Filly Justifies Trip

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30634, 28 December 1964, Page 4

Filly Justifies Trip

Golden Oriole gained a well-earned win and justified a trip to Auckland for the Great Northern Derby next Thursday night when she beat Sensational and Compromise in the New Zealand Champion Stakes at Ashburton on Saturday.

Golden Oriole, a firm second favourite, bad finished unlucky thirds in both the New Zealand Derby Stakes and the New Zealand Oaks at her previous starts and her win was overdue. Raced by 18-year-old Murray Butt, a son of the Templeton trainer-driver, W. R. Butt. Golden Oriole had won the New tealand Sapling Stakes at Ashburton last winter. A start for ier at Auckland was in doubt bntil after her race at Ashburton. The firm favourite. Donald Dundee, after jumping a Shadow at the start, was in trouble after two furlongs and be lost a lot of ground. He tailed to recover and finished eleventh.

Vista Abbey, Black Tryax, Compromise, Russell Gee, and Third Chief lost ground early After two furlongs Donald Dundee, Sonny Jim, Russell Gee, and Arahina were in trouble. Royal Fame led out, but he ►as passed by Queensway after three furlongs. Queensway and Royal Fame were followed past

the mile by Smokey Range and Sensational, with Black Tryax. La Garrison (wide), Golden Oriole, Vista Abbey, King Gypsy and Compromise clear of the others.

La Garrison moved up to Queensway after passing the six. with Black Tryax being pushed back a shade. La Garrison had Queensway covered at the straight entrance and they were followed into the last furlong by Royal Fame, Sensational, Smokey Range, Golden Oriole (wide) and Compromise Showing up. Golden Oriole was Inclined to run about, but she outfinished her rivals to win comfortably by two lengths and give W. R. Butt his first win in the race. Sensational paced a useful race for second, two lengths in front of a solid finisher in Compromise. La Garrison tired to fourth a short length back, half a neck in front of Smokey Range. Royal Fame was a length and a half back, clear of Black Tryax, King Gypsy, Queensway, Vista Abbey and Donald Dundee. Fourth Win Space Cadet gained his fourth win for the season and qualified for the main races for pacers at the Canterbury Park meeting later in the week when he gave a start of 12 yards and a sound beating to a strong field in the Boxing Day Handicap. He paced the 11 furlongs in the smart time of 2:55 3-5. Space Cadet gradually improved on the inside and he became awkwardly placed near the furlong. However, he took an opening along the inside and got up to beat Napoleon Hanover easily by half a length. Dominica made up ground for third two lengths back, shading Medico, which ran about under

pressure. Strip was beaten off fifth, shading Danny’s Pal and Paddy’s Day, with Mountain Song next, ahead of Fundamental, Nigger Minstrel and Quesnel.

The Templeton trainer, C. C. Devine, had a change of fortune when Stepson won the two-mile McLean Handicap, and Vanity Show the Mid-summer Handicap, over the same distance. Both horses returned sound staying efforts and few excuses could be advanced for the beaten horses.

Lightning Scott gave a fine display of trotting when he won the Netherby Handicap. He was always prominent and won convincingly by a short length from Dark Shadow, with Free Globe tiring to third, clear of Castleton’s Gift. Lightning Scott should not be troubled by the richer class he will encounter from now on. The favourite, Our Debbie broke outside the furlong when handy. Fielder was most impressive when he won his division of the Wakanui Handicap, recording 3min 15 3-ssec for the 12 furlongs. The Hal Tryax four-vear-old will only have to remain sound to take a high ranking. Wayleggo paid £2O 13s 6d when he outstayed his rivals in the Mitcham Handicap. Convertor and Ipiana filled the other divi-dend-paying places, but they had no chance with the winner, which should soon win again.,