EASY CHALLENGE WIN

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 66, 20 March 1933, Page 4

EASY CHALLENGE WIN

GOLDEN WINGS ATONES

Golden Wings gave a taste of his best in the North Island Challenge Stakes, and nothing ever had a chance with him. He was never off the bit, winning as he liked by two and a half lengths. His success provided the necessary evidence to sustain the contention recently advanced that he is the Dominion's champion Sprinter at the present moment, and it Also shows that he probably lost the first day's sprint only through sheer bad luck.

The winner's time, lmin 24% see, was another race and course record, bettering by a quarter of a second the pre-vious best held jointly by Silver Link, Gascony, and Reremoana. It was only threequarters of a second outside the New Zealand record, and was just one second slower than Captation's recent Australian arid New Zealand record.

In a way Golden Wings may have been a shade lucky to have kept the race after ■winning it. His book weight gave him weight-f or-age, J).O, to carry, ' and he weighed out with that -weight. Shortly before the start it was ascertained by his traines that he should be carrying a 51b penalty, his wins this season having aggregated over £400, and the clerk of the course was sent out to bring him in again. The start had to be delayed while he returned to the birdcage, put up his correct " weight, and walked back to the barrier.

Autopay began to give his usual trouble at the tapes, and a quick release found him left again a cbuple of lengths. Golden Wings began brilliantly and was out two lengths clear of Inflation and Fracas almost at once. He was fighting for his head and Reed had no easy job to restrain him.

Passing the half-mile the chestnut was fctill clear, with Fracas attempting to go up to him wide out on the course. At the straight entrance Fracas had run herself out and it was left to Inflation to put in the only serious challenge. Golden Wings needed never to be let off the iron, however, to- hold this claimant safely off, and he continued on to win very easily. Inflation was as easily second, three lengths ahead of Midian, with Autopay a good fourth and • Fracas next. Guarantee and Pegged Exchange were a long way back. Golden Wings really won in the most easy imaginable fashion, despite the usefpl quality of the field, and some of his lost admirers will now come back to him. Even Autopay had no chance of conceding him 61b, and had they both gone away together the chestnut would probably jstill have won comfortably. Golden Wings must be conceded to be first sprinter In the Dominion at present, though possibly no better than Autopay at even weights.

"• The success completed the classic treble at the meeting for Roy Reed, this horseman having also been the lucky pilot of the "good things," La Moderne and Dole.

Inflation was always within easy range of the winner, but had no real chance with him. It was one of his best efforts since his return, but it is doubtful if he js as good yet as before he left for Australia in the spring. Midian was prominent in the running throughout, and Autopsy finished on strongly through the Held at the end. Fracas was indiscreetly ridden wide out on the course. Guarantee appear* to have lost his form, but he may need an easier track. Pegged Exchange, carrying "81b overweight, showed useful pace in the middle stages.