SURPRISE BY CHOPIN

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 120, 23 May 1931, Page 21

SURPRISE BY CHOPIN

MASTERTON CUP SUCCESS

CESSATION'S GOOD RACE

Chopin, at double figures, provided the surprise element in the Masterton Cup, the principal race at Masterton yesterday. Always well placed, he ran up to his very best form, and although he probably made his effort in the straight somewhat too soon, ho hung on very stoutly when challenged by Cessation, and won comfortably by half a length. He has much more pluck than his size might suggest, and he is able to infuse a lot of energy into his finishing work. Few horses have travelled and raced more during the autumn than he has, and it is his ownertrainer, Mr. W. J- Woods's, intention to spell him shortly until the spring, for he believes that the winter scale of weights would not suit him. Much troublewas given at the start of the race, principally by Charmaline and Spearmis3, and the getaway found Billion, Charmaline, and Black Mint all losing ground. Royal Game, Lady Pam, Historic, Chopin, and Spear Lad were in charge after the field had gone a furlong. but Charmalino raced round turning into the back and led along the stretch from Royal Game, Chopin, Lady Pam, Spear Lad, Historic, and Cessation. There was little change approaching*the straight, except that Spear Lad had lost Ins position; but once the field was in line Chopin made his run, and bad charge before the distance was reached. Cessation challenged strongly down the outside over the final furlong, but Chopin hung on and beat lier home by half a length. A length and a half further away was Cliarmaline, with Royal Game clo.«o up fourth, followed by Lady Pam, Historic, Spear Lad, Spearmiss, Billion, and Black Mint. The battle for fiwoin-itism was between Historic and Lady I'um, tin; former winding up nearly fifty ticket* better backed. Historic was well placed on the rail to the straight, but hi the run down to the post he was effectively boxed in. B. H. Morris looked for an opening neanng the distance, but did ont persevere with his mount when he found he was not going to get through. Lady Pam had every chance, but the extra weight anchored her at the finis-li. Nevertheless she went nn excel-lent-race, and was still rminiu^on stoutly at the end. Charnir.iiiic, tho third favourite, might have paid a dividend had she not suffered at the dispatch, for .she was then required to make a fast run round to the lead, and the effort, left her without reserve when challenged in the straight. Royal Game went his best race i'or some time, and should by worth remembering when he starts on a soft track Hgnin. His totnlisator companion. Black Mint, could not handle the track at all. Cessation finished better than anything in the race, and it is apparent that she has improved a lot -with recent racing. This sister to Stanchion will be winning in good company before she is much older, for she possesses strong staying ability.