SPORTING Sensational Success For Pimpernel In Reefton Trotting Cup

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 October 1947, Page 7

SPORTING Sensational Success For Pimpernel In Reefton Trotting Cup

Pimpernel, a six-year-old ■ gelding owned by Dr J. L. Wicken and Mr C. Bennett, of Reefton, won the Reefton Trotting Cup on Saturday in circumstances that were somewhat sensational. He had started in the race immediately prior to the cup and had virtually taken no part ih it, as he turned round just as the barriers were released. A little over half an hour later, he conceded 24 yards to start from the limit of the cup and he literally outclassed the field, giving nothing else a chance over the last half mile to win by anything from 15 to 20 lengths. An inquiry was held by the stipendiary stewards into the , horse’s performance in the earlier event, but the explanations of .the connections of the horse and proof they had supported him to win that race, were accepted. The disappointment of the cup race was the solidly-backed favourite, Captain Sandy. He was slow to find his feet and failed to reveal any of his reported ability on the journey.

The cup success was Pimpernel’s third success" on the Reefton track within two weeks. In that time he has had six starts, on the track and in the remaining three races he turned round as the barriers were released. Saturday’s was a striking performance and stamped Pimpernel as something above the average. The weather was fine, though dull at times, and the track was yielding, after -rain’ during the week. ,The, attendance was disappointing and the totalisator handled only £15,738, compared with £21,1672- at the corresponding meeting last year and £20,263 in 1945. t j T. Gleeson, the driver of Lady Indiana in the Maruia Handicap, was fmed £lO by the stipendiary stewards, Messrs H. Prins and T. H. Langford, for interference with Seacraft in the straight. Lady Indiana broke and subsequently caused the interference, J. Dickie, who was to drive Victory Peal in the Cronadun Handicap, was thrown from the sulky prior to the start and received a fracture of a collar-bone. He was taken to the Inangahua Hospital for treatment.

The Cup Race Pimpernel was slow away in the Reefton Cup, but soon found his feet and after four furlongs was in second place behind Lucky Scott, with Sandiford, Lady Gamble, Drury Lane, Hardy Annual and Killowen -next and all in close order. With six furlongs to go Pimpernel was taken, to the front and when he was hurried along going down the back he quickly opened up a big break on the field. Turning for home he was at least 20 lengths ahead of Sandiford, who was tiring, with another eight lengths to Lucky Scott and Drury Lane, who were together. Pimpernel finished full of running to win with ridiculous

ease frcfn Drury Lane, who finished too well for Lucky Scott. Sandiford was a poor fourth and then came Hardy Annual and Nile Lass. The warm favourite, Captain Sandy, was slow away and was never afterwards near the leaders. Lady Gamble had had enough six furlongs from home. Totalisator: £2191. Third Victory '■ Sandiford gave O. Quinlan, now of Kaiapci and formerly of .Greymouth, his third training and driving success for the day when he won the Cook Memorial Handicap. Sandiford began slowly but was well placed with half the journey covered. He raced up to the pacemaker, Lucky Scott, two furlongs from home and the pair entered the straight ' together with Killowen, Derbyshire and Drury Lane, who was finishing fast,, next. In a desperate finish Sandiford prevailed by only a head from Lucky Scott with Drury Lane, who was stopping at the post, only a neck away third. Killowen was fourth and then came Derbyshire. Totalisator: £2417. Loyal Flier, in spite of a 24yds rehandicap, made a bold attempt to win his second race for the day in the Lewis Pass Handicap, but after being second into the straight he tired. The winner was Laureate, who had earlier run second to Loyal Flier. Laureate ran to the front three furlongs from home and was quickly followed by Loyal Flier. Turning for home Laureate was just heading Loyal Flier, with Accord a couple of lengths away and Paddy’s Choice the only other with a chance. Laureate came away over the last furlong and won decisively from Accord, who just got up to beat the tiring Loyal Flier. Paddy’s Choice was fourth and then came Sealand. Totalisator: £lBosi.