MINOR EVENTS AT ASHBURTON

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

MINOR EVENTS AT ASHBURTON

RIVERSTONE STRONG IN STAMINA

Riverstone was well tested for stamina in the Hinds Hack Hurdles at Ashburton on Saturday, and he came through his test with honours. The Invercargilltrained Lo Zingaro gelding gave Full Tilt a start of 12 lengths from the half-mile but beat the Oamaru jumper by a long neckB. J. Langford attempted to steal the race in the back straight, taking Full Tilt to a five lengths' lead near the six furlongs, where Riverstone was starting to improve his position but still well back. At the half-mile. Full Tilt led by six lengths from Night Ruler, and there was another gap of six lengths to Riverstone, which was being hurried along to close the gap. Riverstone maintained his strong run to join Full Tilt at the last flight and he ran out the race better to win narrowly but well. Chivalrous, the thirteenth favourite in a field of 15, also showed ability to get up for third after being well out of his ground with the race half over. Chivalrous kept up a strong gallop right to the finish, but he was still five lengths behind Full Tilt. Irish Saint, also running on well, was a fair fourth three lengths further back and six lengths clear of the tiring Night Ruler. The others were led home by St. Simper, which was having his first race for nearly two years. St. Simper shared the lead with Full Tilt early in the race, and weakened only in the last half-mile. Exchequer fell at the second hurdle, and Escalado came down near the mile, bringing down Riga. Bold Finishing Run Brooke, a firm favourite, finished boldly from behind the leading bunch to beat Royal Warrant narrowly but well in the Novice Stakes. A two-year-old gelding by Super from Flicker’s Daughter. Brooke raced to the straight in behind five other horses, challenged strongly inside the last furlong after having a little trouble in getting clear, and got up for a head decision. Royal Warrant, after following Freddy into the straight, appeared to have a second-to-none chance when he worked clear going to the furlong, but the task of holding off Brooke, carrying 101 b less, was just too much for him.

Freddy battled on well for third three lengths back and two lengths clear of Lushing, which was in the trailing position to the three furlongs. Trustworthy was another half length back fifth, clear of Royal Sable. Of the first five to finish, all but Royal Warrant are two-year-olds.

Brooke races in the colours of the Southland owner, Mr W. Swale, for whom Royal Lancer won a New Zealand Cup and other good races.

Strong Late Challenge A strong late challenge from the ruck carried Cheerio to a decisive win in the hack sprint, the Moreton Hack Handicap. Cheerio was one of the smartest beginners but he went back several places In the rush for positions, and at the halfmile he had nine horses in front of him. He improved slightly going to the home turn, but not until well inside the furlong did his strong run become effective. Half a furlong from the post Make Haste, the sixteenth favourite, looked likely to provide the major surprise of the day, but Cheerio dashed past her to beat her by half a length. Make Haste was close to the leaders all the way, and she was unlucky to find Cheerio at the top of his form.

Royal Kara ran another sound race for third, the position she also filled in the Mayfield Hack Handicap earlier in the day. She was never far from the leaders, but could not match Cheerio and Make Haste for finishing speed. Royal Apparel was fourth, a length back, after having every chance, and Hermes was a close fifth. Then there was a gap to Jesse James, which led to the straight alongside Private Angelo. Of the other# Doctor Pippin made the best impression, finishing eighth after being slow away. He made up ground quickly inside the first three furlongs and was close to the leaders at the furlong before fading slightly.