SPRINT TO AUTOPAY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 16, 20 January 1933, Page 4

SPRINT TO AUTOPAY

BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE

Autopay, favourite both ways, . added more laurels to his crown of fame when he scored a brilliant victory in fast time in tlhe -Telegraph Handicap, the day's open sprint. His joint owners showed commendable judgment in keeping him in the open six in preference to taking a long shot at the Cup, for ■which the handicapper seemed to have treated him ■with tempting lenience, and their judgment ■was vindicated by the result. Autopay $revr near the outside, but he might have been placed there in any case, so that did not matter. A disastrous start was effected, in which The Tiger,! Golden Wings, and Grecian 'Prince were hopelessly left, and Lordly Knight got badly away. ■ ■ ' ■ Autopay was soon into his stride,' and he'was steadily .making up ground down the'upper arm of the elbow course. Souchong sljill led him as they came over on. to the course proper, with Pomp, Orapai, • and The Quorn nearest of the others -in pursuit. He was always catching his brilliant rival, and he passed him near the distance, continuing on still going away to. win by a length and a half. Pomp failed by a head to overhaul Souchong, Land Lordly Knight finished strongly into a moderate fourth place, with Orapai, Hiladi, La Moderne, The Quqrn, .Cricket Bat, and Hurlingham following,

The winner is probably, in better form at present than ever he held, and his splendid condition is a tribute to his trainer,- C. Britchard. . He has won at his last four starts, in all his efforts'very decisively ' accounting for his opponents. He has now started sixty-six times in all for; sixteen wins, and he has amassed a •Sum of- £6378 in stakes, of which £2598 has been earned in two trips to Sydney. His winnings for the present season amount 'to' £880. ■

Souchong, displayed all the brilliance expected from him, and' lasted out the long Trentham straight better than many thought he might. Pomp was always in the fighting line,, and seems. to have struck a good patch of form at last. Loraiy Knight's effort'was :the> most impressive 'among the others, for he ran on veryl strongly from an impossible position after a'bad' start. Orapai, The Quorn.'and Cricket Bat appeared to have every chance. ..Mila'di was finishing well, and La Moderne- was also doing- better at the end than at. any other part. It was interesting to note that Miladi was fourth favourite straight-out, but was eighth selection on . the place machinel There was a similar difference in the betting on The Tiger. The unfortunate dispatch allowed-no lineon the form' of the three horses who were left atid;/praetieally tobk'no part;in-thaVrace. ;:■::■■'' v