SPORTING

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24051, 13 September 1943, Page 7

SPORTING

ASHBURTON COUNTY R.C. ROYAL FLIGHT WINS CLASSIC EVENT The Ashburton County Racing Club was favoured with ideal weather for its spring meeting on Saturday and a large gather* ering of racegoers' from all parts attended, ' The course had a thorough soaking during the week, but dried up remarkably- well and although the .going was inclined to be soft for the early races it improved as the programme progressed.. The racing was most interesting throughout, with some close finishes, that for the Ashburton Handicap being especially thrilling. Speculation was very satisfactory, the sum of £26,616 being handled, against £24.611-on the corresponding day last year, an increase of £2005.

The John Grlgg Stakes, the first classic race of the new season in the South Island attracted nine three-year-olds and in a pool of close on £4OOO, John o’ Condon was made a staunch favourite. He made a creditable showing, but was beaten into third place. The race was won decisively by Royal Plight, who won the Welcome Stakes at Riccarton last season. She was ridden a well-judged race by J. W. Jennings, who had not been seen in the saddle for some months, as he had been following other employment. She was the first to show out early, but Burberry soon raced to the front to be well clear turning for home, where Royal Plight moved up to him with Desert Strife and John o’ London together, fairly close up. Royal Flight had Burberry beaten early in the run home, and although both Desert Strife and John o’ London completed their work solidly, they had no chance with the Riverton filly. Fairy Godmother, the last to leave the mark, was about five lengths away in fourth place, in front of Burberry, who showed a marked turn of speed, but compounded in the straight. Royal Flight is by Salmagundi from Francolin, dam of Ortyx and Gold Flight, who both won the race when it was confined to two-year-olds.

The field for the Ashburton Handicap was reduced to seven by the defections of Night Pal, Scottish Dale, and Royal Writ. Foxleap was sent out a pronounced win favourite, but after looking likely nearing home, Kevin outstayed her to gain a last stride verdict. Palfrew twisted round when the barrier went up and lost several lengths, but with little pace on through the middle stages, he was soon handy to the field. Foxhaven rushed to the front passing the seven furlongs post and was well clear of Kevin, Trench Law, and Foxoleap turning for home. Trench Law did not last long and the other three soon engaged in a sustained struggle, while Palfrey added interest by becoming prominent wide out. Foxleap was the first to head off Foxhaven and seemed to be going on for another victory, but the hard-ridden Kevin wore her down to beat her on the post. Foxhaven held! on well for third, a head in front of Palfrey, who put in ..some telling work over the final stages. Silver Sox headed the strung out remainder. Synthetic held a substantial lead to the straight entrance In the Spring Handicap, but was quickly beaten In the straight, and Sham Boy and'St. Cloud showed out with Good Scout handy. St. Cloud gradually worked her way to the front and oustayed Sham Boy. thus recording her first win since she was successful over a mile and a quarter at Greymouth in February last. Langue d’Or, having his first race for his present owner, Mr E. F. Ward, who paid 650 guineas for him at Easter created the day’s surprise by winning the Novice Stakes by a narrow margin from In Chancery, who made a bold effort to lead throughout. Details of the racing are as follows: COUNTY HURDLES, of £175; one mile and, a hall and 100 yards.—6, 6 MAGGIORE 9-1 J. Campbell 1; 1, 1 Heidelberg 10-9 W. Hlllis 2; 5, 4 Norse 9-5 F. Adamson 3. 4, 3 Midgrad 9-8 and Star Wink 9-0 bracketed: 3, 5 Taxpayer 9-8; 7, 7 Top Row 9-1; 2, 2 Gay Parade 9-0 also started. Two lengths; six lengths. Taxpayer was fourth. Time, 2mln 56sec. Winner trained by C. Humphries, Riccarton. NOVICE STAKES, of £110; six furlongs. 13, 8 LANGUE d’OR 8-0 K. Thomson 1: 1, 1 In Chancery 8-0 B. Brodie 2; 2, 3 High Play 8-0 L. Hare 3. 19, 20 Balbo; 7, 9 Bonnie Night; 10, 10 Desert Love; 11, 12 Gallopade;' 14, 15 Grecian Glow; 15, 14 Gold Branch; 6, 4 Helenora and Patria bracketed; 18, 19 Midnight March; 23, 23 Night Cheloid; 9, 13 Omoana; 20, 22 Profiteer; 21, 18 Royal Don; 21, 21 Sal’s Pal; 16, 17 Sliver Sal; 12, 11 Chellow Dene; 4, 2 Great Legend; 5, 6 Irish Note; 8, 7 Salary: 3, 5 St. Nattar; 17, 16 Whitley also started. Head; half a length. Chellow Dene was fourth.' Time, Imin 15 4-ssec. Winner trained by F. Christmas, Riccarton. SELMA TROT, of £180: smlh Isec class; two miles;—l, 1 RADICAL scr O. E. Hooper 1; 5, 6 Lockheed scr C. King 2; 2. 4 Gold Peg scr H. d’Eganneh 3. 4, 3 Sons, 12, 14 Delusion, 11, 10 Elvo’s Pride, 10, 11 First Degree, 13, 13 Hanover, 14, 12 Harold Jinks, 7, 7 Ingle Belmer, 16, 17 Pencarrow, 6, 5 Princess Marltza, .9, 9 Scott, Axworthy, 8, 8 Sunny Glen scr; 15, 16 Playwright 12; 3, 2 Smirke 60; 16, 15 Loyal Jack 72 also started. Three lengths; five lengths. Princess Marltza fourth. Times—4min 37 3-ssee, 4min 38 1-Ssec, 4min 38 4-ssec, Winner trained by O. E. Hooper, Rakaia. ASHBURTON .HANDICAP, of £275: one mile and a quarter.—2, 2 KEVIN 9-0 L. Hare 1; 1, 1 Foxleap 8, 2 L. J. Ellis 2; 5, s‘Foxhaven 8-1 B. Brodie 3. 7, 7 Trench Law 8-1; 3, 4 Palfrey 7-12; 4, 3 Silver Sox 7-6; 6, 6 Bascule 7-5 also started. Half a head; neck. Palfrey fourth. Time, 2min 14 l-ssec. Winner trained by R. Wilson, Riccarton. JOHN GRIGG STAKES, of £350; for three-year-olds; seven furlongs.—4, 4 ROYAL FLIGHT 8-5 J. W. Jennings 1; 2, 3 Desert Strife 8-5 D. Thistoll 2; 1. 1 John o’ London 8-10 L. Hare 3.

