TROTTING Van Rebeck Has Good Win In Ashburton Cup

Press, Volume CI, Issue 30015, 27 December 1962, Page 5

TROTTING Van Rebeck Has Good Win In Ashburton Cup

Van Rebeck, a rather unlucky second to Stormont at New Brighton earlier in the month at his previous start, gained a well-earned win in the Ashburton Cup yesterday. He was handily placed all the way, and his trainer-driver, W. R. Butt, kept him well covered up until inside the furlong before asking him for an effort.

Van Rebeck stroke past the leaders without a great deal of effort and won most convincingly from Aerobee, with Doctor Dan and Massacre right up, well clear of the remainder.

Van Rebeck a winner on a rain-affected track on New Zealand Cup day last month, was only moderately supported and he paid £lO 18s for a win and £3 5s 6d for a place.

Raced by Mr S. J. Cochrane, of Kurow, he is a six-year-old stallion by Van Dieman from Guardian Halt He should extend his record at the Canterburly Park Trotting Club’s meeting next week at Addington. The race was noteworthy for the rather dismal showings of the two favourites. The bracket of Great Credit and Stormlight was a firm favourite. Great Credit was never a danger after losing ground early, while Stormlight was struggling to keep

up at the half-mile. Calmbrae, the 2/2 favourite, began smoothly, but broke and lost all chance at the end of a furlong.

A double worth £479 2s 6d for £1 was completed when the 14/14 favourite, Terrace Dale, was successful in the second leg, the Midsummer Handicap. B. L. Williams, who races her in partnership with her trainer, S. C. Williams, of Methven, had Terrace Dale handily placed all the way. He sent her to a short lead just inside the furlong and she ran on much too well for the others to win by more than a length from Monapat, which did well to finish so close up after being forced very wide from the half-mile.

The meeting was held in cold weather before a good crowd considering the heavy showers which fell for the first half of the programme. The track was soft. Totalisatoc investments oncourse amounted to £53,927 10s, including £8656 on the double, compared with £76,471 last year. Ashburton Cup

Antoni us swung round at the start and took no part in the Ashburton Cup. Aerobee drifted. while Great Credit and Massacre lost ground. Stormont lost his driver at the end of 100 yards, while Cairnbrae broke at the end of a furlong. Stormlight was first out from Guest Star and Van Rebeck. Guest Star took over at the end of two furlongs. but two furlongs later he was steadied in behind Fox Able.

Aerobee improved in the back straight and worked clear from Fox Able, Kingsdown Patch and Sentimental with less than seven furlongs left. The field bunched about this point, but began to

spread out again early in the run home. Aerobee led Kmgsdown Patch into the last furlong, from Massacre, Sentimental and Van Rebeck, which was being restrained. Van Rebefik was pulled out well inside the furlong and he quickly settled the issue, winning handily by two lengths. Aerobee held on for second half a head in front of Doctor Dan, which finished boldly from well back to beat Massacre by a neck for third. Kingsdown Patch was seven lengths away fifth, ahead of Ahumai, Sentimental, Rustic Lad, Notify aind Great Credit. Second Leg Monapat, Hiya, which took no part, Bonniebum, Gay Tartan, Meadow Haze, Percival, Black Treasure and Chief Omar lost ground at the start of the Midsummer Handicap, Inglemead beginning best. Rosalind Globe raced to the front at the end of three furlongs. The field raced dear of the rails and Bonniebum moved through on the inner to be close to the lead near the mile post. Carver Doon improved along the inner in the back straight, but he met trouble when Bonniebum dropped back before the half-mile. Black Treasure improved sharply to take control at this point, racing clear by three lengths. However, his advantage was soon whittled down and Terrace Dale was shadin'’ him at the furlong post, with Peel, Monapat and Thunderbolt handy. Terrace Dale ran on best and at the finish she had a length and a half to spare over Monapat. with a head to Peel. Black Treasure was a length away, dear of Thunderbolt, which shaded Morsel and Meadow Haze, with a long gap to No Charge and Rosalind Globe.