Runfree Has Easy Win In Marlborough Cup

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

Runfree Has Easy Win In Marlborough Cup

(From Our Own Reporter) BLENHEIM, February 4. Runfree rounded off a highly successful campaign on the NelsonBlenheim circuit with a clear-cut victory in the Marlborough Cup yesterday.

R. H. Negus had Runfree in a bandy trailing position until the halfmile. He dashed him into a clear lead three furlongs out and it was all over then.

Bonnieburn made a game attempt to peg the favourite back in the last furlong but hers was a vain effort for Runfree won with something in reserve by two lengths.

Stormlea was the only other runner capable of making a showing at all. She ran on from the tail of the field for third three lengths back, six lengths ahead of a very tired Kowa Maru. Runfree gained a second, a third and a win from three starts at Nelson last weekend, and the Marlborough Gup yesterday was his last race on the circuit.

Today he will be taken south with his stablemate, La Gloria, which also helped considerably to make the trip profitable for her Soringston owner-trainer, R. H. Negus, by gaining two wins and two seconds from six starts on the circuit.

The Marlborough Cup was the main race and first leg of the double on the first day of the Marlborough Trotting Club’s annual meeting.

Beside being the each-way favourite for a win-and-place, Runfree was also a strong first fancy with double betters. In a total pool of £9046 5s he carried 4147 10s tickets. Van Brabant was rewarded for some consistent place performances at Nelson last week-end by winning two races yesterday, including the W T. Lowe Memorial Handicap. the second leg of the double.

Van Brabant began so quickly from the back mark of 36 yards that she was within challenging distance of the leaders with more than a mile to go. Once into the straight she put the others behind her with ease and won going away by a length and a half The Runfree-Van Brabant combination returned a dividend of £5O for £l. This was shared by the holders of 598 5s tickets, of which 138 were held on the course. The meeting was held in perfect weather and the track was firm and fast There was a good attendance

The on-course turnover of £25.432, including £2241 on the double, was £8055 10s higher than on the first day, held on a Thursday, last year. Won Untroubled Runfree led for the last three furlongs of the Marlborough Cup and did not have much bother withstanding the challenge of Bonniebum over the final stages of the race. Vivacis ran out and collided with Hustler, bringing the latter down Giowater

was first away from Charles Junior, but at the end of a furlong and a half Simmonds took the lead. He ambled along at a leisurely pace for the next five furlongs and a half, but with a mile to run Vivacis dashed around the field to take over. Vivacis led into the back straight for the last time by a length from Simmonds and Bonnieburn. Runfree was following Bonnieburn on the outer of Giowater and Kowa Maru and Gold Lady shared the next line.

Bonnieburn joined Vivacis in the lead at the half-mile, but a furlong later Runfree went ahead He reached the straight clear of Bonnieburn. Kowa Maru, Simmonds and Stormlea, which had come from the tail of the field, were close behind. Bonnieburn seemed likely to bother Runfree at the furlong, but the favourite was going easily and R. H. Negus did not have to drive*him out to beat Bonnieburn by two lengths. Three lengths back Stormlea was third. She beat Kowa Maru by six lengths. Completed Double Van Brabant completed a double for the day and the totalisator double as well

when she outran 15 rivals over 12 furlongs in the W T. Lowe Memorial Handicap, for which she was the 7/5 favourite.

Van Brabant began smartly from the back mark of 36 yards and at the end of the first half-mile was equal third. A smart run carried her up to equal second alongside Count Medoro. behind Lady Charles and Linda Marie is they ran into the last half-mile. Perfect Scott and Borodin shared the third line then, ahead of Nelson Ahoy, and Soanfra had dropped out to the tail of the bunch

Lady Charles and Linda Marie lasted in the lead till the furlong, but Van Brabant swept past them with ease a little closer to home and won decisively by a length and a half. Borodin ran on well for second, half a length in front of Nelson Ahoy, and Lady Charles tired to fourth a similar margin back. Count Medoro was a weakening fifth, ahead of Perfect Scott and Linda Marie. The Temoleton stablemates. Gay Tartan and Sunhappy. both broke at the star* and Rolex, Young Mina andElaine Salute also lost •hei’-

chances. Gay Tartan, which had a buckled sulky wheel, took no part in the race