RACING Purser Has Eighth Win For Season

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28619, 23 June 1958, Page 4

RACING Purser Has Eighth Win For Season

Purser carried the colours of Mr R. G. Gerard, M.P., a steward of the club, to an easy win in the Maronan Handicap at the Ashburton County Racing Club’s winter meeting on Saturday. This vas Purser’s eighth win for the season and the tenth of his career. He has now won £3900. Purser has been prepared for all his racing by J. E. Shaw, of Riccarton.

He carried top weight of 9-3 in the Maronan Handicap and won going away by two lengths from Keep Time. His Imin 37 2-ssec for the mile was an outstanding gallop, for he did not have to give of his best for N Eastwood to establish his mastery with a powerful challenge alongside the rails in the straight. Purser will now be prepared for the Wellington Racing Club’s Whyte Handicap, in which Eastwood will again be his rider. Purser carried £3204 5s in a doubles pool of £31.326 ss. Pilot Light being a surprise favourite with £4731 10s. Hannibal, a stablemate of Pilot Light, dominated betting on the second leg, the Moreton Hack Handicap. Hannibal’s barrier behaviour cost him four lengths at the start, so he did very well to finish third little more than a length from the winner. Timely Boy.

Timely Boy, one of the lightweights. carried 667 5s tickets, and supporters of the successful combination received £155 5s for £1

Timely Boy was one of three winners ridden by the Riccarton jockey, A. J. Stokes. The others were Balrannach (Novice Stakes) and Packwood (Mayfield Hack Handicap). Stokes was the most successful jockey for the Ashburton club’s season and on Saturday was presented with a travelling bag

T. W. Reilly, of Orari, was the most successful trainer. He received a tea service from the club.

Davaar maintained a 100 per cent, record as a steeplechaser at totalisator meetings by winning the Dromore Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase. Mr F. H. Plunkett’s Callander gelding was the only successful win favourite. He had mastery of the others some distance out and won by seven leisurely lengths from Grey Valley.

In his present form Davaar should improve his record at the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s winter meeting. Fast gallops were possible and were achieved on a summer-like track. There was a good attendance. The on-course totalisator turn-

over was £35.877, including £4191 on the double, compared with £30,348 10s last year. Purser’s Victory Purser won the Maronan Handicap in style by two lengths from Keep Time, which led him into the last furlong. Purser was widening his margin with every stride at the end and won by two comfortable lengths. Keep Time beat the lightly-sup-ported Fair Summer by a length for second. Whiohau and Nor-’east were slow away and Smuggles drifted to the tail of the field in a few strides. Bobbie Burns was soon holding a clear lead from Her Ex and Keep Time, the latter having the inside trailing position, just ahead of Copenhagen. Purser was then two places back on the inner, alongside the win favourite, Pilot Licht.

Coq d’ Or, well up for the first furlong, had drifted several places and was in a gap alongside Meteorologist, a long way off the pace at the half mile. Nor’-east moved forward several places fairly wide out coming to the home turn, otherwise there were no changes in the leading bunch. Keep Time had been galloping smoothly in the trailing position, and his chance looked bright when he moved through to challenge Bobbie Burns. He gained mastery going to the furlong, but Purser passed him with ease and it was all over. Fair Summer passed Her Ex and the weakening Bobbie Burns in the straight for third. Pilot Light improved two or three places in the last half mile for fifth. Meteorologist was a fast finisher for sixth alongside Nor’-east. Next were Beau Revere, Royal Warrant, Ditched, Litmus, Pack Drill (never well placed), Aquarius, Bobbie Burns. Copenhagen, Coq d'Or, Whiohau. and Smuggles. Favourite Wins Steeples Davaar went clear near the five furlongs after outjumping Native King at two fences in the Dromore Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase and he kept up a strong gallop in the straight to win by seven lengths from Grey Valley. Native King was three lengths back, third. Davaar was one of the early leaders. but was restrained, and Frog went ahead. Frog started the last round with a lead of four lengths from Persian Dance. Native King and Yarrawonga were abreast, four lengths back, and then there was a slightly longer gap to Davaar. Davaar joined Native King and Frog in the lead at the six furlongs and put a length on them at the next fence. Native King ranged up alongside the Southland jumper on the flat, but was outjumped again, and from that point none of the others could offer any effective opposition. Native King was second coming to the straight four lengths clear of Grey Valley, but the Washdyke jumper outstayed him. Show Place and Kelbra, the tailenders at the end of a round, were fourth and fifth respectively. Yarrawonga plodded home 10 lengths behind Kelbra, beating only Frog. Bay Lupin, Hallcraft, and Persian Dance failed to get round. Hallcraft ran off at the second fence after his rider had lost his irons at the first. He careered on for three more furlongs, then fell on the flat. Bay Lupin ran off at the third fence, and Persian Dance lost his rider half a mile from home. The Second Leg Hannibal, a strong favourite for the Moreton Hack Handicap, second leg of the double, was beaten by his barrier behaviour. He delayed the start, lost four lengths when they were sent away, yet got up for third, close behind Timely Boy and Natell*. _ Timely Boy, a three-year-old Cassock colt from E. P. Corboy’s Washdvke stable, trailed the pacemaking Mexico from the start, established a handy lead in the straight, and lasted in the face of brilliant late challenges from Natella and Hannibal. Natella was a good way from the lead after a furlong, and had to put In a big run for her placing. In merit, her performance was second only to Hannibal’s. Search Warrant, usually a front runner was about four places back in the field to the straight. He finished a length and a half behind Hannibal and just ahead of the weakening Mexico. Medbury was two lengths back, sixth, fading \ in this, his first race after a spell. He

