MINOR EVENTS AT FORBURY PARK

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25936, 17 October 1949, Page 5

MINOR EVENTS AT FORBURY PARK

SPECTACULAR ACCIDENT IN ROYAL HANDICAP

Of the 15 horses to start, only Pierre, Brynawelon, Great Wonder, and Air Mail were left with winning chances when a spectacular accident occurred with just over two furlongs covered in the Royal Handicap at the Forbury Park Trotting Cluos meeting on Saturday. The acci-

dent was caused when Sirocco broke. In spite of the efforts of his driver, M. K. Giay Sirocco bored in. Tutta Bella struck a wheel of Sirocco’s sulky and A' a f ld in Qtiick succession Hall Ace. Allanah Belle Potts. Saga, and Constellation all fell. Smirke was pulled up and Melton had to be eased up to avoid trouble. Once he settled down. Gray sent Sirocco after the leaders, but he was too far away to have any chance. Apart from T. H. Gunning, who was severely shaken, drivers and horses escaped serious injury.

Pierre set a fast'pace, and after leading with two furlongs to go from Brynawelon, Air Mail, and Great Wonder, he stayed on well to win in 3min 16sec from a 3min 25sec mark. The win was not popular with a small section of the crowd, one spectator leaning over the bird-cage fence to ask: “Where were you last week, Morry?” as Holmes returned with Pierye. Holmes left the question unanswered. Tongue Strap Used A tongue-strap was used on Dictation, which finished second to Ripcord after getting his tongue over the bit in the Bayfield Handicap on the first day of the meeting, and although he did not give a flawless display, he won the Tahuna Handicap.

Lochinvar, Dame Durdin, Finale, and Dictation all lost ground when they broke at the start. Dictation settled down quickly to follow Efficient at the end of two furlongs. Once he was properly balanced, J. Wilson took Dictation into the lead, and with five furlongs to go he was six lengths clear of Efficient, which was 12 lengths in front of Ripcord, and Dame Durdin.

Dictation broke in the back straight and Wilson pulled him up. When he struck his gait again. Dictation soon opened up a gap on the field, and he finished 15 lengths clear of Ripcord. T. H. Gunning took Dame Durdin wide out on the track in search of good going, and she finished fast in third place. Win for Nature Girl

Confidently handled by W. R. Butt, who trains her at Templeton. Nature Girl gave a solid display to win the St. Kilda Handicap from the favourite. Quindale. Nature Girl began quickly, and at the end of the first two furlongs she was leading from Cottesloe, Mischievous. Quindale, Mystery Dillon. Lusty Bingen, and Lucky Fellow’. Nature Girl was always going nicely, and she stayed on well to win by half a length from Quindale, which finished fast. Rehandicaps

Rehandicaps for the Greymouth Trotting Club’s meeting are:—Midland Handicap: Mountain Tarn 24. Diggers’ Handicap: Castlelight 36. Blaketown Handicap Mountain Tarn 24. Advance Handicap Castlelight 36. North Canterbury R.C.

Acceptances (Racing), Withdrawals (Trotting) for the North Canterbury Racing Club’s meeting, to be held at Rangiora on Labour Day, October 24, 1949, close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 1949. witn the secretary, P. J. Byrne, 193 Cashel •street, Christchurch. Advt.

Greymouth Trotting Club Withdrawals for all events on the first day close with the Secretary, To-day (Monday). October 17, at 8 p.m. Advt.