MINOR EVENTS AT WINGATUI

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28159, 24 December 1956, Page 4

MINOR EVENTS AT WINGATUI

BRIG O’CALLY WINS HIGH WEIGHT (From. Out Own Reporter) DUNEDIN, December 23. Brig, o’ Cally was ridden with cheeky confidence by W. J. Hillis to win the Warimgton High-weight Handicap. Mr W. E. Hazlett's Callander gelding led into the last furlong galloping easily, and he was not hurried yhen Rex Robe challenged solidly. Hillis could have taken that challenge too cheaply for he had only a nose to spare in a photo-finish. Brig O’ Cally trailed Newtown Crest and the favourite. By Jove, for the first half-mile, slipped through on the inner into the lead in the next half-furlong, and could have won by a wide margin. Rex Robe was close to the lead from the start. He was fourth on the home turn and responded - well under a hard ride from the furlong. Super Bid battled on for third a length and a quarter back, but had his chance, follovzing Brig O’ Cally into the last half-mile. By Jove was three-quarters of a length back fourth. After giving trouble at the barrier he began quickly from the outside of the field, but after disputing the lead for five frulongs or so he faded slightly, and was beaten on the home turn. Santee beat the weakening Newtown Crest for fifth, but like many of the others felt the strain of a fast-run race near the end. The Trek Not Tested The Trek was not seriously tested to win the Trial Handicap. After disputing the lead to the straight, he outstayed his co-pacemaker Sheeogue, beating the topweight handily by three-quarters of a length. The Washdyke-trained Willie Wolseley, showed ability to finish third. He was one of the slowest away and had to be hard ridden through on the inner to retrieve his position going to the half-mile. His long run carried him into a trailing position near the home turn, but he could make no further improvement and finished a length and a half behind Sheeogue. Ettrick John, which was alongside Willie Wolseley on the home turn, was a length back fourth. Gallant Peter did best of the others, but was beaten off. The Trek is a four-year-old gelding by Middday Sun from Espadrille, owned by Messrs N. and C. White, Omakau, and trained at Wingatui by H. A. Anderton. The Wanderer in Form The Wanderer, a failure in this three previous races this season, won the Mornington Handicap decisively. He showed ability to do so, because he was slow away and had to go very fast early to reach the trailing position he held on the home turn. There he was close behind Brianbra, De Galard and Dawn Light, which were in line, but he went past them in a few strides and had the race won near the furlong. Dawn Light was unchallenged for second, a length and a half clear of Winning Wave, which was running on. Winning Wave had six horses in front of him on the home turn. He was a length clear of Salonica, which just beat Field Dress, Prince Ermine and Wayren. De Galard weakened to eighth. The favourite, Brianbra, was a more spectacular failure, finishing at the rear after sharing the lead to the straight. Count Aven was slowest away, and Super Slipper and Our Doreen were slow to move, the latter carrying the barrier strand for a few strides. Bobwood Wins Narrowly Treasure Pond was inches from victory after attempting to lead all the way in the Berwick Handicap. He was worn down close to home by Bob wood, which had been unplaced in his three starts earlier in the season. R. J. Skelton had Bobw’ood close to the lead from the start. He was three wide alongside Treasure Pond and Royal Vision in the lead from the half-mile to the home turn, and slowly wore them down, although Treasure Pond put up a plucky fight to the end. Royal Vision was a weakening third four lengths back, and two lengths clear of the Riccarton trained Dart Aw’ay, the second favourite. Dart Away was towards the middle of the field after a furlong, but went up to the leaders going to the half-mile, though he was four wide makLng the turn.

Plunder Leads Throughout Plunder, the win favourite, led all the way in the President’s Handicap, and had to give of nothing like his best to win by two lengths. It was a tame race, more like an exercise gallop than a race in the middle stages, where Plunder had slowed the field down to a crawl pace. C. McDonald moved King Robin forward going to the five furlongs, and was at Plunder’s girth coming to the straight, but he was in trouble soon after straigtehening up. With King Robin beaten there was no opposition left for Plunder.

Strada challenged from. a trailing position and mastered King Robin just inside the furlong, and Pilot Light caught the latter in the last few strides and beat him by a neck for third. Pilot Light was checked when’ he got on the heels of another runner near the five furlongs, and was near the rear at the three furlongs. He put in a strong run wide out, but came too late to raise the hopes of his win supporters. Devon Downs was a moderate fifth, and was followed home by Cocos. Meadow Gold, Cerne and Flying Doctor.