BLACK DUKE SCORES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 6

BLACK DUKE SCORES

MAIN RACE AT MARTON

SUITED BY THE GOING

; Although the field for'the Grofton Handicap, the principal race at Mar ton on Slnurdajv- was reduced: to single dimensions by scratchings, a most exhilarating contest was witnessed, with all the honours going to the winner, Black; Duke. The slightly .holding.nature of the track suited' the 'southerner,.,whose superiority was' always definite over "the final couple of' furlongs- 'He was favourite,'but his price was a good one, as the pool was well distributed. "- The success- h<is: made his 'trip'"north profitable first .start, and incidentally brings his total stake earnings to ;■ £6215, of which . £1790 has-been won to''date this season.' •* " . In the race ■ Mount Shannon -made the pace for nearly a mile from Chopin and I'ahii, with Black Duke and Merry Damon together at the'rear. Black * Duke- ran "round the outside approaching the straight entrance, and raced into the lead at the distance, thereafter always holding the issue safe, and beating1 Chopin, who came with: another. stab near the. finish, by .half.a length. Palm, on. the' rail, was a long neck back third, just, in front of Merry Damon, with Mount Shannon about a 1 length: further back. Palm, who was separated from .the winliet by less than £10 .on the machine, had every chance, but probably being kept up to" the bit all the way did not suit him quite, as well if he had been held under rather more restraint over tlio earJy stages. * Chopin, on the rail, appeared to meet with a momentary check at the turn for home as Mount Shannon came back to his field, but he finished on afterwards with his customary stoutness. Nevertheless, even without the cheek, it, is unlikely that he would have beaten the winner, who looked to hare something in hand at the- end. Merry Damon, having his first race for some time, put in" a characteristic run in the straight, .and -was actually in third place some chains from the post, but .his condition then gave out, and te .was narrowly,beaten for the:small end of the stake. *