WINTER MEETING AT ASHBURTON

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27072, 22 June 1953, Page 4

WINTER MEETING AT ASHBURTON

FOUR RACES WON BY SOUTHLAND HORSES

PTOLEMY AND SCORPION MAIN WINNERS

Invercargill-trained horses won four races at the Ashburton County Racing Club’s winter meeting on Saturday, a remarkably good effort on a programme that included two trotting races. Training honours in these successes were shared by F. W. Ellis and D. V. Pankhurst. Formal and Brooke were winners from the Ellis stable, and Pankhurst was represented by Riverstone and Cheerio. Formal, Brooke, and Cheerio were ridden by W. F. Ellis, son of tlfe Invercargill trainer.

Canterbury horses did better in the two main events, Ptolemy winning the Maronan Handicap in the colours of the Washdyke trainer, P. H. Andrews, and Scorpion taking a narrow decision for his Riccarton owner-trainer C. L. Austin in the Dromore Hack and Hunt-*' ers’ Steeplechase. This was Ptolemy’s third win for Andrews, Each time he has been ridden by the leading jockey, W. D. Skelton.

The nine-year-old Sky Pilot gelding Scorpion was having only the third race of his career and his first for the season when he won the Dromore Steeples. He finished very gamely under a hard ride to master Fairhall Lad, the win favourite, in the last fewstrides, the camera giving him a nose decision.

Military Chief and King Karri had another great tussle for «third. They finished in that order with a nose separating them, and placings remained unchanged after a protest by Kling Karri’s owner, Mr D? A. McLaughlin, on the ground of interference from the last fence to the winning post. Formal was an odds-on favourite for the Mayfield .Hack Handicap, first leg of the double, and his powerful finish from near the tail of the field carried him to an easy win. He carried 17,1 68| 10s tickets of a pool of 42,121 doubles tickets, and 966 of them were redeemed on. Ptolemy, winner of the second leg. The doubles dividend was £36 Os 6d for £l.

The meeting was held in fine weather. The track was semi-frozen for the first race, and later it was sticky. The attendance was fair. The on-course , totalisator turnover was £29,283 10s, including £2678 10s on the double, compared with £34,666 10s last year.

\ Maronan Handicap Ptolemy disputed the lead with King’s Command to the home turn in the Maronan Handicap, shook off a challenge from Quarry, and won decisively bv half a length These two had the finish to themselves. The third horse. Hunter’s Choice, was six lengths. back, just ahead of the fast-finishing Dan. Argonaut and Kettledrum were last •way, and Dan, the win favourite, also dwelt slightly. , After two furlongs, King’s Command led by half a length from Ptolemv. They were racing clear of Quarry, with Bosky, Detective, Battle Ensign, Ngapunawai, and Ned Kelly closest of the others. Dan was disappointed for a run on the inner in the next furlong, and at the halfmile he was badly placed on the rails of ttie There Ptolemy and King s Command were together in front, with Quarry trailing, and Ngapunawai, Ned Kelly,, Danger Point, and Detective leading the others. King’s Command was beaten soon after straightening up, Quarry having to be eased slightly when he started to go back through the field. Quarry made a game bid to master Ptolemy inside the furlong, but the grey held him off by half a length. Hunter’s Choice finished strongly from the bunch for third, but he was beaten off, and in another few strides would have been headed by the faster-finishing Dan. Ned Kelly jwas five lengths back fifth, and Kettledrum finished well to be in line with Ngapunawai and Ryeland next. The others were led home by Battle Ensign, which was having his first race imce January.

Fairhall Lad Just Caught Fairhall Lad • attempted to lead for the last seven furlongs in the Dronhore Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, but he went .down to a dogged challenge from Scorpion in the run . from the last fence. Military Chief and King Karri struggled just as hard for third place two lengths back. Military Chief just beating the Parchment gelding, which was having his first race over country. Master Jack and Pyramus had turns in the lead early in the race, but Chasemint took over running through the straight for the first time, Dawning Day being Close behind him. Fairhall Lad was taken'forward to join Chasemint going to the boards at the nine furlongs, and at the next fence he jumped into a clear lead. Scorpion was in fourth position there, and he moved past Chasemint and Pageant into second place near the half-mile, where Military Chief and King Karri were also improving their positions. Scorpion maintained his run to draw level with Fairhall Lad going to the last fence, and on landing they settled down to a hard, slogging battle, which ended with Scorpion getting in the deciding stride. Miitary Chief and King Karri, which had a keen tussle for third, were well clear of the tiring Chasemint and Dawning Day. Pyramus blundered at the fence about •ix and a half furlongs from home, dropping his rider. The riderless horse went on w’ith the field and carried Pageant off. at the last fence. There Debden fell when well back, and on landing Benevolus broke down. Master Jack, which fought for his head early in the race, was pulled up. Formal’s Brilliant Challenge Formal, ridden confidently by W. F. Ellis, decisively won the Mayfield Hack Handicap, the first leg of the double. Ellis gave the Lo Zingaro gelding plenty of time to find his feet, with the result that he was third to last at the seven furlongs, with nine horses in front of him. He moved past only one other runner in the next two furlongs, but reduced the gap to the leaders between the half-mile and the home turn. There Royal Kara and Manuscript were in front, with Cristatus and Master Bobs handy and Tipperary and Formal both coming into the picture. Tipperary, which had been two. places in front of Formal at the half-mile, heartened her supporters by easily mastering Royal Kara near the furlong. But she, in turn, could not respond strongly enough when Formal made his strong challenge wider out on the track. Formal was going •*away at the fifeish with a winning margin of a length. Royal Kara, one of the pacemakers all the way, was tiring in third place three lengths behind Tipperary, but in no danger of losing that place. There was a gap of two lengths to Master Bobs (fourth). Demand was a neck back fifth after having every chance, and then there was a gap to Manuscript.

