Stablemates in close finish

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32805, 4 January 1972, Page 6

Stablemates in close finish

"The Press ’ special Service HASTINGS. M. Andrews, who invariably faros well at Hastings, saddled up two runner* tor th* President's Handleap and they disputed the finish with the mere favoured straight beating Ashanti by a nose after a great battle down the atralght. Straight was a good third on the first day of the meeting last Saturday and he showed the expected improvement yesterday. It was a good effort by Ashanti, which looks as though he Will soon win a middle distance event, straight has had only a few starts this season, so ho should hold his form for a while and might be a winner again quite soon.

Oncide was a very disappointing last and there was obviously something wrong with her, as she drifted right out from the mile.

Impartial held hl* ground well

for third m the run home and he might be an Improver. Dark Knowledge, a costly failure In the Flying Handicap last year, showed his liking for the Hastings track when he ran right away with the second leg Of the T.A.B. double. Dark Knowledge was successful at the last Hawke’s Bay meeting and this was his first race since he failed in the last Avondale Gold Cup. He was almost last in the early running, but started to unwind a good late gallop from the five furlongs and was far too good for the off-course favourite, Count Kereru, in the straight, winning by two lengths and three-quarters. Count Kereru made a game effort, but waa Outclassed by the winner.

A feature of the day's racing was the win of Kotare Lass, which led all the way In the Nursery Handicap. She is the first of the St Puckle breed to Win a race-