Racing MELBOURNE RESULTS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29621, 18 September 1961, Page 6

Racing MELBOURNE RESULTS

Blue Lodge Fails MELBOURNE, Sept. 17. The New Zealand horse. Blue Lodge, did not impress in his Australian debut in the John F. Feehan Handicap at Moonee Valley yesterday. The South Australian galloper, Mardene, showed great speed to score an easy win. Mardene had spreadeagled the field after going only two furlongs, and led all the way to win by eight lengths. He defeated the dual Newmarket Handicap winner. Correct, with Myzarni a length away, third. Blue Lodge finished second last. Mardene led by three lengths at the half-mile, with a long gap then to High Jet, with Dhaulagiri making , up a little ground next. Mardene's brilliant speed had I left the rest of the field unsettled. Mardene led into the straight from Myzarni, which was hanging on gamely, and Dhaulagiri, with the New Zealand horse, Baron Cortauld, and Correct coming home fairly well. Mardene won as he liked from Correct, which finished on well over the last furlong. Myzarni hung on gamely in third place. Apart from the winner, the most interesting performance was that of the New Zealand mare. Hi-Jinx. Hi-Jinx had not raced since April and obviously was above herself in condition. After being tailed off in the early stages and still well back approaching the home turn. Hi-Jinx finished on for sixth. This was Hi-Jinx’s first Australian start this trip and her part-owner and trainer, Knowles, said he was very happy considering the disance of the race and the track. Hi-Jinx will start in the Underwood Stakes on show day. In the Merri Handicap (first division) the New Zealand Illy, Llanlady, won in a packed finish. Llanlady (7/1) beat the *ast-finishing Plume (5/1) by half a length with Candice 150/1) a length away, third. Rounding the home turn, Llanlady was seventh behind a wall of horses. Shortly after straightening up, the apprentice. R. Dawkins, drove Llanlady through an opening between Royal Eve md Candice. Second Division

In the second division, the New Zealand horse. Rototane, came in third, trailing Mayling .and Nulla Belle. This was her first run since April, When she was seventh in a two-year-old race at Hawke’s Bay. Rototane had pleased her connexions since in Melbourne and- was backed at long odds from 25/1 to 14'1. She showed speed early to be seventh at the half-mile and sixth at the home turn. In the Windarra Handicap '■first division) the former New Zealand stayer. Sparkler, having his first start since breaking down last spring, ran a great race to finish eighth, not far behind ,he placegetters. Sparkler, a big-striding galloper, could not handle the tricky Moonee Valley track, and he was tailed off after going a furlong. , Sparkler was still last entering the straight, but made up ground stylishly in the run home.

Lady Major scored a good win with Burmonga second and Star Rover third.