TROTTING MONTAGE MAY GO TO AUCKLAND

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31162, 12 September 1966, Page 5

TROTTING MONTAGE MAY GO TO AUCKLAND

Montage possibly earned himself a trip to Auckland for restricted age events at next Saturday’s meeting when he won the Raceway Challenge Stakes at Hutt Park Raceway.

The race was run in a driving storm and Montage and his partowner and trainerdriver, H. Greenhorn, received an ovation from the small crowd. Montage, a gelding by Forward from the Meadow Chief mare, Russian Time, was a consistent performer in classic events last season, although he failed to win a race and performed disappointingly in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes. On Saturday Montage raced much more generously than in the past, and his win could be the forerunner of many more. He will be a contender for rgees such as. the New Zealand Derby Stakes later in the spring. Really Good set a fairly strong pace for most of the way, with Montage about five places back. Really Good slipped the field with more than two furlongs left, but he was under pressure and mastered before the straight entrance. Montage quickly assumed control, and although challenged by Prospector, he had too much in reserve and won handsomely by almost two lengths. Prospector went a useful

race for second, seven lengths in front of Ellimac, which had every chance. Press Parade was a fair fourth, just ahead of Really Good. Thurboprop could not handle the conditions and was pulled up with half a mile left. With Ease Inky Boy made amends for some disappointing racing in much stronger company when he won the Murphy Handicap. He lost a few lengths at the start, but was soon handy enough/ He had control at the straight entrance and came on to win by five lengths from Final Shot, with two lengths to Doctor Jim and a similar gap to Scotch Song, which received a poor run. Richard Hanover pulled hard early and tired badly, finishing fifth. Big Charge, from Rangiora, and Golden Garry, from Gore, won the on-course double, paying £66 10s for £l. Big Charge gradually made up ground in the Welcome Handicap and he finished too well for a likely improver in Supersede to win by a long neck. Garrison’s Choice, late working clear, was an unlucky third almost two lengths away, just ahead of Bold Axworth, which broke twice, with a gap to John Robin, Scottish Piper and Don’t, all of which broke in the run home. Golden Garry followed John for most of the Electric Handicap. He took a short lead early in the run home

and fought on to beat Cardinal Hanover, which came again after appearing to be beaten, by half a length. Russell Gee came home fairly well for a close third, ahead of Johnny Gold, which tangled and ran off the course at the six furlongs. His strong finish was a feature of the race. Gay Eden, Goldmount, Frolic Song and John, which was checked in the run home, were next, but well beaten. Mon Amie showed that she was well above average in abihty when she finished with a great burst to win the Twilight Handicap. She was slow away and one of the tailenders early. Just when Loyal Tryax looked to have the race won she challenged boldly wide out and drew out to win easily by two lengths. Spring Sue went a fair race for third, ahead of Tobacconist, which received a poor run. Kiwi Express was fifth, ahead of Royal Try and Eden Fair.