F. J. Smith Drives Five Winners At Epsom

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 88, 14 April 1945, Page 1 (Supplement)

F. J. Smith Drives Five Winners At Epsom

HAT-TRICK INCLUDED

Southerner Binky Dillon Pays a Good Dividend While Clive Brook Returns a Score For Third Place

The Auckland horseman, F. J. Smith, carried off the honours at the Auckland Trotting Club's patriotic meeting at Alexandra Park to-day, training and driving no fewer than five winners, three of them in succession. In addition to that he also distinguished himself by taking the winning double. His representative, Medical Student, defeated the opposition in the Churchill Handicap, while Volo Senwod, one of the most improved pacers in the province, was successful in the second leg, the Montgomery Handicap. Certainly it'was a great day for the Smith stable and its supporters.

The favourite. Medical Student, won his way this afternoon into the £1500 Adams Memorial Cup race next Saturday by brilliantly winning the Churchill Handicap very narrowly from Gallant Maid.

Medical Student has been a most consistent performer this season and he revealed sufficient speed at a critical stage to take advantage of a difficult position approaching the half-mile post to draw to the front and thereafter make the shortest way home.

The race was never devoid of interest and there was very little between half a dozen horses commencing the final half-mile, where Channel Fleet and Syncopate were just showing in front, only to lose command when Smith drove Medical Student through and led along the back. It then looked as though he might win comfortably, so well was he travelling, but Gallant Maid threw out a determined challenge in the homeward stretch and was fast catching the leader approaching the post. Dunkirk gave a good account of himself throughout to finish third.

Channel Fleet was the early pacemaker and at the end of a mile, run in 2.15, was just shading Syncopate, Gallant Maid and Medical Student being on terms next, with Dunkirk, Jack High and War Guard hard on their heels. There was a bit of a scramble approaching the back and Jack High did not get any the best of that, losing a couple of lengths as Medical Student forged ahead. The last-named was two lengths clear of Gallant Maid passing the quartermile, with three to Dunkirk, while Jack High was dropping out of it. Gallant Maid came home very strongly, but was flat out, as it were, and failed by a neck. Channel Fleet was fourth. Jack High and War Guard a few lengths farther back. An Easy Win Hidden Note, which won at her last start, at the Wellington Trots a couple of months ago, had a very easy win in the Army Handicap from 72yds behind. Watts took her into a prominent position half a mile from home and after trailing the leader, Rosewaa, into the straight, she came away and won very easily from Dolly Scott, the last named having run past Rosewaa, which broke badly under pressure. When the barrier was released several of the limit markers failed to, go away correctly, among them being Steel Sword, Noble Star and Anna Wrack. Rosewaa was the first, to show up and she led past the stand from Dolly Scott, Wharekawa and Rara Avis, the rest being well strung out. Rosewaa continued to make the pace entering the last round and she was followed in close order by Rara Avis, Wharekawa, High Pressure and Dolly Scott, with Hidden Note moving up. Hidden Note closed on Rosewaa entering the home stretch and she went on to win very easily, Dolly Scott leading Rosewaa by a neck. Mamanuas ran on very solidly over the last quarter to be fourth and he was followed by Anna Wrack, Noble Star and High Pressure. In Three Divisions The Royal Navy Handicap was run in three divisions and Indian Lad won the first heat rather decisively from Susy Lee, with Josalie a fair third. Indian Lad made the pace with Auto Bingen for most of the journey, Josalie and Susy Lee making fast forward moves in the back stretch to be handy to Indian Lad at the home turn. However, the leader had plenty of reserve and went on to victory by three lengths. Fly High was fourth and then Rose Scott and Auto Bingen. At the start of the second division, Typical went away badly, losing about 60 yards, but he went very fast once he settled down to race into third place behind Bula and Auto Chief, this pair having drawn to the front from the outset. The trio was well clear of the field racing along the back and Auto Chief was the first to turn for home, with a decided advantage from Typical. He won with a good deal in reserve, by three lengths, while the tiring Bula was third.- William, which went a sound race throughout, was fourth and the rest nowhere.

The two-year-old, Doctor Ted, gave a taste of his quality in the third division, as, after F. J. Smith took him to the front entering the last half mile, he always had command of the situation, being on a tight rein and still running several seconds faster than either of the other two divisions. Balalaika and Professional chased him over the last part, hut neither of them had any chance, other than to fill the minor placings. Merry Chimes was fourth, well ahead of the next horse. Smith's Winning Double F. J. Smith completed a winning double when he drove the favourite, Great Belwin to victory in the Air Force Handicap. It was a very stylish piece of pacing on the part of Great Belwin, as, although he was hampered just after leaving the half-mile, losing three or four lengths, he went fast approaching the quar-

er to join Auto Lad and Heyday ntering the straight, with ultimate -ictory assured. He was on the bit iver the final furlong, to clock 3.27, :'rom 3.39.

