FINAL DAY AT ASHBURTON

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27375, 14 June 1954, Page 4

FINAL DAY AT ASHBURTON

SAPLING STAKES TO LA MIGNON

FILLIES TAKE FIRST FOUR PLACINGS

La Mignon proved that she is the best two-year-old of the season whep she outclassed her eight opponents in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, the feature ra«e on the final day of the Ashburton Trotting Club’s winter meeting on Saturday. La Mignon was never far from the leaders, and inside the final furlong she settled the issue in a few strides, winning well by two lengths from Light Nurse, with Lady Vai finishing on for third. Four fillies in the race filled all the placings. This would probably be the first time that their superiority over the colts and geldings has been so pronounced.

La Mignon, which is raced by Sir John McKenzie, was bracketed with Royal Minstrel, which lost his chance at the start. The’last-named took the lead in the back straight, but he tired over the last furlong. Between them La Mignon and Royal Minstrel have jvon five of the six two-year-old races run in the South Island this season and Royal Minstrel has also recorded two placings. Between them they have won £2795, of which £1725 has been contributed by La Mignon with three wins.

The young Templeton trainer, F. E. Newfield, had a change of luck when he won two races with Sandy River and Sedate, both of which showed courage to win by narrow margins. In a pool of 39,228£ 10s tickets on the first leg of the double, the Ashburton County Handicap, 2328 were invested on the winner, Rowan Star, which caused a major surprise. The Luckylast-Trout Stream bracket carried 14.436 J tickets. Their supporters did not get a very good run as both horses were very slow away. Vera Scott, winner of the second leg of the double, the Acton) Handicap, had 156 i tickets redeemed on her prospects, the winning combination returning £207 3s for £l. The meeting was held in fine but cold weather before a large crowd. The track was dead, but in good order.

Totalisator investments for the day amounted to £58,614 10s, including £4675 10s on the double, compared with £62,862 last year, when the meeting was held on a Monday. The total for the two days was £110,710 10s, compared with £110,264 last year.

- La Mignon’s Win La Mignon was a little slow at the start of the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, losing three or four lengths. Light Nurse was very slow and Lady Vai.- Postillion, and Royal Minstrel broke. Dresden Lady was first out and at the end of a furlong she was followed by Amen Ra, Free Agent. Fmst Attack, La Mignon, Postillion, and Lady Vai, with 10 lengths to Light Nurse and Royal Minstrel. Dresden Lady set a dawdling pace, the first half-mile taking Imin Msec. Royal Minstrel closed on the field racing into the back straight, and he then set out round the others to take the lead with just over six furlongs to run. Royal ,Minstrel had control, at the straight entrance, but he was tirmg at the furlong where he was closely attended by Light Nurse and La Mignon, with Dresden Lady and First Attack just in behind them. La Mignon settled the issue in a few strides and she came on to win easily by two lengths. Light Nurse, which had followed Royal Minstrel ro'und the field with seven furlongs to run, finished strongly for second place, two lengths ip front of Lady Vai, which had been well towards the rear of the field racing to the straight. Dresden Lady was a length behind Ladv Vai, with a length to Royal Minstrel, Amen Ra, and First Attack; Free Agent was 50 yards away next, well clear of Postillion.

