SPRING MEETING AT TRENTHAM

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25936, 17 October 1949, Page 4

SPRING MEETING AT TRENTHAM

RACING

Kartikeya Surprises In Handicap

DESERT GOLD STAKES TO DIXIE From Our Own Reporter „ , WELLINGTON, October 16. Kartikeya scored .his sixth, and one of the most important wins of his career, in the Wellington Handicap on the first day of the Wellington Racing Club s spring meeting at Trentham on Saturday, Seventh favourite in a field of 25, the Finis five-year-old finished brilliantly oter the final stages of his powerful run from near the tail of the field, and had a decisive winning margin of two and a half lengths from the little-fancied Sly Gold, which was one of the leaders throughout. Langham, 'the best supported Riccarton candidate in the field, was beaten into third place after holding a strong winning chance at the furlong. Kartikeya is trained at Riccarton by F. A. Roberts for Mr E. E. Steele, of the Windsor Park Stud, Oamaru, and was well handled by the stable horseman, C. McDonald, who also rode Elofa, winner of the October Handicap, later in the day. The fourth contest for the Desert Gold Stakes was won convincingly by Dixie, which is raced by Mrs D. H. Blackie, of Cambridge, and formerly of Dunedin. Dixie was one of the outstanding form candidates for the race as she had" w<?n at her two previous starts, and in one race had beaten the brilliant Gold Script Her breeding is of particular South Island interest for, like Kartikeya, she is by Finis and her dam, Winning Flight, is by Winning Hit from Francolin, which has produced several outstanding winners for the Southland owner, Mr D. M. Tweedie.

The favourite, Super Snipe, had every chance. She was in front at the furlong but had no answer for Dixie’s brilliant challenge. Dixie enhanced the good record of the Jockey, J. A. McFarlane, in the race. McFarlane has ridden three of the four winners.

Only one favourite, Aden, in the Wellesley Stakes, was successful, and five win-

ners paid double figures. The biggest upset was the success of His Nibs, which returned more than a third of a century when he won the Shorts Handicap from Flying Sovereign and Gold Script. The Wellesley Stakes was a triumph for the imported horse Pherozshah, which sired the three place-getters, Aden, Pastel, and Sharessa. Aden had to be good to win, for he was some distance from the brilliant Riccarton-trained filly Pastel, with two furlongs to run. Pastel lost few admirers as she started from an outside position in the big field, and ran gbout greenly, when pacemaking, running on to the course proper. The soft state of the track after rain on Friday and Saturday morning did not help the heavily-weighted horses, and this no doubt was a factor in the run of successes bv little-fancied candidates. No rain fell during the programme. The totalisator handled £164,881, compared with £157.027 10s on the corresponding day last year. Wellington Handicap After being near the tail of the field for the first seven furlongs, Kartikeya launched a long-sustained run which carried him to an impressive win in the Wellington Handicap. Beau Or, Signal Officer, Sly Robin, and Mary Robin were slow away. Leyma took up the running from Blue Seal, Langham, Bronstar, Sly Gold, Bright Side, Maryburn, Welcome Guest, Indian Song, Angell, Helio, Renowned, Detract, Distinction, Liebestraum, Reveller, Avenger, Sly Robin, Beau Or, Kartikeya, Signal Officer, and Western Front. With a mile to run Leyma led from Langham, Sly Gold. Blue SeaL Merry Robin, Broie, Bright Side, Angell, Mr Pym, Helio, Maryburn, and Bronstar. Kartikeya at that stage had only Signal Officer, Beau Or, and Western Front behind him. At the half mile Leyma, Langham, and Sly Gold were in line a length clear of Helio, Blue Seal, Indian Song, and Bright Side, with Angell, Renowned, Bronstar, Detract, and Welcome Guest next. After being one of the leaders into the straight Leyma faded. At that stage Sly Gold, Helio, Blue Seal, Detract, Bright Side, and Bronstar were next, with Welcome Guest and Kartikeya becoming prominent. Langham had charge at the furlong from Sly Gold, Kartikeya, Renowned, Detract, Helio, and Welcome Guest. Kartikeya maintained his powerful run to win easily by two and a half lengths from Sly Gold with Langham a length back third. Renowned was a length away fourth, and Detract was half a length back fifth. Next to finish were Bronstar, Welcome Guest, Helio, Avenger, Reveller, Mr Pym, Maryburn, Blue Seal, Indian Song, Signal Officer, Liebestraum. Broie, Distinction, Merry Robin, and Western Front. Desert Gold Stakes Dixie finished brilliantly to win the Desert Gold Stakes from the favourite Super Snipe, which took charge near the furlong. Gay Claire, Foxmorn, Faithful Lady, Lady Ella, Lovely Rosa, and Merry Song dwelt slightly at the start. Fantasy was the first TO show clear, and was followed after a furlong by Nigra, Koala, Gleam, Super Snipe, Laucala Bay, Vivere, Robinfaye, Fille d’Honneur, Rising Tide, Lady Ella, and Dixie. After passing the five furlongs Vivere raced forward to displace Fantasy as pacemaker, and they were followed to the half mile by Nigra, Robinfaye, Gleam. Super Snipe on the rails, Lady Ella, Gay Claire, and Koala. Vivere led for home from Gleam, Fantasy, Lady Ella, Robinfaye, and Super Snipe, with Dixie becoming prominent wide out. Super Snipe had charge at the furlong but could not match Dixie for finishing speed, the Cambridge-trained filly winning impressively by a length and a half. Vivere was fading in fourth place fodr lengths back, and Faithful Lady was three lengths away fourth. Robinfaye did best of the three South Island candidates, finishing six lengths away fifth, and she was followed home by Rising Tide, Foxmorn, Laucala Bay, Koala, Fille d’Honneur, and Fantasy.

