TROTTING Manawaru beats Monarrg in $5000 Ashburton Cup

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32800, 28 December 1971, Page 7

TROTTING Manawaru beats Monarrg in $5000 Ashburton Cup

A lucky run along the inside enabled Manawaru to get up and shade Monarrg in a keen finish to the $5OOO Ashburton Cup yesterday. A length and a half back the winner’s stablemate, Royal Ascot, held third, half a heck in front of Noble Lord.

Manawaru gave his Mount Hutt ownertrainer, C. J. McLaughlin, and his stepson, A. M. Harrison, their second success in the race. In 1966 they were successful with Allakasam, a close relation of this year’s winner. The combination will on Friday attempt to win the Auckland Cup with Manawaru’s halfbrother, Manaroa.

The race resulted in little more than a sprint home. Noble Lord and then Forest King led the field over the first mile in 2min 13 2-ssec, but the pace then slackened. The pressure went on starting the last half-mile, which the leaders sped over in 59 3-ssec.

Forest King was still in control starting the long run home, but he was passed by Noble Lord before the final furlong, at which stage Monnarg and Royal Ascot were their closest rivals.

Monarrg looked to have the measure of Noble Lord and Royal Ascot with 150 yards to go, but Manawaru came fast along the inner after moving round Forest King, and he got up to win by a head.

Monarrg, which was in the open starting the run home, held on gamely for second, a length and a half in front of Royal Ascot, which was far

from disgraced. He tangled away and had only Waiata behind him when the field settled down. He improved sharply wide out near the half-mile and ran on gamely under pressure in the straight. Noble Lord came to the end of his run inside the last half-furlong, but held on for

1 a close fourth, well clear of 1 Soldato, which shaded False 1 Square. Then there was I another gap to Sharlea, which • lost ground at the start. r Going gained her fourth > win on the Ashburton course when she withheld a strong > late challenge from Mighty t Chief in the Winslow Handi- : cap. She was mid-field for

much of the way, D. J. Townley improving with her near the half-mile. She followed Marius up and was on terms with Marius and Philemon racing to the final furlong. Going looked to be in for a comfortable win until Mighty Chief came fast wide out near the end of the race. However, Going lasted to beat him by half a length. Mighty Chief showed the benefit of a spell since his previous start on November 17 and he responded well for R. P. Nyhan. He took second by a neck from Marius, with two lengths and a half to Philemon, which took the lead when the pacemaker, Just Money, dropped out at the straight entrance. Fri was beaten off fifth, ahead of Merrin, which broke and dropped out to last of the bunch at the six furlongs, and Tony Bear.

J. W. Smolenski suspended

J. W. Smolenski, the driver of Blackbeard in the Boxing Day Handicap at Ashburton yesterday, had his horseman’s licence suspended up till and including January 1 for careless driving. Smolenski was found guilty of causing interference to Moascar (L. H. Broom), with resultant interference to Crystal John (F.{ Newfield) and General Idea (G.i Holmes) about a furlong after! the start.

Drivers at Winton t( The Press’* Special Service INVERCARGILL. Driving engagements for the Winton Trotting Club’s meeting today include:— R. Cameron: True Globe, Contalis. Flying Home, Ryal, Lady Martial, Miss Santa, Loyal Peter. H. Skinner: Ann’s Globe, Young Inky, Cool Candy, Johnny’s Brother, Gold Trail, Demonstra-j tor. D. McNaught: Fern, Charlie-; wells, Jumbo Jack, Evidence. R.i Todd: Adios Adieu, Sand Proof,| Lucknow. M. Skinner: Alrujen,: Colossal Dick, Dillon’s Lass,! Helenca. Surprise Warrior, Fuse, Dillon’s Lass. A. Cox: Atalata, Lee Frost,; Abiain, Ron Hanover, Johnny • Royal. V. Heffernan: Johnny i Felika. G. Drain: Lyn Hanover. J. Hurring: Land Point. W. Kyle: Adios Ensign. Wainui’s Gold. B. McDonald: Chunder Loo. J. Hogan: Emerald Frost. D. Donaldson: False Appeal, Joe Mist. A. Foster: Samarkand, Jet Flight. G. Hamilton: Iron Road. L. Stuck: Johnnys Girl. A. Bishop: Our Anne. B. Anderson: Su Mac, Shield Point, First Hundred. G. Heron: Talavara. J. Dalgety: Dwayne, Tiawana. L. Mione: Ripple’s Dream. B. Gliddon: Royal Twinkle. L. Thomas: Highland Anna. A. Malcolmson: Lucky Mood, Treasure Giri. A. O’Brien: Pressano. R. Casey: Alton Prince. A. Heffernan: Bonny’s Song. H. McHugh: Clew Bay, Pine Glade. J. Gorman: Danny Anchor. M. Todd: Johnny Joe. S. Henderson: Kilbride, Seaward Drive. B. Waterhouse: Lucky Blue. J. Bond: Phoebe Brigade, Native Charles. R. Stevens: Night Chief. F. Bennett: Thurso. J. Morgan: Real Venture. C. Baynes: Veltic, Lucky Lois, Debra Charles. P. O’Reilly: Whatadream. Lord Avrho, Whatabattle. W. Caldwell: Be Loyal. W. Cadogan: Blue Lass. Marker. H. Cox: Brown’s Lad.

S. Hamlin: Charter Flight. L. Norman: False Strike. D. Kerr Jun.: Gwenda Lee, Geppatto, Royal Embassy, Fait Accompli. . K. Barclay: Moody Heather,' Little Toucan. S. Kirby: Super ; Marene. G. Shirley: Tiwai Point,! Jopago, Little Adam, Miss Uni-; verse, Black Anne. W. Murphy: Blue Eden. R.; Hamilton: Frenchelle, Vanchelle.l G. McEwan: Frosty McCoy. KJ. Lawlor: Young Rodney. J. Crofts: i: