TROTTING Speedy Guest too good in slow-run Ashburton Cup

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33418, 27 December 1973, Page 7

TROTTING Speedy Guest too good in slow-run Ashburton Cup

Speedy ( iiiest graduated to within one wm of \ew Zealand Cup class when he heat another loinear-old Win Bill in the \shburton Cold Cup yesterday. The race was a disappointing contest, the field dawdling round to the Stllhn post and sprinting home.

Yesterday's win was Speeds Guest's third Irani eight starts this season. He will probably race next at the Canterbury Park meeting nest week, when he will hare to race against the top pacers.

Speedy Guest was driven by J W Smolensk!, who trains him for Mr W F Woolley, of Christchurch The combination also had Golden Guest in the race, but eighth was the best th* could manage. Sp*e<i> Guest w in the upei foi a time in th* nait r»t

.the race and went to the front I at the end of the* first 1600 m. which took a leisurely 2tnin 1.1 I-smu. Adios Adieu passed him 200 m latei, and Speedy Guest trailed him to the turn Why BHI rushed round the field to join Stroll Away in front at the straight ent i ant e. with

Ivnge soun after. He wo> alua\.< pacing strongly, and drew out to win b\ two lengths alter pacing the la.st 80(lm in 59sec. Why Bill, after losing ground earl\. was not disgraced when he held on for .'•econd. a head in front of Stroll Away.. Then there was half a length to Siouan and two lengths to Game Lad. which raced in the middle ot the field and had no chance ot making up his leeway when the pace went on al the 800 in. Johnny Kirk and Fait Accompli were next, without really look ing dangetous. Grizzly Bear, which had been unnl arpfi in 1! St a Ft 3 this SCS-

-un. , aused s major upset when he lield off the unlucky Lessada' be half a neck in the Wins low Handicap Trained ami driven by D. ill. H. Bunz Grizzly Bear was about three back on the inside (or most of Hie wax He challenged along the rails ami took the lead about 200 m out and fasted to win narrowly. His win qualified him lor Hu SBOOO Canterbury Park Cup next week. I.essadav wa> badlx placed on tiie inside towards the tail ot tlie field until late, lie came home with a strong run and just failed Frontier was a useful third, two lengths back, shading Bachelor Tom, which looked to have his chance. Philemon, which was well back until the straight entrance, made up ground for fifth, ahead of Scottish Cavalier and Great Applause another to receive a poor run.