Favourites Beaten In Double

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30836, 23 August 1965, Page 5

Favourites Beaten In Double

“The Press’’ Special Service AUCKLAND. The favourites, Forebrace and Straight Time (Johnston Memorial) and Lu Filou (Grandstand Handicap), were completely beaten in the T.A.B. double at Matamata on Saturday.

The very deep, wet footing which had many of the runners down to a canter at the post, might have accounted for their lack of dash in the finish. Forebrace came tenth out of 17 in the Johnston Memorial and Straight Time sixth. Lu Filou, bracketed with Ironibark, had only Supreme Courage and Black Saga, of the 11-horse field, behind him at the finish. In his case there seemed little doubt that the going was to blame. The honours in the Johnston Memorial were all with Midnight Kiss, a five-year-old gelding, by Ocean Spray II from Miss Briar, trained by F. R. Begueiy at Matamata. It was his first win in open company and he was very much the strongest in the run home. The closest Midnight Kiss had been before in open company was when he beat all except Dolly Mac in a sprint at Rotorua last June. The Johnston Memorial -was his fourth race meanwhile From the other three he secured one third placing. This time Midnight Kiss followed the leaders, Corbassiere and Persian Heir, closely into the last two furlongs and came away about halfway down the run home. Corbassiere was next best, then Red Crest.

Midnight Kiss was ridden by D. A. Weatherley, an apprentice employed by Begueiy. He was the thirteenth favourite eachway. SECOND SURPRISE

Tawa Mahal, ridden by B. W. McDonald, a Takanini jockey, brought off another surprise when he outfinished Master Defence and the others in the Grandstand Handicap. Tawa Mahal was the fifth favourite. He is a six-year-old which came into open company last summer. This was his first win since then, but as it came on top of a couple of sound minor placings it was thoroughly deserved. ••

After a slow start, Tawa Mahal went round the leaders from the three furlongs and won very decisively. Lu Filou was prominent only until the bend Into the straight. He then began to give ground quickly. Master Defence battled on gamely for his share and so did Bright Idea, in his first race since the autumn. The weather was showery and the ground was very holding. Results:—

TUI HURDLES, £400; lim.—l/1 DERBY DICK (3) 9-2 M. Laurence 1; 5/5 PRINCE JUDAH (11) 9-0 P. Ryan 2; 3/3 NICKEL POT 9-3 G. Bell 3. Scratched: Black Emperor, Gigolo, larco, Judy Marie, Tudor Time. Three lengths; five lengths. Caminar fourth. Time, 3:35. Win: £2 19s. Places: £1 19s 6d, £3 10s. BREEDERS' HANDICAP, £900: «f.—4/2 FAIR CREST (5) 8-1 D. G. Seaborne 1; 2/1 FRIENDLY OPAL (3) 8-6 N. B. Holland 2; 5/5

TOPSIL (2) 8-8 N. D. Riordan 3. Scratched: Double Image, Lady Camla. Length; one and a half lengths Passionate fourth. Time, 1:20. Win: £5 12s. Places: £1 14s, £1 Ils fid, £2 10s fid.

FIRST PIARERE HANDICAP, £300; 6f.—2/3 GAMBADO (1) 8-9 A. G Colven 1; 7/7 FLANDERS RIDGE (93 8-5 J. P. Riordan 2; 6/6 JUST IT (12) 8-5 N. Landers 3. Scratched: Armand, Forceful, Marelra. Three lengths; neck. Second Mate fourth. Time, 1:22. Win: £4 6s. Place: £1 17s 6d. £4 8s 6d, £3 17s 6d. BUCKLAND HANDICAP, £400; It.— B/10 VAL VUA (8) 8-3 R. J. Sutherland 1; 5/6 DISINEE (3) 8- W. J. Mudford 2; 6/5 BLUE LAP (14) 8-1 R. C. Long 3; Scratched: Big Dipper, Amyn Hi, Courtship, Earl Ascot. Two lengths; two lengths. Backfire fourth. Time, 1:36. Win: £2O Is 6d. Places: £5 15s 6d. £3 ss, £3 2s. PERIA HACK AND HUNTERS' STEEPLECHASE, £500; 2Jm.—l/1 FORM LUCA (1) 10-4 R. J. Leggett 1; 2/2 HOSS (2) 10-3 T. Cathro 2; 6/5 BROOKBY SON (10) 9- B. L. Hillis 3. Scratched: To Reign, Telemachus, Babecia, Harapepe. Thirty lengths; two lengths. Great Era fourth. Time, 5:16 Win: £2 4s. Places: £1 5s 6d, £1 7s 6d, £3 3s. G. JOHNSTON MEMORIAL HANDICAP, £1400; lim and 22yds. 13/13 MIDNIGHT KISS (16) 7-7 D. J. Weatherly 1 11/12 CORBASSIERE (13) 7-7 R. C. Laing 2 10/11 RED CREST (18) 7-7 N. Riordan 3 4/4 My Contact, 3/3 Emphatique, 2/1 Straight Time, 1/2 Forebrace, 12/13 Old Parr, 9/7 Supreme Gold, 8/6 El Khebira, 5/5 Anne Lane, 14/1. Chui, 15/10 Otaklri Boy, 16/16 Shaghen, 7/9 Sweetnotes, 15/15 Olivene, 8/8 Persian Heir also started. Two lengths; one and threequarter lengths. My Contact fourth. Time, 2:22. Win: £24. Places: £6 19s, £B. £5 10s. SECOND PIARERE HANDICAP, £300; 6f.—9/9 MASTER VALLEY (13) 8-5 D. Finlay 1; 15/17 HYWYN (11) 8-15 J. F. Grylls 2; 7/7 CIGARRO (9) 8-5 J. P. Riordan 3. Scratched: Bahia. One and a half lengths; length. Baroque fourth. Time, 1:22 1-5. Win: £67 4s. Places: £l2 9s 6d, £24 9s fid, £7 3s. GRANDSTAND HANDICAP, £750; Of. 5/5 TAWA MAHAL (7) 8-1 B. McDonald 1 2/1 MASTER DEFENCE (3) 8-11 G. F. Hughes 2 8/7 BRIGHT IDEA (10) 8-0 G. L. Willetts 3 1/2 Lu Filou, 1/2 Ironbark, 6/6 Otematata, 2/1 Supreme Courage, 3/3 Woodpecker, 7/7 Loyal Ruler, 9/9 Black Saga, 4/4 Overdale also started. Length; one and a half lengths. Time, 1:21. Win: £6 Ils. Places: £1 19s 6d, £1 12s, £4 14s 6d. Bracket: Master Defence and Supreme Courage. FIRTH HANDICAP, £400: Um and 22yds.—1/1 PLAYDAY (1) 8-7

G. R. Edge 1; 9/9 HEATHER ISLE (13) 8-1 J. P. Riordan 2; 4/3 SUE PAUL (7) 8-2 F. J. Grylls 3. Scratched: Blockade, The Clown, Kuddles. Three and a half lengths; three-quarters of a length. Nurmi fourth. Time, 2:26. Win: £3 16s. Places: £1 12s, £5 19s 6d, £2 Ils fid.