WAIKATO GUINEAS TO CASTLERAE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29681, 27 November 1961, Page 5

WAIKATO GUINEAS TO CASTLERAE

"The Press" Special Service

AUCKLAND. Nov. 26. Castlerae carried the colours of his Otaki owner, Mr G. S. Walton, to another notable victory in the Waikato Guineas at Te Rapa yesterday. It was Castlerae’s third guineas win and the fifth that has come Mr Walton's way this season.

As well as the Waikato Guineas, Castlerae has collected the Hawke's Bay Guineas and the Wanganui Guineas. Mr Walton’s other good colt. Commanding accounted for two of the other three guineas events, at Ellerslie and Wellington. Another three-year-old in his ownership, the filly Fair

Symbol, won the New Zealand Oaks.

Backed down to long odds on, Castlerae ran like a winner from the start and got home fairly comfortably by a neck from the Takanini filly Catania, which finished very gamely. Santry was a handy third after looking the main threat to Castlerae until close to the finish. Had C. A. Bowry, who rode Castlerae, been aware a little earlier of Catania’s nearness he might have shaken his mount up to a bigger winning margin. As it was. Bowry seemed mainly occupied with Santry, which he had well covered. Santry was on the inside. Castlerae was in the middle and Catania took the outside running

For all that Catania’s performance was highly creditable because she was a fair way behind Castlerae to begin. It looks as though Catania might make a stayer.

so if she meets Castlerae over the Derby course at Ellerslie next month the outcome will be most interesting. Mr Walton is hopeful that Commanding will also be on hand for the Great Northern Derby and it is probable that Santry and the Riccarton gelding, Burgos, will take part in the big race. Santry lost a couple of lengths in the rush over the first furlong of the Waikato Guineas. Otherwise the field was well packed in the early running.

Paratu then went ahead. After three furlongs he was out by a length from Franable and Castlerae (outside). Santry improved to fourth with a run along the inside. Next were Foxskin, Silver Pelt, Persian Star and Seasonal, which just led Catania.

Paratu kept galloping smoothly with the pacemaking across the top, but as they came to the turn he was challenged by Castlerae. Santry showed up on the inside. Penrian Star was urged along to improve. Castlerae quickly took command. Santry tried hard to match him but had no chance. It seemed that Castlerae would win comfortably but right at the finish he was run close by Catania, which put in a strong late run. Santry was close behind Catania and Persian Star was a handy fourth. Two lengths further back were Paratu. Poet’s Pride, Silver Pelt, Franable and Seasonal. Foxskin was next after a gap. WHITE STRAND Win After Recover} 7 From Colic <A’.Z Press Assn.—Copyright > SYDNEY, November 26. The New Zealand gelding. White Strand, a comfortable winner of yesterday’s Rosehill Handicap, almost died from colic five weeks ago The horse’s quick recovery astounded his owner, Mr P. Corbett. Yesterday White Strand led throughout and showed no effects from his illness. White Strand beat another New Zealand horse. Nukuatu, by three-quarters of a length, with a length and a half to Satyr, the 5-2 favourite, third. Both White Strand and Nukuatu are trained at Canterbury, and will return’ to the Dominion on December 15. White Strand, a five-year old. is a stablemate of Waipari, winner of the Metropolitan at the Randwick spring meeting. White Strand contracted colic soon after arriving in Sydney and did not race for seven weeks. Since his recovery. White Strand has had three starts for three minor placings prior to yesterday’s win. White Strand has previously shown form on a heavy track.