LEADING LIGHT IN EASY WIN

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 5

LEADING LIGHT IN EASY WIN

“Th* Prus'* Special Servic* AUCKLAND. Leading Light dominated an aO:-South Island finish In the Highland Air Handicap at Alexandra Park on Saturday and won his way to the verge of New Zealand Cup claas. The eucceas put Leading Light on a 2:lt mark. Leading Light wan handsomely from Chequer Board, which just beat the favourite, Garcon Roux. Selwyn Hanover, also from Canterbury, was a fair fourth, ahead H the dlaJams* was Leading Light began vtl end set a strong pace for the first three furlongs. Jonea then eased him behind Tobias, whose driver had been trying hard to. reach the front; ToMo* did not laat long once round th* home turn and Leading Light, drew away to win as he liked. Chequer Board and Garcon Roux bad a great battle for the minor platings, Chequer Board staying tightly better to take *^he a Handicap apart. South letand horses did Mt tart very w<<. Bright Frost was always a fair way back in th* second division of- the Thelma Globe Pace and finished a moderate fifth.

A very good pertormsne* wao given, however, by Direct Return in the Soangetaha Stakes. He broke et the start and was s' long way back aproachtng the home turn. A powerful run along the rails carried him Into third. In the same race, Bonnie Frost, one ot last season'* leading two-year-old fiKtles. made up a lot of ground to finish sixth after she had broken at the start. The Temuka mare, Gobal HaK. finished a creditable fifth In the Single Task Handicap, th* main race for trotter*. She was A little slow to get going and covered a Cot of extra ground before she reached the. lead at the end of ball a mk*. It was not surprising she weakened over' the final stages.