EASY WIN FOR EXCELSA

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

EASY WIN FOR EXCELSA

WINCHMORE HANDICAP AT ASHBURTON Excelsa gained her second win from six starts this season when she outclassed a useful field of improvers in the .Winchmore Handicap at the Ashburton County Racing Club’s winter meeting at Ashburton on Saturday. The Young Bob filly had appeared a little unlucky to finish no closer than seventh in the Gold Bar Stakes at Addington the previous Saturday after having a poor run. At Ashburton Excelsa was slow at the start of the race, but she settled down reasonably quickly. L. O. Thomas sent her round the field in the back straight, and she took the lead with five and a half furlongs to run. She was under a good hold at the straight entrance, where she was clear of Timber Miller and Hinepo, with two lengths to Dancing Years and a similar distance to Lady Jane, with Sir John, Lady French and Bourbon Lass handiest of the others. Excelsa was well clear at the furlong and she coasted over the last 100 yards to win with a lot in hand by five lengths from Hinepo. It was a most impressive effort. By Young Bob, she is out of Wexford Rose, the dam also of the promising Young Wexford. She is raced by Mr B. Jones. The Methven-owned and trained Hinepo ran a fair race for Second: She was never very far away, and followed Excelsa through when she went to the front. Hinepo looks very well at present, and she may soon win.

Dancing Years, an odds on favourite, began well .and had every chance. He appeared to slip and mix his gait with just over three furlongs to run, but he did not lose much ground. He was never a possibility afterwards, and was eight lengths from the winner in third place. He was two lengths in front of Timber Miller, with Tarzan Grattan, Royal Present, and Bright Horizon next. Tarzan Grattan broke and ran out at the start, checking Killarney Lady, Gift, Direct Link, and others. Royal Cameo also broke at the start, and Wha’ Hae stood on the mark.

Camille, which had been placed, in two of her three previous appearances this season, gained an overdue win when she outstayed King’s Order and Colena in the Lyndhurst Handicap. Camille was always handily placed on the fence not far from the leaders, and she had a good run to the straight, where she came through to be clear at the furlong. At this stage she was closely attended by King’s Order, Rowan Star, Colena, Magic Mist. Sandy Rey, and Sure Terra. Camille was under pressure soon afterwards, but she fought back gamely and won comfortably. Camille had shown promise in her races as a two and three-year-old, but she had not shown much stamina. On Saturday she ran out two miles well, and the patient policy adopted with her should grove most profitable. She is well bred, eing ’ by Josedale Grattan from Polka Dot, the dam also of Soangetaha, Monte Casino, and others. She is raced in partnership by her trainer, K. Chapman, with Mr J. Chapman. King’s Order, which started from 36 yards, was not disgraced when he finished second. He began safely and soon worked into a handy position not far from the leaders. He ran on well in the straight, without looking really likely to catch the winner.

The Southland-owned and trained Colena, a surprise 2,2 favourite, finished on for third half a head back. He had never been far awBy, but had been forced to cover extra ground. He will probably race next at the Timaru meeting next month.

Rowan Star made un ground for fourth three lengths back, clear of Magic Mist, which had lost ground early. Sure Terra, and Sandy Rey.

KAIKOURA CLUB HAS GOOD YEAR

PROFIT OF £486 SHOWN A profit of £486, after having spent £2444 on alterations, additions, and improvements, was shown in the report presented to the annual meeting of the Kaikoura Trotting Club. The main items of income were:— totalisator, £3197; subscriptions, £485; nomination and acceptance fees, £294; donations, £226; gate receipts, £206; gymkhana,' £195; women’s committee, £lO7. * The main items of expenditure were:— totalisator expenses and taxes, £1844; stakes, £1500; printing and advertising, £ll3. An amount of £296 was \vritten off as depreciation on the course and buildings. At a special meeting the club became incorporated, and rules* with amendments and additions, were adopted. The election of officers resulted:—president, Mr H. J. Hewson; vice-presidents, Messrs J. A. Johnston, V. L. Smith, and I. Q. Manson; committee, Messrs J. H. Ford. O. F. Gibson, B. F. Burland, J. J. Keenan, T. H. Rainey. P. M. Harnett, J. H. Docherty, A. L. Monk, H. J. Smith, and M. J. Harnett; stewards, Messrs J. B. Mackie, R. M. Smart, and J. H. Ford; club’s stipendiary steward, Mr A. O. Monk: auditor, Mr James Carter; delegate to New Zealand Trotting Conference, Mr Hewson.