RACING AND TROTTING

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26220, 18 September 1950, Page 4

RACING AND TROTTING

SPRING MEETING AT ASHBURTON Beaumaris Wins Easily GRIGG STAKES TO SHARESSA Though he was carrying 9-13, Beaumaris outclassed his opponents in the Ashburton Handicap, the principal event at the Ashburton County Racing Club’s spring meeting on Saturday. He was making his second appearance as a four-year-old, and his success advanced his stake earnings to £16,966.

L. J. Ellis always had Beaumaris well placed on the rails and in close touch with the leaders, and his challenge, made soon after the straight was reached, quickly carried him to the front and on to a decisive win from the Wingatui candidate, Arctotis, which was awkwardly placed to the home turn, and did not get clear until late in the race. Profane, making his first appearance in open company, was close up third, just shading Detention, whose winning chance looked bright when he reached the front near the furlong. The Pherozshah filly, Sharessa, finished gamely to win the John Grigg Stakes narrowly but well from Bob’s March, which had a handy lead and was galloping like a winner at the straight entrance. Dark Courage, a firm favourite, finished two lengths further back third without ever appearing to hold a strong winning chance, and My Hero provided a minor feature of the race with a determined finishing run for fourth. Royal Tan, whose earlier performances caused him to be thought essentially a stayer, came home strongly to dead-heat with Ned Kelly in the open sprint, the Spring Handicap. Royal Tan. which is being prepared by C. G. Humphries for rich stayers’ handicaps during the next few months, was having his third race after a spell, and there was little public support for him. Ned Kelly, too, was little fancied.

The Wingatui-trained Finis mare, Fille d’Honneur, had her second successive win in the Penscroft Hack Handicap, her late challenge giving her victory by a head over Entrancing. That race completed the day’s double, the Beaumaris-Fille d’Honneur combination returning £22 16s for £l. Beaumaris carried £lO4B of the £3099 10s invested on the first leg. and tickets worth £ll3 were redeemed on Fille de Honneur. One 10s ticket was not redeemed. Racing was held on a firm track before an attendance smaller than that at the spring meeting last year. The win-and-place and doubles totalisators handled - £40.941 10s. The turnover on the win-and-place totalisator last year was £46,092 10s.

Ashburton Handicap Beaumaris won the Ashburton Handicap in the manner of a champion that he is. L. J. Ellis had him well placed on the rails in the run to the straight, and after being pulled out towards the middle of the track he effortlessly closed on the leaders near the furlong and won by a length from Arctotis, which finished brilliantly on the inside from well back. Profane was a neck away third, a head in front of Detention, the leader at the Beaifmaris, Profane, and Boost were the leaders after half a furlong. Disturbance momentarily taking charge, and being displaced racing to the seven furlongs by Boost. At the six furlongs Boost was a length clear of Disturbance, with threequarters of a length to Detention and Langham, then Profane, Robin Redbreast, Beaumaris. Chord and Indian Mom, Arctotis, Elofa, Robin Dayes, and Helio. Boost held a slight lead at the half mile from Profane, Langham, Detention. Beaumaris, Robin Redbreast, and Indian Mom, and Chord was taken forward into a more prominent position. Langham. Boost, and Profane were followed into the straight by Detention and Chord, with Beaumaris becoming prominent towards the middle of the track. Detention reached the front at the furlong, but Beaumaris quickly challenged and had the race in hand with a little less than half a furlong to run. Arctotis finished better than Profane to fill second place. Detention being fourth, ahead of Elofa, Boost, Disturbance, Robin Redbreast, and Robin Dayes.

John Grigg Stakes Bob’s March made a bold bid to win the John Grigg Stakes, but Sharessa, which followed him into the straight, finished solidly to beat him by a head, the favourite. Dark Courage, holding on for third, two lengths back, after being prominently placed all the way. Air Mine, Betula, and High Spirits lost their chances at the start. Sharessa and Dark Courage being most prominent in the early running from All Profit, My Hero, and Bob’s March.

Bob’s March joined Sharessa in the first furlong, and at the half mile he had a lead of a length and a half from Sharessa. with three-quarters of a length to Dark Courage, which was followed oy Dunkirk, All Profit. Connair, My Hero, Winslow Boy, Count de Gama, and Royal Hoax. Bob's March had a lead of two lengths rounding the home turn from Sharessa, which was racing lust clear of Dark Courage, Dunkirk, and Royal Hoax, with My Hero next on the Inner.

Dark Courage made little impression on Bob’s March and Sharessa. which had the finish to themselves. Sharessa finished better than Bob’s March to win narrowly. Dark Courage beat the fast-finishing My Hero by half a length for third. Connair was two lengths back, fifth, just shading -Turbulent. Then there was a gap to Winslow Boy, Dunkirk, Betula, and Count de Gama.

