Atlee Wins Again In Cheviot Cup

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31631, 18 March 1968, Page 6

Atlee Wins Again In Cheviot Cup

Atlee, which had won narrowly at Addington Raceway a week earlier, gained the easiest of wins in the Cheviot Cup on Saturday. Driven this time by J. W. Smolensk!, he led from end to end and won untested by more than two lengths from Stylos and the outsider of the field. Master Kent.

Atlee was comparatively neglected by the public in an even-betting race, and he started the 12, 13 favourite, paying $24.65 for a win and $7.35 for a place. A four-year-old gelding by Spring Jinks (Croughton— Lottie Jinks), Atlee is out of Synthetic, by Protector. He is raced by his breeder, E. M. Ryan, a butcher, of Little River, who trains a small team as a hobby. Atlee has in recent weeks been trained at Rakaia by S. D. Edge, who is at present under suspension from race driving.

Three of the four bestbacked runners lost their chances at the start They were Wipe Out, Cheeky and Late Frost The second favourite, Dacron, was prominent for most of the way, but seventh was the best he could manage.

Compromise had every chance and finished fourth, ahead of Cathpete and Intercede, both of which looked most unlucky. Stylos, which finished second, recorded a meritorious placing. She had little in her favour and fought on well. Followers of the Ryan horses had a second win when John Peel won the Gold Bar Handicap. A place-getter at Addington a week earlier, John Peel was driven by M. M. Purdon, who sent him clear with less than a mile left From then on he was in control, and he won well by two lengths from Young Prince, which might have been a little unlucky. Alandria made ground for third, ahead of Jink, Battle Star and Dark Rival, which finished boldly from the tail of the field on the home turn. S3M DOUBLE

Tiny Sal, a rather unlucky fourth in the race for probationary drivers at Addington Raceway a week earlier, made amends with a win over

Johnny Glen In the Rangiora Handicap, the second leg of the main double. The AtleeTiny Sal combination paid $384.05 for $l. Tiny Sal had 10 horses in front of her with one mile left, and R. D. Butt had improved only three places with her half a mile later. However, she was a close fifth racing to the straight and took charge inside the final furlong to win handily by more than a length. Johnny Glen, which was fairly handy for much of the way, fought on for a clear second, with the favourite, Waratah, making ground strongly towards the finish for third. Cingalese, too, made up ground for fourth, ahead of Squire's Hanover and Flying King, both of which had every chance. Light Screen, a winner on the course at good odds on December 16, got up in the last few strides to shade Roytelet in the Parnassus Handicap. Light Screen was again at good odds, paying $17.45 for a win. Someday did well for third, ahead of the three-year-old, Oscar, which looked a likely winner on the home turn.

Bay Boa followed some consistent racing with a deserved first win in the two-mile Thunder Handicap. He responded well for his Chertsey owner-trainer, H. R. Henderson, to win by half a head from Bronze Maiden. He is now eligible for rich three-year-old events at the Addington Easter meeting. Bronze Maiden, which was having her first race start, recorded an outstanding effort. She broke badly at the start and was soon tailed off 75 yards from the leader. She improved quickly and tried to lead for the last nine furlongs and a half. She was caught only in the last few strides and shaped like an early winwinner.