged to the front to take a lead of five lengths from Nepeta, with Tough Guy. Fine Kin, Richelieu, Battle Royal and Doll Dinks close handy to the topweight. There was very little change as the field raced through the top to the home turn, but Nepeta had reduced the gap to Gunman, and he had his measure just inside the distance, going on to win by a length, while Doll Dinks improved her position to finish third, ahead of Lo Zin, Tough Guy and Richelieu. Bramble Song fell ,at the five-furlong post. The second heat resolved itself into a keen struggle in the final furlong between Gaelic Salute, Lagenia and Golders Green, with Gaelic Salute getting the verdict by a length from Lagenia, which woula nave won had she been brought away from the rail sooner. Golders Green, which had made the pace throughout, was only a head away third. Greek Boy, Gaelic Salute and Te Kiwi were actually the first in the call, but Golders Green soon took over control, and led through the top from Mercurial, Gaelic Salute, Greek Boy, St. Leon and Lagenia. The last-named had pushed through on the fence to be close handy to the leaders as they raced towards the straight. Golders Green was the first to turn for home, with a slight advantage from Mercurial, and she was still in front with 50 yards to go. Harding, despairing .of getting an opening on the rails, pulled his horse out, but too late to get up. Taverns.ide finished solidly down the middle of the track to be fourth, with Bright Eagle, Greek Boy and Sir Leon close up. The Dude Does It Again The Dude, which won the New Year Hurdles yesterday at a good price, completed a nice winning double when he took the Auckland Hurdles, giving a polished display of jumping. When he won yesterday The Dude finished on strongly from a lphg way back, but on this occasion he took the lead after going a little more , than half a mile, and he never surrendered his advantage, ultimately winning with something in reserve, fey three lengths from the second favourite Lucky Alex. The Dude is definitely on the up grade, and more should be heard of him. Expellant was a solid win favourite, but he hit the first fence in the straight very hard and dislodged his rider, J. Winder, to leave Slavonik politing the field past the stand. At this stage Good Armour, Taihuia, Lucky Alex arid The Dude were close up, and the lasi.-named soon assumed the role of pacemaker to lead Good Armour by two lengths past the seven-furlong post, where Lucky Alex and Taihuia were close handy, a length clear of Slavonik. Lucky Alex moved into second place a little later, and he issued a challenge to The Dude at the quartermile, but the latter was going altogether too well and he increased his advantage In the home straight to win by three lengthfe. Good Armour: was-a moderate third, and was followed at intervals'by Taihuia, New-Battle- and Acremari. Bronglitort Gels One Home The fourth favourite ... Majestic took command in the Sylvia Park Handicap at the end of half a furlong, and he was never afterwards headed, winning comfortably by three-quarters of a length from White Blaze (1-1), which was actually the first to move and had every chance of success. The third horse, Balmacara, broke away twice before the start and was ultimately put to the outside so that, in the circumstances, his run to finish a close third was an excellent one, especially considering that he was carrying 9.8. After Majestic took over the pace-making Duke Royal moved smartly into second place b-i, —"2 soon joined by Balmacara, this pair being clear of White Blaze, with another two lengths to Last Sign. JoviaPSong moved smartly- at the quarter mile to close on Majestic, but once in the straight Majestic asserted himself :nd White Blaze came through to be a good second, a half length clear of Balmacara. which was c'osely followed by Last Sign, General Lytup, Duke Royal and Freezing Point, with a gap of four lengths to Jovial Song, which stopped very badly. Majestic was ridden by W. J- Broughton, New Zealand's No. 1 horseman, and this was his first win at the meeting. Results: — GEET HANDICAP of £800. One mile. First Division: 3—S—NEPETA. ch h. 4yrs, by Vaals—Princess Bede (E. H. Cucksey), o.7—Cameron . 1 14-14—GUNMAN. br h. syrs (H. W. Burch), B.B—Garth 2 10-10—DOLL DINKS, br m, 4yrs (S. G. Lindsay), 7.o—Toki 3 Also started: 2-3 Fine Kin, 8.10; 16-14 Bramble Sons. 8.2; 1-1 Richelieu. 8.0: 7-7 Llanarth, 7.12; 5-2 Century. 7.10; 15-15 Battle Royal. 24-24 Evening Coat. 17-17 Good Fun. 18-20 LO Zin, 11-1!. Mr. Bowl, 20-18 Ninth Star, 12-12 Santa Anita, 23-23 Tough Guy, 7.7. Length; half. Time 1.38 2-5. Winner trained by A. Cook, Te Awamutu.

Second Division: ' ' 13-13 —GAELIC SALUTE, b c. 3yrs, by Sal««_ Royal Shadow IJ. und L. HmtSST 7.lo—Hooton OM nson), 4—4—LAGENIA. ch m, 4yrs (G.''"Bei- e 'rtV l 17-17— GOLDERS GREEN, ch f, ' 3yrs (E."j ' Also started: 12-12 St. Leon, 9.7; 6-6 U«mm ' 8.13; 19-19 Sir Leon. 8.9; 8-8 Te Kiwi iS Tavernside. 8.2: 21-21 Odvaals, 7.13- 9.j'i« Boy. 7.8; 24-24 Bright Eagle, 11-11 Foxros* «* Killfast, 20-18 Llghtmlnt, 22-22 Ramped^ j * Bracket: Goldcrs Green and Good Fun.' '' Neck; head. Time 1.37 3-5. Winner trained by D. J. Arnott, Green Law. AUCKLAND HURDLES of £650 One mile and three-quarters. ' 3—3—THE DUDE, br g. ased. by LysuiiW niMig ,658 <Mlss T - 6—6-GOOD ARMOUR, br g, syrs a% i! 1 Walker). B.s—Hain .1......™ Jl *• Also started: Expellant, 10.13- BronM ' B-ai : ,e. T 9 a r a - °' 2; Acrem » • Winner trained by J. G. Crosby. Hamilton. For tiro-year-olds. s'ix°fartoSJ; 4—4—MAJESTIC, b jr. 2yrs. by Rtngmast,, Submission (M. J. M^oSSfTiu: b c. 2yrs (W., G. .mi. l Also started: G-6 General Lytup. 5-s a*., 8.0; 7-7 Duke Royal, 7.13; 8-8 p4i,,*» 12-12 Tweedside. 7.12; 3-3 Last Sign 9-10 n~ - 7.11; 10-9 Jovial Song. 7.7; 11-11 kaniji,-t^ TISe rce r.l2 a 4 OI * Imßth: haU a leWh. Winner trained by H. Dulieu, New Plymouth, NATHANS' MEMORIAL HANDICAP of £mm One mile and a quarter. I—I—EXETER, brer, syrs. by Foxbridn>_ Neon (E. Johnston). 9.4-Camerori , S—6—JEFF, br g, syrs (Miss Y. M. Oourti" 7.l—R. Caddy ™un), , 3—2—ROYAL MASTER, br g-. syrs (j"V ' Young), 7.0, car. 7.l^—Kugheis ...'....1 , Also started: 4-4 Billy Peach, ca:-. 7io- t, Cornish, 7.6; 2-3 Royal Merit, 7.5; 7-7' Corn? car. 7.6',i; 0-9 Diamond King, 11-n HuntlnsKta? 7.0; 6-5 Sousa, car. 7.3; 10-10 Sir Diiik, 7?o. ' Short head; three-quarters length. Time, 2.5 }$ Winner trained by A. Cook, Tβ A^amutU.