Surprise in Sprint Notable mainlv as a stayer. Royal Tan caused a surprise by dead-heating with Ned Kelly in the Spring Handicap. Great Way and Zorro lost ground at the start, and Ballochmyle dwelt slightly. Flying Orders began smartly, and after a furlong he had opened up a lead of three lengths from Ned Kelly, Open Sky, and Ballochmyle, with Resolute next. Flying Orders led past the half mile from Ballochmyle. which was racing on the outside of Open Sky and Ned Kelly, Resolute being handiest of the others. Flying Orders led round the home turn from Ned Kelly. Ballochmyle, Resolute, and Royal Tan. Flying Orders was beaten at the furlong, and only Royal Tan challenged Ned Kelly, this pair being a length and a half in front of Flying Sovereign. Ballochmyle was half a length back, fourth, and Resolute was fifth, followed by Flying Orders, Trinidad, Balkis, and Magical. Results:—

COUNTY HACK HURDLE HANDICAP, of £250; one mile and five furlongs.—l, 1 H. H. O’Connor’s GLENEAGLES by Siegfield—Glentruins Daughter 6yrs . 9-2 D. Arney 1; 3, 3 All Pockets 9-0 R. E. Gunn 2; 7, 7 Reggie 9-0 G. Hampton 3. 5, 5 Theocritus; 4, 4 Bon Chale; 2,2 Diameter; 6. 6 Good Shot; 9, 8 St. Nat; 8. 9 Coxswain; 11, 10 Boon Companion; 10. 11 Enforce also started. Head, four lengths. Coxswain was fourth. Time, 2min 56sec. Winner trained by A. B. Stove, Riccarton. Dividends.—Win: £3 ss. Places: £1 17s, £2 Is. £4 18s. NOVICE STAKES, of £250; special conditions; six furlongs. First division.—2, 2 W. L. Parkinson’s AIRWORK by Airway— Tay 4yrs 8-4 J. T. Anderson 1; 7, 5 Hue and Cry 8-0 D. M. Kerr 2; 8, 8 False Dawn 8-0 W. D. Skelton 3.

11. 10 Ruth’s Praise; 4, 4 Lilting, 20, 21 Stourmaid; 21, 23 Aptitude; 23, 22 Dawn Mist; 12, 11 Greetings, 9, 9 Lucky May; 16, 17 Miss Chase; 1, 1 Plume d’Or; 10, 12 Regent; 14, 12 Robbie; 4, 7 Spinning Lady; 17, 19 Two Light also started. Length and a half; length. Ruth’s Praise was fourth. Time, Imin 14 3-ssec. Winner trained by C. G. Humphries, Riccarton.

Dividends.—Win: £2 4s 6d. Places: £1 10s 6d, £3 3s 6d.

Second Division.—3, 3 T. M. McCarthy’s ARROWLEA by Stourbridge—Sterling Lady 3yrs 8-0 N. A. Crombie 1; 6, 6 Associate 8-0 R. W. Gould 2; 1, 1 Whittaker 8-0 L. J. Ellis 3.

11, 10 Dan Keliy; 21. 18 Fricka; 24, 24 Decapitate; 18. 15 Fiddlesticks; 15, 16 Jock Scott; 13. 13 Midas; 19, 20 Pictorial; 10, 12 Rising Glory; 4, 7 Tallahassee also started. Two lengths; length and a half. Rising Glory was fourth. Time, Imin 13 4-ssec. Winner trained by J. R. Shaw. Sockburn. Dividends—Win: £5 7s 6d. Places: £2 4s. £3 6s 6d. Brackets: Dan Kelly and Ruth’s Praise. Plume d’Or and Whittaker, Regent and Rising Glory, Spinning Lady and Tallanaasee. SELMA TROT HANDICAP, of £275; 3min 37sec class; one mile and a half.— 7, 6 C. A. Winter’s GAY LYRIC by Gamble —Grattan Girl 4yrs 24 W. R. Butt 1; 5, 10 Scott Junior scr. L. O. Thomas 2; 6, 5 Venetian scr. M. C. McTigue 3. 9, 13 Brigadier Grattan; 13, 14 Bright Horizon; 18, 18 Bronzette; 4, 4 Colleague; , 11, 9 Credit Chief and Loyal Girl bracketed; 8, 7 Early Delivery; 12, 11 Esperanto; 110, 8 Filament; 3,2 First Victory; 20, 20 Gainfull; 14. 11 Main Force: 19. 19 Manoa: 2, 3 Prince Charming; 1, 1 Red Chase; 15. 15 Sergeant Major and Western Queen bracketed; 16, 17 Margaret Gamble; 17, 16 Melvruse also started. Half head; two lengths. Bright Horizon was fourth. Times, 3min 18 4-ssec, 3mih 21sec, 3min 21 1-5 sec. Winner trained by G. S. Smith, Addington. Dividend*. —Win: £l6 7s. Places: £4 Ils, £6 9s, £4 6s 6d.

ASHBURTON HANDICAP, of £600; one mile and a quarter.—l, 1 J. S. Shaw's BEAUMARIS by Beau Repaire—Mabel Rose 4yrs 9-13 L. J. Ellis 1; 5, 4 Arctotis 7-13 A. N. Didham 2; 4, 5 Profane 7-0 F. H. Skelton 3.

