RACING DERVISH WINS AT TRENTHAM

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30891, 26 October 1965, Page 4

RACING DERVISH WINS AT TRENTHAM

Strong Field Of Milers Beaten

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON. 1

Dervish improved the good record at Trentham of horses which carry the colours of Mr C. T. Keeble, of Palmerston North, when he beat a strong field of milers easily in the Pearce Handicap, the first leg of the T.A.B. double on the final day of the Wellington Racing Club’s spring meeting yesterday.

Dervish, a four-year-old entire by Sabaen from Gipsy Dancer, which is prepared at Woodville by E. Ropiha, has now won two races at successive starts, both over a mile. His previous success was in a welter at Hastings on September 25.

The former South Island horseman, J. R. Dowling, had “wasted” hard to try to ride Dervish at his correct weight of 7-5. Although the best he could do was 7-6 s, the effort was well worth the trouble. Dervish was confidently backed, but paid £7 '4s 6d and £2 17s for a win-and-place. In the double he carried 16,518 10s tickets in a pool worth £156,147 ss. Grand Win, which was considered an unlucky third in, the Shorts Handicap on the first day of the meeting, confirmed that when she carried the equal top-weight of 9.2 to victory in the Nainai Handicap. second leg of the main double.

Grand Win, which is trained for Mr C. R. Baker by R. F. Deacon, at Rawera. was a firm favourite. She paid £2 14s and £1 12s for a win and a place and £29 16s for £1 with Dervish in the double. This was shared by the holders of 11,435 5s tickets, 2252 on the course.

The meeting was held in fine weather and the track was in excellent order. The attendance

was 11,860, compared with 11,590 on the third day last year. The on-course turnover amounted to £182.058 10s, compared with £185.683 on the third day last year. The total handled on-course for the meeting was £561,053, compared with £536,968 last year. First Leg

Tumble and Rainfall were slowest away in the Pearce Handicap, and Maria Mitchell, Cabriere. Vogel Bloem and Wavering were the first to show out.

Maria Mitchell worked clear after a furlong. Soon afterwards Cabriere struck bother and went back several places. Near the five furlongs Princess Taiaria also struck bother and dropped back through the field. Maria Mitchell began the last half-mile just ahead of Roodyvoo and Shakes. Rainfall, which received a lucky run, was next on the inner of Ichtar and Lucky Rebel. Humber and Wavering were next. Then came Cabriere, pursuit, and Dervish.

Dervish improved quickly on the home turn and ranged up to Maria Mitchell, Roodyvoo and Shakes near the furlong. Rainfall was still tucked in behind and Surf Boy, which had improved to the fourth line on the

home turn, was running well wider out on the track. Dervish went ahead in the last furlong under a hands-and-heels ride. He won by two lengths, and Surf Boy continued his run to beat Roodyvoo for second by slightly more than a length. Shakes was only a head away fourth, just ahead of Maria Mitchell, Kawera and Rainfall. Cabriere was next then came Arakhan and Ichtar. Sprint Running Happy Jan, David Jeff and Hushaway were the slowest away in the Nainai Handicap, and Prince Hagen, Royal Chase and Might were prominent in the rush for early positions. Prince Hagen worked clear after a furlong, but was joined near the five by Master Defence. These two led around the home turn from Royal Chase, Croydon’s Gold and Might in a line. Following these were Grand Win. Gymkhana, and Home on the Range, then Marise and Highland Fair. Hushaway had only Regal Crestal and David Jeff behind him.

Prince Hagen went clear of Master Defence early in the run home, but Grand Win was alongside him with a furlong to go. Royal Chase was then trying to work off the fence and into the clear, and Passionate was continuing a strong run from midfield. Grand Win ran it out best to win by a neck, and Passionate outfinished Royal Chase for second by a similar margin. Prince Hagen was half a head away fourth.. Hushaway came fast and late for fifth a length and a half back. He just beat Home on the Range. Croydon’s Gold was next in a gap of two lengths ahead of Marise.