Happy Songster Does Best

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31020, 28 March 1966, Page 5

Happy Songster Does Best

Happy Songster, previously known as a sprinter, showed ability as a stayer when he won over two miles in the J. McCloy Memorial Handicap at Methven on Saturday. Adorato, a member of the strong favourite bracket, finished second, ahead of Happy Songster’s stablemate, Idle Man.

J. G. Hampton had Happy Songster about tenth or twelfth most of the way, but he was hot very far from the lead and until late he did not have to change course. He looked a danger about the furlong and soon after he strode up to Petite Sal. At the finish he was going away with a length and a half to spare.

Happy Songster has now won twice for his Christchurch trainer, R. Kendall, who races him in partnership with Mr D. Kendall. The combination should have further success at the Addington Easter Cup carnival. Dominated Betting Adorato and Don Caesar dominated betting on the race. Adorato had the run

of the race behind Fury River and Phillmark, but had to be pulled wide to challenge in the run home. He made up ground for his second placing, a nose in front of Idle Man, which came home well over the last furlong. Petite Sal was a head back fourth after having every chance. Legendary made up a little ground for fifth, ahead of Mile End and Don Caesar, which was pushed back to last at the mile post. Phillmark, after drifting early, looped the field to take the lead after six furlongs and a half. She was beaten early in the run home and then broke inside the furlong. Maudella, Society Maid, Tuarangi Chief and Noisette gave ground at the start. Vanity Show was checked. Minor Upset Ulight caused a minor upset when she got up wide out on the track to shade her former stablemate Admire in the Springburn Handicap, the second leg of the double. The Happy Songster Ulight double paid £165 17s for £l. Ulight, a four-year-old mare by Light Brigade from Undaunted, is raced by Mr T. D. Harrison, a steward of the Methven club. Ulight was toward the tail of the field with one mile left, but she started to improve about the straight entrance.

She was switched wide out on the track and gradually closed on Admire, which had been trailed all the way by Chaman. In a keen finish Ulight won by a nose. Admire forced all of the pace and fought back gamely for second, a head in front of Chaman, which pulled hard most of the way. Local Star made ground for fourth, but he was three lengths away, ahead of Lornaway, Cantabile and Chief Smile.

Torpi, Jay Queen, Lofty, Either Way, Option,- Eone Navarre and Cantabile lost ground early.

Dispense Again

Dispense followed her win at Rangiora a week earlier with an equally impressive win in the Lauriston Handicap. She was a shade slow at the start, but recovered quickly to take the lead after two furlongs. From then she was not seriously tested and she won easily by three lengths in the smart time of 4min 37 l-ssec for the two miles. Dispense appears likely to be one of New Zealand’s top trotters next season.

Russell trotted an improved race to finish second, well clear of Stella Globe, which shaded Melissa. Glen Dee. which was pushed back in the middle stages, came again for fifth, ahead of Polydorus, Flying Minstrel and Big Charge.

Overdue

Angel Lass gained a long overdue win when she finished strongly from a handy position to beat Niki by a length and a half in the Second Spaxton Handicap. Winning Song made up ground for third, ahead of the fastfinishing Trade Winds and Double Step. Local Winner Alpine Lady followed some consistent racing with a good win in the L. L. Richards Memorial Handicap. She is trained at Methven by C. J. McLaughlin, who races her in partnership with Mr W. J. Rouse, and she was driven by F. E. Newfield. Alpine Lady was one of the best beginners and she was never far away from the pacemaker, Quality Inn. She raced past that runner early in the run home and won well by three lengths. Queensway ran on gamely over the last furlong to take second place by a length from the tiring Quality Inn. Co Pilot made up ground over the final two furlongs and finished a splendid fourth, ahead of the unlucky Snow Chief, with Allakasam and Gold Maru next, clear of Vaggi. Abbey Frost, Ingleburn and Falstaff were among those to lose ground at the start.