RACING LEADBAG MISSING

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30129, 13 May 1963, Page 4

RACING LEADBAG MISSING

Royal Leigh Loses 2nd Place At Ashburton Royal Leigh came within inches of victory in the Ashburton County Handicap on Saturday. But it would have been all to no avail. Royal Leigh went under by half a neck to Persuasive, but lost second place when his rider, N. Eastwood, weighed in five and a half pounds light.

Then a search for a missing lead bag started. It was realised that Royal Leigh did not lose this weight during the race. Within minutes of the weigh-in, the lead bag was found—in the stall where Royal Leigh was saddled for the race. Royal Leigh was disqualified, and the stablemates, Donna Maria, William David, and Kastanea were each promoted one position to fill second. third, and fourth places respectively. Royal Leigh’s place backers had a brief glimpse of what might have been. The dividends were posted before the siren blew for the inquiry, and Royal Leigh would have paid £6 Ils for a place. He carried £l9? 10s in place betting. Persuasive came out on top with a gamely-sustained challenge from the ruck. This was her second win in 12 starts this season. She started her six-year-old campaign with a surprise win in the Heathcote Handicap at the last Grand National meeting but lost form in the soring, and was away from racing durin? the summer Owned bv Mr J McF. Milliken, of South Canterbury. she is trained at V r ashdyke by P. H. C. Stock and was ridden by G. W. Mein. Form worked out better in the second leg. the Coldstream Intermediate Handicap. but the favourite. Mhor. was all ou* to beat the 11/10 choice. Gabbler. There was only a nose in It. Mhor slinped several times in the running, and found it hard to go the early pace, but when he found better footing wider out in the straight, his bulldog finish just carried him up in time. Holders of 1455 tickets on the Persuasive—Mhor comin st ion received £5B 4s for £l. Light rain overnight on firm ground made for tricky going, and several horse' could not race within, a stone of their best form. Racing was held in fine overcast weather. A moderate crowd invested £‘’3,135 10s. including £2791 10s on the double Last year’s turnover was £24 121

First Leg Royal Leigh, Mighty Son. and Studio ran abreast though at about half-length intervals after a furlong in the Ashburton County Handicap. Donna Maria was already settled in the trailing position on the inside and F’rugon and Beginner’s Luck were close behind. Studio dropped back beaten soon after they passed the half mile and Royal Leigh straightened up just abeed of Donna Maria. Flagon was then going well enough to have a place chance, and Rhythm Rein wss making ground on the inside, but these veterans were beaten soon after. Persuasive, which had run most of the race towards the middle of the field, ran up to third starting the last furlong and went through with her run doggedly to master Royal Leigh in the last few strides. • Donna Mana weakened slightly in the Last furlong and finished two lengths behind Royal Leigh. She was followed in by her stablemates. William David and Kastanea.

Aahleigh was next in a small gap, just beating Chattel. Eighth we* the best Rhythm Rein, a surprise favourite, could menage. Second Leg Mhor had to muster one of his strongest finishes to nose out the long shot Gabbler in the Coldstream Intermediate Handicap, second leg of the double. They battled it out a length and a half dear of Canadians, another outsider, which led until close to home. Canadians came to the straight with a short lead on Waverley and clear of Discordant, Gabbler, and Mhor. Gabbler challenged determinedly on . the inside, and mastered Canadians inside the furlong, but went under in the last stride.

Canadians was a length and a half back, and unchallenged for third with three lengths on the weakening second favourite, Discordant. Scribbler was alongside Discordant and three lengths clear of Picca Leigh. Magic Flute, Waverley, and Paua were the best of the others