Rowan Star Surprises Rowan Star, which broke badly in her race the previous Saturday, raced right up to her very best with a good win in the Ashburton County Handicap. She began well and was well placed in about eleventh position, not very far from the leaders. Waihi Princess and Camdon began best and at the end of three furlongs Mighty Falla took over to be passed a furlong further on by Real Class. Luckylast, the favourite, which lost ground early, raced round the field to be just behind Real Class. Luckylast. went to the front with about two furlongs to run and racing to the furlong Barcola, Fair Annette, Rowan Star, Scottish Note, and Lodestar were handy, with Melva Grattan also putting in an appearance. Luckylast was beaten 100 yards from the post and Rowan Star finished very fast through the middle of the field to take over and win by half a length. Melva Grattan ran her best race for a long time to take second place, a length in front of Scottish Note, which had been at the rear of the field with one mile to run.- Fair Annette, which had also been well back early, finished on for* fourth ahead of Luckylast, with Trout Stream, Barcola and Peace Pipe next. Real Class, Melva Grattan, Luckylast, and Scottish Note all lost ground early. Sedate Wins Outsiders filled the first three placings in the Winter Handicap, which provided the best finish of the meeting. Sedate, received a perfect trail all the way behind the pacemaker, Green Label. Merry Gold was just behind Green Label racing to the straight and she took over early in the run home. At the furlong Sedate, Lexeter, Wyvern, Royal Crown, Warren Grattan, and Silver Circle were all handy. Merry Gold and Sedate worked clear and they were having a keen struggle when Silver Circle put in her claim wide out on the track. The three horses crossed the line in a bunch, with Sedate getting the decision by a nose. Silver Circle ran her best race for a long time to finish second. She lost ground at the start and was towards the rear of the field for most of the race. Merry Gold also showed improvement to finish third, a head away, a length in front of Sure Terra, which was' forced to change course several times in the last furlong. Warren Grattan, Royal Crown, Air Command, and Young Sam were next. Sonlight, Royal Crown, Spring Walk. Yoking Sam. and Loraine lost their chances at the start. Another Surprise Vera Scott caused another surprise when she outstayed the field in the Acton Handicap. She was a little slow in the early rush for positions and she was twelfth at the end of five furlongs. She improved her position racing to the halfmile post where she was seventh, three places in front of the favourite. Stadium Chief. Moor, which had taken the lead at the end of half a mile, was still in front at the furlong where Band Queen, Hinepo, Vera Scott, Fiona, and Stadium Chief were showing up. Vera Scott ran clear inside the furlong and she ran on solidly to beat the favourite by a length. Stadium Chief was again- a little unlucky. He drifted in the early stages of the race and had not made up much ground with six furlongs to run. Once he was into the straight he finished very fast and was a clear second.

Hinepo ran on well for third, two lengths back, clear of Moor, with Fiona right up in line next. Currency, Goldship, and Coincident headed the remainder. - Brahman, Currency, and ■Romanesque lost ground early. * . Results:—

LONGBEACH HANDICAP, of £225; trotters; 3min 41sec class; one mile and a half.—s, 4 W. J. Doyle’s b m CIRCLETTE by U. Scott—Within syrs 24 Owner 1; 1, 1 Daybreak 6yrs 24 D. J. Townley 2; 7, 8 Kauru Boy 6yrs *cr W. L. Heron 3.

19, 19 All Smiles; 17, 20 Assure; 22, 22 Cinderellh; 10, 10 Combine; 4, 5 Irish Laughter; 20, 18 Ladas; 6, 6 Larnie Scott; 15, 17 Lucky Ribbon; 8, 9 Prestbury: 13, 12 Primavera; 12, 11 Quite Contrary; 23, 23 Real Mystery; 11, 13 Superfortress; 3, 2 Te Waihopi; 21, 21 Loyal Eagle; 2, 3 Barravey; 14, 14 Scotty Grattan; 9, 7 Bedelia; 15, 15 Victory Cheer; 18, 16 Moccasin also started.

Two lengths; head. Barravey finished fourth but was disqualified for galloping, Larnie Scott being promoted. Times—3min 26 3-ssec, 3min 27sec, 3min 29 1-5 sec. (Mile rate: 2min 17 l-ssec.) Winner trained by owner, Leeston. Dividends.—Win: £lO 16s 6d. Places: £2 17s. £1 Ils, £5 12s 6d.

