TROTTING Lady Wexford Surprises In N.Z. Sapling Stakes

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27678, 7 June 1955, Page 5

TROTTING Lady Wexford Surprises In N.Z. Sapling Stakes

i long-range plan to win the New Sapling Stakes came to a ZJcSsful end when Lady Wexford, favourite in a field of nine, beat 2 2 favourite, False Step, on the L,al dav of the Ashburton Trotting Xbs winter meeting yesterday. Raced by Mr A. E. Lovett, of Christwho purchased her for 500gns. the yearling sales last year. Lady Wexford has been trained throughout career by R- Young at Addington. ?adv Wexford showed considerable Promise in her early training and it ? ssdecided that she would have her Sv racing in Sydney where the Ivdney Sapling Stakes would be her Jain mission. She won at her first rJoearance there and won a qualifySgheat of the Sapling Stakes. In the zzti which was run in atrocious conations. she took fright at the start and lost all chance. Ladv Wexford was then returned to «ew Zealand to be prepared for the Sew Zealand Sapling Stakes. She had one race as part of her preparation, finishing well back in third place in the' Oamaru Juvenile Stakes. Yesterday R. Young was content to follow Pointer and False Step, which rut at one another for almost nine furlongs. At this the hot favourite, Pointer. drop r d right out. It was not until inside «e furlong that Lady Wexford was asked for an effort, her first in the race, and she .had too much in reserve for False Step. Dalene finished on for a fair third, dear of Phantasy, Pointer and the surprisingly well-supported Guard’s Brigade. Kingsdown Direct became the only Ijorse to win two races at the meeting when he held off a strong challenge from Dunvegan by a nose in the Ashbarton County Handicap, the first leg of the double. Kingsdown Direct was always handy and he showed courage fn a punishing finish. Considering his impressive win on the first day of the meeting he paid a false win dividend of £lO 7s. Direct Hall won the Acton Handicap, the second leg of the double, the successful combination returning £99 6s 6d for £l. Other impressive winners during the dav were Battalion, Ailsa Craig and Bovlng Gypsy. The meeting was held in fine weather before a large crowd. The track was very heavy, cutting out badly. Totalisator investments for the day emounted to £57,937 10s, including £4474 10s on the double,' compared with £58.614 10s last year when the meeting was held on a Saturday. The total for the two days was £106,774, compared with £110,710 10s. N.Z. Sapling Stakes Lady Wexford received a perfect run throughout the New Zealand Sapling Stakes and over the final furlong she had too much in reserve for False Step. Pointer slipped at the start, but was soon into his stride and Siberia. Adoration, Phantasy, Guard’s Brigade and Maxwelton gave ground. Pointer and False Step (outside) led early and at the mile post Phantasy had moved up to join them. They were a length in front of Lady Wexford and Dalene (outside), with five lengths to Adoration,; and four to Guard’s Brigade, with the others in a hopeless position. False Step continued to force the pace with Pointer until three and i half furlongs from home where Pointer tired quickly. Phantasy moved up to follow False Step as the field reached the straight, with Lady Wexford just behind them snd Dalene the only other runner with a chance. Phantasy was tiring at the furlong when Lady Wexford was Jffl trailing False Step, with Dalene iowing up. Lady Wexford pulled out to challenge False Step inside the furlong and she settled the issue in a winning easily by two