1, 1 Boost bracketed winner; 2,2 Detention; 9, 9 Helio; 3, 3 Langham; 8, 7 Chord; 10, 10 Disturbance; 12, 12 Elofa; 6, 6 Robin Dayes; 7, 8 Indian Mom; 11, 11 Robin Redbreast also started.

Length; neck. Detention was fourth. Time, 2min 5 l-ssec. Winner trained by owner, Riccarton.

Dividends.—Win: £2 Is. Places: £1 2s, £2 17s, £2 18s.

JOHN GRIGG STAKES, of £500; for three-year-olds; seven furlongs.—s. 3 R. L. McCormack’s SHARESSA by Pherozshah —Sports Flash 8-5 N. A. Crombie 1; 4, 4 Bob’s March 8-10 A. J. Stokes 2; 1, 1 Dark Courage 8-10 L. J. Ellis 3. 9, 8 All Profit; 8, 11 Count de Gama; 2,2 Dunkirk; 3, 5 My Hero> 7, 7 Turbulent; 6, 6 Winslow Boy; 14, 14 Air Mine; 11, 12 Betula; 16, 15 Bobby Sox; 13, 13 Connair; 10, 9 High Spirits; 15, 16 Robin’s Choice; 12, 10 Royal Hoax also started.

Head; two lengths. My Hero was fourth. Time, Imin 26sec. Winner trained by W. Barr, Riccarton. Dividends.—Win: £lO 6s. Places: £2 8s 6d, £2 9s 6d, £1 Ils 6d.

PENSCROFT HACK HANDICAP, of £250; one mile.—s, 3 E. R. Curtis’s FILLE D’HONNEUR 4yrs 8-6 car. 8-1 N. Eastwood 1; 1,2 Entrancing 8-6 D. J. Thistoll 2; 11, 11 Ryeland 8-9 car. 8-4 J. T. Anderson 3.

16, 16 Beau Soir; 3, 4 Dissenter; 15, 15 Stagdance; 9, 9 Sylvan; 12, 10 Hobgoblin; 4, 5 Lights On; 17, 17 Young Yvette; 8, 6 Grand Fox; 2, 1 Lord Montrose; 13, 13 Beau Esprit; 7, 8 Maunga Reka- 17, 18 Moonsail; 10, 12 Blue Star; 14, 14 Travesty and Bridgway bracketed: 6, 7 Mightgo; 20, 20 Alleviate; 19, 19 Dreenagh also started.

Head: three lengths. Lord Montrose was fourth. Time, Imin 37 2-ssec. Winner trained by A. E. Didham, Wingatui. Dividends.—Win: £8 16s. Places: £2 Ils, £2 4s 6d, £6 7s Bd. SPRING HANDICAP, of £400; seven furlongs.—l2, 10 G. A. Lang’s ROYAL TAN by Royal Chief—Otetanui aged 9-1 car. 8-10 J. T. Anderson t; 8, 9 J. M. Samson’s NED KELLY by Defaulter — Girouette 6yrs 7-5 car. 7-0 F. H. Skelton +; 3, 5 Flying Sovereign 7-13 car. 7-6 B. S. Finlayson 3. 6. 4 Ballochmyle; 2,2 Magical; 13, 13 Night Owl; 1. 1 Resolute; 11. 11 Flying Orders: 7. 6 Revelry; 14, 14 Glide In; 5, 3 Open Sky; 9, 8 Balkis; 10, 12 Trinidad; 15, 15 Zorro; 4, 7 Great Way also started. Dead-hcat; length and a half. Ballochmyle was fourth. Time. Imin 25sec. Royal Tan trained by C. G. Humphries, Riccarton, and Ned Kelly by G. Ridgway, Riccarton.

Dividends. —Win: Royal Tan £lB 6s 6d. Ned Kelly £8 15s. Places: £5 17s 6d, £5 2s 6d. £3 9s 6d.

RAKAIA TROT HANDICAP, of £365; 3min 33sec class; one mile and a half.— 4. 6 B. Grice’s TRADITION by Nelson Derby—Regal Voyage syrs 12 M. Holmes 1; 15. 15 Bonny Brogue scr M C. Flaus 2; 3, 5 Flagship 12 V. Alborn 3. 7. 7 Barnew Grattan: 14. 14 Bedelia; 9, 8. Calm Sailing; 13, 13 Centenary Boy: 1. 1 Gay Lyric; 2,2 Goldbox; 5, 3 Gold Key and Lisnaskea bracketed; 10, 10 Knightmare; 8. 9 Lahore; 12, 11 Major Gaillard; 6, 4 Loylan; 11, 12 Diamed also started. Two lengths; neck. Lahore was fourth. Times—3min 19 3-ssec, 3min 20 4-ssec, 3min 21 sec. Winner trained by . owner, Tinwald. Dividends.—Win: £8 Is 6d. Places: £3 9s, £lO 14s, £3. Late Dividend Arrangements have been made by the Ashburton Racing Club for late dividends to be paid at the totalisator department of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, 90 Armagh street, Christchurch, to-day and to-morrow (Tuesday). Christchurch patrons only. Advt.