AUCKLAND 2nd LEG

Press, Volume C, Issue 29402, 3 January 1961, Page 5

AUCKLAND 2nd LEG

Dtisky Oman Wins Dusky Oman made a successful first appearance at the Auckland Cup meeting in the £2500 Railway Handicap, the second leg of the double at Ellerslie' yesterday.

Dusky Oman was a late withdrawal from the Newmarket Handicap, the corresponding race on the first day of the meeting. He had a bruised foot, and his connexions had to get special permission to scratch him on the day of the race. - Dusky Oman led for the last five of the six furlongs and won by three-parts of a length from the top-weight Fountainhead, which came from the tail-end bunch after a slow start. It was one of Fountainhead’s very best performances, and it deserved a better result Shamrock Queen moved first from the start of the Railway Handicap followed closely by Don Palatine. Gonzales, Rosina Ann and Dusky Oman. Huka Falls dwelt slightly and Fountainhead and Fine View were back with her as they took the rise near the five furlongs.

Dusky Oman went at a good pace in front to the half-mile with two lengths on Gold Raider, which enjoyed a great run on the inside. Gonzales was wide on the outside of Gold Raider, and Rosina Ann came in between. Two lengths further back was Golden Candidate; then Shamrock Queen, Don Palatine, Perilad, Romanac and Fountainhead.

Near the three furlongs Dusky Oman eased slightly. But at the turn into the straight he led by a length and a half from Gold Raider, Rosina Ann, Peri lad. Gonzalea and Shamrock Queen. A furlong from the finish Dusky Oman was travelling freely ahead of Gold Raider and Shamrock Queen. Fountainhead .made a bid but he was too late and Dusky Oman reached the finish with three-quarters of a length to spare. Fountainhead was second by half a length from Fine View. Perilad was fourth, a length behind Fine View and almost in line with Don Palatine (fifth) and Gold Raider (sixth). There was a gap to Huka Falls, Gonzales, Romanac, Golden Candidate and Rosina Ann.