Majestic Charger holds on in Canterbury Park Cup

Press, 26 May 1979, Page 21

Majestic Charger holds on in Canterbury Park Cup

By

G. K. YULE

Majestic Charger, as predicted, won the Canterbury Park Winter Cup at Addington Raceway last evening after starting from 30m, but his host of supporters had plenty of cause for concern as Fallimento, also trained in Southland, closed quickly on him near the end.

However, Majestic Charger,although running out towards the middle of the track, lasted it out to win by a short length. Majestic Charger almost doubled his handicap when he tangled at the start and he was awkwardly placed on the inside with 3200 m covered. Soon after Master Regal began to improve and Majestic Charger followed him up. He sprinted past the leaders to have control at the 1000 m. He sprinted hard fromthe 800 m covering thenext 800 m in 28.45, by which time most of his rivals were struggling to keep within sight of him.

Not surprisingly Majestic Charger began to feel the strain and Fallimento came steadily along the rails, just failing to get to the leader. Allspice, which led early and was handy after, held on for third, two lengths back, with a length and a half to Worthy Lord, which shaded Jascoe. Flaxton came on from the rear for sixth, ahead of Master Regal. Majestic Charger, which has been dogged by recurring soreness will be kept in work during the winter with racing inthenational meeting in August a possible start to a campaign aimed at the New Zealand Cup in November.

Majestic Charger went s amiss last September and again on the eve of the 1 Inter-Dominion Championship meeting in March. He ’ was patched up by his BryI done trainer, Les Norman, ; and won twice at the recent Auckland meeting. i In to View came from last ; starting the final 400 m to , win in style in the Russley Stakes. He gradually overi hauled Crossfire, which tried - to lead for the last 200 m, i and beat him by a short i length. Crossfire broke in the run i up, the mobile barrier being ■ slowed to allow him to be ■ within about two lengths at the starting point. He

t showed speed to rush to the I front and drifted off the ; fence in the run home. ■ However, he held second by ) a length and a half from ■ Hurrican Squire, which had , his chance. t Torle battled on for fourth ahead of the hot favourite, : Alec Peterson, which was i checked when Good Going ' broke and lost all chance ■ after 200 m. Alec Peterson I moved on the home turn, but , made little progress from the : straight entrance. Tiie payment of dividends i on all but the winner was ; delayed for some while, : after an inquiry' was held in- : to Crossfire’s running out in i the straight.