Surprise in Sprint Gold Script, the favourite, made most of the running in the Shorts Handicap, but was beaten home by His Nibs and the Riccarton-trained filly Flying Sovereign. His Nibs won decisively by half a length and Flying Sovereign headed Gold Script in the last stride for second.

At the crossing Gold Script was threequarters of a length clear of His Nibs, Whitley, Brookland, and Treneere in line, with Vitamin and Wild Note next. Racing to the straight Gold Script was just shading His Nibs, Treneere, and Whitley, with Flying Sovereign and Brookland next ahead of False Step, which was pulled out from the fence to make her challenge. At the furlong His Nibs and Gold Script drew clear and later on Flying Sovereign put in a powerful challenge which carried her into second place behind His Nibs. Gold Script was a head away third. Brookland was fourth ahead of False Step, Sparkling Scholar, Veine d’Or. Julius Caesar, Vitamin, Trinidad, and Deep Sea. Easy for Pierre The lightweight, Pierre, outclassed the opposition in the Wainui Handicap, winning by six lengths from the favourite Demonic. Pierre, which ran second to False Step in the Solway Handicap at Masterton the previous Saturday, paid over a quarter of a century for a win. Pierre, Gay Stroller, Imperial, and Solimbine were slightly slow away from a good start, La Modelie leading out from Blank Cheque, Beaumaris, Opulent, Solimbine. Faultina, Demonic, Gay Stroller and Pierre. At the half mile Magical, Faultina and Solimbine were practically in line ahead of Blank Cheque, Gay Stroller, Gav Gordon, La Modelie, Pierre, Clyde Bridge. Demonic, Beaumaris and Opulent. At the straight entrance Faultina was just shading Solimbine and Magical, with La Modelie, Clyde Bridge, Demonic and Pierre handy. Pierre challenged boldly on the outer to take charge at the furlong and win going away by six lengths from Demonic, which lugged in in the straight and had to be hard ridden to get a place. Blank Cheque was’ two lengths clear of the fourth horse. Magical, and Faultina just shaded Gay Gordon for fifth. Beaumaris made up ground to finish seventh ahead of Clyde Bridge and La Modelie. Aden Impressive Aden justified his position as favourite for the Wellesley Stakes and showed his quality to beat the brilliant Riccarton filly, Pastel, which had a handy lead at the furlong.

