HURDLES RACE AT ASHBURTON

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27961, 7 May 1956, Page 4

HURDLES RACE AT ASHBURTON

EXPORT WINS AT GOOD ODDS

The Wingatui-trained Export won the Longbeach Hack Hurdles at Ashburton on Saturday at good odds for an experienced campaigner in this role. He made most of the running, and though he knocked a panel out at the last jump won comfortably by two lengths from Cristatus, which was close behind him all the way. The favourite, Rudolph, carried top weight into third place, making up a lot of ground over the last mile. He did not get close enough to get in an effective challenge. Export ran to the lead coming through the straight for the first time, and led into the back by half a length from Cristatus. Lumphanan was three lengths back ahead of Argive, which dropped right' out after jumping badly soon after. Export and Cristatus widened their lead to 10 lengths going to the half-mile and had the finish to themselves. Export was master of the situation at the last jump; he did not jump it cleanly, but held his lead. Rudolph ran past the weakening Shirley’s Pride in the straight for third. Lo Night was a moderate fourth six lengths back, and half a length ahead of Shirley’s Pride. Lumphanan was sixth, but in a gap. Milling Bay, Sultry. Flying Doctor, and Argive straggled home behind him.

Jolly Miller fell at the first jump, and Gypsy Tap crashed at the second. Little to Spare The Autumn Two-year-old Handicap was the Amberley Club’s Novice Stakes all over again, with Bagatelle and Aquarius dominating the finish. As at Amberley Aquarius appeared to have Bagatelle beaten just short of the post, but Mrs H. D. Greenwood's grey gamely came again and won narrowly. The camera gave Bagatelle victory by a nose —a very small nose.

Bagatelle sped past Aquarius into a clear lead inside the first furlong, and they raced that way to the straight. But Aquarius was alongside at the furlong, and appeared to be going just so much better as would give him the lead and victory.

Bagatelle’s gameness was put to the test near the end, and she responded willingly, just getting up for her second successive win.

None of the others was prominent in the finish. Water Boy made up ground from the turn for third. He was three lengths back, but it was an encouraging debut for Mrs K. McKenzie. Water Boy just caught Bobbie Burns close to home. Bobbie Burns dwelt slightly at the start, but sped up to be handy before they went far and was just behind Aquarius on the home turn Inishowen was handy fifth, after having every chance. The others, led in bv Drifting By. were beaten off. The win favourite. Innesfell, carrying £1233 in win-and-place betting, fell near the three furlongs when in the middle of the field. She was one of the slowest Begmnerg. Innesfell lost her footing; there was no interference. Sun House’s Strong Run Sun House gave Innesfell’s owner. Mr t Watson, better fortune in the Lagmhor Stakes. This three-year-old half-sister by Sun King to Innesfell mounted a powerful run from the middle of the field, and won by two lengths from the ninth favourite, Boissier Boy. Skyrider, another long shot, narrowly beat Columban for third, the latter fading slightly after pacemaking. Sun House was one of the slow beginners, but went forward quickly in the fi L St .. fl lF long . R - J - Skelton had her about the middle of the field starting the last half-mile. She was still a good way fr ?l n lead - though, because Columban and Thaarup had put a break on the others by this time. Breccia and Skynder were leading the chase in a gap of three lengths. The favourite, Sir Arthur, was two places behind Sun House. Boissier Boy moved forward to close on Columban and Thaarup near the home turn. Breccia was alongside, and Sun House was close at hand. Sun House was kept going with hands and heels and ran clear inside the last half furlong. Bossier Boy beat Skyrider by half a lenfith for fourth and fifth. The favourite. Sir Arthur, improved a few places to finish sixth in a gap, just beating Expedition, which was near the tail of the field early, and Fine Display, a slow beginner. Game Effort Gay King’s gameness was put to the test m winning the Eiffelton Hack Handicap. He was the pacemaker and was hotly challenged inside the last furlong by Iroquoi, which ran him to a head reducing his lead substantially inside the last 100 yards. Such a close finish warranted a photograph, but there was no jfower at the time and the camera could not be used. Gay King ran clear inside the first furlong. Iroquoi, one of the slowest beginners, sped through into second position going to the half-mile, and held that position to the straight just ahead of Massive, Loyal Chief, Philadelphia, Strada, Seadune, and Lucky Dewar. A furlong out Gay King appeared to be holding a comfortable lead without much trouble, but Iroquoi's final effort made it a desperate two-horse finish, the weakening Gay King having very little to spare in the last few strides. Philadelphia made up ground for third a length and a half back, but never heartened her win supporters. Massive was half a length back fourth. De Bracey, the fifteenth favourite in a field of 16, was an improver's fifth ahead of Topical Cim, Seadune, and Dunblane. Seadune was the win favourite and had her chance. Montrose Shows Stamina Montrose outstayed the others convincingly in the Chatmos Hack Handicap, and was.at good odds for a form horse. The apprentice R. Fosbender brought him forward with a well-timed run to win by half a length from Fleur, whose bold challenge from well back carried him past Mandrake and Super Corn in the last few strides. Montrose was about six places back at starting the last mile. Super Corn was then leading from The Briuser Solstice, and Hunt the Slipper, which were in line ahead of Dqel, Humber Hawk, Mandrake, and Montrose. Super Corn led past the half-mile by three lengths from Hunt the Slipper, Solstice, and The Bruiser, but the latter closed the gap when he dashed through on the inner on the home turn. In another few strides The Bruiser was beaten, however, and Neptune’s Pride. Duel, Montrose, and Mandrake were leading the chase after Super Corn a furlong and a half out. Montrose had the stamina that gave him the lead and victory closer to home. Fleur made a fast arrival on the scene in the middle of the track, but too late to trouble the Invercargill three-year-old. Mandrake was a head back third, and a head in front of Super Corn. Neptune’s Pride was a fair fifth, and Cloque made up ground for sixth, just beating Duel, and Masai.