Ordeal Defeated By Moon Boy

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29367, 21 November 1960, Page 4

Ordeal Defeated By Moon Boy

Moon Boy followed up his second placing behind Ordeal in the Dominion Handicap with a decisive win in the New Zealand Trotting Free-for-all. Moon Boy was handily placed all the way and he improved to third at the end of three furlongs.

M. Holmes sent Moon Boy clear at the seven furlongs and he was foUowed past the six furlongs by Beau Clair, Highland Glen, Gay Flame, Ordeal, With You, Coronet Lass, Supervise, Reprimand and Rodger. Ordeal improved near the five furlongs and she was a length behind Moon Boy at the halfmile. Ordeal looked likely to challenge Moon Boy for the lead, but she could make no impression and F.. G. Holmes dropped her into the trailing position. Moon Boy led Ordeal, Cat’s Luck and Au Fait into the straight, with Reprimand, Supervise and Rodger handiest of the others.

Moon Boy had too much in reserve for Ordeal in the straight and he won by two lengths. Ordeal, which had been wide out racing out of the straight the last time, trotted another fine race for second, two lengths in front of Au Fait, with a length and a half to Reprimand, which made up ground. Rodger, after breaking early, came home boldly for fifth half a length back, a length in front of Coronet Lass. Then there were six lengths to With You, Supervise and Gay Flame. Change Of Luck Seafield Lad brought a change of luck to his Templeton trainer, W. R. Butt, when he got up in the last few strides to win the Express Handicap from Blue Prince. Seafield Lad began well, but he became awkwardly placed on the inside. Highland Don forced the pace until he began to tire inside the last three furlongs. Mighty Loyal then dashed clear and led for home ahead of Blue Prince and Damian, with Jonboy Star, Raven Dew, Teryman and Seafield Lad, which was blocked for an opening, following. Blue Prince took over just inside the furlong, with Johnny Guitar on the outside. Then Seafield Lad worked clear and challenged along the inner. He finished in grand style and was too good for his younger rival, which he beat by half a neck. Blue Prince, after having every chance, was two lengths in front of Johnny Guitar, with half a head to Damian, half a head to Aldora, a neck to Rustic Lad, which finished well wide out, two lengths to Jonboy Star, a nose to Teryman, a neck to Direct Rhythm, and a length to Rave? Dew. Queenson, which checked Honest Charles, Rustic Lad, Teryman and Josie Gay lost ground early. Fine Effort Takitimu, after racing three wide most of the way, recorded an outstanding performance to win the Le Lievre Handicap. Takitimu was on her own three wide at the end of three furlongs, and F. G. Holmes had to keep her there for the remainder of the race. Pagliacci took the lead from Samantha at the end of three and a half furlongs, but he was beaten before the straight entrance. At that stage Fox Able was leading Takitimu, Samantha, Surie Queen, Pagliacci and Cassado. Just beforehand Spring Chat had been badly checked, and in the mix-up Mulgrove, Gay Alabama, Finestra, which fell, and Waitaki Child met trouble.

gamely to win by a length and a half from Samantha, which had every chance. Cassado came home fast for third half a length away, a length and a half in front of Gay Alabama, with Frown, Surie Queen, Mulgrove, and Pretoria Bob following. Finestra and Frown gave ground at the start. Close Finish Young Dieman, a place-getter on the second day of the meeting, ran on strongly to gain a narrow win in a keen finish, to the November Handicap. Fire Bell raced away to a lead of five lengths in the middle stages of the race, with Young Dieman leading the chase after her. The field was right behind Fire Bell at the six furlongs, but she continued on in front, Nalder joining her racing to the straight, where Young Dieman, Gildirect, Bespoke, Notify, Nadjehda, Zenith and King Anjou were all handy. Gildrect looked a likely winner just inside the furlong, but Young Dieman finished strongly through the middle to win well by a long neck. Gildirect paced an improver’s race for second, half a head in front of Zenith, which also came home solidly. Bespoke Was a head back fourth, half a neck in front of Autumn Folly, with half a head to King Anjou, a length to Notify, and half a head to Nadjehda. Van Rush fell inside the last halffurlong when he attempted to push through on the rails. Van Rush. Favourite Wins The firm favourite. Mighty Hanover, proved much too good for his opponents in the Certissimus Handicap. He was badly placed near the mile post, but G. McKendry pulled him off the rails at the seven furlongs and set off round the field to be second at the half-mile. He raced clear a furlong later, and turned for home ahead of Storm Lord, with Fiammetta, Dianthus Girl, Van Cheetah, Superway and Merry Nora next. Mighty Hanover was confidently driven over the final furlong, and he won handily by a length. Fiammetta, after being close up all the way finished gamely for second, two lengths in front of the tiring Storm Lord, which trotted a sound race from 48 yards. Superway came home solidly for fourth three lengths away, with Van Cheetah, Rockn Robin, Merry Nora, Dianthus Girl and Estelle following.

Takitimu worked clear early in the run home, and she fought on