TRIAL HANDICAP, of £225; 4min 53sec class; two miles.—2, 3 R. W. b g CORONATION HALL by Dillon Hall —Silver Drive aged scr Owner 1; 1, 1 Gainesway 4yrs scr S. A. Edwards 2; 14, 14 Auriferous 3yrs scr C. V. May 3. 12, 11 Aerophlite; 16, 17 Blink Bonnie; 13, 12 Child’s Play; 11, 13 Dinnie Daley; 7, 6 Dione; 10, 9 Empyrian; 4,2 Floriean; 17, 15 Happy*Landings; 9. 8 Homely Maid; 6, 10 Long Range; 8, 7 Pursuance; 15, 16 Royal Dictator; 3, 4 Scottish Laird; 5, 5 Synchronise also started. Length; two lengths. Scottish Laird was fourth. Times.—4min 32 3-ssec, 4min 33 sec, 4min 33 2-ssec. (Mile rate: 2min 16 2-ssec.) Winner trained by owner, Orari.

Dividends.—Win: £7. Places: £2 Ils, £1 16s, £ll.

ASHBURTON COUNTY HANDICAP, of £750; 3min 23sec class; one mile and a half.—B, 9H. W. Wrewery’s b m ROWAN STAR by U. Scott—Margaret Hall 4yrs scr W. R. Butt 1; 13, 13 Melva Grattan syrs scr H. W. Cox 2; 4, 5 Scottish Note 4yrs 12 R. J. Jones 3. 6, 10 Barcola; 12, 12 Camdon; 7, 7 Lodestar; 5, 3 Mighty Falla bracketed Lindy Lou; 2,2 Peace Pipe bracketed Fair Annette; 3, 4 Real Class; 10, 8 Straight Eight; 9, 6 Waihi Princess bracketed Dillon d’Oro; 1, 1 Luckylast bracketed Trout Stream; 11, 11 Ice Drift also started. Half a length; length. Fair Annette was fourth. Times.—3min 20 4-ssec, 3min 21 sec, 3min 20 l-ssec. (Mile rate: 2min 13 4-ssec.) Winner trained by W. R. Butt, Templeton. Dividends.—Win: £lB 18s. Places: £5, £8 8s 6d, £3 ss. NEW ZEALAND SAPLING STAKES, of £1500; two-year-olds; one mile and a half—l, 1 Sir John McKenzie’s ch f LA MIGNON by Light Brigade—Parisienne scr G. B. Noble 1; 2,2 C. R. Berkett and T. S. Harrison’s blk f Light Nurse by Light Brigade—Loyal Nurse scr C. R. Berkett 2; 5, 5 S. T. Webster’s b f Lady Vai by Whipster—Lucky Sweet scr D. J. Townley 3. _ 4, 4 Amen Ra; 3, 3 Dresden Lady; 6. 6 First Attack; 7, 7 Free Agent; 5, 5 Postillion brackted Lady Vai; 1, 1 Royal Minstrel bracketed winner also started. Two lengths; same. Dresden Lady was fourth. Times.—3min 24 l-ssec, 3min 24 3-ssec, 3min 25sec. (Mile rate: 2min 16 l-ssec.) Winner trained by G. B. Noble, Yaldhurst. , „ Dividends.—Win: £1 8s 6d. Places: £l, £ ACTON HANDICAP, of £375; 4min 44 sec class; two miles.—s, 5 C. L. Rhodes s b m VERA SCOTT by U. Scott—Vera de Oro syre 12 J. G. Crofts 1; 1 1 Stadium Chief syrs 12 J. A. Carmichael 2; 10, 10 Hinepo 6yrs scr S. A. Edwards 3. 14, 16 Annie Dillon; 8, 9 Band Queen; 11 11 Currency; 2,2 Fiona bracketed Direct Hall; 7, 7 Goldship; 6, 6 Moko Boy; 16, 15 Pipe Dream; 9, 8 Red Hackle; 3, 3 Brahman; 4, 4 Coincident; 15, 14 Double Talk; 12. 12 Moor; 13. 13 Romanesque bracketed True Friend; 17, 17 Bourbon Lass also started. Length; two lengths. Moor was fourth. Times, 4min 24sec, 4min 24 2-ssec, 4min 25 4-ssec. (Mile rate: 2min 12sec.) Winner trained by owner, Templeton. Dividends.—Win: £l6 2s 6d. Places: £4 6s «d, £1 9s 6d. £6 13s. MAYFIELD HANDICAP, of £400; trotters; 4min 51sec class; two miles.—3, 6 M. and T. Walker’s b m DEMIMONDE bv Wayfarer—Raclaim syrs 24 J. A. Carmichael 1; 11, 11 Executive 6yrs 48 J. M. Williamson 2; 5, 3 Pylon 6yrs 48 H. S. Donald 3. 15. 15 Alandale; 19, 18 Bishop’s Cleeve; 20, 20 Double Brook; 6, 4 Kowhai; 7, 7 Moth; 3, 6 Remodel bracketed winner; 12, 12 Moccasin; 13, 14 Sure Phoebe; 1, 1 Amigo; 2.2 Caliph; 10, 10 Don’t Regret; 9, 9 Idealist; 8, 8 Anitra; 18, 19 Black Market; 4, 5 Seaforth; 16, 16 Madam Grattan; 17, 17 Metropole; 14, 13 Oaktree also started.

