HIGHLY PROMISING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 69, 19 September 1944, Page 8

HIGHLY PROMISING

FINDON AT ASHBURTON

(Special to "The Post) ■ CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The Gisborne horse Findon, who has the reputation of being one of the best horses sired by Kincardine since Kindergarten, justified his reputation in the Ashburton Handicap. He had been troubled by a splint, and had had the sketchiest of preparations, but proved his quality by reaching the front near the seven-furlong post and refusing thereafter to surrender the position. Kevin was beaten a head only in the big handicap, but'it looked as if he was asked for an effort too soon, as he was taken up on the outside of Findon and Foxchase with four furlongs to go. Admittedly, .Findon was galloping the more easily at the finishing post, but if Kevin had been kept in behind to the straight the winner would probably have had to do better. Irish Note was out of luck in the Ashburton Handicap. He set a stiff pace from the barrier rise, but after three furlongs dropped in behind. When moving up on the rails in the straight he could not get through on the inner of Findon, and the check cost him several lengths. He made up! ground again to get to within a neck of Kevin, but was at the end of his run. Foxchase, who completed the field, dropped out in the run home. Piccolo, the pacemaker for most of the way, survived a stiff challenge from Air Ace to win the John Grigg Stakes by half a head. Air Ace made up ground, but Piccolo was holding him in the last few strides. While Piccolo and Air Ace shared the glamour, Beau Cheval was the unlucky runner. Like the winner, he is in R. Wilson's stable, and had his luck not run out he would have tested his stablemate. Beau Cheval started smartly, but approaching the four-furlong peg he was accidentally bumped, giving ground very quickly. He came again when balanced to run third, but a good winning chance had gone. Centime and Ever Ready showed speed in the John Grigg Stakes, but failed to run on. Cinderella and Record Voyage made poor showings, but Record Voyage is not ready yet. John o' London attempted to make every post a winning one in the Spring Handicap, but it was in vain, as John Gay, followed him closely to the straight and then wore him down. The margin was only a head, but C. T. Wilson rode the winner very confident-