MILE WELTER AT WINGATUI

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27150, 21 September 1953, Page 5

MILE WELTER AT WINGATUI

LORD LOTHIAN’S SUCCESS

Lord Lothian was in front all the way in the October Handicap at Wingatui on Saturday. He shook off a strong challenge from the favourite, Desperado, inside the furlong to win by half a length. Gold Tip was another half-length back third.

Lord Lothian was one of the smartest beginners, faring better than Desperado, which was third last in the early stages and did not improve his position to any extent until the race was half over. After leading Winning Gem, Gold Tip, The Tongs, Desperado, and Turbulent into the straight, Lord Lothian kept clear until the furlong. There Desperado was drawing up to him on the outer, and Dashing was making a short-lived challenge on the rails.

For a moment Desperado appeared to have Lord Lothian beaten, but the Washdyke galloper was the master of the situation over the last 30 yards.

Gold Tip ran the race out well for his third, two lengths clear of Dissenter. Dashing was close up fifth, and Winning Gem was next to finish. Hurdles to Cogitation Cogitation, the favourite, joined Colonel Argosy in front going to the half-mile in the Spring Hurdles, and fought back gamely when headed momentarily in the straight by Reproof to beat that horse by a neck. Colonel Argosy lacked the pace of the other two on the firm track and faded to third, two lengths back. Cogitation,- which dropped his rider at the barrier, was in the first four all the way'. He joined Colonel Argosy in the trailing position behind Highland Lad near the seven furlongs, went into a short lead on the home turn, but E. P. Corboy had to get the best out of him to master Reproof. Reproof led the chase after Cogitation and Colonel Argosy from the half-mile, and his chance looked bright on landing over the last flight where he appeared to be going slightly better than Cogitation. But he weakened slightly in the last few strides allowing the Gore-trained hurdler to take a narrow decision. Colonel Argosy was unchallenged for third, three lengths clear of Ash, whose jumping was patchy. Penze was beaten off in fifth place just ahead of Glenlivet, which should be all the better for the race. Paper Royal dropped his rider at the first flight. Accountant’s First Success Riccarton horses filled four of the first five places in the Trial Handicap. Accountant, second at Ashburton a week earlier, won decisively after getting the run of the race behind the pacemaking Milling Bay, and Scotch Gift and Sheriff finished third and fourth, the latter finishing strongly from well back. Royal Warrant was fifth. C. McDonald had Accountant trailing behind Milling Bay after two furlongs, and there the Treasure Hunt colt stayed to the home turn where Sir Galahad, Scotch Gift, Wait a Bit, Kasr-el-Nil, and Sheriff led the others in the big field. Accountant had Milling Bay’s measure near the furlong. He was tiring, but under a strong ride he kept clear of all other challengers and won by a clear margin. The weakening Milling Bay just lasted to beat Scotch Gift by a head for second. Sheriff was a length and a half back fourth and was followed home by Royal Warrant and Sir Galahad. Solway lost all chance at the start, and Night Glare was slow away. Hack Sprint to Paulette Paulette followed Surprise Ending into the straight in the Kaikorai Handicap, drew clear on the home turn, and won decisively by half a length from the faster-finishing Fulgent, which challenged from a handy position on the inner. Paulette trailed Suphero early and held his position when Surprise Ending took charge near the half-mile. There Suphero was also in one of the trailing positions, and Princess Finis, Cerne, Fulgent, Sawdust, and Havelock were handy. Paulette challenged Surprise Ending soon after straightening up and did not take long to establish a lead which Fulgent, though running on well, could not close. Surprise Ending was a length and a quarter back third, four lengths .clear of Star Chief. Havelock was fifth, and was followed home by Deodar, Princess Finis, and Tiles. Overboard and Red Hand lost their chances at the start. Decisive Win

Chief Light ran past Tip Top on the dome turn in the Clarendon Handicap and shook off all challenges to win decisively by three-quarters of a length. In a keen finish for the minor places Kind Wish beat Tip Top by a short neck, with Sovereign Salute half a head back fourth. Chief Light had five horses in front of him starting the last mile. He moved into the trailing position behind Tip Top running to the three furlongs and went through to the front inside the next furlong. , Kind Wish was back in seventh position from the mile to the home turn. She finished strongly for her placing, but never looked like heading Chief Light. Tip Top gave the race an unexpected turn when he streaked away to a five lengths’ lead going to the six furlongs. Though Chief Light had his measure on the turn, he battled on gamely for his placing, just shading Sovereign Salute, which had a good run not far from th 6 leaders all the way. The others, led home by Soumai, were beaten off.

Acceptances for the Geraldine Racing Club’s meeting on September 28 close with the Secretary (L. D. McKenzie) at 5 p.m. today. Telephone 262. —Advt.