RACING RHYTHM REIN WINS WAIMATE CUP

Press, Volume C, Issue 29525, 29 May 1961, Page 5

RACING RHYTHM REIN WINS WAIMATE CUP

Night Sock Completes Double For Washdyke

Sprint form proved the best value in the Waimate Cup on Saturday when Rhythm Rein and Persuasive filled the first two places.

They met as sprinters at Ashburton 11 days earlier when Persuasive was first and Rhythm Rein a strongly-finishing third.

On Saturday Rhythm Rein was a comfortable length better then Persuasive over a mile and a quarter Rhythm Rein's win was fairly widely expected, and he was first Choice for wm-arxt-place and on the double. He wins wrongly described in the race card as a brother of Rhythmonic—he is by Booby Trap not Alonzo—but he manages rain-affected tracks with the same zest shown by his half-brother in New Zealar.d before the latter was sold to Australia. Rhythm Rein is owned in Christchurch by Mr R C. Idieeis and trained at Washdyke by J. C. MeKerrow. He has been nominated for the Dunedin Jockey Club's Birthday Handicap, a race won by Rhythmcnic four years ago not k»g before he changed hands. The Riccarton jockey, D. N. Hadfield, rode Rhythm Rein confidently. He was near the tail of the field for a start before making a steady chase after the leading bunch. Rhythm Rein was unruffled by having to make ground rather wide from the halfmile, and his powerful gallop carried him clear going to the last furlong. In doubles betting Rhythm Rein carried £3068 5s at a pool of £20238 ss. Next in favour on the double were Clean Heart with £2205 15s. Omaha with £2147 ss. and Compensate with £2025 10s. Omaha was the best of that lot; she was fifth, and a strong finisher from near the back. Night Sock rounded off the double for Washdyke stables by winning the Waitangi Champion Hack Handicap in style in the colours of his trainer. E. P. Corboy. Night Sock ran well back in the ruck for a start, but quickly ranged up three wide in the lead cn the home turn, then wa> running away bv three lengths from the Wingatui hacks. Glendale and Cantain Morgan. This was Night Sock’s third start for the season, and his win follc-wed two seconds. In his present form he should be one of the stars among the hack stayers at the Dunedin winter meeting. Second choice for w.-n-end-ploce, Night Sock had the heaviest support on the double with 2787 tickets, and Strategy was the only one near him with 2576. The double was worth £24 for £l. The track was soft but the weather' was fine for the club’s eightieth annual meeting. On-course the totalisator handled £20.172, including £2105 in doubles, compared with £20.019 10s last. year. First Leg C&ncn had ideas of his own about getting down to racing at the start of the Waimate Cup. and he gave away several lengths. Omaha was eased a bit and switched to the inside before they reached the first turn. Phil’s Choice and Blonde Sprite set a slack pace through the straight, where

Fire Bar was nearly upsides with them and three wide. Phil's Choice led into the last six furlongs by half a length from Fire Bar. Captain Hunt, Blonde Sprite, Persuasive, and Compensate were closest of the others. Omaha was being pushed back on the inside, and was last but one going to the half-mile. Rhythm Rein, which had been well back early, made a strong run on the outside from the half mile, and was close behind Persuasive when that Targui mare came to the front near the home turn. Rhythm Rein was in front a moment later, and was in no danger of losing his lead in the last furlong. Persuasive battled on for second a length back, and half a length ahead of the faster - finishing Kastanea, which was Riccarton’s best. Blonde Sprite. another Riccarton representative, ran a sound race for fourth a neck back. Then there was half a length to Omaha, probably the fastest finisher in the race. Compensate carried top weight of 9-11 into sixth position. He outfinished Fire Bar Then came Mcdbury. Cantain Hunt. Canon, Whiohau. Phil's Choice, and Clean Heart. Not Tested Night Sock, runner-up in his only two previous races this season, easily outstayed the others in the Waitangi Champion Hack Handicap. N. Eastwood took him up to Glendale and Captain Morgan in the lead after passing the half mile and let him run clear easily in the straight. At the end the Washdyke five-year-old was three leisurely lengths clear of Glendale. which had been in or near the front from tha start Glendale just managed to save second from Cantain Morgan, another in the leading bunch all the way. •>

Night Sock drifted for a start and had only four or five behind him a round from home. Chaud Froid and Glendale then led from Captain Morgan, Pack wood. Tremble, Munster King. English Prince. Last Link, and Talkative. Glendale was a clear leader starting the last five furlongs but first Captain Morgan and then Night Sock joined him going to the three furlongs. It was no longer a race for first when Eastwood kicked Night Sock clear in the straight. Glendale just beat Captain Morgan for second but then there was a gan of three lengths to Tremble, which was always close un but could not quicken at all near the end. Strategy, the each - way favourite, made ground late in the race for fifth. Munster King, the third choice, was sixth, and was followed in by Goodbye, English Prince. Talkative. Tarmine. By Arrangement, Herbs. Packwood. Sir Edwin. Chaud Froid, and Last Link.