Third Time Unlucky

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31561, 26 December 1967, Page 4

Third Time Unlucky

The West Melton trainer, J. D. Litten, could not be blamed if he engaged another driver for the trotter, Annabelle Lee, in the Mitcham Handicap at Ashburton today.

Litten was driving Annabelle Lee when he was involved in a mix-up at the Kaikoura meeting on October 30. Litten was thrown heavily and received several broken ribs.

Litten resumed race driving at the Hororata meeting on Saturday and was having his second

drive for the day when he handled Annabelle Lee in the Malvern Handicap.

Annabelle Lee made a bound at the start and went to what appeared to be an uncontrollable gallop. However, it soon became obvious that the offside rein had come adrift.

Litten kept Annabelle Lee clear of the field by several lengths for all of the two-mile race, and when any of the others got fairly close he sent her on a little faster and

ran no risk of causing interference.

Annabelle Lee galloped on for an extra half-mile at the end of the race and pulled up herself. It was then found that the rein had not been properly fastened when Annabelle Lee had been placed in the sulky before the race.

Litten’s task of controlling Annabelle Lee was made easier when members of the public and officials kept well clear of the mare until she was pulled up.