AKBAR’S WIN AT TE AROHA

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27212, 2 December 1953, Page 4

AKBAR’S WIN AT TE AROHA

GELDING HAS NOW WON £24,200

ROYAL AUCKLAND CUP PROSPECT

A brilliant staying run from the rear of the field, gave the eight-year-old Akbar a last-stride win in the President’s Handicap at the Te Aroha Jockey Club’s summer meeting on Saturday, and gave further proof that he is one of the Dominion’s best handicappers. With 9st Akbar did not become prominent in the running until approaching the final furlong. He then issued a powerful challenge in the middle of the track, and, continuing his run right to the post, snatched a nose victory from Nabob, with Bright Morn a length and three-quarters away, third. Akbar’s time, 2min 16 l-ssec, was a course record. The previous bc/;t was 2min 16 3-ssec, recorded by Balgowan under Bst 31b in 1946. Akbar has now won 15 races, and £24.200 including stakes earned in Australia, where he finished second in the Melbourne Cup. For Saturday’s success, he has been penalised 51b to 9st lib for the Royal Auckland Cup to be run on December 26. and this places him second only in the handicap to Mount Denby, which has 9st 31b. Akbar is right at the top of his form again. He carries his years lightly, and should prove very hard to beat in the Auckland Cup. A chestnut gelding by Nizami from Pedile. he was secured by Mr K. Austin. Kaiapoi. for 900 guineas at the national yearling sales at Trentham in 1947. He was bought on behalf of Mr N. J. Hamilton. India, in whose interest he raced until the middle of the 1951-52 season. He was then taken on lease by Mr W. Fisher, his present owner. Akbar entered K, J. Heaton’s stable at Ellerslie as a two-year-old, and has been successfully trained there ever since. Not Disgraced Nabob was far from disgraced in being beaten by Akbar. The Nawab four-year-old. which is still eligible to run in hack company, made a gallant effort over the last furlong, and must be considered unfortunate in having to contend with a galloper of Akbar’s calibre. Nabob was capably handled by the Takanini apprentice, K. D. Campbell, who won the open sprint and second leg of the double, the Flying Handicap, on the three-year-old filly, Japonica. Accountant The most impressive performer at the Greymouth Jockey Club’s meeting, which concluded at Omoto on Monday, was Accountant. Making his only appearance at the meeting, and apparently not altogether suited by the slightly heavy going, the Treasure Hunt colt was not troubled to run in an easy winner of the Runanga Hack Handicap. He provided an easy ride for the Riccarton rider, C. McDonald, who. at his only other engagement, was successful on Teresa Gamba. Accountant has been given top-weight of 9-9 for the Miners’ Hack Handicap at the Westland Racing Club’s meeting next Saturday, and if he takes his place in the field he will start at cramped odds. Owner’s Appeal Postponed The appeal of Mr L. J. Coulter, owner of Strato, against a decision of the judicial committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club, which was to have been heard yesterday by the Canterbury District Committee. has been postponed until Monday November 14. Strato was first past the post in the Apprentices’ Hack Handicap at R:ccarton on November 11, but was relegated to fourth place on the ground of interInconsistent

Paraded in the first division of the Trial Stakes on the final day of the Greymouth Jockey Club's meeting at Omoto on Monday, Blonde Peak, after a slow beginning, finished a bad last in a weak field of six runners. Produced in the final event, the Farewell Hack Handicap, the Peak Halyard mare made all the running and then held on well for a good second to Tara wingee. Her place dividend of £l3 fs was the largest of the meeting. When allowed to make her own rules in front, PJnnde Peak is a useful sprinter. She should win a race before the West Coast racing circuit ends. Idaho's Programme A change of plans has been made for the Christmas racing campaign of the Derby and Canterbury Cup winner, Idaho. ■The Timanova colt will not now contest the Manawatu Cup on the opening day of the Manawatu Racing Club’s meeting at Awaouni on December 19. as was previously arranged. Instead, he will travel to Ellerslie on December 20 and will contest the Christmas Handicap, of one mile, on the first day of the Auckland Racing Club’s summer' meeting on Boxing Day. Idaho’s main mission at Ellerslie will be the Great Northern Derby on New Year's Day. After that, he may contest the Royal Wellington Cup. Impressive Maiden Winner The most impressive of the maiden winners at the Greymouth Jockey Club’s meeting at Omoto was London Lights, which won her division of the Novice Stakes on Saturday. Slow to begin, she was chopped back early, but soon raced up to be in behind the leaders. She took over with three furlongs to run. and was not troubled to win well, A four-year-old mare, she is by Sun King from London’s Price, and is raced by Mrs A. G. Wigley, a daugnter of Mr Ken Austin, who bred London Lights. Greymouth Runner Double Paper (7-7) was a starter in the Farewell Hack Handicap at Greymouth on Monday.—(P.A.)