From a good start, Pastel, from one. of the outside positions, soon galloped to the front. Racing put of the chute she was just showing clear fr6m Zenith, Bonnie King. Sharessa, Oyama, Apex, Suppression. Robin Glen, and Aden. Pastel led into the straight from Sharessa. Robin Glen, Zenith, Apex, and Aden, ran about greenly, but maintained a lead to the furlong from Sharessa, Zenith and Robin Glen, with ’ Aden fast closing the gap. Aden mastered Pastel near the half furlong and won going away by a length, with Sharessa two lengths back, third. Brutus finished brilliantly for fourth ahead of Gayle, Bonnie Charlie, Robjn Glen, Billie Girl and Dark Courage. ' Fairhome’s Hurdles The Trentham-trained Fairhome finished much more strongly than Keen Wit to win the Glen Hurdles, The FoxbnidgeNight Spi gelding was little fancied and paid over a score. Golden Realm lost a lot of ground at the start, and Deprive was the leader until he made a bad leap at the first flight. Erinmore then took over and led past the stands by two lengths from Incision, Deprive, Waratangi, Peria Prince, High Order, Keen Wit. The Crofter, Roman Duke, Sunshine Bay, Greek Court, Fairhome and Gold Song, with Detain and Ara Chief towards the tail of the field. Fairhome reduced the gap to the lead-

