Pharasal Unbeaten At Ashburton

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30856, 15 September 1965, Page 5

Pharasal Unbeaten At Ashburton

Pharasal became the only horse to come through the Ashburton spring meeting unbeaten when he won the Methven Improvers’ Handicap yesterday. Mr A. N. Smith’s small Pharamond gelding won against the maidens on the first day of the meeting when having his first start for the season and only the second of his career. Yesterday he dashed clear from a trailing position in the straight and won by two lengths from Omasong, which had won on the first day of the meeting. Omasong’s placing was creditable. She could not match the quickest of the others for early speed and was a good way from the lead at the half-mile. Omasong just nosed out Marquette, which was inclined to run about when challenging in the straight. Hawkins was a good fourth fresh up after a spell. He made it a strong gallop in front from the five furlongs to the home turn. Donnaway, Coral Prince, Debbie Marie, and the favourite, Last Dip, were the next home. Pharasal gave J. C. Tomkinson, of Riccarton his third training success for the meeting. HIGH-WEIGHT WIN The only other trainer to secure three wins at the meeting was P. H. Jones.

His third success came in the high-weight yesterday. when Channel Fleet led over the last seven furlongs. Channel Fleet won by a length from Approval, which came from third to last in the last half-mile. Scribbler outfinished Bandarshar for third. GOOD TALLY Skeltheen gave R. J. Skelton his third win for the day and his fourth at the meeting when he beat the hack stayers in the Penscroft Hack Handicap. A consistent performer on the Canterbury winter circuit in the colours of the Washdyke trainer, P H. C. Stock. Skeltheen ran close to the pace to the home turn, then drew out comfortably to win by a length and a half from Prince Callan. Skeltheen was first home the last time he raced at Ashburton, but he lost first place after an inquiry. He won at Washdyke at his next start. Prince Callan had little to spare from Cumberland and Misjudge in yesterday’s race. Cumberland was forced fairly wide early, and, though giving of his best all the way from the home turn, he could make ground only slowly. Misjudge came from further back in the field but missed third by a nose.