COMPOSITE IN FORM FOR ON-COURSE DOUBLE LEG

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28537, 17 March 1958, Page 5

COMPOSITE IN FORM FOR ON-COURSE DOUBLE LEG

Composite brought a change of luck to his Rolleston trainer, O. M. Quinlan, when he won the Southbrook Handicap, the first leg of the oncourse double.

He trailed Lucie Manette for the first mile and a quarter, and then ranged alongside the leader. He held a slight lead with five furlongs left, but Lucie Manette came again on the inside, and they turned for home together, ahead of Procrastinator, Kilty Lad, Coming Down, and Suntrap.

Composite fought on gamely over the last furlong, and won well by half a length from Procnastinator.. The last-named was never far away, and he ran on well. Coming Down, the backmarker. trotted a sound race from 72 yards and finished boldly along the inside to be a length back third, three lengths in front of the tiring Lucie Manette. Suntrap was breaking in fifth place, ahead ot Kilty Lad, with a gap to Delight. Royal Brittania in Form Royal Brittania made amends for recent failures' with a stylish win in the First Trial Handicap. He began better than usual, and was never far away. He improved a little racing to the straight, where he was wide out behind Travalon, Russley Boy, Focal Point, Belfast Lady, Bentley' and Bonnie Bess, with First Belle next. \ Royal Brittania continued his run wide out, and took the lead with less than a furlong left. He was not really extended to win by a short length. Belfast Lady, after trailing the pacemaker, Travalon, to the straigfit, held on well for second, shading Focal Point by a neck. Focal Point was well back early, but moved up near the mile. His placing was full of merit. Russley Boy, after losing ground at the start, moved up to be second with seven furlongs left. He. held on well to be fourth, half a head from Focal Point. First Belle. Bonnie Bess, Bentley and Split Pin were right up ahead of Mossman. Narrow Win

Karingal tend Kauranui fought out a keen finish to the Domett Handicap, and they finished in that order with half a head separating them. Karingal was ihe early leader, but Beau Clair took over with nine-furlongs left. He broke at the six and again racing to the straight, where he had moved through to the lead once more. Karingal led Kauranui at the straight entrance, with Wairau Princess, which broke. Extra Light, Ebony King, Beau Clair, and Lady Airlie next. Kauranui shaded Karingal inside the furlong, but the latter came again to win narrowly Extra Light, After being handy all the way. battled on for third four lengths back, five lengths in front of Beau Clair. Ebony King, Nimble Grattan. and Supercraft were next.

Overdue Win Haughtiness gained a long overdue win in the Second Trial Handicap. Her part-owner and trainer, M. T. Kerr, of Ashburton, was' having his first race drive behind her and his win was well received. Haughti-

ness was about third or fourth in the running and she turned for home three lengths behind Captain Bob and Wexford Chief. Dodger, which had broken shortly before this when leading, was next, ahead of Skyleada.

Kerr took Haughtiness through on the inside of Captain Bob and Wexford Chief about the furlong post, and sue responded well to win by two lengths going away. Captain Bob. after being well back early, received a good run through on the inner approaching the straight, and he held second place, half a head in front of Wexford Chief, which was always well placed Dodger was beaten off in fourth place, just ahead of Skyleada, with Marengo and Matron Dale following.

Marathon Contest. Scratchings reduced the field for Spotswood Handicap to nine starters and the race developed into a marathon contest The backmarker. Rimu Lass, gradually improved her position and was in third place racing to the straight. Our Bridget and O’Dearo being in front and the rest of the field was beaten off.

Rimu Lass closed on Our Bridget and beat her easily by a length. Our Bridget raced very wide out on the track most of the way. her driver seeking better going. She looked the winner at the furlong, but could not hold off Rimu Lass. O’Dearo crossed the line in a walk to take third place six lengths from I Our Bridget, with a long gap to Spring Lynne and another to Lav-