Levin Cup To Fremont

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31224, 23 November 1966, Page 4

Levin Cup To Fremont

"The Press" Special Service PALMERSTON NTH.

Fremont emphasised his all-round ability when he won the Levin Cup on his home track yesterday. He won on a hard track at Hastings earlier this month and found the easy going yesterday equally to his liking.

Earlier in has career he made a name for himself as a hack stayer under true winter conditions. Fremont was ridden with judgement and good timing by L. K. Tinsley, who allowed him to improve from the middle to be fifth turning for home. Early in the run down the straight Fremont had the measure of the leaders, and maintained his run well to hold off a strong challenge from Far Cry, which had been near the lead most of the way but was held up for a stride or two early in the run home. John Derry weakened slightly to third place after coming from last at the halfmile to be prominent turning for home, where he was the first to challenge Justify, when she took the lead.

Justify had taken charge with three furlongs to go and looked likely for a time, but did not have the strength to match her challengers in the straight and eventually finished a close fourth. The place-getters were well clear of the disappointing Dervish, which again failed to run on after having every chance. Jordan's Gold, never closer than at the finish, was a moderate sixth, ahead of the weakening Ta Vince.

Prince Hagen tried hard to make it a local double when he led most of the way in the McDonald Memorial Handicap, but after an enervating struggle with Kintyre he had nothing left with which to hold off the challengers of the Taranaki pair Awaroa and Tipperary Tom. Awaroa improved steadily from the middle to be fifth

wide out turning for home, and continued her run from there to beat Tipperary Tom by a neck, with a nose Prince Hagen. Awaroa completed a double with Fremont worth £69 is 6d for £l.

It was her second open sprint win this season. She has been placed in most of her other races.

Tipperary Tom, having only his second start after a spell, served notice that he is likely to redeem his three-year-old promise by fighting on resolutely after being handy from the start. Another Taranaki horse to show promise was Alkira, a fast-finishing fourth after

dwelling at the start and tailing off in the first furlong. She just headed off the weakening Kintyre, which had tried to match Prince Hagen in the lead from the start.

Sea Prince made up much ground in the last two furlongs to finish sixth ahead of Backfire. On-course investments totalled £48,438 10s, a decrease of £420 life. T.A.B. betting amounted to £131,095, made up of win-and-place bets of £55,723 10s and £75,371 10s on doubles. The off-course substitute was Prince Hagen. The weather was overcast and cold and the track easy.