AN UNPOPULAR VICTORY

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 134, 3 December 1935, Page 8

AN UNPOPULAR VICTORY

A yery complete reversal of form— or perhaps it was rather a more favourable. . turn of. luck—saw Gay Boy scoring a ready, but unpopular, success in the St. Andrew's Handicap. It was this solid little horse, at his best.

After being first to break the line, Gay Boy allowed Werohia up on his inner leaving the straight, and he followed.. about three-quarters of a length behind right round to the straight entrance. When fairly in line for home B. H-. Morris drew the whip for a few blov/s, and. responding like the game horse he is, Gay Boy shot up past; the .leader and then clung to a good hali-iength advantage tiil

they reached the post. Though the margin was not great, the win was decisive.

Gay Boy has now won five races this season in about nine starts, and his successes do not yet look near an end. He is just the type who might win the Manawatu • Cup on Boxing Day. Though dropped a pound on his Saturday's weight lie actually, carried ilb more, due to Morris's having to put-up. :31b-overweight. It will be remembered that, he received two bad checks early on Saturday, and his rider ceased persevering on him with three furlongs still to go, possibly because, as looked likely, he was unbalanced.' When he returned to the enclosure after winning yesterday there was not a clap for him but many boos. Werohia ran an improved race. He is bred on strong staying lines, and after making most of the running he was able to hold off all claimants except the winner. Should he go on without further interruption in his preparation he should win during the holidays.

The favourite Davistock was always well placed, and was running up third as they came to the straight, but he could not measure Gay Boy for sprinting ability and Werohia outstayed him, his third being a short half-length away. Alby, never menacing, was just a fair fourth, with Rust running on from the back alongside him. Aga Khan, who covered almost every inch of extra ground that was possible, was up with the leaders till nearing the straight, when he very naturally -weakened. Lapel, with his tail swishing, ■was- out of sorts,-finishing > down the track.....-.- '■ ,' ; •• - ■■■•' - •■.: '" '