3, 2 Burberry 8-10; 9. 8 Fluorescent 8-10; 8, 7 Stavrps 8-10; 6, 6 Fairy Godmother 8-5; 7, 9 Guile 8-5; 5, 5 Soncy 8-5 also started. Two lengths; half a length. Fairy Godmother was fourth. Time, Imin 28 l-ssec. Winner trained by D. M. Tweedie; Riverton. PENSCROFT HACK HANDICAP, of £165; one mile.—B, 8 RENARDE ,7-10 car. 8-01 K. Thomson 1; 9, 8 Anchorage 7-7 car. 7-3 D. Thistoll 2; 14, 14 Roman Son 7-7 car. 8-0 B. Brodie 3.

6, 5 Hotch Potch 8-8: 1, 1 Big Top 8-5; 4, 4 Papette 8-4; 11, 13 Prince Dolomite 8-1; 13, 10 Wildfire 8-0; 10, 7 Glad Refrain 7-10; 15, 15 Commemorate 7-10; 11, 12 Warfield 7-9; 5, 7 Irish Treasure 7-7; 3, 2 Kilcato 7-8 and Kurawhi 7-7 bracketed; 18, 17 Hughsotis 7-7; 19, 19 Alcatraz 7-7; 7. 6 Abdicate 7-7; 2, 3 Standby 7-7; 17, 18 Session 7-7; 16, 16 Thalfsha 7-7 also started. Half a length: two lengths. Abdicate was fourth. Time, Imin 42 3-ssec. Winner trained by V. Lee, Riccarton. , SPRING HANDICAP, of £200; seven furlongs.—2, 2 ST. CLOUD 8-7 car. 8-2 C. Mackle 1; 3, 3 Sham Boy 8-5 A. Stokes 2; 1, 1 Good Scout 8-5 W. F. Ellis 3. 5, 5 Sir Gundi 8-7; '6, 6 Synthetic 8-5; 7, 8 Gay Parade 7-13; 8, 7 Rex Maitland 7-13; 4, 4 Foxbrae 7-7 also started. Half a length; length. Sir Gundi fourth. Time, Imin 28 3-ssec. Winner trained by H. Nurse, Hiccarton. RAKAIA TROT,, of £190; 3mln 38sec class; one mile and a half.—3, 3 PRINCE GRATTAN scr C. Bryce 1; 1, 1 Knave of Diamonds 12 O. E. Hooper 2; 4, 4 Thumbs Up scr C. King 3. 11. 10 Communique scr; 6, 5 Warline scr; 14, 15 Worthy Prince scr; 2, 2 Dinghy 12; 15, 14 Direct Bingen 12; 10, 8 Motto 12: 12, 12 Vera de Oro 12; 13, 13 Karu 24; 9, 9 Keewah 24; 7, 7 Golden Shadow 36; 5. 5 Canister 48; 8, 9 Trikkala 48 alfO started. Length; two lengths. Golden Shadow fourth. Times—3min 23 4-ssec: 3min 23sec, 3min 24 l-ssec. Winner trained by O. J. Halliburton, Oamaru.

