RACING SIR ATHOL OUTRUNS MILERS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31115, 19 July 1966, Page 4

RACING SIR ATHOL OUTRUNS MILERS

Sir Athol came up to expectations when he was successfully returned from hurdling to flat racing in the Morven Handicap at Waimate yesterday.

Sir Athol completed a hat trick in the colours of his Southland owner, Mr G. H. Soper. At his two previous starts he had won against hurdlers at Ashburton and Washdyke. Although not the most popular fancy—he was the 3/4 favourite of 11 Sir Athol was confidently backed. That was to be expected with the leading jockey, R. J. Skelton, in the saddle. Skelton had Sir Athol perfectly positioned in the running. He followed Scent and Gladaub into the last halfmile, joined Scent in front just before the straight entrance and had the result ini safe keeping a furlong out. Sir Athol, a member of J. S. McKay’s Wingatui stable, beat Sometime by two lengths and a half. Scent lasted for third by a neck from Acron, but was two lengths behind Sometime. The Morven Handicap was the main flat race and second leg of the double at the Waimate Hunt Club’s annual ■ meeting. The first leg, the Redcliff Hack Handicap, went to Etasi sem a consistent Messmate I gelding prepared at Gore by , E. A. Winsloe for Mr J. J. Flynn, of Southland. The Etassem-Sir Athol combination paid £33 for £l. This i dividend was shared by the i holders of 5402 5s tickets, of

■' Queenscliff was fourth, also by half a length. There was i half a head then to Chow > Maine, which just shaded The ; Guide. The others, well beaten, were led in by Silver . Field. r The top-weight, Lord Fair, , finished tenth. He did not apt pear at ease with the inSide running and had drifted back to third last on the home turn. : Always Handy I Gladaub and Silver King- . dom ran ahead from the start . in the Morven Handicap and _ Skelton settled Sir Athol in a ’ close trailing position. ' Skelton switched Sir Athol; ’ away from the fence near the! s half-mile as Scent went for-1 c ward to join Gladaub in front. Gladaub was under pressure I r three furlongs out and Scent I I and Sir Athol came to the! l ' straight just ahead of Some-’ V time, which had improved ! B fast after trailing early. Sir Athol mastered Scent F early in the run home and e did not have to withstand any >• challenges. Sometime, cone tinuing her run, outfinished 3 Scent for second. Acron, n which had his chance, was a t close fourth. n Cranbrook made ground if from midfield for fifth. He II was half a length from Acron t- and a length in front of Indian Briar, a solid finisher ;- from, far back. e Scribbler was next, in a gap. e Then came Silver -Kingdom,; y Beginner’s Luck and Filspar. ■ s The favourite, Gladaub, was' 1 last.

which 228 were held on the’ course. The meeting was held in fine, but cool weather before a fair attendance. The track was soft On-course turn-over amounted to £12,645, including £1697 on the double, compared with £13,508 10s on a Saturday last year. Wide Out Early From one of the outside barrier positions, Etassem was at least six wide as the field left the straight in the Redcliff Handicap, but J. R. Dowling managed to work him forward and he was three wide with Lord Fair and Chow Maine in the fourth line as they ran into the back, six furlongs out. I Lady Sabaean was a clear leader then and Standard Time tracked her inside Channel Fleet. The Guide, Morrisy and Irina ran as one in the third line. Etassem Improved quickly after passing the half-mile and was alongside Lady Sabaean as they reached the home turn. Lady Sabaean forged ahead again early in the run home and Standard Time left the fence to improve between her and Etassem. The best of the others then, but in a small gap, were The Guide, Channel Fleet and Queenscliff. Nothing could match Etassem for finishing speed in the run from the furlong, and he won by two lengths from Lady Sabaean. Standard Time was half a length back third, and