Straight Time Wins Stakes

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29728, 23 January 1962, Page 4

Straight Time Wins Stakes

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Jan. 22. Straight Time won the Gloaming Stakes at long odds for his Hamilton owner, Mr F. C. Johnstone, at Trentham today.

Few expected the Te Rapatrained Summertime gelding to open his winning career by taking the Trentham classic, but some northerners had hopes for him after his fourth in the Great Northern Derby last month. Straight Time, a black gelding by the Precipitation horse, Summertime, the leading sire last season, won in the style of a stayer, coming from near the back of the field. The race was run on a rain-affected track and the time of 2min 39Jsec is the slowest on record for the race.

The change in the track conditions was all against Catania but she might have still won with a clear run from the turn. The consistent Cabriere

ran Straight Time to a nose, and many people were preparing to applaud the game Stratford galloper when his name was given as first in the judge’s call for the photo finish. Cabriere finished half a lentgh clear of Silver Pelt, and the Riccarton filly, Explain, a strong finisher without getting much room near the end, was not far behind.

After an inquiry Silver Pelt was relegated to fourth and Explain was promoted to third. Baalbek started wide and pulled his way up to the front after a furlong or so.

He was allowed to run clear at the nine furlongs and set a slow pace past the mile from Euphrosyne. Trawlerman, Coral Reef, Apa, Happy Venture, Burgos, Silver Pei* and Catania.

There were few changes to the home turn. L. Tournier still had Straight Time well back in the field and ready to make a run down the outside. Cabriere made his bid for the lead outside the furlong and Silver Pelt joined him in a spirited tussle for mastery. Straight Time came later to put fresh interest into a tight finish. Straight Time nosed Cabriere out in the very last stride.