Gay Reel Close To N.Z. Cup Class

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30213, 19 August 1963, Page 4

Gay Reel Close To N.Z. Cup Class

The Auckland mare, Gay Reel, won her way to the verge of New Zealand Cup class when she led for all but the first 100 yards of the Louisson Handicap at Addington on Saturday. Gay Reel set a leisurely pace for the first nine furlongs. In the sprint home she held on to win by half a neck from Doctor Dan.

Gay Reel is raced by Mr M. T. Willis, of Auckland, a prominent official of the Auckland Owners’ and Breeders’ Association, and she is trained at Otahuhu by J. Butcher. Gay Reel, one of the speediest pacers in the Auckland district, is a five-year-old mare by Gay Reveler from Scottish Reel. Her promotion to the top classes has been slowed by her inability to begin cleanly in many of her races. Ftorita and Admit lost ground art the start, Gay Reel beginning smoothly and taking the lead at the end of about half a furlong. When the field settled down she was followed at intervals of a length and a half by Doctor Dan, Junior Royal, Urrail. Highland Custom, Robin Dundee, Florita, and Admit. There was no change in the order until inside the last three furlongs. Gay Reel led Doctor Dan by two lengths approaching the straight, with a similar margin to Junior Royal. Then'came Urrail, Highland Custom, and Robin Dundee. Doctor Dan made a game effort to overhaul Gay Reel, but she lasted to beat him by half a neck. Junior Royal was a length back third, three lengths in front of Robin Dundee, which made up a lot of ground. Urrail was two lengths away, five lengths in front of Highland Custom, with half a head to Florita and a nose to Admit. Led All Way Flyn led throughout the Four-year-old Stakes and fought off several strong challenges in the straight to win convincingly. Dresden Blue, after being second or third most of the way, was with Flyn racing to the straight Orbiter. Forshy. Admiral. Jacobite, Gay Robin, and Carina Star were also prominent. Flyn looked to be in trouble just inside the furlong, but he was too strong in stamina for the others over the last 50 yards. He won by a short length from Orbiter, which had trailed him all the way and attempted to come on the inside of the winner. Dresden Blue, the outsider of the field, fought on for third half a neck back, two

lengths in front of Forshy, with half a length to Jacobite, a neck to Admiral and a neck to Carina Star, a surprise 2/1 favourite. Forshy broke at the start, and Frugal and Earl Globe were checked. Field Chief also lost ground art. the start. First And Second The Winton mare. Chiffon, made a successful first appearance from F. E. Newfield's team when she beat her bracketed mate. Parados, in the Ribbonwood Handicap. Chiffon was in the first five all the way and she followed Faru and Napoleon Hanover into the straight, wiitih Terrace Dale, Parados, Soanfra. Pharoah. Bay Prince, and. Blonde Piper handy. Chiffon quickly took control and she drew away to beat Parados by two lengths and a half. Parados, too, was handily placed all the way. Blonde Piper finished boldly from the straight entrance for third three lengths away, half a neck in front of a strong finisher in Bonnieburn. Bay Prince and Terrace Dale were next, clear of Faru and Soanfra. Trade Talk. Prinsuva, Intrigue, and Rosalind Globe gave ground early. Finished Well Oakleigh Lad, after being patiently driven well back in the field until the straight entrance, finished in grand style

for a splendid win in the Opening Handicap. He was not in the first eight racing to the straight, but put in an appearance inside the furlong. At that stage, Robert Medoro had raced clear of the leader to the turn, Oro Brigade. Oakleigh Lad had too much in reserve for Robert Medoro, which had covered extra ground from the seven furlongs, and beat him by half a length. Minstrel Song, which broke several times, was a length back third, half a head in front of a solid finisher in Dreaming. Queen’s Cord did well to finish fifth, ahead of Minnow, Gay Jillian. Nimble Grattan, and Grand Charge, which had every chance. The Pukekbhe mare, Luttle Smoke, broke several times and was always well back. Free Return almost fell at the straight entrance when challenging.