RACING Birthright, Marlow Win Double At Washdyke

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30636, 30 December 1964, Page 4

RACING Birthright, Marlow Win Double At Washdyke

(From Our Own Reporter)

TIMARU, December 29.

Birthright, a firm favourite, and Marlow, a little-fancied runner, won the totalisator double at odds of 60 to one on the first day of the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting at Washdvke todav.

Birthright resisted a late challenge from Timna for a length victory in the St. Andrew’s High-weight Handicap.

This was his first win for his South Otago owner, Mr G. H. Murdoch, since he won at the Southland New Year meeting last season. Birthright is trained at Wingatui by J. Didham, whose brother, A. N. Didham. prepares Royal Estate, the star performer at the Dunedin Cup meeting. Marlow gave the Christchurch owner, Mr N. A. Symes, and his trainer, N. Cowles, a change of luck when he won the Publicans’ Intermediate Handicap narrowly but well from the consistent Last Count. Marlow was the ninth favourite and paid £27 17s and £5 15s for a win and place.

This was his first win in 12 starts this season, though he had been placed three times.

Birthright chased Fieldmaster into the last furlong

lof the St. Andrew’s Highi weight, took a short lead a I moment later, and ran it out well to beat the fast-finishing i Timna by a length. j Timna beat the Gore- | trained Baalbek just as easily i for second, but the latter had had trouble getting clear. I Fieldmaster was urged | along from the outside to lead out of the straight, but |Bandarshar passed him going Ito the six furlongs and went | clear by three lengths going to the half-mile. i Bodkin and Fieldmaster jwere then equal second in a I gap, ahead of a group led j by Kazaan and Picright. I Birthright which had been last early alongside St. Malo, was starting to make ground with a run that carried him to fifth on the home turn and second to the furlong. Timna, the tail-ender at the half-mile, came fast in the straight to challenge Birthright, but the Wingatui chestnut had it safely won at all stages after he mastered Fieldmaster.

Baalbek and Picright both passed Fieldmaster inside the last furlong for the third and fourth places. The others performed moderately. Second Leg

Last Count took a short lead from Apache inside the last furlong of the Publicans’ Intermediate Handicap, but he went under to a dogged challenge from Marlow inside the last 50 yards.

Apache ran clear early and Last Count moved into the trailing position alongside Clipper, ahead of Marlow and Beach Gold.

The favourite. Bell Man, became awkwardly placed on the inside going to the half-mile where he was a good way from the lead, but still ahead of Tuborg.

Last Count ranged up to Apache on the home turn and appeared to have it safely won until Marlow lodged his solid challenge wider out. Marlow won going away by a neck from Last Count, which beat Apache by a length. Bell Man had to be brought wide out to get a run and he did well to finish fourth a length back. Great Guns was a neck back fifth and was followed in by Bronze Knight, Tuborg, Beach Gold, Clipper, and Leslie Bell.