False Step was not disgraced as he had worked hard Sn the lead all the D&„? e S ?° len Btt“ “ front o? p^i le ? e ’ Wl ‘ h f° ur to Phantasy, 15 to Pester and Guard’s Brigade, and 10 to Siberia, Maxwelton and Adoration Second Win H,^u gS ?° W .v Direct completed a oX b ,L IO J H* j m eeting when he held on tne nrst-day winner, Dunvecan. by a nose in the Ashburton County Handicap. Silver Wood, Virginia Scott and Denver Hall lost ground at the start and Aula began brilliantly from 12 yards to take control at the end of half a furlong. She was closely attended by Kingsdown Direct and Young Sam turning into the back straight. The order in front remained unchanged to the straight where Don Hall. Captain King, Spring Walk, Sure Terra, Dunvegan and Cassado were all prominent. Cassado broke in the I straight when handy racing to the furlong, where she was just behind K-mgsdown Direct and Spring Walk. k Pynvegan and Bedivus doing best of*the others. Kingsdown Direct was clear inside the furlong and Dunvegan moved up to him. They had a great over the final stages of the race, Kingsdown Direct holding on gamely to win by a nose. Dunvegan, after starting from 36 yards, received a good run through on the rails. He ran a great race in the circumstances. He was well clear of Bedivus, which finished well wide out on the track. Cassado finished on for fourth, ahead of Spring Walk, with two lengths to Captain King, Kola Veyor and Don Hall. The favourite, Aula, stopped badly and was thirteenth to finish.

, ' Sprint to Roving Gypsy > Roving Gypsy, runner-up to Kings- > down Direct in a similar race on the 5 j. .day of the meting, gained a J deceive win in the Winter Handi. I cap. The Lucky Jack mare was slow away and was towards the rear of a ( spread-out field with one mile to . run. She began to make up ground : with seven furlongs to run and she continued her run to be handy to i Lucky Hall, which had taken over [ when Dark Echo broke with three furlongs to run, at the straight en- . trance. Signet Ring came through . on the inside to lead into the last . furlong from Distent Star, Rosiere. Queen J ess and Peace Pipe, with Roving Gypsy making a fast run on r the outside. Signet Ring broke and, [ driven with confidence, Roving Gypsy , came on to win very easily by two , lengths. Peace Pipe, one of the backmarkers, ran a great race for second after covering extra ground for most of the race. She was two lengths in front of Loraine, which had been well ' back most of the way. Master Tony made up ground for fourth, ahead of the hot favourite, Rosiere, and Signet Ring, with Coincident, Queen Jess and Jocund next. Master Tony and Lodestar gave ; ground at the start. The Second Leg Direct Hall, revelling in the heavy t F ack o conditions - short work of the field in the second leg of the double, the Acton Handicap. He had' 15 horses in front of him with one mile and three furlongs to run, but was not far from the pacemakers, Ayrland’s Pride and Scotch Girl, as the field was a bunched one. After passing the six-furlong post, D. L. McGregor sent Direct Hall round the field and he took control with four and a half furlongs to run. He soon opened up a break on the field and turned for home five lengths in front • of Ayrland’s Pride, with Victory Nelson, Band Queen, Marshall Foi and Auriferous handy. Direct Hall was never required to do his best over the final furlong and he won easing up by six lengths from Band Queen, which fought on

