A PROBABLE CUP HORSE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 59, 10 March 1936, Page 13

A PROBABLE CUP HORSE

There were' no half measures about Blair Athol in the Wainui Handicap. From 48 yards, with a good' class of improver, in front of him, he trounced them so soundly that one might have thought they were a pack of duffers. The • sole .exception was Ideal, who again finished on well to save her face by getting within four lengths of the easirig-up winner. '. ■ ■ ' .. .Blair Athol.looks.every inch a Cup horse in the making. He went away fast, was right up handy to the leaders with two furlongs covered, and ran right away over the last furlong. He is a splendid pacer, and no fault could be found: with his deportment. It: is doubtful if there was a better horse at the meeting, and that is high praise indeed.

Diversion was very slow'to ■ gather speed, and Blair Athol had ' slipped up on the inside of. her- within a furlong. Diversion was sent along after that, and soon caught, the leader, Kaitawa. She, took charge before the straight entrance, but had been used up to get there, andr broke up completely when challenged by Blair Athol. ■■ . .

Ideal was travelling better at the finish than at any other stage, coming along to swamp Zest in the now softening going. -• •■■■•■-■

Kaitawa and Ahuareka, the early leaders, were not up to the class; but Baron Alfonso, who is used to racing the^opposite way round, went to pieces within half a mile.and dropped right out. Celebrity did not handle the