TROTTING BANJO WINS AT ADDINGTON

Press, Volume C, Issue 29402, 3 January 1961, Page 4

TROTTING BANJO WINS AT ADDINGTON

Ordeal Too Good For Trotters Banjo made an overdue return to winning form when he beat Diamond Hanover and Ceremonial in the New Year Handicap, the first leg of the double on the final day of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s summer meeting at Addington yesterday. Banjo was handily placed all the way and M. Holmes took him to the front about the furlong post. He responded well over the last 100 yards to hold off Diamond Hanover by a length and a half. Diamond Hanover looked a little unlucky not to get clear until the last 50 yards. He finished full of running and would probably have made Banjo work harder with a better run.

Raced by Mrs C. V. May, whose husband trains him at Methven, Banjo is an aged gelding by Young Bob from Ginevra. He was driven by M. Holmes, who handled him in his previous win, the H. H. Wauchop Handicap on the first day of the same meeting 12 months ago. Ceremonial’s placing was full of merit as she was well out of her ground early. She beat the favourite bracket of Highland Heath and Harlequin Parade for third. Ordeal gave another magnificent 'display of trotting to win the second leg of the double, the Hornby Handicap. She improved smartly after starting from 48 yards and was in second place over the last six furlongs. Reprimand streaked away to a big lead early, but Ordeal caught him near the furlong post From then on the issue was never in doubt and she won easily after taking 3min 25 l-ssec for the 13 furlongs, only 1 2-ssec outside the world record established by Moon Boy last August Moon Boy gave another sound display of trotting. He broke when being eased back to clear the rails with two and a half furlongs left and put in a tremendous run from the two furlongs. Highland Glen, which, like Ordeal and Moon Boy started from 48 yards, finished a good third. ’ The Banjo—Ordeal doubles combination paid £5B 19s fid for £l. The meeting was held in fine, very warm weather before a rather disappointing attendance. Totalizator i nvestments amounted to £100,641, including £10.400 10s on the double, compared with £90.757 5s last year. The total for the two days was £188.198, compared with £lB4-909 ss. Banjo’s Win Banjo was one of the best beginners in the New Year Handicap, and at the end of a furlong he was trailing Finestra. Reason Why was in front at the mile post. but Con Scott passed him a furlong later. Harlequin Parade rushed round the field to lead at the half-mile, and he was in front of Reason Why at the straight entrance, with Guard's Brigade. Banjo and Finestra

next ahead of Diamond Hanover, which was improving on the inner of Highland Heath and Con Scott. Highland Heath was soon in trouble and Banjo took over. He fought on in grand style to win by a length and a half from Diamond Hanover, which was late obtaining a run on the inside of Harlequin Parade. Ceremonial finished fast wide out for third a length and a half back, a short length in front of Harlequin Parade, with a neck to Highland Heath, a neck to Waitaki Child and two lengths to Finestra, which was clear of Dame Sybil. Ordeal’s Effort Rodger and Gay Flame were slow at the start of the Hornby -Handicap, and Van Cheetah, Cat’s Luck, storm Lord and See All broke in the first half-mile. Reprimand .made a splendid beginning and raced away to a lead of about eight lengths at the mile post. Ordeal improved sharply in the first half-mile and she was fourth at the mile post. She led the chase after Reprimand and whittled his advantage to five lengths at the half-mile. Reprimand was still clear by four lengths racing to the straight, where Highland Glen was close to ordeal, with Cat’s Luck, With You Rodger. Moon Boy and Van Cheetah next. Ordeal quickly mastered Reprimand and she finished boldly to win by two and a half lengths from Moon Boy, which came home in grand style after breaking when being eased back inside the three furlongs. Highland Glen trotted a fine race for third a head back, two lengths in front of Indianna, which came home well from near the rear of the field. Seafield Lad’s Sprint Seafield Lad was handily, placed throughout the Au Revoir Handicap and ne finished too well for the others in the strsight to win narrowly but well. Spring Chat was first out. but with six furlongs left Harlequin Parade took over. Fourth Edition went with him, but broke inside the last five furlongs. Surie Queen and Mayneen were the worst sufferers as Fouth Edition dropped back through the field. Zany took over with two and a half furlongs to run and led for home ahead of Light Mood, which had improved sharply. Seafleld Lad, Harlequin Parade, Spring Chat, Frown and Surie Queen Zany was clear half a -furlong out. but Seafield Lad responded well wide out and won by a short length from Light Mood which got up to beat Zany by half a length. Fox Able was a length back fourth, a length in front of Spring Chat, with Blue Emperor. Frown. Thunder. Surie Queen and. Harlequin Parade next.