ZEEBRUGGE'S NOVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 17, 20 July 1931, Page 6

ZEEBRUGGE'S NOVICE

WINS IN LAST STRIDE

The Novice Handicap gave the. promising' Chokebore ,two-year-old Zeebrugge a grSat chance to open his winning account, but it was only' in the last couple of strides that he succeeded in pulling back the two-year-old filly, . Gold Pit, who showed good speed over the middle stages and had an apparently safe lead at the distance. Zeebrugge, who is a chestnut gelding by Winning Hit from the Antagonist mare Brave Deed, and is the first of this- mare's progeny to race; indicated ability when first produced in the autumn, and his third in the Trial Plate on Wednesday resulted an his being sent out at a:very short price on Saturday. It. was his superior stamina^ that gave him the ultimate victory; .; Rain fell steadily' before the start, and the going had quickly become sodden again Zeebrugge,' Gold Pit, Lady. Noel, King Thomond, and Gibraltar were early conspicuous, but Gold Pit raced to the front crossing onto the course proper, and drew out at the false, rail, with Zeebrugge, Thrasher,; and Gibraltar now nearest in pursuit, and Actaeon appearing in: the middle of> the field. Zeebrugge challenged .determinedly, and over;the last half furloiig he closed' the gap steadily and cut down the filly to score on the post by half a head. Actaeon was three lengths away third, and-a like distance back was Gibraltar,"'followed, by Flower, Thrasher, Lady Noel, .Azut-e,; and .King Thomond. iCj ,-^Zeebrugge-. just managed to pull his backers .through; but he would ,have been unlucky: to ;lose: . Gold" Pit,' who was earlier.rated by;her breeder, Mrs. M. A. Perry, for whom j she won two'small events at the'HajvkeS Bay Summer /Meeting, but is npw.'owned hy. the Christchurch sportsman, Mr. P. C.i Webb, finished ninth'in the, Trial Plate;on Wednesday,: and her showing was a considerable improvement. Actaeon,. a good second /favourite,, ran greenly, .and .from: having Jdrawji the rail he was well out on the : . track ; by. the time the course proper was reached. Once straightened up, be showed a. fair turn of speed. Gibraltar and Lady Noel went fair races, and should- be useful horses next season. .'.', ■. ... ;