Big Course Double

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30938, 20 December 1965, Page 4

Big Course Double

Spry and Emily, both at long odds, formed the winning oncourse double combination at Rangiora on Saturday. The dividend of £985 7s for £1 was shared by the holders of 10 5s tickets. The favourite for the second leg. Queensway, carried 80 tickets. The Papanui trainer, T. H. Gleeson, who drove Spry to win the first leg. the Oxford Handicap, trained and drove Rhonda to win the Cheviot Handicap. He made a bold bid to drive John to win the second leg, the Femside Handicap. but after forcing most of the pace John tired and was not far away in fourth place.

Spry was in the first three throughout the Oxford Handicap. He took charge early in the run home and held on to beat Happy Wanderer by a length. Dryden Smoke, well back most of the way, did well to finish third, shading Thunderina and On Probation, which was late working clear and looked unlucky.

Took Lead John took the lead with nine furlongs left in the Fernside Handicap. He was clear by three lengths racing to the final furlong and looked almost certain to win. He soon began to shorten stride and Queensway began to overhaul him at a great rate, with Emily and Epona showing up further out Emily did best over the last few yards to win by half a head from Queensway, with a nose to Epona, a short length to John and a length and a half to Young Lad and Lornway, which did well to finish so close up after being checked early. Rhonda was handy over the last 10 furlongs in the Cheviot Handicap and gained a deserved win over the nearoutsider, Space Chief, with Mystique coming again for third after breaking at the straight entrance. Iron Maiden made up ground for fourth, ahead of Say Diana and Wacco. with a gap to Deception. Improved Effort Phillmark showed something of her true form when she won the Stan Lugg handicap. Her training run was a fine trial for the New Zealand Champion Stakes. She did not begin cleanly, but did not lose as much ground as she has in many of her races. She was about tenth in the middle stages and started to improve from the half-mile. Lusty Lad led from the mile post He was Joined by Money Wise racing to the straight where Pope Donation, Phillmark. Copper Flame, Loyal Light and Michael were showing up. Run Down Lusty Lad was dear inside the furlong, but he was run down by Phillmark, which beat him by half a length. Pops Donation was a length and a half beck third, a length in front of Loyal Light and Michael, which dead-heated. Money Wise, Copper Flame and Bright Enterprise were next Loyd Light. Trudy Brien. Third Chief, Bright Enterprise, Alpine Lady and Snow Chief lost ground at-the start. HMABU TROTTING CLUB, INC. MOMIXATIONS for all «»«*« January. tHS. close on Monday, Seth December, at « pjn. C. F. McKUOn. Secrotary. Phone 4838.Telegrams: Tim trot. —aoi.