The Frenchman Earned Hurdles Win

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

The Frenchman Earned Hurdles Win

The Frenchman carried top weight of 10-7 to an easy win in the Winchmore Hurdles at Ashburton on Saturday. He jumped pretty surely on a track that seemed to trouble most of the others — there had been light rain after a spell of fine weather —and came away in the last half mile to win by five lengths from Night Sock This was The Frenchman’s first win this season, but he had been consistently placed for Messrs H. H. Elworthy and R. R Jordan, even when his jumping was only moderate. Trained at Orari by P. H. C. Stock. The Frenchman was ridden by the trainer’s son, L. D. Stock.

Night Sock outstayed the surprise favourite, The Slug, tor second. The Slug followed The Frenchman into the last half mile but did not show much finishing speed Underwood Lass was fourth well clear of Hopeful and Derailment, which did not jump well. Supreme Effort fell early in the race, and Sports Date fell at the second last hurdle when only struggling. Pleasant Ways hit hard at the jump near the mile, and dropped his rider.

Favourite Wins Foxy Boy was a dominating favourite in the Trial Stakes, and won soundly by three parts of a length from Bar Kochba, which beat Great Howe by the same margin. Foxy Boy had earned this win for Mrs C. G. Humphries after placings at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s autumn meeting. He was never far from the lead, and E. G. Low took him forward quickly three wide to contend for the lead on the home turn. Great Howe put up a struggle to hold to a slight lead gained early in the run home, but Foxy Boy had him beaten at th* - furlong, and when kicked out ran it out soundly to stall off Bar Kochba, which came from the ruck Great Howe just lasted for third from the faster-finish-ing Idol Prince. Then there was a length to Soutaine. which bucked when leaving the stalls and was last when they went 20 yards. Red Skies w - as the best of the others. He finished two lengths clear of Eimacoma. which died in her run after making a rails challenge early in the run home.

Odds-On-Favourite Grand Salute resisted a resolute challenge from Last Count to win the Lauriston Two-Year-Old Handicap at short odds for his Riccarton owner-trainer, Mr W. J. Davidson He paid. £1 16s 6d and £1 2s 6d. Grand Salute was left with a handy lead near the home turn when Golden Craze, his most solidly-backed rival, faltered and broke a leg. Last Count chased Grand Salute into the last furlong and kept up a dogged run for a good second. Vivien Robe, one of the outsiders of the field, was third three lengths back and had the same margin to spare from her stablemate. Smuggler’s Bank.

Only A Nose On Account just lasted for a nose victory over Bridie O’Cally in the Apprentices' Hack Handicap after leading throughout. This was On Account’s second win in his last three starts, the other one being at Blenheim. The stable apprentice. B Collins, had On Account in front quickly First Mink ran alongside him to the three furlongs, but was beaten on the home turn. Sir Athol, which had been trailing, could not quicken either, and Shakes could only plod in the last two furlongs. But Bridie O’Cally, which had been three or four places further back at the three furlongs. came strongly wider out on the track, and missed by only a nose She was unlucky to meet some trouble near the home turn when starting to improve. Lostalon. another littlefancied runner, made ground elose to home for third three Krt> of a length back and a ivth tn advance of Shakes Sir Athol was a neck back fifth and was clear of First Mink Hard Battle Central Flight, a Cassock

mare from Southland, showed fighting qualities to win the Barfoid Hack Handicap after a sustained tussle with the former North blander, Samsi. Central Flight gave Zinder a hard race at RivertonGSh a hard race at Riccarton in February, but lost form after a win at the Dunedin autumn meeting. She improved to win at a non-totalistator meeting in Southland recently and was made 4/5 favourite on Saturday. Mr S. P. Vickery’s Cassock mare was competently ridden by the apprentice, D. C Thompson, who was able to claim 71b. That made all the difference, for she had only a head to spare from Samsi. the win favourite.

Central Flight and Samsi ran close to the pace to the three furiongs. and made their bids for the lead at the same moment. Central Fligh* had the inside run, and ground saved on the turn meant all the difference Count Pedro came with a rush when the race was all but over and finished a good third a length and a half back, and Myfilou picked up a few places for fourth. Red Fox the place favourite, ran a plodding type of race for fifth. «