TROTTING Batavia Lasts To Win Raceway Stakes

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30629, 21 December 1964, Page 4

TROTTING Batavia Lasts To Win Raceway Stakes

Batavia justified his favouritism in the Fifth Rangiora Raceway Stakes on Saturday, but not before his many supporters had some anxious moments over the final two furlongs. Batavia bounded at the start and tangled for a few strides. However, he caught his gait quickly and led for the last seven furlongs to beat Johnny Chappelet and Roydon Prince.

Raced by Mrs V. G. and Mr T. F. Vincent, who paid 160 guineas for him at the last yearling sales, Batavia is trained at Templeton by K. Purdon, who also drove him. He had shown outstanding ability at recent trials meetings and as a result he was a commanding favourite. He paid £2 Ils 6d for a win and £1 9s 6d for a place.

None of the three dividend-payers started in the New Zealand Golden Slipper Stakes a week earlier. The best of the Waimate starters was Bell Byrd, which finished on well for fourth.

The second favourite for a win, Phillmark, got away slowly but safely and went to a break before the end of a furlong. She showed speed to finish seventh, many lengths from the winner.

Most of the horses which drew outside No. 6 at the barrier lost ground at the start, while Lucrative, Mister Bee and Prospector were well drawn horses to make mistakes.

When the field had settled down Batavia led from Roydon Prince, Highland Tarn, Robert Logan, Johnny Chappelet and Belle Byrd, which were clear of Bryan John, Poinsetta and Frosty Heather. Roydon Prince worked into the trailing position behind Batavia at the three furlongs. One furlong later Batavia sprinted clear by two and then three lengths. Roydon Prince was three lengths behind him racing to the straight, with four lengths to Johnny Chappelet, Robert Logan and Belle Byrd. Batavia was kept up to his work in the straight when he began to race lazily. He held on to win by a length from Johnny Chappelet. A short length back Roydon Prince held third by a neck from a strong finisher in Belle Byrd. Bryan John was six lengths back fifth 10 lengths

in front of Poinsetta, Phillmark and Gay Ben, with Frosty Heather and Wee Star following but well beaten.

At Ashburton La Garrison came- into prominence for the New Zealand Champion Stakes at Ashburton next Saturday when he won the Rangiora Challenge Stakes. His win was overdue as he had been a shade unlucky in a number of races,

including the New Zealand Derby Stakes, in which he was fifth.

Raced by Mrs M. M. and Mr G. E. Galletley, of Hawarden, for whom he is trained at Templeton by R. W. Curtin, he was driven by D. D. Nyhan. La Garrison made one of his better beginnings and he was handy to Royal Fame, King Gypsy, Syncom and Aunty Lou when the field settled down. Night Rocket and Third Chief improved to follow Royal Fame and King Gypsy into the straight, with Syncom, La Garrison, Martinque and Cloudy Bay handy. King Gypsy was dear just inside the furlong, but he was worn down by La Garrison, which beat him by a neck. A slow beginner in Palaquis made up ground for third two lengths back, two lengths and a half in front of Cloudy Bay, with half a length to Royal Fame, which was followed by Third Chief, Night Rocket, Russell Gee, Sonny Jim, Syncom, Martinque and Don Caesar. Syncom, Kim Marie, Russell Gee, Kaikoura Chief, Compromise, Queensway and Palaquis lost ground at the start. La Garrison completed a double worth £93 15s 6d for £l. The first leg, the Rangiora Cup, was won by Cloudage, which followed up some sound racing with a win over Forshy and Flying Over, both of which appeared to be pushed out over the last halffurlong. Cloudage was well placed all the way. He worked to a short lead inside the furlong and ran on best to win by half a length from Forshy, with a length to, Flying Over. Gay Gordon paced an outstanding race for fourth two lengths back after being tailed off early. Cuddle Doon paced a fair race for a close fifth.