Martinique Has Easy Win In Kaikoura Cup

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30897, 2 November 1965, Page 4

Martinique Has Easy Win In Kaikoura Cup

Martinique qualified to start in £BOO races on the last day and two nights of the New Zealand Cup meeting when he outclassed his rivals in the Kaikoura Cup yesterday. He led from the end of half a mile and had far too much pace and stamina for the others, winning by six lengths from Alpine Lady and Trudy Helen.

Raced by Mesdames O. G. Oakley, of Yaldhurst, and J. A. Mercer, of Christchurch, Martinique is trained by O. G. Oakley, who produced Lady Attack to win the Kaikoura Cup in 1958 for Mrs Oakley.

D. C. Watts sent Martinique out by two lengths with about three furlongs left. His advantage had increased to about five lengths at the straight entrance. From then he was not tested and won as he liked.

Alpine Lady was well back in the early stages of the race and her chances of finishing in a place looked unlikely at the straight entrance. She was the only horse capable of making a showing over the last 150 yards and ran on boldly for second. Trudy Helen was always prominently placed and led the chase after Martinque racing to the straight. She held on for third, a head behind Alpine Lady, and two lengths in front of Copper Flame, which had her chance. Local John battled on for fifth ahead of Vaggi, with the favourite bracket of Seafield Prince and Yankee Dandy leading in the others. Yankee Dandy raced in the open on the outside of Cop-

per Flame for most of the race and was beaten a long way out. Seafield Prinee was never a danger. Kingster, Seafield Prince, Intercede and Alpine Lady lost ground at the start. £lO7 Double D. C. Watts completed the day’s T.A.B. double when he drove Loyal Light to win the Memorial Handicap. Loyal Light was a good second to Tunnel Road at Grey mouth on October 23, but was comparatively neglected in the betting

and paid £l2 12s 6d for a win. The Martinique—Loyal Light double paid £lO7 17s for £l. The race was run in driving rain and many of the drivers had difficulty seeing properly. Richard Hanover and Young Vai began best, with Young Vai soon taking control. Bar None went to the front at the mile post and with six furlongs left Lornaway improved to take over a furlong later. Lornaway led down the back straight from Richard Hanover, Loyal Light and Adulate, with Shadydale dropping away and the others well beaten.

Loyal Light had control early in the run home and she fought on best to win by a length. Richard Hanover was never far away and held on for second well clear of Adulate, which was well back early. Calm Autumn was a fair fourth, ahead of Allakasam and Lornaway. Bar None and Young Vai were pulled up with half a mile to run after being involved in a mix-up a furlorg earlier.