under pressure. She had every chance, and was a length and a halT m « 2 nt °. f Auriferous, which was well back in the early stages of the F Victory Nelson was three lengths back fourth, five lengths in front of Marshall Foi, with a similar distance to All In and Banbury. Results:— J LONGBEACH HANDICAP, Of £250: trotters; 3min 41sec class; one mile and * 4 . A - W Skinner’s b g WORTHY ADMIRAL by Admiral Nelson—Worthy Lady 6yrs 24 Owner 1; 1, 1 With You 4yrs scr W. J. Doyle 2; 14. 14 Dan s Choice 4yrs scr W. L. Heron 3. 12. 15 Basha Felika; 20. 21 Cinderella; 22, 22 Definitely; 15, 13 Dusky Diamond; 18. 16 Judear; 3. 3 Kauranui; 5. 5 Ladas; 13, 12 Lucky Cheer; 11, 11 Midlothian; 11, 11 Thumberlina; 19. 18 Scotch Mist; 9, 8 Sure Maggie; 8, 7 Loyal Eagle; 7, 10 Assure; 20. 20 Erin McCoy; 10, 9 Great Caution; 17. 19 Timber Miller; 4,2 Bay Queen; 16. 18 Jacinta; 6, 6 Kapuka Lass also started. Three lengths; half a length. Kauranui was fourth. Times—3min 36 2-ssec, 3min 39 2-ssec, 3min 39 3-ssec. Winner trained by owner. Hedgehope. Dividends.—Win: £7 Is. Places: £2 10s 6d, £2 Is, £l7 14s. TRIAL HANDICAP, of £250; 4m in 53sec class; two miles.—B. 7 W. T. Lowe's br g CAPULL by U. Scott—Margin 4yrs scr D. L. McGregor 1; 5, 5 Jungle Song 6yrs scr J. G. Hampton 2; 2,2 Gainesway svrs scr S. A. Edwards 3. 9, 13 Bentley; 13, 11 Delaforce; 3, 3 Derry Air; 20. 19 Gay Bells; 10, 10 Haughtiness; 7, 6 Hunter's Luck; 19, 20 Jupiter; 14, 14 Kerryman; 16, 15 Kyle Maid; 1. 1 Lauder Lady 6. 9 Mile Post; 15, 17 Royal Serenade; 12, 12 -Skyleada; 4, 4 Van Dyke; 18, 18 Wee Chief; 17, 16 Winning Power; 11, 8 Sandfly also started. Half a length; three lengths. Derry Air was fourth. Times—lmin 49 2-ssec. 4min 49 3-ssec, 4min 50 3-ssec. Winner trained by D. L. and F. I. McGregor, Winslow. Dividends.—Win: £24. Places: £5 19s 6d. £4 4s 6d. £1 19s. ASHBURTON COUNTY HANDICAP, of £800; 3min 23sec class; one mile and a half.—s, 5 E. W. Currie’s Wk g KINGSDOJVN DIRECT by Josedale Grattan—War Chariot 4yrs scr J. A. Carmichael 1; 6, 7 Dunvegan aged 36 K. Balloch 2; 9, 10 Bedivus syrs 12 D. J. Campbell 3. 3. 3 Cassado; 12, 13 Magic Mist; 11. 12 Sedate; 15, 15 Silver Wood; 10. 9 Sure

Terra; 1, 1 Aula; 2,2 Captain King: 14, 14 Denver Hall; 4, 4 Rola Veyor; 8, 8 Spring Walk; 17, 17 Virginia Scott; 13, 11 Young Sam; 7. 6 Don Hall; 16, 16 Mighty Fine also started. Nose; two lengths and a half. Cassado was fourth. Times—4min 25 3-ssec, 4min 22 4-ssec, 4min 25 2-ssec. Winner trained by W. R. Butt, Templeton. Dividends.—Win: £lO 7s. Places: £3 5s 6d, £4 7s, £6 0s 6d. NEW ZEALAND SAPLING STAKES, of £1500; two-year-olds; one mile ana a half.—7, 7 A. E. Lovett's ch f LADY WEXFORD by Young Bob—Wexford Rose scr R. Young 1; 2,2 J. Smyth’s b c False Step by Fallacy—Dainty Direct scr J. D. Litten 2; 6, 6 G. W. Cameron’s ch f Dalene by Light Brigade—Doonholme scr J. Smolensk! 3. 8, 8 Adoration; 3, 3 Guard’s Brigade; 9. 9 Maxwelton; 4, 4 Phantasy; 1, 1 Pointer; 5, 5 Siberia also started. Two lengths; ten lengths. Phantasy was fourth. Times—3min 31sec, 3min 31 2-ssec, 3min 34 2-ssec. Winner trained by R. Young, Addington. Dividends.—Win: £25 3s. Plaqes: £3 15s 6d, £1 10s, £3 14s. T ACTON HANDICAP, of £400; 4min 44sec class; two miles.—4, 4 S. R. E. Harley’s m g DIRECT HALL by Dillon HallSylvia Direct aged 24 D. L. McGregor 1; 5, 5 Band Queen syrs scr K. Balloch 2; 3, 3 Auriferous 4yrs scr C. V. May 3. 5, 5 All In; 17, 16 Banbury; 8, 8 Camille; 19, 18 Christmas Spirit; 14, 14 Clemency; 11, 12 Dauntless; 9, 9 Gold Direct; 12, ’ll Red Hackle; 6, 6 Scotch Girl; 7, 7 Stavanger: 10, 10 Tapestry; 13, 15 Victory Nelson; 20. 20 Ayrland’s Pride; 1, 1 Blazing Sun; 16, 13 Grattan Bay; 2,2 Marshall Foi; 18, 19 Stylish Grattan; 15, 17 Sir Roger also started. Six lengths; length and a half. Victory Nelson was fourth. Times—4min 36 2-ssec. 4min 40 l-ssec, 4min 40 2-ssec. Winner trained by owner, Lauder. Dividends.—Win: £7 Is 6d. Places: £2 12s 6d, £2 14s 6d, £2 Bs. Bracket: Band Queen and All In. MAYFIELD HANDICAP, of £425; trotters; 4min 51sec class; two miles.—2, 4 Mrs W. Welton and- J. Young’s b m AILSA CRAIG by U. Scott—Sure Lady 4yrs 12 R. Young 1; 3,2 Quite Contrary aged scr H. S. Donaldson 2; 9, 8 Victory Cheer aged 48 W. S. Gilligan 3. 6, 5 Lancewood; 4. 3 Prestbury; 11, 11 Robin's Gift; 10, 10 Witchcraft: 12, 12 Gold Note; 8, 7 Jocoly; 5, 6 Margaret

