FRESHNESS TELLS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 20, 25 January 1937, Page 13

FRESHNESS TELLS

LAUGHING LASS'S SPRINT Laughing Lass, allowed to miss the middle day after her futile pursuit of Gold Boa on the opening day, had an advantage in freshness over most •of her opponents in the City Handicap, •and it stood her in good stead over the deciding stage of the race. She finished on with plenty of energy to win decisively, while the majority of the others were in trouble before the last furlong. . From the No. 5 marble Laughing Lass appeared to be the first to jump out, but it was difficult to discern who the actual leader was after a furlong, as Pakanui, Royal Dance, Laughing Lass, and Mata Hari, in that order out from the rail, were in approximate line as seen looking straight at them. Making the crossing to the course, Pakanui and Royal Dance had a definite advantage over the filly, whom Royal Dance appeared to be hanging out on a little, but the issue was settled a little further, on when Laughing Lass slipped smoothly away and won attractively by a couple of lengths from Peter Beckford. There are not many better sprinting three-year-olds in the Dominion season than the roan daughter of '»he Quantock horse Laughing Prince, and she is as solid as they are made, despite her colour, which to many might be inclined to suggest a lack of courage. She has been racing since the beginning of the season, often in the best class, yet she has kept on improving and is better now than ever she was. She carries the colours of hf>r breeder, Mr. T. A,'Duncan, for

whom she has earned £ 1340 in stakes for seven wins and eleven minor places in 25 starts, fourteen of which have been to date this season for four wins and eight minor places. Peter Beekford, another to miss the middle day, came through along the inner to settle the others easily by two and a half lengths for second honours. Freshness stood to him as well. He is a Hunting Song entire horse who should more than pay his way in open sprints on provincial circuits during the next few months. Knockfin, beginning better than on the other days, came up fast along the outer to secure third money on the post. Royal Dance, Pakanui, and Mata Hari weakened over the closing section, but it was hardly surprising in Royal Dance's case, as he had had two hard j»revious races at the meeting. Greek Gold ran moderately | again, and Acceptable finished down the track, but not so far back as in | .his other recent races.