PLATO'S SURPRISE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 99, 23 October 1936, Page 13

PLATO'S SURPRISE

BIG DIVIDEND IN SPRINT

The Shorts Handicap saw the surprise of the day foisted on to investors when Plato came through the field to win at a price approaching a score. Paper Slipper was backed down to almost ridiculously short odds, three times as heavily supported as the second, favourite, but he collapsed ignominiousl'y nearly two furlongs from home. ■ Plato's performance was an excellent one. He was in the middle of the field over the first half of the race, and was piloted on" to'the course "proper by Paper Slipper, Knockfin, Pakanui, Fulojoy, and Laughing. Lass, but as the leaders were weakening at: the false rail he came up brilliantly along the inner route and he had charge at the distance. Then Laughing Lass, moved out on to the centre of the track, put in a claim, but her threat was momentary, and Plato went on to score by a good length. . : Plato was having his first race since he went south to the Dunedin Cup Meeting last February.and was beaten each day into a minor place. On that trip he injured a leg so badly that on his return it was found necessary to blister him and send him out for a lengthy spell.; It was.only a few weeks ago that he was brought back into work; but his recent progress has been very pronounced, for. before leaving his home track at Woodville,' he was soundly beaten by Karl in a gallop, but then he turned the tables on his stablemate in a gallop at Trentham on Wednesday morning. It was probably because of that trial that Karl was withdrawn from yesterday's sprint, and those who reasoned this way would have profited much to their advantage. Now four years Old, Plato is one of the > best-looking horses in the Dominion, and he was a good three-year--old early. last season, winning three races over distances just above sprint courses. Still "entire, he is a chestnut son of Iliad and the Kilbroney—Cyre mare Kilteel,,a full-sister .to the A.J.C. Derby winner-Kjlboy,.arid as,a yearling he was '"brought -by his present owner;'OTrT:T;H. Lowry,. at 550 guineas, one of the'best prices paid by a Dominion purchaser at the 1934 sales.: It 'is not: often-; that Mr.. ;,Lowry: races horses ::'tba*t 'he has,. not: bred himself, but probably fie ; had intentions of using Plato as; ;! a sire^at his stud when he bought him,,and Plato is a horse who might well .leave good offspring. Mean- ! while Plato hasistSrted 19 times for six Wins and'six "minor placings, and he has earned £1169 in stakes* Laughing Lass went one- of her best races in finishing second. She was better placed early than the winner, but had to shift out for a run. Her finishing effort disclosed that she has more in her than mere brilliance. Dollar Bill did well to secure third money two and a half lengths back, for he was last to leave the barrier He was perhaps lucky, however, for Pakanui's rider appeared to let up on.his mount just short of the post and just lost third place by inches. Pakanui was always in a handy position, but it was a surprise to find him backed down to second favourite, as he had what appeared to be his full share of weight. Lavina went a fair race for fifth, but Knockfin was-stopping next after having the lead for a brief space after Paper Slipper compounded. As to Paper Slipper,, all the comment that seems necessary is that no three-year-old has ever won this race on the Trentham track with the weight he was given. Omarereand Fulojoy (prominent for half the journey) were well beaten, Fulojoy finishing a bad last.