HURDLE RACE AT WINGATUI

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26972, 23 February 1953, Page 4

HURDLE RACE AT WINGATUI

SHADAMAI WINS NARROWLY

Shadamai finished better than Bush Robin to win the Taieri Hurdles narrowly but well on the first day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s autumn meeting at Wingatui on Saturday. Shadamai also won thia race last year, when he equalled the track record for a mile and threequarters. Shadamai, well ridden by B. S. Wilson, had the run of the race behind the leaders. He followed Glenlivet and Bush Robin into the straight, and mastered Bush Robin inside the last 50 yards to win by a neck. Bush Robin moved forward in the back straight to trail Glenlivet past the half mile. His chance looked bright when h« ran into a clear lead in the straight, but Shadamai shaded him for stamina. Glenlivet faded in the run home, but held on for third seven lengths back and half a length in front of Emperor, which had every chance. Easy Win for Denominate TJie Riccarton-trained Denominate outclassed his opponents in the Trial Handicap, drawing right away in the straight to beat Green Island by six length*. Massador, another Riccarton candidate made up ground for third half a length back, and three lengths clear of the tiring Wee Jim. C. C. Stokes had Denominate in the trailing position behind Green Island and on the inside of Wee Jim after two furlongs, and these three were well clear of Chatamai at the three furlongs. There Massador was losing his position just in front of Bailadiera.

There was little separating Denominate Green Island and Wee Jim on the home turn, but Denominate soon streaked away to open up a long lead.

Massador’s late challenge just failed to carry him up to Green Island. Wee Jim was a fair fourth ahead of Locherbie.

Gypsy Boy clipped the heels of the runner in front of him and fell early in the race. Desolate fell over the top of Gypsy Boy. The riders and horse* were not injured. Irish Wjngs Surprises The lightly-supported Irish Wings led all the way in the Maungatua Handicap just lasting to beat Beaumont by a nose* These two had the finish to themselves Citator, the third horse, was a length and* a half back

Irish Wings led past the half-mile two lengths clear of Beaumont and Teviot Night, and these were followed by Citator, • Vocalize, Sarada, Owl’s Way, Wyoming, Crossed Keys, and Sir Miladieux.

Irish Wings was still clear on the homo turn, but he was all out to hold Beaumont at bay. Citator was weakening slightly in third place, three lengths clear of Sir Miladieux.

Royal Invader, which was at the tail of the field four and a half furlongs from home, finished brilliantly for fifth, and Infidel, squeezed back early, came home well for sixth.

Overdue Win Spectral outclassed the opposition in the St. Andrew’s Handicap, recording his first success sihee he won the C.J.C. Steward** Handicap in 1951. The Riccarton-trained Revelation gelding moved into a good position early in the race, and after being pulled out to challenge early in the run home he drew right away. At the finish he was five lengths clear of Goldstrike, which beat the faster-finishing Taj by half a head. 7

Penze and Waicoe did most of the pacemaking, and Goldstrike moved forward to join them racing to the home turn, where Spectral was tucked in behind them just ahead of Dissenter, Taj, Command, and Algiers. Spectral had the race won in a few strides. Taj, hard ridden from outside the furlong, just failed to reach Goldstrike.

Command made up ground for fourth, half a length‘behind Taj. Brutus also improved in the straight for fifth.

Command dwelt slightly at the start, and Royal Mail was also slow to move.