Half a length; half a neck; Moccasin finished fourth, but was disqualified for galloping. Caliph being promoted. Times, 4min 37 l-ssec, 4min 35 2-ssec, 4min 35 3-ssec. (Mile rate: 2min 18 3-ssec.) Winner trained by A. M. Purdon, Prebbleton. Dividends.—Win: £8 14s. Places: £2 13s 6d, £6 16s, £3 4s.

TINWALD HANDICAP, of £275; 4min 48sec class; two miles.—2, 2 J. L. Hay, jun.’s, br g SANDY RIVER by Sandydalc —River Lass 4yrs scr F. E. Newfield 1; 6, 5 Mighty King syrs scr P. P. Gallagher 2; 1, 1 Cassado 6yrs scr D, J. Townley 3. 10, 10 Blacksmith; 8. 9 Camille; 11, 11 Coronita; 15. 15 Credit Chief; 6, 5 Final Glow and Sandy Rey bracketed Mighty King; 4, 4 Historic; 9. 8 Jenny Grattan; 13, 13 Lighterman Tom; 12, 11 Misty Grattan; 14, 14 Woolaway: 5, 6 Zulu’s Pride; 7, 7 Colena; 3, 3 Wha’ Hae also started.

Nose; five lengths. Zulu’s Pride was fourth. Times. 4min 27 2-ssec, 4min 27 3-ssec, 4min 28 3-ssec. (Mile rate: 2min 13 4-ssec.) Winner trained by F. E. Newfield, Templeton. Dividends.—Win: £3 17s 6d. Places: £1 17s £2 15s. £1 13s 6d WINTER HANDICAP, of £550; 3min 26sec class; one mile and a half.—lo, 9 F. G. Kirkpatrick and F. E. Newfield’s b m SEDATE by Young Bob—Straight syrs scr F. E. Newfield 1; 11, 11 Silver Circle 6yrs 12 D. A. Morland 2; 12, 12 Merry Gold syrs scr W. R. Butt 3. 6, 5 Blazeworthy; 7, 10 Green Label; 1, 1 Royal Crown; 3, 3 Sonlight; 9, 8 Southern Blade; 13, 13 Sure Terra; 18, 16 Tiki Napu; 15, 15 Wyvern; 2,2 Air Command; 4, 6 Lexeter; 19, 17 Radiant Diamond; 16, 18 Spring Walk; 8, 7 Super Nurse bracketed Camdon; 14, 14 Warren Grattan; 5, 4 Young Sam; 17, 19 Lorraine also started.

Nose; head. Sure Terra was fourth. Times, 3min 17sec, 3min 16 l-ssec, 3min 17 2-ssec. (Mile rate: 2min llsec.) Winner trained by F. E. Newfield, Templeton. Dividends.—Win: £2l 0s 6d. Places: £5 10s 6d» £5 17s, £6 Bs.