Even Stevens Wins Avondale Cup From Beauzami

Press, Volume C, Issue 29609, 4 September 1961, Page 5

Even Stevens Wins Avondale Cup From Beauzami

"The Press" Special Service

AUCKLAND, September 3. Even Stevens outpointed his opponents on every count when first home by half a length in the £3OOO Avondale Cup yesterday. He held a commanding position starting the run home and there was never much doubt that he would resist Beauzami, which nevertheless challenged resolutely.

-The £560 for second came Beauzami’s way by a length from Fair Filou and the next best was Climbing. Fair Filou was popular with betters on the-race and put on a solid showing under 9-2. So G'aßosina Ann, which came fifth.

A four-year-old chestnut gelding. Even Stevens had not previously tackled a middle-distance handicap and had only once before Saturday raced in open company. That was when he ran fifth in the Jellicoe Handicap at the Pakuranga Hunt races. Mow he is being discussed as a prospect for the Auckland Cup and other big events of the summer season

Even Stevens is owned by Mr J. Wattie, of Hastings, and prepared bv A. McGregor, at Te Rapa. Mr Wattie bought Even Stevens for a substantial four-figure amount after McGregor had raced the gelding on his own account the season before last.

For a time Even Stevens was prepared subsequently bv J. P. Ryan at Hastings. Since reverting to Mc-

Gregor’s care in the late spring last year, he has had seven starts for three firsts, a third and a fourth worth £3325. The rank outsider of 10 competitors. Gauntlet sprang a big surprise when he just lasted to win the second leg of the T.A.B. double, the Sheriff Handicap, in a hard finish with Iman and Firenze. A six-year-old gelding., being prepared by his owner Mr M. C. Conway, of Patumahoe. Gauntlet was making a fresh start after a spell from racing. A quite unexpected show of dash in the middle stages of the sprint course had him in front not long after starting the run home and he held off the other two gamely. Challen. the each-way favourite, did not come up to expectations being evidently in the need yet of further racing. Catania, the second favourite, was also not sufficiently readv tn do herself justice. In the finish the two were sixth and seventh.

Conditions were very favourable, the weather being brilliantly fine and the wound onlv slightly holding. The totalisator on-course handled £170.115 ss, include ing £34.739 15s on doubles, against £145,631 10s on the first day last year. First Out Play Prince, Pin Money, Rosina Ann, On Demand and fMara were the first five dur- ; ng the rv'h for nositions in the Avondale Cun. followed closely bv Even Stevens (wide). Fair Filou and Climbing Nerula was a trifle slow and had onlv Uppercut bihind him with a round to travel. Approaching the mile On Demand and Rosina Ann were the first two bv a length from Play Prince. Even Stevens Pin Money. (Hara and Ruthless Tax. which wA-e closely packed ahead of Fair Filou (inside). Tod Liner, Gilt and Jealous Lady. In the next half-furlong On Demand ran clear. In the run along the back he

went further ahead. Near the half-mile he was out by a length or more from Play Prince and Rosina Ann, which had Even Stevens, Ruthless Tax and Pin Money close on their heels. There was a short gap to Fair Filou, Surging. Jealous Lady, Beauzami and Climbing, On Demand then shortened Stride. Even Stevens made a determined run. Play Prince. Rosina Ann and Beauzami were well in the nicture. Bv the time they began the last furlong Even Stevens was in command with a short lead. Beauzami challenged him gamely but Even Stevens continued to gallop strongly out in the centre and won clearly. Beauzami was second by a length from Fair Filou (third). Two lengths away came Rosina Ann (fourth). Play Prince was fifth, and then Pin Money, Surging, Tlnnercut, Melody Man. On Demand. NenUa, Climbing, and Jim’s Count. Gauntlet’s Win Catania jumped out smartly and then lost ground at the start of the Sheriff Handicap. Otematata and Challen went ahead with Selalah and Seasonal close. Fair Blow and Gauntlet were the next two, before Catania and Firenze. Selalah made the running east the half-mile with Fair Blow right on his quarters. A length and a half further back were Challen and Seasonal. There was a slightly longer gap to Otematata, Catania, Iman and Gauntlet. Firenze tailed off. Coming to the straight Selalah continued in front from Fair Blow, Challen, Seasonal. Gauntlet (improving) and Catania were next. The next moment Selalah veered out and carried Fair Blow right to the outside. Otematata was challenged by Gauntlet. Firenze began to imnrove. A furlong from the finish Gauntlet had command and lasted well to score by a neck from Iman and Firenze. which finished gamely. Otematata was fourth and Selalah fifth, clear of Catania, Challen, Kalamira, and Fair Blow.