Scott; 7, 9 Suredale; 1, 1 Fogbound also started.

Four lengths: three lengths. Fogbound finished third, but was relegated to fourth for galloping past the post. Times—4min 51 l-ssec, 4min 53 l-ssec, 4min 56 3-ssec. Winner trained by R. Young, Addington. Dividends.—Win: £4 18s 6d. Places: £2 15s, £2 0s 6d, £4 3s. TIN WALD HANDICAP, of £300; 4min 48sec class: two miles.—l, 1 P. A. Watson’s b g BATTALION by Light Brigade— Anita Patch 3yrs scr M. Holmes 1; 10, 12 Synchronise 4yrs 36 D. L. McGregor 2; 9, 9 Wha' Hae aged 24 G. B. Noble 3. 20, 20 Annie Laurie; 7, 8 Athlone; 7. 8 Lord Kinnola; 14, 14 Farewell; 4, 3 Genghis Khan; 16. 16 Gold Moana; 18, ?9 Kilcullen; 5, 3 Local Power; 11, 11 Palmarie; 17, 17 Radiant Lady; 6, 7 Reality: 2,2 Scottish Fair; 3,-4 Signor; 13, 13 Surie Queen; 15, 15 Syndicate; 11, 10 Nona Grattan; 8, 6 Royal Leaf; 18, 18 Kierlock also started.

Three lengths; 10 lengths. Signor was fourth. Times—4min 42 2-ssec, 4min 39 4-ssec, 4min 43sec. Winner trained by H. R. Henderson, Methven. Dividends.—Win; £2 15s. Places: £2 3s, £7 17s, £5 13s. WINTER HANDICAP, of £550; 2min 49sec class for one mile and a quarter; one mile and three furlongs.—3. 3 F. I. Lowe's ch m ROVING GYPSY by Lucky Jack—Alice de Oro syrs 12 I. M. Scoon 1; 5, 5 Peace Pipe aged 24 T. F. Thompson 2; 17, 16 Loraine syrs 24 J. G. Hampton 10, 9 Blacksmith; 6, 6 Dark Echo; 9, 10 Gay Cobra; 7, 8 Jocund; 4, 4 Lucky Hall; 12, 12 Master Tony; 1, 1 Rosiere; 15, 15 Tiki Napu: 19, 19 Wyvern; 18, 18 Chance; 8, 7 Coincident; 8, 7 Kingsdown Grattan; 10, 10 Distant Star; 14, 14 Double Talk; 16, 17 Hinepo; 13, 13 Merry Gold; 20, 20 Queen Jess; 2,2 Signet Ring; 17, 16 Lodestar also started. Two lengths; same. Master Tony was fourth. Times—3min 8 3-ssec, 3min Bsec, 3min 8 2-ssec. Winner trained by W. E. and I. M. Scoon, Rakaia. Dividends.—Win: £8 13s. Places: £2 13s 6d, £3 13s, £ll 14s. Driver Fined L. G. Frost, driver of Christmas Spirit in the Acton Handicap at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting yesterday, was

