R. Cameron wins Drivers’ Series at Addington

Press, 13 April 1978, Page 22

R. Cameron wins Drivers’ Series at Addington

Bv

G. K. YULE

Robert Cameron, with wins behind Canis Minor and Song Gala and a second with Bad Luck, was a clear-cut winner of the Drivers’ Championship series run at Addington Raceway last evening.

Cameron earned 46 points seven more than Felix, Newfield, winner of thei series w hen it was first run by the New Brighton Club; 12 months ago. Maurice Skinner finished! third with 35 points, follow-, ed by Jack Carmichael, and Tommy Knowles, who had' 32. “Doody” Townley, run-: ner-up 12 months ago, ‘inished sixth with 31 points,' followed by Henry Skinner and Paddv Timmins, both with 30. New Zealand’s leading remsman. Peter Wolfenden. finished in last place with 17 points. Wolfenden is at present

leading the reinsmens’ premiership for the season with 77.5 wins, while Cameron, who is in second place improving his total to 62.5 with three wins last night. The standard of remsmanship in the four races for invited drivers was extremely high, the only incident of note occurring in the final race, the Dominion: Breweries Handicap. There, was a mix-up near the' 1200 m. involving Waitaki‘ Gamble. Von Rue, Power Cut and Rip Silver. Colim; w'as badly checked and i pulled up with a damaged | sulky wheel. The race resulted in a| decisive win for Song Gala,' now trained by Trevor j Thomas. He was given every chance by Cameron and! raced past the galloping | pacemaker. Bankstown, and' Question Mark in the final) 200 m. He won by a length! and a a half from Rip Sil-1 ver. Question Mark was a fair third, ahead of Depelo and the backmarker, Armbro Lady.

COMFORTABLE WIN The Southland reinsman. Maurice Skinner, gave a splendid display of controlled front-running with the Culverden-owned and trained Lord Moose, which returned the smart time of 4min 10.9 s for the 3200 m in the Max Harvey Handicap. Lord Moose, which had not been successful since last May at Alexandra Park, took the lead with 2600 m to run. He was tracked by Drifted In. which was pulled out to challenge at the! 200 m. However. Lord Moose, was not seriously tested and he won quite comfortably by' a length. Drifted In beat Lucky I Chance, which appeared to’ be struggling at the 800 m by three lengths and a half for second, with a length back to Tetarney, which 1 battled on gamely. Thei favourite, American Chief, badly placed until late, had!

little chance of making up much leeway in such a fasti run race and he did well for fifth, ahead of Dreamy Boy. Speedy Guest, which did /well from 40m, and an early i'breaker in Longfellow Deeds. BEGAN WELL Canis Minor, driven by Robert Cameron, made one of the best beginnings of his career in the Teachers; Handicap, the first race of the drivers’ championship. He raced past Sir Robin after less than 300 m and 'continued on at a torrid pace, cutting out the 2600 m in 3min 22.95, an out-

i, standing effort from a stand .;from a C 3 horse. -I Canis Minor paced his last J 2400 m in 3min 4.6 s and won I iwell by half a neck from Sir Robin, which will not start at Methven on' Saturday. Timely Robin, a stablemate of the runner-up, was given every chance by Felix New- ! field and got up for third, >:three lengths back, with two >j lengths to Port View, Torle and Butler Belle. Paula Brigade followed a i fifth in the Cheviot Cup 1 with a bold finish to shade . the pacemaker, Bad Luck, in i the Gordons Handicap. Paula Brigade was driven by Felix!

1 Newfield, winner of the championship 12 months : ago, and Bad Luck was drii ven by Robert Cameron, • who had been successful in : the first leg of the series . with Canis Minor. ! Haughty Romeo, the i favourite, was badly placed ■ on the inside. He came bol- , dly from near the tail of the > field at the straight entrance > and was far from disgraced. Star Chance went his best i race for some time to take i fourth, just ahead of Charlie • Wood. i Adironack broke and, i checked Westburn Vue at :|the start.