AMBERLEY TROTTING EVENTS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27036, 11 May 1953, Page 4

AMBERLEY TROTTING EVENTS

FINE PERFORMANCE BY LODESTAR The solidly-supported Lodestar raced well to win the Kowhai Trot Handicap at the Amberley Racing Club’s annual meeting on Saturday. k roke at the start and lost more than 36 yards. With one mile to run he had 11 horses in front of him in a strung-out field. He was slightly checked when Mecca Chief broke with about seven furlongs to run. but onde into his stride again he swiftly made up his ground to be in the lead with Cofonel Peterson on reaching the straight entrance. These two were clear of Mecca Chief, Spring Gtory, Loraine, Grattan Bay. Spike, and Drucilla. Lodestar was under pressure in the run to the post, but he held off Colonel Peterson by a head. His driver, F. G. Holmes, had driven Sage Girl to win the other harness event earlier in the day. Colonel Peterson was far from disgraced. He made all the running, and when challenged by Lodestar battled on gamely. Spike, which finished third three lengths back, had been well back in the early running, and, after moving into fifth position on the turn, finished very well. Drucilla, which did not get the best of the running, was a neck away fourth. Then there was a neck to Loraine, which was followed by Mecca Chief. Sir John, Spring Glory, Billet Doux. Serviceman, National Lady, and Royal Present. Springwater broke at the start and again in the running. Wha' Hae and Royal Present were others to make mistakes.

Sage Girl Wins Sage Girl gained a well-earned win ending an exasperating run of minor placlngs when, after having a good run in the Teviotdale Trot Handicap, she came away in the straight to win decisively by two lengths from Red Hackle. Klipper finished well for third, one length and a half back, with Excelsa, which had been very slow away, right up in fourth Slace. Cherry Queen, Flower Girl, and aunty were next in line, the latter having been hampered for room in the straight. Next to finish were Stranraer Lass, Marathon, and Fanny Grattan. Excelsa, Winsome Girl, Loyal Eagle, and May’s Surprise broke at the start.

Red Hackle began best and made the early running from Stranraer Lass, Andros, Fanny Grattan, Jaunty, Sage Giri, Flower Girl, and Klipper, with a big gap to the others headed by Excelsa. Fanny Grattan took over with seven furlongs to ruri and led through the back straight. Sage Girl made a forward move approaching the turn, and reached the front with three Jfurlongs to run. She led into the straight clear of Andros and Fanny Grattan. Cherry Queen, Red Hackle, Klipper, Jaunty, and Fanny Grattan were all handy, with Excelsa improving rapidly a few places further back. Red Hackle, Klipper and Excelsa all finished well, but Sage Girl was not troubled to hold her advantage to the post.