TROTTING Phillmark Too Good In Golden Slipper Stakes

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30623, 14 December 1964, Page 5

TROTTING Phillmark Too Good In Golden Slipper Stakes

Phillmark, a firm second favourite for a win, returned an outstanding performance to win the New Zealand Golden Slipper Stakes at Waimate on Saturday. She was hampered by breaking horses after starting from the outside of the second line and she w’as at least 60 yards from the leaders by the time D. J. Townley had her properly in the clear.

Phillmark improved sharply in the back straight, and was forced three wide after passing the half-mile. She improved to be second to the pacemaker, Scotch Cherie, about the two furlongs. Once into the straight she fought on like an experienced horse and won convincingly by two lengths.

Phillmark is a strong bay filly by Fallacy from Margaret Gamble. She is a sister to Moose, which won the Rangiora Raceway Stakes when having her first race experience a few years ago. Phillmark is raced by Mr E. J. Donnithorne, of Christchurch, for whom he is trained by R. Donald at Belfast. Phillmark is the first horse taken to the races by Donald since he recently renewed his training licence. Some years ago Donald was one of the most successful reinsmen in New Zealand. Scotch Cherie, after forcing most of the pace, held on for second ahead of her stablemate. Frosty Heather. They are members of the first crop of the Adios horse, Thurber Frost. Belle Byrd was an impressve fourth after being a fair way back early. The favourite, Dingle, and Uranus were among those to wreck their chances at the start. Blue Tryax, Gay Ben, Suzanne Hanover and Highland Tarn were others to lose ground early, while Sonetto and Gay Ben collided at the end of a furlong. Scotch Cherie led out from

Cameo and Diminutive, with Frosty Heather close up, two lengths in front of Wee Star, which was clear of Belle Byrd. Then there was another break to Highland Tarn, Suzanne Hanover and Phillmark. Phillmark improved to join the tail of the bunch at the half-mile. She continued her run wide out and was in second place at the two furlongs. She was almost a length behind Scotch Cherie racing to the straight, ahead of Cameo, Frosty Heather, Wee Star and Belle Byrd. Phillmark gradually overhauled Scotch Cherie and over the last 25 yards she drew out to win by two lengths. Frosty Heather was another length and a half back third, with the same distance to a solid finisher in Belle Byrd. Wee Star and Cameo were together next, four lengths in front of Highland Tarn, with 15 lengths to Suzanne Hanover. Close Decision Vista Abbey, a distant ninth in the New Zealand Oaks a week earlier, got up

in the last stride to win the Roi I’Or Stakes in a close finish with Doug’s Choice, Sonny Jim and Airborne. Doug’s Choice took the lead after about two furlongs and he set an easy pace from Sensational, Airborne, Vista Abbey, Sonny Jim, and Arahina. Doug’s Choice was still in front racing to the straight, with Airborne almost on terms with him. Sensational and Sonny Jim were together next, ahead of Vista Abbey and Smokey Range. Arahina fell without receiving any interference. Doug’s Choice was a clear leader inside the furlong, but he was soon joined by Airborne and Sonny Jim, with Vista Abbey having to be switched wide out to secure a run. Vista Abbey got up to win by a head from Doug’s Choice, with half a neck to Sonny Jim and a head to Airborne. Smokey Range and Sensational were together next, clear of Radiation and Lusty Lad. Kim Marie, which took no part, Marty, Eyreton, Chief Judge, Killin, Dignified, Third Chief and Radiation lost ground early.