MEXICO JUST LASTED FOR OAMARU VICTORY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28921, 15 June 1959, Page 4

MEXICO JUST LASTED FOR OAMARU VICTORY

A nose separated Mexico and King’s Lace at the end of a mile and three-quarters in the Hack Hurdles at Oamaru on Saturday. Mexico just lasted from a faster-finishing rival after making all the running. Winner and runnerup are both Timanova geldings. The four-year-old Mexico, the youngest horse in the field, had not won before over hurdles for Mr T. T. Whiting. Mexico ran out to a lead of three lengths early in the race, and he held it round to the straight where Kasr El Nil was a clear second, followed by Raglan and King’s Lace. King’s Lace challenged doggedly, a*d Mexico tired badly, but the end came just in time for him.

Raglan showed possibilities for a novice jumper in finishing third. He was well up all the way. and dodged much trouble caused by some very inefficient jumping by several runners. Pot Luck, whose jumping was not good early in the race, came from far back for fourth a length and a half behind Raglan. The best of the others were Kasr El Nil, Naughty Boy, Gay Mood, and Cassius. Montrose was badly checked when Copperfield fell at the seven furlongs. Ben Ledi was caught in this mix-up and dropped his rider. Gay King lost his rider at the first jump. e Successful Debut Underbid made a successful debut for his Gore owners, Mr and Mrs J. H. G Peterson, in the Trial Handicap. Underbid • challenged determinedly

from behind the leading bunch and got up to win by half a head from Chief General, Which had battled past Half Quid into a short lead inside the furlong Underbid is a four-year-old gelding by Alonzo from Gay Mars. He is trained at Washdyke by W. P. Hogan. Chief General had five horses ahead of him on the home turn. His chance looked bright when he had mastered Half Quid, but Underbid’s finish was too powerful. Riccarton’s Fair Flow was a weakening fourth, two lengths back. She took a gap quickly on the inside when they came to the straight, but came to the end of her run outside the furlong. Reshine was a fair fifth after being forced wide on the home turn.

The favourite, Ken, was sixth after having his chance. He was close to the lead on the turn, then weakened.

Strathlock made ground near the end for seventh.

Top Weight Not Tested Kelp cleared hack class with an easy win under top weight of 9-4 in the Waikaura Champion Handicap. He followed Gay Romeo, and his stablemate. Quick Time’ into the straight, and won running away by three lengths from Gay Romeo. A week earlier Kelp had a much more strenuous test in winning over 11 furlongs at Rangiora. W. D. Skelton had Kelp in a trailing position soon after the start. Depend and Stage Boy were in front for a good way, but Gay Romeo took charge near the half-mile, and Quick Time joined him in the next furlong. Kelp was alone in the trailing position from the three furlongs to the home turn, and he quickly established his superiority in the straight. Gay Romeo richly rewarded his few place backers, paying £ll 10s. Storm Haven improved three places from the half-mile for third a length behind Gay Romeo, and Naseby was a solid finisher for fourth just ahead of the weakening Quick Time. Miticelle was the best of the others. £29 Win Dividend Madame Curie was the stumbling block for the favourite. Hunting Melody, in the Awamoa Hack Handicap. Madame Curie, having her first race since February, beat the top weight by three-quarters of a length after leading all the way. This was Madame Curie’s second win this season. One of her partowners in the Wingatui trainer, A. I. Powell, who returned to New Zealand from Australia last week. Madame Curie’s win was one of the big surprises of the day. She paid £29 8s 6d for a win. Hunting Melody, an easy winner at Rangiora a week earlier, was three places back in a packed field after a furlong. She had a run through outside the furlong, but could not quite close Madame Curie’s lead. Sir Edwin, one of the long shots, improved six places from the home turn for third two lengths back. He was half a length ahead of Befana, which disputed the lead to the straight. Imshi Allah and Gold Conda weft the best of the others. Copper Maid. Fanchea, Settler, and Royal Dasher gave ground early. Esla, the win favourite, was squeezed for room early in the race and lost her chance. Won With Ease Archway carried the colours of the successful Gore trainer, R. J. Cochrane, to an easy win the Farewell Hack Handicap. This was Archway’s second winthis season; the other one was at Cromwell in March. The Riccarton jockey, E. G. Low, took Archway up to The Rector in the lead going to the half-mile. The Rector had had enough on the home turn, where Archway went clear The favourite. Supreme Effort, had been trailing, but could not quicken. •Nor could any of the others, so Archway was left unchallenged to win in style by four lengths. It was also a tame finish for the

minor places. Supreme Effort finishing two lengths and a half clear of Phil’s Choice, which was ridden hard to the end. but without any chance of improving a place. The second favourite. Cassock Rose, was an undistinguished fourth. She was fourth on the home turn but could not muster race-winning finishing speed. Geysel carried top weight of 9-0 into fifth place—quite a creditable run after being slow out from one of the inside barrier positions.