Fighting Friend's Showing The win favourite, Fighting Friend, trotted very solidly to win the Stalin Handicap from Parwrack (2-1), and his success was largely due to the driving of M. Paul, who distinguished himself by his patience and well-timed final run. Fighting Friend is only a young horse and he should go on to better things. Parwrack was taken into the lead with less than half the journey covered and he, too, gave a nice display of free-leg trotting, going under only in the last 20 yards. Suspense and Stirling Maid failed to settle down and were soon hopelessly out of the contest, Etta Girl leading past the stand from Parwrack, Fighting Friend, Silver Plane and Audrey's Last, these horses being in close order, with a considerable gap to Wee Pandora and Buncrana. Parwrack was two lengths in front at the end of a mile in 2.22 and he increased this to four lengths within the next furlong, where Etta Girl and Fighting Friend were his closest attendants, while Audrey's Last was handy. . The field closed up approaching the top, where Fighting Friend commenced to join issue with Parwrack, while Silver Plane, on the rails, and Otawa Lass, further out, also joined issue. Parwrack gained an advantage of a length swinging into the straight, but even this was not sufficient, as he went under in a fighting finish to Fighting Friend. Silver Plane was only a length away and Otawa Lass a close fourth. Etta Girl was next, followed by Buncrana, Audrey's Last and Wee Pandora. Placings Altered Immediately after the Stalin Handicap was run the judicial com- ; mittee was called together on a complaint by the stipendiary steward and, after taking evidence, they unanimously decided to disqualify Silver Plane for third place, that position going to Otawa Lass. His Fourth Win The leading trainer and driver in New Zealand, F. J. Smith, increased his total in the United Nations' Handicap when he drove his fourth winner in five races this afternoon. This was Josie Dell, which led practically all the way to score rather easily by a length in 3.24 2-5. She was "never seriously challenged in the home stretch and won so well that she might even add to her record next Saturday. In a head and head struggle Axminster just took second place by the proverbial nose from Clive Brook, these two horses finishing very fast over the last bit. Clive Brook was second early to Josie Dell and they were followed past the stand by Axminster, Albert Tracey and Reidwin. the last-named having moved up smartly after a bad beginning. Entering the back stretch the last time Josie Dell was showing the way to Sonja Henie, Gwen Grattan, Albert Tracey, Clive Brook and Axminster, with Mighty close up. Josie Dell was clear entering the home stretch and went on to win as described. Sonja Henie was a good'fourth from Gwen Grattan, Albert Tracey, Mihini Tere and Reidwin. Win For Visitor Binky Dillon, a Christchurch representative and the only visitor in the field, had a very easy win in the Chiang Kai-shek Handicap. He took the lead shortly after the -start and paced on in good style to hold command of the situation and win with something in reserve by a length and a half from Syncopate in 3.23. It was a good betting race and Too True and Lady Moness were the favourites, Too True giving his supporters a good run to finish fourth. Lady Moness never heartened her backers. Modern Parrish ran well to take third plfice at a little worse than five to one against. Don Walla led out of the straight from Modern Parrish, Too True and Binky Dillon, but when they came round again Binky Dillon was going great guns three lengths in front of Franco and Too True, with Don Walla and Modern Parrish both prominent among the others. Too True and Flower Potts moved up crossing the top and followed Binky Dillon into the straight, while Syncopate and Modern Parrish also made up ground. There was no doubt about the result in so far as first place was concerned as they came down the straight, but Syncopate finished just too well for Modern Parrish to take second place, Too True being fourth, and then Don Walla, Contender and Franco.

Continued Improvement

Yolo Senwod, a little better than even money favourite, continued to show improvement to soundly trounce the field in the Montgomery Handicap. • He took the lead three furlongs from home and was always going very well within himself after that to win by a length and a half from Te Roto, which defeated Sabp comfortably for second place. Te Roto was the pacemaker from War Guard, Stuart Lee, Alcazar, Hillcrest and \ r olo Senwod for the first part of the journey,

