AUSTRALIAN RACING

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25954, 7 November 1949, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN RACING

C. B. FISHER PLATE TO DICKENS

KING’S RANSOM RUNS SECOND

(Rec. 7.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Nov. 6. Dickens has proved himself one of the best three-year-olds in Victoria this spring. He dead-heated with King’s Coin behind Delta in the Victoria Derby, and then won the mile weight-for-age Linlithgow Stakes on Oaks Day. Yesterday he scored an easy win in the weight-for-age C. B. Fisher Plate of one mile and a half.

With little pace on early, N. Sellwood took Dickens to the front and he was not afterwards headed. Entering the straight just in front of Vagabond and Comic Court, he came right away to win easily from King’s Ransom and Vagabond. Dickens has had a very busy season, but has stood up to his racing splendidly. The New Zealand gelding, King’s Ransom, showed that his form in the Melbourne Cup was all wrong. He finished near the rear of the field in that race, but yesterday, although an outsider, he fought on strongly to gain second place. He had no chance of overtaking the winner. Clement, which has been a disappointment this spring, compensated his connexions by winning the V.R.C. Handicap. He beat the favourite. Sun Lyric, by a head in a close finish, but was rather lucky. Sun Lyric lost about 20 lengths at the start, and this cost him the race. Near the post he got his head in front, but weakened in the last few yards. The New Zealand gelding. Royal Tan, an acceptor for both the C. B. Fisher Plate and the V.R.C. Handicap, was withdrawn from both engagements. The meeting was concluded in fine weather with the track heavy after recent rain. Results:

BATMAN STAKES, Of £l5OO. For three-year-olds. One „ mile and a quarter. ACHILLES 8-7 .. .. A. Breasley 1 Better Law 8-7 .. .. L. Lott 2 Patron 8-12 .. .. .. S. Ralph 3 There were 13 starters. Two lengths and a half; head. Time, 2min 131 sec. FLEMINGTON STAKES, Of £lOOO. For two-year-old colts and geldings. Five furlongs. LONDONDERRY 7-13 .. J. . Gilmore 1 Poncia 8-0 .. .. G. Bougoure 2 Gallivant 9-0 .. ~ J. Purtell 3 There were 19 starters. Head; three lengths. Time, Imin 4Jsec. C. B. FISHER PLATE, Of £2500. Weight-for-age. One mile and a half. DICKENS 7-9 .. .. N. Sellwood 1 King’s Ransom 9-2 .. .. L. King 2 Vagabond 9-0 .. .. W. Briscoe 3 There were five starters. Four lengths; two lengths. Time, 2min 44Jsec. V.R.C. HANDICAP, Of £l5OO. One mile and three-quarters. CLEMENT 8-8 .. .. R. Heather 1 Sun Lyric 7-5 .. .. D. Barclay 2 Aiming High 6-9 .. N. Eastwood 3 There were eight starters. Head; five lengths. Time, 3min BJsec. J. A. MACLEOD STEEPLECHASE Of £750, About two miles and a half. THE FELINE 11-0 .... E. Sellers 1 Faunus 11-6 .. .. A. Moon 2 Cable News 9-9 .. .. K. May 3 There were nine starters. Two lengths; length and a half. Time, 4min 52sec. THE OTTAWA STAKES, Of £lOOO. For maiden two-year-old fillies. Five furlongs. SYNCOPATION 8-7 .. N. Sellwood 1 Dual Crown 8-7 .. .. E. Sellers 2 Oriane 8-7 .. .. G. Bougoure 3 There were 29 starters. Two lengths; three lengths. Time, Imin 4Jseq. FINAL HANDICAP, Of £lOOO. One mile and a quarter. SIMPKIN 7-2 .. .. D. Barclay 1 Regency 7-5 .. .. P. Mulvena 2 Moneith 8-8 .. .. G. Pownall 3

There were 15 starters. Half a length; length and a quarter. Time, 2min lljsec.