MINOR EVENTS AT ASHBURTON

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27055, 2 June 1953, Page 5

MINOR EVENTS AT ASHBURTON

LONGBEACH HANDICAP TO FACTOTUM

Factotum gave Southland stables their third win at the meeting when he won the Longbeach Handicap at Ashburton yesterday. He began safely but slowly, from 48 yards, and was still a fair way from the leaders with three furlongs to run. His driver sent him round the field and his run carried him up to the leaders at the furlong, where he was practically on terms with Prestbury, Caliph, Kowhai, Bedelia, and Remodel, with Sheffield’s Beauty and Meteoric handy. Factotum soon hit the front, but he had to be kept up to his work to hold off Meteoric. Meteoric was one of the early leaders,’ but he was steadied back in the field near the mile. He made a good run in the straight and was only half a length back at the finish. Prestbury, the favourite, made most of the pace, and he was stopping in third place more than a length behind Meteoric. Irish Laughter made up ground for fourth, just ahead of Kowhai, with Sheffield’s Beauty, Bedelia, Remodel, and Caliph next. Peter Polo Makes Amends Peter Polo, which lost a lot of ground at the start and failed to run on in his race on Saturday, began well yesterday and held on to win the Acton Handicap after leading over the last 11 furlongs. Peter Polo was under a good hold to the straight, where he was in front of Silverwood, Robin Gay, Lauder Lass, Trustydale, Sweet Spray, Dilion d’Oro, and Isla Devan. Lauder Lass was challenging Peter Polo at the furlong, with Super Mission and Tiny Scott handiest of the others. Peter Polo and Lauder Lass had a keen struggle over the last furlong, with the first-named finishing on the better to win by a length. Lauder Lass had every chance. She was handy throughout and finished on well. Tiny Scott ran her best race for some time to finish third. She was a good way back most of the way. Super Mission did not run on as well as expected, and she was a fair fourth, ahead of Dillon d’Oro, Isla Devan, and Trustydale. Christmas Spirit, Trustydale, Spike, and Isla Devan lost ground in the early running. Arriba In Form The Greymouth-owned Arriba graduated from maiden class with an impressive win in the Trial Handicap. He was always one of the leading division, and when the pacemaker, Maura Grattan, dropped back through the field with five furlongs and a half to run, Arriba went through into a clear lead. He was two lengths in front of d’Artagnan racing to the straight, and at the furlong he was in front of Jaunty, Misty Grattan, d’Artagnan, dropping out, Maytime, and Sure Terra. Arriba held on well over the last half-furlong, and he had an advantage of a length at the post. Jaunty did well to finish second. He received a good run most of the way, but was checked when Maura Grattan dropped out and he lost about 10 lengths. He should soon win a race. Misty Grattan, which had never been

far away, was a good third, a head back, well clear of Maytime, Sure Terra, Happy Landings, and Bedivus. Just after the start, Child’s Play fell and brought down Jet Control and Victory Nelson. Thorndell Gains Win Thorndell, which looked unlucky to be beaten on the first day of the meeting, gained a well-merited win in the Tinwald Handicap. She was well towards the rear of the field most of the way, but made up ground In the back straight to take control four furlongs and a half from the finish. She was clear of Killarney Lady, Sergeant Nelson, Grattan Bay, and Moor at the straight entrance, with Black Douglas showing up wide out further back. Thorndell, Sergeant Nelson, Kil.

lamey Lady, Moor, and Black Douglas were clear of the field at the furlong, and Thorndell held on gamely under a hard drive to win by a length and a half. Sergeant Nelson, which had never been far away, finished on for second, half a length in front of the favourite, Black Douglas, which ran a fine race after losing about 69 yards at the start. He was checked again near the three furlong post, and he did well to finish so close up. Moor was a fair fourth, ahead of Killarney Lady, with a gap to Jenny Grattan, Green Label, Tarzan Grattan, and Gift. Marathon was checked near the straight entrance, and he finished a long way back. Gift, Green Label, and Springwater were among those to lose ground at the start.

PLACINGS REVERSED AT ASHBURTON

After the running of the Winter Handicap at Ashburton yesterday, an inquiry was held into alleged interference to Trout Stream (M. Holmes) by Spring Edition (W. R. Butt) inside the last 50 yards. The stipendiary stewards found that there had been interference, and reversed the placings, Trout Stream being placed first and Spring Edition second.

It was found that Butt did not have proper control of Spring Edition, and he was fined £lO. H. T. and J. T. Smith, owners of Bedelia, a candidate for the Longbeach Handicap, were fined £2 for unauthorised change of gear.