Totalisator Figures The totalisator figures for the day at the Auckland Trotting Club's patriotic meeting at Alexandra Park were £05,374, as compared with £87,139 10/ at the patriotic meeting last year. This is an increase of £8234 10/. ARMY HANDICAP or £200. One mile and a half. Limit 3.49. I—I—HIDDEN NOTE, b m. 6yrs, by Maxegln— Harvest Note (D Stormont and M. Stewart), 72yds—Watts 1 2—3—DOLLY SCOTT, blk m, aged (J. T. Paul), limit—Paul 2 13-16 —ROSEWAA, c m, aged (E. P. Wright and A. Amon), limit—Wright 3 Also started: 3-2 Cossfick, 14-15 Jack Daly, 14-15 Tauber, 6-10 Keen Blade, 5-5 Legionane, 5-5 Steel Sword, 8-9 Noble Star, 16-14 Fe'.er Sterling, 16-14 Tubeck, 3-2 Sabre, 15-13 Wharekawa, limit; 7-8 Anna Wra.-.n, 11-11 High Pressure, 4-4 Our Worthy 12-12 Kara Avis, J6yds; 0-7 Little Hero, 60yds: 10-6 Mamanuas, 84yds. Four lengths: neck. Times: 3.33 3-5, 3.40 2-5. 3.40 3-5. Winner trained by M. Stewart, Te Rapa. ROYAL NAVY HANOICAP of £450. One mile and a half. Limit 3.43. First Division: 12-13—INDIAN LAD, ch g. 3yrs, by Indianapolis—Gold Meldon (Mrs. A. I. Tonkin ana A. F. Barron), limit—D. McKendry 1 D—9—SUSY LEE. b m, 6yrs (F. S. Ball), limit —Stewart ■ • • 2 2—I—JOSALIE. b f, 3yrs (M. G. Pczaro), limit—Grey 3 Thrco lengths; half a length. Times: 3.34 2-5, 3.35 4-5, 3.36. Winner trained by A. F. Barron, New Lynn. Second Division: 6—7—AUTO CHIEF, b g. syrs. by Auto Machine—Pink Lady (B. Dyer), limit— Dyer . . ,• • • 1 X—2—'TYPICAL, b g, a«ed (H. Robert and P. C. Rowse). limit —M. Paul ........ 2 10-10—BULA, rn m, 4yrs (G. P. D. Jackson), limit—A. W. Brougn'on . ... 3 Three lengths; neck. Times: 3.33 3-5, 3.34 4-5, 3.35. Winner trained by owner, Remuera. Third Division: 3—I—DOCTOR TED, b g. 2yrs (Mrs. K. Bridgens and M. G. Pezaro), limit —F. J. Smltn • 1 B—B—BALALAIKA, ch g. aged (A. E. Lovett ind R. A. McMillan), limit—McMillan I S—3—PROFESSIONAL, Li l.i, aged (J. K. Amesbury), limit—N. R. McKenzie J Length; length and a halt. Times: 3.28, 3.28 2-5, 3 Winner trained by F. J. Smith, Takaninl.

Scratched: Awamutu, Baby Grand, Taskec Queen, Silver Jewel, Durato, Swordsplay. Indian Quest, Nuella.

Brackets: Auto Bingen and Auto Ciller. Baby Crand and Balalaika, Doctor Ted ana Josalie, Indian Lad and Silver Jewel, Susy Lee and Toronto Lass, Typical and Worthy Nelson.

AIR FORCE HANDICAP of £250. One mile and a hall. Limit 3.39. I—I—GREAT BEIWIN. b B, 3yrs, by Worthy Belwin—Agnes Bingen (,N. 11. Norton), limit—F. J. smith ... ........... 1 3—3 —HEYDEY, b g, aged (W. Walker), 24yds— M. Paul ■ - 4 I—NOBLE DE ORO, Dr g. 4yrs ID. W. Morgan and A. Clark), 12yda—L. J. Mahoney J

