LEESTON WINS AT MOTUKARARA

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26362, 5 March 1951, Page 4

LEESTON WINS AT MOTUKARARA

FIRST APPEARANCE AS JUMPER

Leeiton made a winning debut as a hurdler at the Banks Peninsula Racing Club's summer meeting on Saturday when he led practically throughout in the Terawera Hack Hurdles. The Riccarton-trained Martarma gelding opened up a big lead entering the last half-mile, and he would have had to have fallen down tcriose. He jumped the last hurdle badly, but he galloped away to win by 13 lengths from Bren Gun, Coxswain finished third half a length further back. Young John lost hla rider, G. G. Hampton. at the stand hurdle, and at the seven furlongs Leeston and Periwig were pacemaking six lengtiia clear of Bren Gun and Gleneagles. Then there was another gap of six lengths to Laindon, which was followed by Vainly and Coxswain. Leeston was three lengths clear of Periwig at the five furlongs, and he increased his lead to 12 lengths in the next two furlongs. Periwig dropped out racing to the last hurdle, where Coxswain and Bren Gun were leading a vain chase after Leeston. After scrambling over the last hurdle, Leeston came home on hla own to give E. G. Rosewarne his first winning ride. Bren Gun beat Coxswain by naif a length for second, and Debden was fourth* but well back.

Bradley Stakes Dawn Mist finished better than the two-year-old Kerry Song to win the first division of the Bradley Stakes by a length. Kerry Song's effort was Impressive, however, as he started from the outside of the field.

Ballyclare lost several lengths at the start, and Stage Girl, Mothers Birthday, Petale, and Notable were slow away. Fiddlesticks began smartly from the inside barrier position and led past the half-mile from Liffey, Broadle, Absence, Dawn Mist, and Robbie, with a gap to Kerry Song and Stage Girl. Fiddlesticks led into the straight and to the furlong, but over the final stages Dawn Mist and Kerry Song ran past her beating her into third place. Broadle was fourth, three lengths further back. Big Chance made a quick return for the Riccarton trainer J. S, Shaw by winning the second division of the Bradley Stakes at his first appearance in Shaw's colours. The Treasure Hunt four-year-old was in front all the way. He was hanging out in the run across the top, but in the straight he kept clear of all challengers with little difficulty and won by two lengths from Deraa. Levant, Tailor Made, and Sun Chief were slowest away. Big Chance was followed past the half-mile by Deraa, Sarada, wealthy, Sister Bobs, Molos, Glad Tidings, and Master Bobs. Deraa was the only runner within striking distance of Big Chance in the run home, but she never looked like heading him. Glad Tidings made up ground for third six lengths back, Sarada weakening into fourth place.

Airwork Finishes Well His Lordship's prospects of winning the Ahuriri Hack Hanaioap looked bright when he worked his way to the front near the furlong, but he was worn down in the last 59 yards by Airwork, which won decisively by a length. Airwork was vigorously ridden by J. T. Anderson, who was on leave from Army duties. The start was a good one. After a furlong Anytime was in front from Boniface, His Lordship, Count da Gama, Airwork, Hurstmere, Bonny Flare, Symbolic, and the favourilte. Ulster Queen. Anytime led to the three furlongs, but before the straight was reached Hurstmere ran past him. Handiest of the others on the home turn were His Lordship, Airwork, Boniface, and Symbolic. Hurstmere was beaten at the furlong. His Lordship then taking charge, with Airwork challenging. Running on strongly under a hard ride. Airwork won going away from His Lordship, which was two lengths clear of the third horse, Symbolic. Hue and Cry made up ground for fourth ahead of Boniface. Ulster Queen, a firm favourite, was thirteenth to finish. She carried twice as

much for a win as Hue and Cry, the see ond favourite for a win.

Decisive Win Argonaut, the. second favourite, scored the third win of his career in the Parkinson Hack Handicap. The Neptune colt raced well back in the field until the straight was reached, got within challenging distance of the leaders at the furlong, and won by a length going away from Final Cast.

When the field settled down Cinereous was the leader from Final Cast and Falrggt ' Way. Skiver Chase and Sally Gold. rajMogy, t | Exchequer. Argonaut, and Final Cast led past the half-mile from Cinereous and Fairest Way, and that was how they ran to the straight. Vitalogy, Avonhead, Exchequer, and Argonaut were there improving their positions behind the leaders.

Final Cast led to the furlong, -but he was no match for Argonaut, which won decisively. Vitalogy was two lengths back third, and a length and a half in front of Fairest Way. Kinderscout was five lengths back fifth, and next to finish was Exchequer, the favourite.