Natter Just Got There With Late, Wide Run

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30635, 29 December 1964, Page 4

Natter Just Got There With Late, Wide Run

Natter flashed down the outside, close to die fence, for a spectacular win in the Hopeful Handicap, the two-year-old race on Dunedin Gup day at Wingatui yesterday.

The Riccartonowned and trained youngster gave R. J. Skelton an unenviable ride by hanging badly.

Her chance looked hopeless at the three furlongs, where she was at the tail of the field. She made the home turn awkwardly, drifting wide out on the track and many on the course could not see her until she almost drew up to Bellbridge a few strides short of the post. Bellbridge appeared to have the race as good as won when he passed Danny Kaye inside the furlong, and to those past the finishing line it seemed he would have at least a neck margin.

The judge called for a photo-finish and then called Bellbridge in ahead of Natter, but the print showed that the Riccarton filly had secured a head victory. This was Natter’s first win for Mr and Mrs J. F. Tutton, but she was an unlucky minor place-getter in the McLean Stakes at Wingatui in the spring.

Danny Kaye, which made a likely-looking run into the lead from a trailing position

outside the furlong, was third half a length from Bellbridge and was two lengths clear of Pearly Queen. SMART RUN Red Siren, a three-quarter brother in blood to the champion Redcraze, practically outclassed the other hack stayers in the Champion Hack Handicap. J. R. Dowling rode the Goretrained Red Mars gelding confidently at the tail of the field for the first seven furlongs, then brought him forward with a brilliant run to win going away from Windvale Lass, which beat Baal Hanan narrowly. Mygrid weakened to fourth after making a likely-looking run on the inside outside the furlong. Opportunity, another Riccarton representative, tired to sixth after helping to lead the chase after the pacemaking Bell Count for a good way. He was inches behind Great Howe, which also had his chance in a weak field. GOOD DOUBLE The Gore-trained Cassbridge completed a meritorious double for the meeting when he finished fast for a fairly narrow,

but meritorious win in the December Intermediate Handicap. Cassbridge drifted slightly from the start, and was near the middle of the field at the half-mile.

R. J. Skelton brought him closer to the leading bunch on the home turn, and he produced the strongest finish to win going away by half a length from Bright Countess, another to finish from the ruck.

The camera could not separate Star Quality and Highland Fair for third, and Solicitor, Never Late, and Queen’s Desire also made a line next.

Apparel made a bid for the lead going to the furlong, but it was a short run, and they pegged him back to ninth.