ers near thte half mile, where Erinmore was in front a length clear of High Order, with Keen Wit handy ahead of Fairhome. Then came Sunshine Bay, Peria Prince, Roman Duke, and Incision, Racing to the straight Keen Wit aqd Fairhome took charge, and the former finished strongly to win by five lengths, Greek Court just lasted to beat the fastfinishing Detain for third. Roman Puke was fifth, with High Order, ’Erinmore, Peria Prince and Sunshine Bay next. Unbeaten Record Nakura scored his third win in as many starts in the Rimutaka Handicap. The Christopher Robin—Kotua gelding finished strongly from fifth position at the straight entrance to beat Omega by three-quarters of a length. The consistent Riccartontrained four-year-old. Robin Redbreast, finished well to run Omega to half a head. Brown Boy, after giving trouble at the barrier, lost several lengths at the start, and Ajcara was slow away. Announcer was the leader after a furlong from Omega, Super Duke, Nakura, Statesman, and Master McGrath. Racing to the half-mile. Omega took over from Myfox, Super Duke, Arcara, Announcer, Master McGrath, and Nakura. Lady Minter improved hgr position racing to the straight to follow Omega on the turn, Vitesse, Super Duke, Nakura, and Robin Redbreast, being handiest of the others. .Nakura ranged up to Omega near the furlong, and after taking charge, won decisively. Robin Redbreast finished gamely and almost cut Omega out of second place. Statesman was half a length back fourth, and next to finish were Super Duke, Vitesse, Lady Minter, Master McGrath, and Robin’s Song. Consistency Rewarded The Riccarton candidate, Elofa, capped off some consistent performances by winning the October Handicap in a photofinish with Survivor. A place-getter at the South Canterbury spring meeting the previous Saturday, Elofa paid a doublefigure win dividend. The Rip and Survivor were last away, Gay John taking over the running from Flying Colours, Robert Keith, Gold Robin, Brenlock, Ballet, Johnny Peep, Trench Fray, and The Rip. Gay John led at the half-mile by a length from Gold Robin, Survivor, Robert Keith, The Rip, and Trench Fray, the field being bunched. Gav John weakened early in the run home, Survivor taking charge at the furlong from Gold Robin, The Rip, and Johnny Peep, with Elofa becoming prominent. Elofa maintained a powerful run to win going away by half a length from Survivor, with Gold Robin a neck third. Trench Fray finished solidly into fourth place, ahead of Pervin, The Rip, Terrific, Brenlock, Gay John, Ballet, Robert Keith, Platonic, and Double Bid. Non-Totalisator Race The non-totalisator First Spring Maiden Handicap was won comfortably by the Solicitor-General gelding. Golden Sun, which is trained at Awapuni by C. J. Thomson for Mr C. T. Keeble. He raced through to join Peaseblossom as a pacemaker at the crossing, and when the latter started to weaken at the furlong he went on to win by a length and a half from Philemon, which was hard ridden to beat Reflect by a neck. Beau Lett made up ground over the last two furlongs to finish fourth, ahead of Short Wave, Peaseblossom, Talent, Dandy Dick, and Lady Viv. Hobgoblin, the only South Island galloper in the race, was never near the front, and was twelfth to finish. Results:— MAIDEN HANDICAP, (Non-totalisator). Of £4OO. Six furlongs. GOLDEN SUN 8-2 .. .. V. Sellars 1 Philemon 8-8 .. .. W. Broughton 2 Reflect 8-9 .. .. J. Harris 3 Talent, Peach Blossom, Rannoch, Beau Lett, Lady Viv, Hobgoblin, Silver Spur, Dandy Dick, Liffey, Lucrative, Lady Penny, Robin Amor, Royal Paper, Short Wave also started. Length and a half; neck. Beau Lett was fourth. Time, lmin 17sec. GLEN HURDLES, Of £BOO. About one mile and threequarters. 14. 15—FAIRHOME 9-0 .. R. Page 1 1. I—Keen Kit 9-9 .. D. Collins 2 7. 6—Greek Court 9-5 .. M. Andrews 3 3, 4 Detain; 8, 11 Gold Song; 5, 7 First Act; 6, 5 Sunshine Bay; 10, 9 The Crofter; 4, 3 High Order; 16, 16 Peria Prince; 15, 14 Roman Duke; 11, 8 Incision; 9, 10 Waratangi; 12, 13 Erinmore; 2,2 Ara Chief; 17, 17 Deprive; 18, 18 Golden Realm; 13, 12 Newell Post also started. Five lengths; four lengths. Detain was fourth. Time, 3min 23sec. WAINUI HANDICAP, Of £l5OO. About one mile. 8. B—PIERRE 7-0 .. A. Johnson 1 1. I—Demonic 9-5 .. D. Broughton 2 3. 2—Blank Cheque 8-2 .. J. Harris 3 3, 3 Faultina; 12, 12 Imperial; 13, 13 Gay Stroller; 6, 7 Magical; 11, 10 Yasda; 14, 14 Opulent; 10, 11 Clyde Bridge; 5, 5 La Modelle; 4, 4 Beaumaris; 15, 15 Bobby Dazzler; 7, 6 Solimbine; 9, 9 Gay Gordon also started. Six lengths; half length. Magical was fourth. Time, lmin 46Jsec. DESERT GOLD STAKES, Of £2OOO. About one mile. 2.2— DIXIE 8-10 .. J. McFarlane 1 1. I—Super Snipe 8-10 W. Broughton 2 ’5. s—Vivere 8-10 .. C. Mackie 3 10, 11 Faithful Lady; 6, 6 Fantasy; 3, 3 Fille d’Honneur; 14, 13 Foxmorn; 11, 12 Gay Claire; 12, 10 Gleam; 9, 9 Koala; 4, 4 Lady Ella; 15, 15 Laucala Bay; 16, 16 Lovely Rosa; 17, 17 Merry Song; 7, 7 Nigra; 8, 8 Rising Tide; 13, 14 Robinfaye also started. Length and a naif; four lengths. Faithful Lady was fourth. Time, lmin 48sec. RIMUTAKA HACK HANDICAP, Of £750. About seven furlongs. 2. 2—NAKURA 8-9 .. W. Aitken 1 5. 4—Omega 7-11 .. K. Nuttall 2 6. 6—Robin Redbreast 8-9 N. Crombie 3 4, 5 Master McGrath; 10, 10 Master Crusoe; 1, 1 Robin’s Song; 8, 8 Lady Minter; 3, 3 Arcara; 9, 9 Brown Boy; 15, 16 Vitesse; 14, 14 Announcer; 12, 12 Super Duke; 11, 11 Cloudy Range; 7, 7 Statesman; 16, 15 Myfox; 13, 13 Rappel also Three-quarters of a length; half head. Statesman was fourth. Time, lmin 34isec. WELLINGTON HANDICAP, Of £3500. About one mile and a half. 7. 7—KARTIKEYA 8-2 C. McDonald 1 20. 1&-Sly Gold 7-1 .. .. B. Wood. 2 4. 3—Langham 7-4 .. A. Johnson 3 1, 1 Signal Officer; 14, 14 Distinction; 12, 13 Indian Song; 2,2 Blue Seal; 8. 8 Avenger; 18, 17 Bronstar; 9, 9 Leyma; 3, 4 Welcome Guest; 5, 5 Liebestraum; 17, 19 Maryburn; 6, 6 Renowned; 13, 11 Western Front; 11, 12 Bright Side; 16, 16 Helio; 22, 22 Mr Pym; 4, 3 Merry Robin; 15, 15 Angell and Beau Or bracketed; 10, 10 Detract; 21, 19 Broie; 19, 21 Reveller; 20, 18 Slv Robin also started. Two lengths and a half; length. Renowned was fourth. Time, 2min 41£sec. Brackets: Sly Gold and Sly Robin, Langham and Merry Robin. WELLESLEY STAKES, Of £2OOO. About five furlongs. 1. I—ADEN 8-7 .. .. C. Mackie 1 4. 4—Pastel 8-2 .. .. L. J. Ellis 2 9. 9—Sharessa 8-2 .. N. Crombie 3 10, 10 Apex and Dignity bracketed; 5, 5 Bonnie Charlie and Pictawin bracketed; 15, 14 Bonnie King; 6, 6 Brutus; 13, 13 Dark Courage; 17, 17 Denarius; 11, 15 Dunkirk; 12, 12 Headline; 19, 18 Oyama; 16, 16 Billie Girl; 18, 19 Te Kowhai; 14, 13 Way Home and Betula bracketed; 8, 8 Corella and Gayle bracketed; 4, 4 Lady Jane; 3, 3 Robin Glen; 9, 9 Slavenka; 7, 7 Suppression and Teresina bracketed; 2, 2 Vonfaye and Zenith bracketed also started.

