MINOR EVENTS AT GREYMOUTH

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27861, 9 January 1956, Page 5

MINOR EVENTS AT GREYMOUTH

PALMARIE CAUSES SURPRISE Palmarie, the 15, 13 favourite, caused an upset in the first division of the Railway Handicap at Greymouth on Saturday, the second division being won most impressively by the Westport-owned and trained Honest Charles. Palmarie was always handy to the pacemaker, Gold Moana, in the first division. Spiral was almost on terms with Gold Moana racing to the straight, when Suzendy and Palmarie were handy. Palmarie had difficulty in working clear. and tangled slightly about 50 yards from the post. However, she was soon pacing again, and won narrowly but well by a short neck from Suzendy. which broke at the start. Gold Moana fought on in the straight for third a length back, a neck in front of Spiral, which was always one of the first three. Battle Fling was a- fair fifth, clear of Goldbransen and Gay Polka. Honest Charles was in front throughout the second division, although for a time in the middle of the race Mendip Song shaded him by half a length. Honest Charles drew well clear approaching the straight, where he was followed by

Tassel Trick. Mendip Sonn Quo Vadis, Queen’s Coronet, and Sierra Madre. Honest Charles did not look likely to be caught, and won by three lengths. Sierra Madre made up a lot of ground for second, a length and a half in front of Tassel Trick. Queen’s Coronet was a neck away fourth, a length in front of Quo Vadis, with a gap to Mendip Song and Jungle Song. Beau Cobra Wins Again Beau Cobra completed a double for the meeting when he finished slightly better than Mendip Song to win the Empire Handicap, a race for probationary drivers. F. Cornelius had Beau Cobra handily placed on the rails for most of the race, and he moved him out to be handy to Mendip Song racing to the straight. At this stage Queen’s Coronet was close up, with a gap to Gay Polka. Beau Cobra and Mendip Song had a keen struggle over the last half-furlong. Beau Cobra winning by half a head.

Mendip Song lost a few lengths at the start, and showed speed to take the lead with two furlongs to run. It was only in the last stride that Beau Cobra beat him.

Queen’s Coronet tired in the straight, but held on for third four lengths back, a length in front of Gay Polka, with gaps to Sage Girl and Daisy Grattan. Spring Chat Shows Speed Spring Chat raced well to win the New Year Handicap. She broke at the start, and was well tack at the end of two furlongs. W. R. Butt gradually moved her up, and she was handy with three furlongs to run. Lord Mackworth was in front at this stage, but soon aftei Punakai took the lead, to turn for home ahead of Spring Chat and Lord Mackworth, with Irish Wit the only other with any chance. Spring Chat soon took the measure of Punakai and won comfortably by two lengths.

Punakai lost ground early, but he was soon well placed. His effort was useful, and he should soon win. He was a length and a half in front of Irish Wit, which finished on after meeting trouble in the running. Lyrical Lass made up ground for fourth, ahead of Lord Mackworth, Ebonite, Stylish Linda, and Golden Leader

Trotters’ Events Lancewood, one of the backmarkers on 60 yards, trotted soundly to win the Runanga Handicap. He gradually made up ground to be seventh with one mile to run. Kauranui and Wakeful made most of the pace, and they were shading Lancewood racing to the straight, with Sure Maggie and Crookstown also handy. Lancewood soon took the lead, and won comfortably.

Wakeful broke in the straight, but settled down quickly to take second place, three-quarters of a length in front of the fast-finishing Lubra, which met trouble in the running. Sure Maggie was a long neck back fourth, ahead of Crookstown and Kauranui. After an inquiry Sure Maggie was relegated to fifth and Crookstown promoted to fourth.

Elate and Crookstown collided with about half a furlong to run. Lance wood completed a double for the day when he held off Te Waihopi by a neck in the County Handicap. He was lucky to escape trouble when Care broke with a mile to run, colliding with Wakeful, which lost her driver. Half the field lost their chances in the mix-up. Kauranui made most of the pace, but with three frulongs to run Lubra took the lead. She was soon joined by Lancewood, and at the straight entrance they were closely followed by Kauranui, Te Waihopi, and Crookstown. Lancewood and Te Waihopi had the finish to themselves. Lancewood racing slightly the better. Lubra tired to third two lengths behind Te Waihopi. with three lengths to Crookstown, which finished in a break. Crookstown was later relegated to fifth and Cinderella promoted to fourth. They were followed by Care and Dan’s Choice.