HINDS HACK HURDLE HANDICAP, of £250; one mile and five furlongs.—l s 1 N. V. Petersen’s RIVERSTONE by Lo Zingaro—Stone Frigate 4yrs 9-6* G. Julius 1; 5, 5 Full Tilt syrs 10-1 B. J. Langford 2; 13, 13 Chivalrous 4yrs 9-0 G. W. Mein 3 ”6, 6 Night Ruler; 2,2 Exchequer (fell); 9, 7 Fiying Control; 10, 9 St. Simper; 7, 10 Coxswain; 4, 3 Irish Saint; 15, 15 Celerite; 8, 8 Escalado (feil); 12, 12 Pictorial; 3. 4 Prim Lady; 14, 14 Rex Dollar; 11, 11 Riga (lost rider) also started. Long neck; five lengths. Irish Saint was fourth. Time, 2min 58 3-ssec. Winner trained by D. V. Pankhurst, Invercargill. Dividends.—Win: £3 Is 6d. Places: £1 7s, £3 4s. £24 12s. NOVICE STAKES, of £200; six furlongs.—l, IW. Swale’s BROOKE by Super —Flicker’s Daughter 2yrs 8-0 W. F. Ellis 1; 4, 4 Royal Warrant 3yrs 8-10 H. W. Hibberd 2; 6, 5 Freddy 2yrs 8-0 car. 8-OJ A. J. Stokes 3. 4, 4 Card Game bracketed Royal Warrant; 18. 13 Janice Claire; 11, 11 King O’Day; 3,2 Royal Sable; 12, 15 Theio Rita; 15, 12 Whitby; 10, 10 De Rose; 13, 17 Fine Type; 16. 16 Goldtina; 9, 9 Lushing; 16, 19 Puccini; 8, 8 Sawdust; 2, 3 Scotch Gift: 19, 14 Steadfast; 14, 18 Tainui; .7, 7 Teko; 5. 6 Trustworthy also started. Head; three lengths. Lushing was fourth Time, Imin 15 l-ssec. Winner trained by F. W. Ellis, Washdyke. Dividends.—Win: £2 13s 6d. Places; £1 7s 6d. £2 Bs. £2 16s 6d. LYNDHURST TROT HANDICAP, Of £220 ; 4min 53sec class; two miles.—4, 3 K. and 3. Chapman’s CAMILLE by Josedale Grattan—Polka Dot 4yrs scr K. Chapman 1; 1, 1 King’s Order 3yrs 36 M. Holmes 2; 2,2 Colena syrs scr J. McConnell 3.

,6. 7 Captain Cash; 10. 8 Child’s Play; 16, 18 Colonel Scott; 17, 16 Dianne; 20, 23 Ftering; 3, 4 Goldlight; 19, 17 Happy ~ Horace R °y; 7 - 5 Magic Mist; 14 14 Pacific Pace; 15, 13 Red 5, 11 Rowan Star; 8, 6 Sandy

