Wellington Unchallenged In Hack Handicap

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29851, 18 June 1962, Page 4

Wellington Unchallenged In Hack Handicap

Wellington, a five-year-old bred by Mrs J. H. Grigg, beat Hunting Horn, Mr Grigg’s colour-bearer, into second place in the Farewell Hack Handicap at Oamaru on Saturday. Wellington is owned by Mr V. A. Voyce, trained by J. L. Barr, and was ridden by R, W. Donovan, who has ridden five winners.

Wellington did not show much early speed in some previous races, but was in the leading bunch from the start on Saturday. Young Donovan had him in front when they cleared the stalls, and then eased him to trail on the inside.

The big Pride of Kildare gelding dashed to the front again outside the furlong and won unchallenged. Hunting Horn was beaten two lengths, but finished fast wide out from the ruck. His chance of paying a place dividend looked slight three furlongs out. He was then a good way behind the front bunch. Brian Warwick was a length back third. It was a creditable placing, for he started wide out and made a big run up to contend for the lead near the three furlongs Just Joe, Tombob, Golden Miller. Go'den Days and Wellington’s stablemate. Donna Maria, were next home. Favourites Win First Mink and Sir Athol, both favourites, won the first two fiat races on the programme First Mink made all the running for an easy win in the Trial Handicao Crackerjack, Dilane. On the Way and others tired of the chase after him in the straight, and he won by two lengths. Crackerjack beat Dilane by three lengths for second. Sir Athol rounded off some solid runs for minor placings

with a well-earned win for Messrs D. J. McDonald and G. H. Soper in the Awamoa Hack Handicap. He challenged Linton and Brandy Gold going to the furlong, ran clear soon afterwards, and won decisively by a length and a quarter. Linton beat the fasterfinishing Mangus by half a length for second, and Brandy Gold tired to fourth. Royal Pic and Dark Plunge were the best of the others Tidal Wave achieved open ranking with a decisive win in the Waikaura Champion Hack Handicap He was a firm favourite, and won by three lengths from Bodkin, another Riccarton representative and stablemate of William David. Abou Ben Adhem, and Wellington. Tidal Wave has won four races for Messrs M. H. Kirby

and J R. Pitcaithly under the direction of J E. Shaw In all but one of those wins he has been ridden by G. W Mein. Tne race took a surprise turn when W. D Skel'.on tried to -steal” it on Mon Roi But Tidal Wave ran up to the Oamaru hack quickly well oirside the furlong, and dashed away with the race already in hand. Bodkin showed fair ability for his second, for he had none the best of it down on the inside in the ruck. Bodkin beat Boawood and Vienna Woods narrowly.

Vienna Woods came from the tail of the field for her fourth.

Red Fox seemed almost certain of finishing second just inside the furlong until he went for a run on the inside of Mon Roi. The gap closed on him, and he was badly checked. He finished fifth.