was alongside Timely Boy early and was third starting the last furlong. Heathcliff. Gold Flame, and Nehru were the best of the others. Results:— MACK HURDLES, of £275.

Low 1; 2,2 E. W. and Mrs Woodham’s b g Skylight (6) syrs R. W. Gould 2; 5, 5 W. E. and Mrs Hodge’s b g Le Roi (4) syrs 10-0 car. 10-1% J. M. Surgenor 3.

7, 7 Tut Tut; 1, 1 Arctic Sun; 3, 3 Every Night; 8, 9 Meadow Gold; 8, 8 Fiery Creek; 6, 6 Reclaim; 10, 10 Remuneration also started.

Three lengths; four lengths. Reclaim was fourth. Time, 3min Bsec. Winner trained by W. Barr, jun., Riverton.

Dividends.—Win: £6 12s. Places: £1 15s, £1 9s, £4 7s.

LYNDHURST TWO-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP, of £250; six furlongs.— 8, 7 Mrs E. R. Summons’s br f HUNTING MELODY (12) by Treasure Hunt—Lili Marlene 8-1 R. J. Skeltort 1; 2,2 R. L. McCormack’s b g Count Pierre (6)- by Count Rendered—Super Lu 8-3 C. T. Wilson 2; 9, 9 K. G. McLaughlin’s b f Taitumu (7A) by Defaulter—Tideless 8-0 H. T. Anderton 3.

5, 6 Sunny Morn; 3, 3 Tarrus; 13, 13 Beau Compere; 9, 9 Gay Defoe; 10, 10 Wild Clover; 15, 15 Befana; 16, 16 Amenable; 4, 4 Tickled Pink; 12. 12 Triple Event; 11, 11 Efte; 6, 5 Bolero; 6, 5 Refugee; 7, 8 Fair Catch; 14, 14 Nolibelle also started.

Nose; five lengths. Fair Catch was fourth. Time, Imin 12 3-ssec. Winner trained by M. R. Jones, Washdyke. Dividends.—Win: £26 9s 6d. Places: £5 4s 6d, £1 17s 6d, £6 12s. Bracket: Gay Defoe and Taitimu.

NOVICE STAKES, of £225; seven furlongs.—2, 2 A. N. Smith’s b g BALRANNACH (7) by Balloch— Luck Penny (11) 3yrs 8-0 A. J. Stokes 1; 1, 1 P. Curtis’ b f Rose of Kildare (14) 3yrs 8-0 car. 8-0% R. J. Skelton 2; 3, 3 M. C. Watson’s br g Riverwood (3) 4yrs 8-4 W. D. Skelton 3. 10, 10 Amulette; 5, 5 Broken Hill; 13, 11 Russet Glow; 9, 9 Starwyn; 6, 7 Honeyflow; 7, 6 Hopeful; 7, 6 Mirene; 11, 13 Kalinita; 4, 4 Keep Clear; 11, 12 Massalia; 14, 14 Rasputin; 16 16 Showboat; 8, 8 Terracotta; 15, 15 Toss also started. Length; half a head. Hopeful was fourth. Time, Imin 26 2-ssec. Winner trained by J. C. Tomkinson, Riccarton. • Dividends.—Win: £3 6s 6d. Places: £1 10s, £1 5s 6d. £1 14s.

