Curragh Dan In Fine Run

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31761, 19 August 1968, Page 4

Curragh Dan In Fine Run

Curragh Dan qualified to start in the National Handicap on the second day of the meeting when he outclassed the sprinters in the Lightning Handicap at Addington Raceway on Saturday.

Black Tulip took the lead with six furlongs left and was closely attended by Major Bright Curragh Dan was flve or six places back. He was pulled wide early in the run home and soon had the measure of his rivals. Curragh Dan won by a length and a half from a strong finisher in Vantage, which began splendidly. Black Tulip held on for third two lengths away, a nose in front of Golden Fleece, with another nose to James, a head to Thunderina, a nose to Major Bright and a nose to Landlord. Lustre Scott Demure, Trafalgar and Golden Fleece lost ground at the start Newport Maid confirmed a bold showing at the recent Addington trials when she won the Templeton Handicap, a race for which she was the win favourite. Her win was her first since February, 1967, and it ended a long run of bad luck.

The chances of success for Newport Maid looked far from bright when she was in behind a line of horses inside the final furlong. W. R. Butt finally extricated her and she gave the others little chance over the last 50 yards. Leading Light which Started from the second line, suggested an early win when he finished a length and a half behind Newport Maid. Tryout, which had trouble working clear, was a nose back third, ahead of solid finishers in Merry Morning and Norlight. Favourite Wins

Barrhill, a firm favourite, had to be very good to win the Four-year-old Stakes from 24 yards. He was a good way back early and began to improve three wide from the half-mile, He was fifth into

the straight and fought on gamely to beat Maida Million by a head. Maida Million’s placing was a good one. She was in trouble early and in the open over the final halfmile. Gleam made a surprisingly forward showing to hold on for third after being one of the leaders throughout. She was a nose in front of Bewitched, which came with a tremendous burst along the Inside near the end of the race. She was checked badly at the start and did well to finish so close. Bramble Hall, a slow beginner, was a fair fifth, ahead of Waratah, Bay Boa, Cadane and Raphael, which finished close up and well clear of the others. Chief Walk confirmed a placing at the Kurow meeting a week earlier when he beat Flying King by a neck in the First Improvers’ Handicap. Los Altos was only a nose back third, ahead of the fash finishing Jay Queen, Vandior and Sonetto. The Sydney trainer. W.

Plcken, drove Mobelle, but be finished at the rear after breaking at the start Narrow Win Erin’s Smile qualified for major trotters' races when she held off Doctor Scott by half a neck, with a neck to the unlucky favourite, Markalan, in the Intermediate Handicap. Markalan lost a handy position in the middle stages and did well to finish so close. Morven Lad trotted a good race for a close fourth, clear of Laplander. Beat Time gained his fifth win from six starts when he wore down Benmore and won the Ribbonwood Handicap. Lord Avon, close up all the way, was a good third, with Seafield Countess making ground late for fourth. Betsy Morano broke near the halfmile and finished tenth. Bill Adonis, from Tapanui, paid $15.35 when won the August Handicap. He was having his first start since last September. J. A. Carmichael, who won also with Beat Time, had trim in the first

four for most of the way. He raced past the leaders near the furlong post and held off Warily by a short length. Flight Adorian came fast for a close third, shading Dacron and Lords. Cheeky was among those to lose their chance at the start.