Length; two lengths. Brutus was fourth. Time, Imin 3%sec. Brackets: Pastel and Lady Jane, Sharessa and Slavenka.

SHORTS HANDICAP, Of £1750. About six furlongs. 10. B—HIS NIBS 7-5 A. C. Messervy 1 4. 4—Flying Sovereign 8-0 W. Broughton 2 1. I—Gold Script 8-11 W. Mudford 3 22 False Step; 7, 6 Wild Note; 11, 11 Julius Caesar; 6, 7 Whitley; 5. 5 Brookland; 9, 9 Treneere; 12, 10 Veine d’Or and Deep Sea bracketed; 3, 3 Trinidad; 8, 12 Vitamin; 13, 13 Sparkling Scholar also started.

Half length; head. Brookland was fourth. Time, Imin 14Jsec. OCTOBER HACK HANDICAP, Of £750. About one mile. 7. 6—ELOF A 8-8 .. C. McDonald 1 10. io—Survivor 8-4 .. N. Cavaney 2 1. I—Gold Robin 8-6 .. R. Shield 3 8 7 Flying Colours; 6, 8 Ballet; 2,2 Trench Fray; 4, 5 Double Bid; 3, 3 Terrific, 12, 12 The Rip 9, 9 Brenlock; 11. 11 Pervin; 14, 14 Robert Keith; 5, 4 Johnny Peep; 13, 13 Platonic; 15, 15 Gay John also started. _ Half length; neck. Trench Fray was fourth. Time, lmin 471 sec.

Inquiry Dismissed After the running of the second division of the Ohapi Stakes at the Geraldine Racing Club's meeting on Saturday, H. W. Hibberd, rider of Indiana, was charged with interference to Lodestar and Remote soon after the start. After hearing the evidence of several riders, the' judicial committee decided that no action would be taken and that the judge’s placings stand. Amorlad Dies

Top-weight with 10-10 in the Rangitata Hurdles, in which he finished fifth, Amorlad collapsed and died immediately after leaving the birdcage after his unsaddling at Geraldine on Saturday. The Philamor gelding showed good form in handicap races in Southland a few seasons ago, his wins including the Riverton Cup. One of his most important successes after being purchased by Mr D. McFarlane, Christchurch, was in the Trentham Hurdles at Trentham in July, 1947. His last win for Mr McFarlane was in the Gardner Memorial Steeplechase at the Birchwood Hunt meeting last May. He later changed hands, being taken over by the Washdyke trainer, P. Andrews.