Mr Fagan Wins In Spirited Finish

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31497, 11 October 1967, Page 4

Mr Fagan Wins In Spirited Finish

“The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND. Mr Fagan came from last to take the Dominion Handicap, the first leg of the T.A.B. double at Ellerslie yesterday, from Mac’s Pride.

It was his second race after a spell. He resumed over a mile at Te Aroha nearly a fortnight before when he finished sixth. He ran last with Sunset Fair for six furlongs. When his rider, M. A. Long, took him to fourth behind Mac’s Pride, Fairfleet and Red Crest just outside the last furlong he looked only a fair winning chance but he finished with such spirit that he won by a long head. Mac’s Pride was beaten only in the last few yards and had he not pulled hard he might have lasted. Grand Filou looked more than a little unlucky in that he was smothered in the run to the straight when to all appearances full of running. He was a length behind Mac’s Pride at the post and a head in front of Free Pass. Fre ? Pass made the pace and that gave his perform'ance some merit. It was more

than could be said for the each-way favourite, Fairfleet, which faded to sixth after being favoured with a rails run. Roman Consul, the second favourite, lost a couple of placings from the home turn, to finish seventh. Travel Alone, the outsider except for Lord Ted and Prince Arragon. flashed home to take the second leg, the Kennels Handicap. Chino and Dantana were clear with 50 yards to go, but Travel Alone put in a brilliant late run.

He was a neck ahead of Dantana at the post and Chino was no more than a. head back. As spectacular as was his performance. Travel Alone ran

only slightly better than the three-year-old filly. Pacific Cross, which finished fourth. Pacific Cross dwelt at the start and lb>t s'o-much ground that she was tp all appearances out of the race in the first furlong. She made >'a big run down the . outside, and sustained it very gamely. Barellan, the top-weight and favourite, shared the pacemaking with Irish Rover and went ahead only briefly in the early stages of the run home. He wai Seventh. Ori-course the totalisator handled '..5212,961.50, compared with $237,550 last year. Mr Fagan and Travel Alone paitf $392.50 in the double. The. weather was fine except for a brief heavv shower. The track was easy.