RACING NEXT PLEASE WINS EASILY

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31596, 6 February 1968, Page 4

RACING NEXT PLEASE WINS EASILY

Next Please found the task of pace-making beyond him in the Wellington Gup last month, but it was a different matter at a mile and a quarter in the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Midsummer Handicap yesterday.

Mr L. R. C. Macfariane’s powerful four-year-old was in front for the last seven furlongs and won handsomely by two lengths and a quarter.

This was Next Please’s fourth win in open class, his most notable success earlier having been the Dunedin Cup in December. There was not much doubt what would win from the moment Next Please shook off a short-lived challenge from Roman General near the three furlongs.

Millie Small put a small break on the others in leading the chase after Next Please into the final furlong, but she had no chance of bridging the gap to the win favourite. Next Please, a member of R. B. Taggart’s team at Riccarton, was ridden by E. G. Low. who also won on him in the Dunedin Cup but was unable to ride at the weight in the Wellington Cup.

Millie Small, which ran in the tail-end group for a start after drifting slightly, ran up to fifth near the five furlongs, and went through with her run gamely. She was in no danger of losing second, and finished two lengths ahead of Kalimera. Royal Blue did well to fill fourth place a nose back. He drifted back on the inside to the tail of the field going to the five furlongs and was one of the widest of all on the home turn.

Royal Master was almost in line with Royal Blue and two lengths ahead of Roman General.