Rey; 13, 14 Supersonic; 12, 12 Supreme Prince; 9, 9 Sure Terra; 21, 19 Top Mast; 11, 10 Cherry Queen; 18, 21 Colonel Fae; 22, 20 Frostivus also started. Length and a half: half a head. Rowan Star was fourth. Times—4min 37 2-ssec, 4min 34 3-ssec, 4min 37 4-ssec. (Mile rate: 2min 18 3-ssec.) Winner trained by K. Chapman, Halswell. Dividends.—Win: £lO 9s. Places: £3 2s 6d, £1 8s 6d. £2 19s 6d. MAYFIELD HACK HANDICAP, of £275; one mile and a quarter;—!, 1 A. Macdonald's FORMAL by Lo Zingaro—Boaform 4yrs 9-3 W. F. Ellis 1; 5,2 TipSjrary 4yrs 9-1 C. C. Stokes 2; 2, 4 Royal ara 4yrs 8-6 W. D. Skelton 3. 3,2 Master Bobs; 8, 8 Manuscript; 7, 7 Adversary; 12, 12 Better Days; 6, 6 Cristatus; 4, 5 Demand; 10, 10 Girleen; 11, 11 Golden Air; 9, 9 Spar also started. Short length; three lengths. Master Bobs was fourth. Time, 2min 11 2-ssec. Winner trained by F. W. Ellis, WashDividends.—Win: £1 13s .6d. Places: 16s, £2 Bs. £2 12s 6d. DROMORE HACK AND HUNTERS' STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, Of £250; abput two miles and a quarter.—3, 3 C. L. Austin’s SCORPION by Sky PilotLight Comedy aged 9-0 car. 9-3 A. J. Williams 1; 1,2 Fairhall Lad 6yrs 9-6 G. G. Hampton 2; 5, 6 Military Chief aged 9-12 H. J. FOrd 3. 6, 5 Benevolous (broke down); 4, 4 Chasemint; 2, 1 Pageant (ran off): 9, 9 Dawning Day; 10, 11 Debden (fell); 11. 10 King Karri; 8, 8 Master Jack; 7, 7 Pyramus (lost rider) also started. Nose; two lengths. King Karri was fourth. Time, 4min 19 4-ssec. Winner trained by owner, Riccarton. Dividends.—Win: £7 3s 6d. Places: £2 6s 6d. £1 9s. £3 0s 6d. MARONAN HANDICAP, of £400; one mile.—3. 3 P. Andrews’s PTOLEMY by Pherozshah—Straight Drive syrs 8-11 W. D. Skelton 1; 10, 11 Quarry syrs 7-8 R. O.«Cainu2; 8, 8 Hunter’s Choice 4yrs 7-7 J. Didham 3. 5, 5 King’s Command; 11, 9 Ned Kelly; 1,2 Dan; 4, 4 Danger Point; 2, 1 Ngapunawai; .9, 10 Kettledrurn; 6, 6 Battle Ensign; 12, 12 Bosky; 13, 13 Detective; 14, 14 Ryeland; 7, 7 Argonaut also started. Half a length; six lengths. Dan was fourth. Time, Imin 41 2-ssec. Winner trained by owner, -Washdyke. Dividends.—Win: £6 9s 6d. Places: £2 6s, £6 2s 6d, £5. MORETON HACK HANDICAP, of £250; seven furlongs.—2, 2 K. F. Meikle’s CHEERIO by Baffles—Miss Nightly 4yrs 8-6 W. F. Ellis 1: 16. 16 Make Haste 3yrs 8-0 car. 8-3 S C. McDonald 2; 4, 3 Royal Kara 4yrs 8-9 W. D. Skelton 3. 13, 12 Hermes; 9, 9 Owl's Way; 1, 1 Export; 10, 10 Direct Passage; 12, 13 Jesse James: 3, 5 Gone Away; 11, 11 Airscol: 14, 14 All Ataunt; 5. 7 Corolight; 8, 8 Doctor Pippin; 17, 17 Ideal Robe; 7, 6 Private Angelo; 6, 4 Royal Apparel; 15, 15 Two Light also started; . a a Half a length; two lengths. Royal Apparel was fourth. Time, Imin 28 4-ssec. Winner trained by D. V. Pankhurst, In-

vercargill. Dividends.—Win: £8 6s. Places: £2 7s 6d, £lB 13s 6d, £3 Is 6d. , WINCHMOKE TROT HANDICAP, of £270 ; 3min 33sec class: one mile and a half.—3, 38. Jones’s EXCELSA by Young Bob—Wexford Rose 3yrs scr L. O. Thomas 1; 5, 6 Hinepo syrs scr S. A. Edwards 2; 1, 1 Dancing Years 3yrs scr D. Cr Watts 3. 22, 22 Charleston; 11. 10 David; 12, 13 Direct Link; 18, 16 Gift; 13, 12 Killarney Ladv; 6, 5 Lady French; 9, 9 Lady Jane: 17, 17 Moderate: 7, 7 Moor; 8, 8 Royal Cameo; 21. 21 Sheriff Hall; 10, 11 Tarzan Grattan: 4, 4 Timber Miller; 23, 23 King High; 20, 20 Mighty Imp; 19, 18 Royal Present; 16. 19 Sir John; 2,2 Wha’ Hae; 15, 15 Bourbon Lass: 24. 24 Penno’s Pride; 14. 14 Bright Horizon also started. Five lengths; three lengths. Timber Miller was fourth. Times—3min 22 2-ssee, 3min 23 2-ssec. 3min 25sec. (Mile rate: 2min 15sec.) Winner trained by L. O. Thomas, Spreydon. Dividends.—Win: £l4 2s 6d. Places: £3 17s, £4 8s 6d, £1 0s 6d. North Canterbury Club Acceptances (Racing), Withdrawals (Trotting) for the North Canterbury Racing Club’s Meeting to be held at Rangiora on Saturday, 4th July, 1953. close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, 25th June, 1953, with the Secretary. P. J. Byrne, 193 Cashel street, Christchurch. Advt. SOUTH CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB (INC.). SECOND WINTER MEETING, SATURDAY, 27th JUNE. ACCEPTANCES will CLOSE at 5 P.M. TODAY. Telegraphic Address: ‘’Alliance.” Telephone 183, Timaru. L. R. OLIFF, Secretary. 7352