CONVINCING WIN FOR BATTALION

TINWALD HANDICAP AT ASHBURTON Driven by M. Holmes, Battalion 'made an exhibition of the field in the Tinwald Handicap at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting yesterday. He began smoothly, but lost several lengths before he became properly balanced. At the end of five furlongs he was pacing easily about 11 places behind the pacemakers, Signor and Gold Moana. Signor was shading Gold Moana with nine furlongs to run, and he moved clear in the back straight. Battalion had moved up to be seventh with ha# a mile to run, and he continued this run to be challenging at the straight entrance. He had control near the furlong post where his nearest opponents were Synchronise, §ignor, and Wha’ Hae. Battalion had the others covered over the final stages of the race, and he won easing up from Synchronise, which had covered a lot of extra ground after a slow beginning from 36 yards. Wha’ Hae, which broke with about 75 yards to run, was beaten off 10 lengths away in third place, three lengths ill front of Signor, with Kierlock four lengths back fifth, five lengths in front of Athlone, Lord Kinnola, and Scottisn Fair. Ailsa Criag Wins Easily Ailsa Criag, which had broken badly at the start of her recent races, made amends by leading over the last seven and a half furlongs in the Mayfield Handicap. The U. Scott mare slipped and broke twice in the early stages of the race., but at the end of five furlongs she had moved up to be handy to the pacemakers. Jocoly and Quite Contrary. Ailsa Craig took over in the back straight ana opened up a break of five lengths on the field racing to the straight. She led into the last .< furlong by five lengths from Quite Contrary, with Victory Cheer, Fogbound, which had broken earlier, Prestbury and Lancewood all handy. Alisa Craig won easily. The consistent Quite Contrary trotted her usual honest race for second, three lengths in front of the backmarker. Fogbound, whch broke short of the line. Fog-

bound was ultimately relegated to fourth on the ground of' galloping, and Victory Cheer, which had finished half a head back fourth, was promoted to third. Prestbury was beaten off in fifth place, foUr lengths in front of Lancewood.

Capull Surprises Capull, a half-brother by U. Scott to Precaution, caused a surprise when he finished very fast over the last half-mile to win the Trial Handicap. Capull bioke at the start and he was twelfth with one mile and three furlongs to run. Wee Chief, Gay Bells and Bentley were among the leaders for more than one mile and a half. Capull moved up very smartly approaching the straight and turnied for home at the head of the field. Royal Serenade went down on the heavy going on the inside and was almost on terms witn Capull at the furlong, sfrhere Jungle Song and Gainesway were heading the others. Royal Serenade became anchored in the going and Jungle Song joined Capull. the latter responding the better over the last nalf-furlong to win convincingly by half a length. Jungle Song, which had been just m front of Capull with a round to go, d;u well to finish second, clear of Gainesway, Which had broken in the running. Derry Air, which had drifted in the middle stages of the race, finished on for fourtn a length and a half back, two lengths in front of Royal Serenade, with a long gajb to Winning Poiger.

Winner From Southland Worthy Adrhiral, whteh had finished a good fourth in his race on Saturday, gained a decisive win in the Longbeach Handicap; Worthy Admiral begari well from 24 yards, and with one mile to run he had joined With You in the lead. Racing to the straight they were showing the way to Kauranui, with three lengths to Dan’s Choice, Scotch Mist, Midlothian, ana Bay Queen. With You was in front momentarily with about two furlongs to run, but soon after Worthy Admiral moved through to lead into the final furlong from With You, Safi’s Choice, Bay Queen and Kauranui. Worthy Admiral had his opponents well covered over the final Stages and he won easily by three lengths. With You, the favourite, tired over the last furlong, but held on for second, half a length in front of Dan’s Choice, which had always been handy. Another length back Kauranui was fourth, ahead of Assure. with two lengths to Bay Queen and a gap to Ladas. ■ Most of the field made mistakes at the start. Great Caution and Judear collided, neither taking any part in the race.