AT MELBOURNE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25135, 17 March 1947, Page 4

AT MELBOURNE

MASTER DASH UNLUCKY (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, March 15. After his brilliant win at the previous Moonee Valley meeting, Master Dash was regarded as the only serious opponent to AtUey in the Alister Clark Stakes, run over one mile at Moonee Valley to-day. Outside of these two long odds were obtainable by backers. The result was a surprise, as St. Fairy, a six-year-old gelding owned by Mr O. R. Porter, and trained by T. Lewis at Flemington, defeated Master Dash and Don Pedro. Althougn St. Fairy won, he was rather fortunate to defeat Master Dash. As usual, Master Dash did not begin smartly, and was in the centre of the field for most of the journey. His rider kept to the rails, waiting for an opening, but the field was closely bunched, and it was not until St. Fairy had obtained a winning lead that Bourgoure pulled Master Dash to the outside. He finished very fast, but St. Fairy had obtained too great a break. Attley attempted to lead all the way, and at the half mile he had a lead of three lengths. In the straight he stopped badly and missed a place. Before the race he appeared to have trained off, and his displayed indicated he has apparently had enough racing for the present. Master Dash lost no friends by his effort, and he seems certain to win good races in the near future. However, he will be better suited by either Flemington or CaulMiss Prim, a daughter of the New Zealand bred mare. Lady Primrose, achieved success in the Moonee Ponds Handicap after disappointing in her recent running. ALISTER CLARK STAKES, Of £2100; one mile. ST. FAIRY 8-7 .. •. A. Breasley 1 Master Dash 8-7 .. G. Bourcoure 2 Don Pedro 8-0 .. .. R. Heather 3 Twelve started. Length and a half; length and a quarter. Time, Imin 37Jsec. MOONEE PONDS HANDICAP, Of £1000; one mile and seven furlongs. MISS PRIM 8-2 .. .. Bougoure 1 Solvent 7-4 .. .. Hutchinson 2 Field Balloon 8-5 .. .. Purtell 3 . Seven started. Head; three lengths. Time. 2min 18sec.