AUSTRALIAN RACING

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27274, 15 February 1954, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN RACING

CROMIS BEATS HYDROGEN

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 14. The Sydney sprinter. Birdwood, broke the Australian five furlongs and a half record in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield vesterday. Birdwood, which started favourite, scored comfortably and clipped quarter of a second off the previous record, established by San Domenico when he won the Oakleigh Plate in 1949. The second horse. Sir Isfahan, also finished second in the plate last year. Sydney backers were dealt a severe blow when the 6-4 favourite, Hydrogen, failed -to win a place in the St. George s Stakes. Cromis, the winner, met with a hostile demonstration. His effort in finishing third in the C. F Orr Stakes last week was considered not in keeping with his brilliant run yesterday. Sunish galloped his way into a very popular position for the Duke of Edinburgh Australian Cup at Flemington next Saturday week, when he won the Bond Handicap. Results:— OAKLEIGH PLATE, Of £3OOO. Five furlongs and a half. BIRDWOOD 8-1 .. N. McGrowdie 1 S’r Isfahan 8-10 .. D. Coleman 2 Coulper 7-11 •• N. Allen 3 There were 22 starters. Two lengths; one length and a hah Time, Imin 4sec. Betting: 5 to 2, 9 to 1, 16 to 1. ST. GEORGE STAKES. Of £2OOO. Nine furlongs and a half CROMIS 8-3 .. .. J. Purtell 1 Aidershot 9-2 .. .. B. Shaw 2 Olympic Girl 8-0 .. K. Smith 3 There were 11 starters. Half neck; one length and a half. Time, Imin 51Jsec. , , Betting: 11 ' 4, 15 to 1, 16 to 1. BOND HANDICAP, Of £l5OO. One mile and a half. SUNISH 8-7 .. W. "Williamson 1 Royal Radiant 8-5 .. ..J. Purtell 2 Tidloch 7-4 .. .. D. Coleman 3 Half a head; three-quarters of a length Time. 2min 311 sec. Betting: 7 to 2, 9 to 2, 12 to 1.