Dianthus Girl Wins Forbury Trotting Race

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29739, 5 February 1962, Page 5

Dianthus Girl Wins Forbury Trotting Race

Dianthus Girl, holder of the New Zealand record for one mile, won a tame contest for the Mornington Handicap, the second leg of the double at Forbury Park on Saturday. M. Holmes sent Dianthus Girl to the front at the end of two and a half furlongs. She set a sound pace from her six rivals, which w'ere racing in single file. She responded well for M. Holmes in the straight and won handily by half a length from Spinster Scott, with a similar margin to the grand four-year-old, Our Own.

Spinster Scott was first out, but soon afterward Indianna broke and dropped to the rear. Dianthus Girl took advantage of the slack pace to take control with more than 10 furlongs left. She was followed at almost twolength intervals by Spinster Scott, Our Own, Kennoway, Coronet Lass, Au Fait and Indianna. Dianthus Girl led to the straight by two lengths from Spinster Scott and Our Own. with Au Fait improving on

the outside of Kennoway and Coronet Lass.

Dianthus Girl was hotly challenged over the final furlong, but did not look like being caught and won handily by half a length from Spinster Scott, with half a length to Our Own. Au Fait made ground for fourth three lengths away, just ahead of Kennoway and Coronet Lass, with a gap to Indianna. Track Record Axis established a new track winning record of 3min llsec for one mile and a half when he led almost from end to end in the C. S Thomas Handicap. He set a strong pace trailed closely by his stablemate, Seafield Lad, with Massacre next These three were followed racing to the straight by Master Alan and Lucks Way, with a gap to Queenson and Slick Chick. Seafield Lad made a game effort to overhaul his stablemate, but Axis had too much in reserve and won by a short length Seafield Lad raced right up to his second night form to take second a length and a half in front of Massacre, which had his chance. Master Alan did well to finish fourth two lengths away with Lucks Way, Meadow Scott, which was one of ths slowest beginners, and Queenson next

Minor Upset Johnny Thunder caused a minor upset when he got up in the last stride to shade Dark Wonder in the Flying Sportsmen Handicap. I Dark Wonder began best and set a fairly easy pace early; Garry Logan passed him at the end of three furlongs, but Dark Wonder had taken over again racing to the straight where he had a short lead over Garry Logan, with Johnny Thunder. Lauder Scott. Young Kim, Bobcat and Mary Mavis next.

Dark Wonder was still clear inside the furlong, but Johnny Thunder finished gamely and got up to win by a nose Dark Wonder battled on for second ahead of Bobcat, with Guiness finishing fast wide out to take fourth a head back, shading Lauder Scott, with three lengths to Winona, which was tailed off early.

Decisive Win Jack Super, a place-getter last Thursday night, raced clear with slightly less than one mile to run in the W. H Roche Handicap and was not afterwards headed. He set a sound pace and raced to the straight two lengths in front of Adios Heather and Robin Dundee, with Vanese next, clear of Valcador. Next Time and Sand Drift.

Jack Super was kept up to his work over the last fiirlong and won convincingly by three lengths from Vanese, which ran on more strongly than any of the others. Robin Dundee, which had every chance, was a length and a half back third, beating a solid finisher in La Storm by half a length. Calumite.' which was checked at the start, made up ground for fifth, ahead of Sand Drift. Adios Heather and Congruent. Van Rebeck broke at the start and was pulled up. Valcador. Faru, Congruent and Femside Lad lost their chances at the start. Smart Run Minnow, a disappointment on the first two nights of the meeting, gained an impressive win the Plunket Handicap. She broke at the end of a furlong and a half, but did not lose much ground. Minnow. which is owned and trained at Winton by A. R.

Townley, will probably do her future racing from a Canterbury stable. Adee set the pace, being followed into the straight by Fourina, Minnow, which was improving three wide, Foam, Winterlight and Tracey’s Pal. Adee broke at the furlong, leaving Fourina clear. Minnow then challenged strongly and won by a length, Fourina taking second a length in front of Foam, which broke early. Winterlight finished well for fourth a head away after breaking short of the post, with another head to Adee. Then there were gaps to Poupette and Tracey’s Pal.

Young Conga, the outsider of the field, caused a major upset when she gained a narrow win in the February Handicap, paying £5B 2s 6d for a win.

Young Conga was well back early, but gradually improved to be fourth behind Terako Queen, which was three lengths in front of Adioson and Commonwealth. Young Conga continued her run and, although hotly challenged by Mossman, held him off by half a head. Mossman was half a length in front of Terako Queen, with a head to Light Comedy, which was very slow away. Stormy Parade made up ground for fifth, ahead of Commonwealth. Hydro Boy and the disappointing favourite, Adioson, which was beaten three furlongs out.