MARONAN HANDICAP, of £500; one mile. —4, 5 R. G. Gerard’s b g PURSER (1) by Neptune—Help Mate 4yrs 9-3 N. Eastwood 1; 5, 4 Dr. M. G. Louisson’s b g Keep Time (4) by Summertime—Vai Musk 3yrs 8-6 E. G. Low 2; 10. 10 L. Wakein’s br g Fair Summer (9) by Summertime—Viola Blonde syrs 7-12 car. 7-13 R. W. Gould 3. 6. 6 Copenhagen; 6. 6 Coq d’Or; 2, 1 Pack Drill; 11, 11 Royal Warrant; 1,2 Pilot Light; 8, 9 Her Ex; 7, 7 Litmus; 9, 8 Beau Revere; 12, 14 Aquarius; 17, 16 Bobbie Burns; 14, 17 Ditched; 15, 12 Meteorologist; 3, 3 Nor’-east; 13, 15 Smuggles; 16. 13 Whiohau also started. Two lengths; length. Her Ex was fourth. Time. Imin 37 2-ssec. Winner trained by J. E. Shaw, RiccarDividends.—Win: £B. Places: £2 18s 6d, £2 14s 6d, £8 16s fid. DROMORE HACK AND HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE, of £320; about two and a half miles.—l, 1 F. H. Plunkett’s ch g DAVAAR (3) by Callander—Aganev syrs 9-10 B. J. Anderton 1; 4, 3 J. A. Meyers’ gr g Grey Valley (2) 7yrs 9-12 B. T Jones 2; 22 V. Druitt’s b g Native King (1) 6yrs 10-1 G. Witika 3. 9, 9 Bay Lupin (ran off); 3, 5 Frog: 10, 10 Hallcraft (ran off); 6, 6 Kelbra; 7, 7 Persian Dance (lost rdier); 8, 8 Show Place; 5, 4 Yarrawonga also started. . Seven lengths; three lengths. Show Place was fourth. Time: 4min 45 2-ssec. Winner trained by J. Langford. Invercargill. Dividends.—Win: £2 0s 6d. Places: £1 10s, £2 2s 6d. £1 16s.

MORETON HACK HANDICAP, of £275; six furlongs—3. 3J. W. Timewell’s b c TIMELY BOY (15) by Cassock —Roberta 3yrs 8-0 A. J. Stokes 1; 2,2 G. S. Barr’s b m Natella (4) syrs 8-9 E. G. Low 2; 1 1 Mrs H. M. Dampier-Crossley’s blk g Hannibal (1) 9-4 W. D. Skel - ton 3. _ 6, 5 Search Warrant; 10, 9 Come On Boy; 11, 11 Nehru; 7, 8 Astore; 5, € Mexico; 12, 12 Uproar; 13. 13 Heathcliff; 8, 7 Medbury; 4, 4 Fisticuffs; 14, ’-4 Gold Flame; 9, 10 Topa also started. Head: half a length. Search Warrant was fourth. Time: Imin 12 2-ssec. Winner trained by E. P. Corboy, Washdyke. _ Dividends.—Win: £6 3s. Places: £2 2s, £1 16s 6d. £1 Bs.

MAYFIELD HACK HANDICAP, of £300; one mile and three furlongs.— 5, 6 R. E. Neame's b g PACKWOOD (9) by Beaumaris—Primer 4yrs 8-0 A. J. Stokes 1; 2.2 W. E. Hodge and C C. McCarthy’s ch g Herbs (6) 3yrs 8-0 W. D. Skelton 2; 8, 8 E. J. Crutchley and N. H. Macdonald’s blk m Nugget (8) 4yrs 8-0 car. 8-02 G* W. Mein 3.

1, 1 McCool; 3, 3 Masai; 11, 11 Howdy; 4, 4 Columban; 10, 9 Pitlochry; 7, 5 Lightning Boy; 9, 10 Strada; 6, 7 Super Tone also started. Length; nose. Super Tone was fourth. Time: 2min 19 3-ssec. Winner trained by V. Neale, Riccarton. Dividends.—Win: £l3 Ils 6d. Places: £3 12s, £1 12s 6d, £5 12s. SEAFIELD HACK HANDICAP, of £275; one mile.—l 6. 16 E. J. Ellis’ br g STAGE BOY (18) by Someo— Stagewing syrS 8-0 K. W. Berry 1; 9 11 G. A. Lang’s b g Royal Avon (2) 3yrs 9-1 C. T. Wilson 2; 7, 7 V. Druitt and W. G. Crossman’s gr g Shadrach (9) 4yrs 8-1 R. W. Gould 3.

3, 3 Fern; 6, 6 Hay Time; 6. 6 Royal Guard; 4. 4 Marsana; 1, 1 Kaseno; 2.2 Fairy King; 11, 10 Heath; 10. 9 May Whistle; 13, 12 Brown Treasure; 15, 15 Iroquoi; 12, 14 Kaikuri; 17, 17 Kelp; 8, 8 Post Card; 14, 13 Rome; 5, 5 Sir Galahad also started.

Two lengths; length and a half. Hay Time was fourth. Time: Imin 39 2-ssec. Winner trained by owner. Washdyke. Dividends.—Win: £73 11s 6d. Places: £lB 5s 6d, £7 19s 6d, £1 19s.