MINOR EVENTS AT METHVEN

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27642, 26 April 1955, Page 5

MINOR EVENTS AT METHVEN

A. M. PURDON PRODUCES TROTTING WINNERS

The Prebbleton trainer, A. M. Purdon, ; produced the winners of both trotting events at the Methven Trotting Club's autumn meeting on Saturday. They were Russell Grattan and Kowhai. Taking over the running with a mile to run, Russell Grattan trotted very soundly to win the Lyndhurst Handicap by half a length from Victory. One of the backmarkers, Prestbury made up ground steadily all the way to take third placing, seven lengths away. The favourite. Lady Baffelan, did remarkably well to finish fourth after being a long way out of her ground with the race more than half over. Jean Able was a fair fifth, two lengths back, just shading With You, which broke twice in the running. Six lengths back, Kauranui tired into seventh place, ahead of Royal Tour, Overdale Lad. Assure, Midlothian and Bay Queen, which did best of the others. Gregory Grattan, Victory, Lady Bafielan, Mark Anthony, Manana. Assure, Cinderella, Midlothian apd Dusky Diamond all made mistakes at the start. Kauranui was first out, but passing the stands Russell Grattan took over. Russell Grattan was always travelling well clear of the field, and after leading into the straight from Kauranui, Victory and Prestbury, he did not have to be driven right out to win - _ - „ Had Run of Race Making her first start for the season and her first from Purdon’s stable, Kowhai enjoyed the run of the race in the Lauriston Handicap, and she wore down Suredale in the last furlong to win decisively by a length. Suredale broke and lost a little ground at the start, but he recovered quickly to be in eighth position with a mile to. run. He moved up to be on the outside of the leader, Romero, with half a mile to run, and was a clear leader into the straight. He fought back gamely, but could not match Kowhai for finishing > S *Flfth Brigade, which was just behind : the leaders all the way finished on for ■ third piecing, a length back, and nine ; lengths clear of Prestbury, which lost a good fiance when he broke in the first '■ ha There e ’was a gap of two lengths to . Lancewood, which broke at the start, and i a similar gap to Overdale Lad, which had every chance. Romero weakened to finish , seventh, three lengths back, with Victory Cheer, Jocoly, and the favourite, Quite • Contrary, which broke in the running, next. outclassed Field Battalion made short work of -the maidens in the First Highbank Handicap. ' He began well, and moved swiftly into the : lead with a mile to travel. He was two lengths clear of his nearest rival with half a mile to run, and when allowed to stretch 1 out he put a break of eight lengths on : the field on the home turn. He was not driven out, but widened his lead to be ’ 14 lengths clear at the post. , The early leader. Magic Eye. finished on t into second placing after drifting a little in the middle stages of the race, and she » beat Scoot by half a length for this plac- . was handy throughout, but had . difficulty in working clear at the furlong. He just held off the *aster-finising favourS ite. Snowball, which was sixth to turn - fo pJrtble finished a t fair fifth under s t hard drive, just shading Winning Powei. ir which had every chance, and Scottish Fair. Six lengths back. Lady Alice led i. in the remainder. Aerophllte. llorican. Scottish Fair s Capull Globetrotter, Dunfern and Tro]ar all made mistakes at the start.

a Finished Brilliantly t J Thunder, a Light Brigade-Busted Flush '• five-year-old making his first start, finI ished brilliantly in the last furlong to. win , the Second Highbank Handicap by a long neck from the favourite Lauder Lady. 3 which lost ground at the start by breakZ ing. This pair had the finish to them- ■ selves, and the third horse, Dryden Lad. II was five lengths awav. Half a length from Dryden Lad, Silver Casket finished fourth. ’ with a length to Franeora, four to Radiotron, two •to , Derry Air and Mark- * dale, and six to the pacemaker. Mighty Shadow, which led in the others. ■ Loyal Flutter, Lauder Lady. Brittania, . Deciduous, Young Helen, Kerry Star. Wee I Chief and Ardono all lost ground at the start Mighty Shadow made the running. a and at the half-mile she was just clear • of Silver Casket, with Radiotron. Uerry > a Air, Wee Chief, Thunder (rails). Triad. - Be Good. Kerry Star, Lauder Lady and , Markdale' following. 5 Lauder Lady made a smart run which ® carried her to the front with a furlong 9 to travel, where she was followed closely by Silver C««ket. Derry Air. and Dryden Lad, with ’Hiunder showing up wide on II Thunder ran greenly in the last furlong, but showed great ability to wear t-1 down the favourite.