RACING LLANMAI OUTPACES TRENTHAM RIVALS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29467, 20 March 1961, Page 4

RACING LLANMAI OUTPACES TRENTHAM RIVALS

Shangri-La Outsprints Others In Suburban Llanmai made some of the leading New Zealand stayers look very’ moderate indeed in the President’s Handicap on the second day of the Wellington Racing Club’s autumn meeting at Trentham on Saturday. The Dunedin-owned, Wingatui-trained Llanstephan gelding gave weight to all but one of his rivals, and fairly scuttled away from them in the straight for victory by four leisurely lengths.

One of only four four-year-olds in the field, Llanmai was win-and-place and doubles favourite, and the Riverton grey Shangri-La made it a double for the South Island by winning the Suburban Handicap in style, if not with equal ease, late in the day. Llanmai has had such a quick rise to the top that his future programme is now indefinite. Mr T. K. S. Sidey, owner of the Llanstephan gelding, could announce no Easter plans after Saturday’s race.

“Llanmai is not a big horse, and weights will be a big consideration from now on.” Mr Sidey said “We nominated him for the Easter Handicap at Auckland. the Great Autumn at Riccarton. and the Riverton Cup. “We’ll have a look at the weights before making a decision.” he said. Mr Sidey paid 700gns for Llanmai as a yearling. He knew that the dam Misprint was a smart performer but he was more attracted by the fact that the granddam Salford had established a good family, first in Southland. Misprint won the Auckland Easter Handicap eight years ago. and it will not be surprising if her son contests that race, and wins it also Llanmai carried £20.538 15s of a doubles pool of £ll3 327 15s on Saturday Well ridden by the Wingatui apprentice. R N Marsh Shangri-La finished brilliantly from the ruck for her win in the Suburban Handicap. At the end she had two lengths on the Oamaru sprinter Cardinal King It was nearlv an all-South Island finish, for the consistent Orari filly Gold View was fourth not far behind the Hastings sprinter. l and Shangri-La. one of the midgets of the Suburban Handicap field, has seldom raced badly for Mr H W Witsey and h*»r Riverton trainer. J. H Cleaver A very wide barrier position could have cost her a placing in the Thompson Handicap a week earlier.

Holders of 5624 5s tickets on the Llanmai—Shangri-La combination received £66 12s for £l. The meeting concluded in fine weather. There was a fair attendance. On-course the totalisator handled £150.349 10s, a drop of £5475 10s on the corresponding day last year. The total for the meeting was £297.356 10s, compared with £305.341. a decrease of £7984 10s. Won Coasting Pulled away from the rails close to home, Llanmai took a gap brilliantly and quickly ran away to his handsome winning margin in the President’s Handicap. At the end he was coasting four lengths clear of Juventas. which beat D.iysun by inches Embrace was hurried along wide out to run into a clear lead before they left the straight. Hevthorpe ran up to second and Henry Higgins trailed on the inside, tracked by Llanmai Embrace led to the half mile by a length or so from Heythorpe. Henry Higgins. Goldish, Marquita. and Becharre were in the next line, and Llanmai was trailing them. Llanmai was going very easily close behind Henry Higgins. Skelton was not prepared to take the risk of waiting for a rails run, so he switched him from the inside on the home turn. Mr Sidey’s chestnut responded brilliantly, ranged alongside Embrace. Heythorpe. Goldish, and Yukon in a few strides, and went clear effortlessly It was all over outside the furlong, and the only competition then was for the minor places. Juventas. fourth from last at the half mile, but not far behind the winner on the home turn, finished gamely for second, just beating Daysun, which was one of the tail-enders after two furlongs. Yukon was close up fourth

after having every chance. He was just ahead of Prince Argon, one of the stronger finishers. Naughty was sixth and was followed in by Henry Higgins. Goldish. Gold Merit, Royal Howe, Becharre, Yeman, Beauzami. Revolver, Embrace, Heythorpe, Marquita, Fly Home, Wonderway, Arid, and Donna Bella. Second Leg Shangrt-La dashed past Cardinal King and Land close to home and drew out quickly for an easy win in the Suburban Handicap, the second leg of the double. Shangri-La was back in the middle of the field at the half mile and was not much closer to the lead on the home turn. There Romantic Knight and Land led from Cardinal King. Romanac, Doradeb, and Gold Splice. Shaneri-La was close behind Gold Splice and Huka Falls, and Fine View were also close at hand. Cardinal King was having the better of his battle with Land at the furlong, but Shangri-La outfinished them both. She won running awav by two lengths. Cardinal King, at good odds after winning the North Island Challenge Stakes a week earlier, beat Land by a head for second. Gold View kept the South Island in the picture with one of her solid races for fourth. She was well back to the home turn. Shakesneare improved two or three nositions in the last half for fifth. Next were Huka Falls. Shamrock Queen. Fine View’. Good Samaritan, and Doradeb Cadiz, the win favourite, did not jump out as smartly as most of the others. He was near the middle of the field but wide out half way through the race, and did not get any closer. He finished thirteenth.