TROTTING BLUE EMPEROR WINS TIMARU CUP

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29153, 14 March 1960, Page 4

TROTTING BLUE EMPEROR WINS TIMARU CUP

The consistent Blue Emperor, runner-up to Patchwork in the New Brighton Cup last month at his previous start, gained a well-earned win in the Timaru Cup at Washdyke on Saturday, Blue Emperor beat Ceremonial narrowly at the end of 14 furlongs on a soft track in a race which was the first leg of the T.A.B. double at the Timaru Trotting Club’s autumn meeting. Blue Emperor, which is trained at West Melton by J. D. Litten for Mr J. Malloch, of Christchurch, but formerly of Invercargill, was driven competently by R. P. Nyhan, who prepared Lltten’s team while he was campaigning Caduceus in Australia.

Nyhan improved quickly from the start along the inside. He lost his position in the middle stages, but came again wide out approaching the straight He went to a short lead inside the furlong, but he was gradually overhauled by Ceremonial, which failed by a head to get up.

Ceremonial was never far away and she finished boldly. It was her best effort for some time and she should be an early winner while tracks remain easy. The others, headed by Banjo, were beaten off four lengths back. The second leg of the double, the Washdyke Handicap, resulted in an easy win for Royal Brittania, a place-getter in the Geraldine Cup last month. The Bule Emperor (bracked Highland Heath)—Royal Brittania combination paid £29 Ils 6d for £l.

The on-course double was won by When and Rain Cloud, this combination paying £47 16s for £l.

The meeting was held in cold weather before a fair attendance. Heavy showers fell early in the programme and the track became heavy.

Total) sator investments amounted to £30.496 10s, including £4825 on the double, compared with £41,127 last year. Timam Cup

Arnhem and Frown gave ground at the start of the Timaru Cup Red Monarch began best, but with nine and a half furlongs left Raven Dew worked to the front. Two and a half furlongs later Banjo improved to pass him. Blue Emperor received a wonderful run through on the inner in the early stages of the race, but he was pushed back a place or two afterwards. Raven Dew raced through on the inside of Banjo before the half-mile and he led for home from Banjo, Vinola's Luck. Ceremonial. Surie Queen. Blue Emperor (wide out), Aldora and Frown.

Raven Dew was beaten early in the run home when Blue Emperor forged to the front. Blue Emperor was kept up to his work and he held off a determined challenge from Ceremonial by a head. Ceremonial was never far away and she paced her best rar for some time.

Banjo tired in the straight and was three lengths back third, a short length in front of Queenson, which made up ground in the straight. Vinola’s Luck was a fair fifth, ahead of Raven Dew, with Waitaki Child, Highland Heath and Surie Queen next. Aldora slipped and went down on his knees at the end of three furlongs, several horses being checked. The worst sufferers were Arnhem and Frown. Royal Brittania Easily Royal Brittania handled the heavy track with confidence and gained a runaway win in the Wash dyke Handicap. Toucher, which broke at the start, was in front before the end of a furlong. Dark Louise, Royal Brittania and Heathmount had turns in front before the mile post, but Royal Brittania was soon a clear leader again. Royal Brittania led to the straight from Focal Point. Dark Louise, Toucher, Sally Boy and Twig, with Heathmount tangling in the rear. Royal Brittania quickly raced away from his opponents and he won with a lot in hand by six lengths. Toucher, after being pushed to-

wards the rear in the middle stages, finished boldly for second, a length in front of Twig, which also made up ground after racing at the tail of the field for one mile and a half. Sally Boy, after attempting to jump the crossing near the five furlongs on two occasions, was half a length away fourth, two lengths in front of Focal Point, with a gap to Heathmount and Dark Louise. Cathie Wins Sprint Couthie, a winner at Hutt Park a week earlier, ran out the easiest of winners in the Wai-Iti Handicap. D. G. Jones had her in about sixth position most of the way. She improved sharply racing to the straight where she was handy to Elope and Blue Shawl, with Achates, Bright Ensign and Skydale handiest of the others. Couthie continued her run and sprinted clear soon after straightening up. She had her opponents well covered over the last furlong and won easily by eight lengths. Elope, which moved up to shade the pacemaker. Blue Shawl, racing to the three furlongs, battled on in the straight for second, five lengths ahead of Couthie’s bracketed mate, Achates, which had every chance. Achates, shaded Blue Shawl by half a head for third, with Mythical Lass, an early breaker, making up ground for fifth, ahead of Skydale, Lady Vai and Bright Ensign. Mythical Lass and Rovindale broke early.