AEGINA WINS AT OAMARU

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26397, 16 April 1951, Page 4

AEGINA WINS AT OAMARU

THIRD SUCCESS ON COURSE

Aegina left hack company on the second day of the Oamaru Jockey Club’s autumn meeting on Saturday. The Riccar-ton-trained Defaulter mare had been raised to 9-5 In the Farewell Hack Handicap for her win on the first day of the meeting, and she carried that weight to a convincing win. It was the fifth win of her career and her third on the Oamaru course.

Surfside was squeezed back to last in the first few strides, and after two furlongs A. N. Didham had Aegina well placed in the trailing position behind Airmine and Gay John. Deraa, the favourite, was back in seventh position at that stage.

After following Airmine and Gay John into the straight Aegina soon worked her way to the front and she had the race won just inside the furlong. Deraa challenged from the middle of the field to finish second a length and a half back, and a neck in front of Surfside, which finished brilliantly in the middle of the track. Surfside just caught Gay John, beating the grey by half a head for third. Led AH the Way Viaduct and Sheik, which were second and third respectively in the Trial Stakes on the first day, were the best supported candidates for the Novice Stakes. Viaduct began well, and after leading to the straight on terms with Prometheum he won under a hold by half a length from Sheik, which beat Pyramus by threequarters of a length. Sheik was well placed in the bunch behind the leaders running to the home turn and he finished solidly, though without ever appearing to hold a winning chance over the last furlong. Pyrarrius was also nicely placed throughout, but he could not match Viaduct and Sheik for finishing speed. The first three place-getters drew away from the others from the furlong and the fourth horse, Algiers, was two lengths behind Pyramus at the post. Next to finish was Stage Girl. Levant, Valorize, and Gay Scene lost their chances at the start. Liked Shorter Journey

Detective, which was found wanting In stamina over a mile and a quarter on the first day of the meeting, when he was favourite, showed his appreciation of the shorter journey in the Waitaki Hack Handicap, one mile. The Riccarton-trained Defaulter gelding was in the middle of the field at the straight entrance and swooped on the leaders Inside the furlong to win by half a length from the favourite, Ash. Ash had got the measure of Silver Standard. the leader into the straight, just inside the furlong, but he never looked like holding.off Detective’s late challenge. Silver Standard beat Sir Miladieux by a neck for third, the latter tiring slightly after launching a likely-looking challenge on the Inner soon after straightening up. The first four place-getters finished clear of the others, which were led home by Lady Milling and Jock Scott.