TROTTING Avante Has Overdue Win At Forbury

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30740, 3 May 1965, Page 5

TROTTING Avante Has Overdue Win At Forbury

Ayantee gained an overdue first win for the season when he outfinished Peel and Garcon d’Or in the Winter Handicap at Forbury Park on Saturday night. He was always prominentlyplaced and improved to third at the straight entrance. He put the issue beyond doubt in a few strides about the half-furlong and came on to win handily.

Raced by Mr and Mrs A. Spark, of Methven, Avante had not been successful since he beat Orbiter in the 1963 Ashburton Cup. Earlier this season he had had 23 starts for seven placings, including splendid performances in the Ashburton Flying Stakes and the Oamaru Hannon Memorial Handicap in the spring.

Avante, a six-year-old gelding by Forward from Wee Doll, is a member of R. Young’s Addington team. His win on Saturday took him to the verge of New Zealand Cup class.

Peel paced a splendid race for second and he should be an early winner. He received a perfect trail behind the pacemaker. Professional Globe, which tired racing to ;the straight. 1 Peel and Junior Royal then

worked clear from Avante. Peel took a short lead soon after straightening up, but he could not withstand the final challenge of Avante. Garcon d’Or, after being one of the tailenders until late in the race, came with a determined run to dead-heat

second. Peel’s number was hoisted in second place, but after the judge had inspected a photograph for third placing, a dead-heat was declared. Garcon d’Or, like Peel, looks to be on the verge of winning form.

Junior Royal, after racing in the open for most of the race, tired a shade in the run home to finish fourth, a length behind the dead-heat-ing pair.

Bluff, after drifting early, went well for fifth, ahead of Glenurquhart. which broke at the start, Cairnbrae, which

finished well. Tactile and Rannack Song. Tactile was some distance back most of the way and he made no serious impression. He was having his first start after an enforced spell and he could show sharp improvement at short notice. Cloudage brought his record since being purchased by Mr R. C. Idiens, of Christchurch, in February to two wins and two placings from five starts, when he outfinished his rivals in the Flying Handicap, the second leg of the main double. The Avante—Cloudage combination paid £9O 2s for £l. Cloudage was in about sixth position for much of the race. D. J. Townley sent him after the leader, Peerswick, racing tn the straight. After a short struggle. Cloudage was soon in command and he came on to win well by two lengths. Peerswick, which attempted to lead for the last seven furlongs and a half, held second by half a head from a strong finisher in Forshy, a slow beginner.

Throwaway came in for supprisingly strong support. He came late on the scene to nose Colours Flying out of fourth, but they were two lengths behind Forshy. Willycan was close up. clear of Fury River and Miriam Hall.

Fury River, Happy Ending. Happy Sam and Quesnel lost ground at the start.