Also started: 5-7 Auto Lad, 0-12 Durato, 10-10 Fortadowr., 10-10 Red Crest, 7-3 Acc, 6-5 Bed Horizon, 17-1/ Torrid, _10-lo , rut , jewelj, limit' 12-11 Cam Derby, 2-2 Kcwple e Pride, 11-9 Sir Archie, 12yds: 6-5 Dainty Jewel, 16-16 Clive Brook, 14-14 Mlhini Teie, 8-6 Sonny Je i % „ e , l i , 24ycls • 2-2 Floradale, 60yds; 13-13 lleliopolis, 72yds. Length: half a length. Times: 3.27, 3.20 2-5, 3.26 3-5. Winner trained by P. J. Smtih, Takanini. CHURCHILL HANDICAP of £400. Two miles. 4.38 Class. 1-I—MEDICAL STUDENT, b g, 4yrs, by Quite Sure —Probationer (V. A. Barke.), 12yds—F. J. Smith -- 4 —3 —GALLANT MAID, b m. aged (P. Reid), 12yds—D. McKendry „ 2 3—4 —DUNKIRK, b g, aged (J. K. Amesbury), 12yds—McKcnzle ■» Also started: 5-5 Syncopate limit; 6-6 Channel Fleet. 7-3 Shadow Son, 12yds; J fck .iS' 36yds; 2-2 War Guard, 8-7 Kitty s Choice, 48yds. Neck: six lengths. Times: 4.29, 4.29 1-5, 4 31 2-5. Winner trained by F. J. Smith, Takanini. STAI.IN HANDICAP of £300. Two miles. Limit 4.56. I—2—FIGHTING FRIEND, ch g, 6yrs, by Ringtrue—Great Eyre (C. N. McFlinn), limit —M, Paul , v ' * * V»V 2—I—PARWRACK. b g, aged (L. F. Berkett), 12yd#—BerSett ,■ • ; • • ••• J B—B—OTAWA8 —B—OTAWA LASS, b m. agid (A. E. RaLbidgc), 48yds—Kemble •> Al«o started: 3-3 Buncrana. 6-6 Elta Girl, 6-0 Highrate, 5-7 Wee Pandora, limit; 3-3 Suspense, 12vds; 4-4 Silver Plane, 24yds; 10-9 Stirling Maid 36yd5; 7-5 Audrey's Lant, 48yds, 9-10 Willie W.nkie, 108 yds. Half length; length. Times:. 4.47 2-5. 4.46 3-o, 4.16. Winner trained by M. Paul, Mangere. Silver Plane was disqualified. UNITED NATIONS HANDICAP of £ 275. One mile and a half. Limit <>.34. 1 1 toste DELL, b f. 3yrs, by Josedale Grattan—Dell PolU (F. A. Bridgens), limit—F. J. smith .... ■■ ■ ••• ■■■■■■ 1 9 —8 —AXMINSTER. ch g. aged (E. S. T.cmaine), 12yds—M Paul — ■ • * 15-15—CLIVE BROOK, b g. aged (*. Cranston). limit—Cranston ■> Also started: 3-5 Ann Scott, 7-6 Cold Steel, 11-11 Gwen Grattan. 14-13 Mininl Tere. 2-1 Be_idwln, limit; 12-12 Athlone Direct, 13-14 Keewah, 10-10 Sonjs. Henie- 12yds; 4-4 Diamond Artist. 6-9 Mighty, 8-7 Whanako, 5-3 Albeit Tracej, nose. Times: 3.24 2-5, 3.24 2-5, 3.25 '"winner trained by F. J. Smith. Takanini. CHIANG KAI-SHEK HANDICAP of £325. One mile and a half. Limit 0.30. 3 —4 —BTNKY DILLON, b m, Gyrs by Jack Potts —Bessie Dillion (H. and C. W. Stafford), 24yds—Stafford .... ••••_• * 6—6—SYNCOPATE, b g. aged (J. RHenderson). 36yds—Broughton •••••• 2 7-10—MODERN PARRISH, b m, aged (A. Davie), 24yds—Watts 3 Also started: 5-5 Contender, 12-12 Don Walla. 14-14 Franco. 8-8 Sandiways, 12yds; 1-2 Too True 12yds; 2-1 Lacly Moness, 11-11 Flower Potts » 13-13 Lynn Rey, 9-9 Peter's Find, 10-7 Stargum, 24yds; 4-3 Jewel's Eyre, 36yds. . Length and halt; half a length. Times: 3.23, 3.22 3-5. 3.23 4-5. _ , , Winner trained by H. Stafford, Leeston.

MONTGOMERY HANDICAP * £500. One mile, and a quarter. Limit 2.48. 1 1 VOI.O SENWOD. ch e. syrs. by Lusty Volo—Wink Eye (A. O. Dowries). 12yds—F. J. Smith 1 9—9—TE ROTO, b g, aged (O. McKenzie). limit —August 3—3 —SABU, blk g, aged (Mrs. M. S. Haslar). 24yds-—Kennerly •» Also started: 6-8 Alcazar, 10-10 April -Direct 11-11 Oxford Scholar. 8-7 Parauri. 5-5 War Guard, limit; 5-5 Stuart Lee, 7-6 Betty Bocp. 4-4 Black Label. 2-2 Hillcrest. 12yd? Length and a half; three-quarters of a length. Times, 2.42 3-5. 2.44, 2.44 2-5. . Winner trained by F. J. Smith, Takanim.