RACING CONFER KEEPS HIS RECORD INTACT

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30803, 15 July 1965, Page 6

RACING CONFER KEEPS HIS RECORD INTACT

(From Our Own Reporter)

TRENTHAM.

Confer’s gameness shone through when he completed a double for the Wellington winter meeting against the Hack Hurdlers at Trentham yesterday.

Mr B. Benton’s six-year-old Conclusion gelding was by no means the best jumper in the field, but he had the stamina and pluck to overcome two bad jumps in the back straight and to win decisively by two lengths.

Confer battled into a short lead near the home turn and won by two lengths from Jimmy Shand, which beat the Wingatui jumper McGregor by a length. Jimmy Shand showed possibilities as a stayer in getting up for second after being well off the pace for the first mile.

He moved to third on the home turn, and cut into Confer’s lead slightly in the final furlong, though without appearing likely to come out on top. McGregor did not appear to handle the heavy track well, but when brought very wide in the straight he rallied well for a clear third. Bagush was fourth, but well beaten. Vigour, the runner-up to Confer on the first day of the meeting, fell when leading at the second last hurdle. Gus Beats Krazikid The Riccarton-trained Krazikid made a strong bid to keep

his winning record Intact in the Juvenile Handicap but went under to the Levin-owned and trained Gus by half a length. Gus, a Golden Cloud gelding trained by his owner, Mrs L. Tyree, ran the last 50 yards a shade faster than the Riccarton chestnut. There was only inches between them a few strides from the post. Krazikid was left in front when Whittle stopped “in a stride” before they joined the course proper. Certain, Donroy and Gus were close behind there. Gus went through with his run to join Krazikid going to the furlong, and was clearly the master in the last few strides. Comitis made ground strongly near the end for a good third He outfinished Ibn, which was fourth, a length back. Javion was a fair fifth and Pee Wee, the third favourite, was sixth clear of the second choice. Fair Linda, which hung badly. Big Dipper was last to finish He stumbled leaving his stall at the start and tailed off in a gap behind the others. South Island’s First Allegretto gave the South Island Its first success at the meeting when he outsprinted the other hacks in the Seatoun Handicap. Trained at Riccarton by P. H. Jones for Mr O. F. S.> Martini, Allegretto wore down Tracey in the last furlong to win handily by half a length. This was Allegretto's second win and his first from Jones’s stable. At his previous start he finished third at Washdyke. R. J. Skelton had Allegretto close to the pace all the way. He was on the outside of Irish Gloss behind Tracey and Mono graph coming to the straight and did not have to be ridden right out for his victory. Sir Guy came from the middle of the field for a creditable third another half-length back, just beating Samuel and Hermalon.

The favourite. Harvest Fair, became badly placed on the inside in the tail-end group straight away. He made a run coming to the home turn, had to be checked to avoid the tiring Irish Gloss, but could not find anything extra from the furlong and finished tenth. Irish Gloss was twelfth. Well-Earned Win Golden Summit, which had been consistently placed in his recent racing, scored an easy win in the Petone Handicap after getting a good run behind the leaders. Fourth in the corresponding event on the first day of the meeting. Golden Summit was fifth favourite and paid £9 Bs. By the Foxbridge horse The Summit Golden Summit is trained at Gisborne by A. G. Macdonald for Mr H. J. Fleming The favourite, Mossburn, raced without dash after having every chance. The well supported L’Arc, along with Watchet, was slow away. L’Arc made ground for fifth place with Watchet getting up for third behind Autobe, a previous start winner at Egmont last month. First Mink was the early leader from Main Defence, which raced clear soon after the start and at the end of a furlong had charge. At the five furlongs Main Defence was four lengths clear of Autobe, ahead of First Mink and Mossburn. Golden Summit was in the next line with Comrade, then Advocat's Pride. Northern Star and Baywyn. Racing to the half-mile Main Defence was joined by Autobe These two turned into the straight on terms. They were still in front at the furlong, whore Golden Summit was close up and he drew away to win easily by three lengths. Autobe was two lengths and a half clear of Watchet. which came home well ahead of Flounce, L’Arc, Mossburn, Main Defence. Comrade, and First Mink.