WELLINGTON T.C.

HANDICAP WON BY BLACK LABEL

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, September 11. The Wellington Trotting Club’s spring meeting was held at Trentham In fine weather before a large attendance. The track was dead. The totalisator handled £58,437 10s, compared with £47,526 10s for the corresponding meeting last year, an increase of £10,911. In the Belmont Handicap David Derby paid more than half a century on the win machine.

Results : NAI NAI HANDICAP: 3min 49sec class: one mile and a half. —2, 1 BELIEVE ME 12 R. Townley 1; 5, 4 Teddy Gregg 48 Devine 2; 4, 6 Sure Lady scr R. Young 3. Scratched; Strummer. Head; four lengths. Flying Scott fourth. Times—3min 36 4-ssec, 3min 34sec, 3min 39 3-ssec. SHARPE HANDICAP, 3min class; one mile and a quarter.—7, 7. MAY SCOTT scr Noble 1; 3, 3 Toushay scr Berkett 2: 1, 1 Atawhero scr Bryce 3. Scratched: Kaitoke'Boy, Length; half a length l . Major Grattan fourth. Time, 3min Isec, 3min 1 2-ssec, 3min 1 3-ssec. WILFORD HANDICAP, .of £500; 4min 39sec class; two miles.—4, 4 BLACK LABEL 24 Verr.all 1; 1, 1 Sports Guide scr Cameron 2; 2, 2 Follow Me 12 Will6Scratched; Star Ace. Half a length; three lengths. Styilsh Wilkes fourth. Times —4min 44sec, 4min 46 l-ssec, 4mm 47 i-ssec WELLINGTON STAKES, of £600; for three-year-olds; one mile and a half.—3, 4 SCOTTISH EMPEROR Noble 1; X. 1 Acropolis Berry 2; 4, 3 Plunder Bar McTigue 3. All started.* Neck; two lengths. Paul - Collette fourth. Times—3min 40 2-ssec, 3min 40 3-ssec. 3mln 41 2-ssec. TAITA HANDICAP; smin Isec class; two miles.—3, 3 SURE LADY scr R. Young 1; 1, 1 Teddy Gregg 60 Devine 2; 4, 4 Believe Me 84 Townley 3. Scratched: Flying Scott, Redmond's Pride. Length; three lengths. Silver Plane fourth. Times—smin 0 2-ssec, 4min 55 3-Ssec, 4min 54 2-ssec.

BELMONT HANDICAP; 3mln 43sec class: one mile and a half.—lo, 10 DAVID DERBY scr Moran 1; 5, 5 Kaitaki Boy scr D. Nyhan 2; 3, 4 Atawhero scr Bryce 3. Scratched; Spyland, May Scott, Lady Maxine, Johnny Boy, Max Baer, Plunder Bar. Half length; two lengths. Ayisha fourth 1 . Times—3min 35 2-ssec, 3min 35 3-ssec, 3min 36sec. RAILWAY HANDICAP; 3min Isec class: one mile and a quarter.—l, 1 LIGHT BRIGADE scr Noble' 1; 6, 6 Sea Max scr Doyle 2; 2, 2 Sir Victor scr Smith 3. Scratched: Atawhero. Rivette, ’Dinghy, Derby Lu. Three lengths; length. Larissa fourth. Times—2min 56 3-ssec, 2min 58 sec, 2mln 58 l-ssec. • WELLINGTON HANDICAP; 2min Slsec class: one mile and a quarter.—2, 2 FOLLOW ME 12 Willetts 1: 1, 1 Sports Guide scr Cameron 2; 1, 1 Kewpie’s Jewel scr McGregor 3. Scratched: Black Label, Belfast Jack, Gold Flight. Star Ace. Three lengths; length. Jerry Parrish fourth. Time, 2min 52 4-ssec.