FAVOURITES' DOUBLE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 115, 11 November 1935, Page 6

FAVOURITES' DOUBLE

STEWARDS' TO KNOCKFIN

With an exceptional effort, Knockfin enabled L. J. Ellis to complete the day's double for the favourites in the Stewards' Handicap, a feat that is without precedent in these two races. The only previous occasion on which any rider had. ridden both winners in the same year was in 1923, when M. McGarten was on Rouen and Glentruin, but that was not a favourites' double. Ellis incidentally was recording his first win ia this important sprint. . Knockfin gave some trouble at the barrier, where she had drawn No. 9, and when the tapes were released she was turning round and was, as far as could be seen, the last horse to leavo. Thereafter she was not picked up again till they were in the straight; but she must have done some very sound work in the first, half of the journey, for she was coming through six or seven places back as the field ran down past the false rail, and she continued to thread her way through taking charge at the distance and holding off a challenge from Davolo by a length and a half.

Knockfin was the early favourite for the Stewards' this year, but she lost friends when she failed at Rangiora and Motukarara. However, she was sent out a pronounced favourite on Saturday, and she completely justified the faith of those who remained so staunch to her. Hers was one of the most brilliant performances in the race in recent years. There is not much of her, but she is a great little mare on her day, with speed to burn and the ability to stay on. She was flat out to win, but what an effort she had to put up in reaching the front! It was.the second year in succession that one of Hunting Song's progeny had been victor.

Davolo confirmed his Motukarara form. He was some way back in the early stages, but when Knockfin ran through he singled himself out ;jn pursuit and for a short space even looked like catching >her: He should be a good horse to follow, over a slightly longer distance on the final days of the meeting. Travenna,'a length back third, did not begin as well as most of those who drew inner marbles, but she finished on resolutely. Variant was also slow away, but she came with her usual

strong late run to be fourth. Viking, who had, set the early running from the inside marble, was a fair fifth, but he,, was one who had every chance. Searox and Silver Streak were finishnig well next, and after them came Rebel. Chief and Grey Honour, always in the leading division, then Bodylino and Top Coat. Bon Tray made a dash near the false rail and then dropped back again. Fair Weather was near last all the way and finished there. The others, except for Rebel Star, never became conspicuous. .-.Haut-Monde, for some reason, was sent: to the outside of the line. The horses who had the bad marbles, besides Haut Monde, were Cranford, Top Coat, Seafox, Fair Weather, Stiver Streak, and Capital, their positions seriously affecting their chances before ever the race was started. On top of this Silver Streak made a poor beginning.