SPORTING Finigin's Decisive Win In Heathcote Handicap: Valley Gold Surprises

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 August 1949, Page 7

SPORTING Finigin's Decisive Win In Heathcote Handicap: Valley Gold Surprises

[SPECIAL TO STAR]

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day—Surprise wins by Finigin and Detain in the Heathcote Handicap and Sydenham Hurdles respectively anOv Valley Gold, who returned a dividend o£ almost £175, marked the closhm day of the Grand National meeting held at Riecarton on c t 53 Valiev Gold’s dividend was the largest returned at Ric* carton since Catt'eriek Bridge won the New Zealand Clip. Valley Gold a chestnut colt by Ballbch from Cairness, a daughter Of Tideraec and Mv Own. is trained by M. J. Wadley at Riecarton. This was his first win. The only favourite to score was Lady Myrtle in the last event, and she gave W. J. Broughton his first winning ride of the season.

Investors were astray in the Heathcote Handicap, Finigin leading tor tne last mile and winning easily. Hroie, Authentic, Pageant, Langham and Fine Night were slow away, Eulogise was standing behind me stalls when the barrier went up. and lost all chance. At the end of two furlongs, Finigin led from Hying Control, Lord Elgin, Distmctio , Night Owl, Super Flight, Tuatea and Nullah, with Angell, Reveller, Orthodox, Merry Robin, Thornbridge and Western. Front in the next bmich. Finigin was two lengths clear of distinction turning for home, with r lying Control, Super Flight, Night Owl, Angell and Dark Arrow all well placed. Distinction made a likely move up to the leader inside the final furlong, but Finigin was never seriously called upon. There was a photo finish'for third money, Angell gaining a narrow decision from Dam Airow with Orthodox a head away. Kartikeya was close up next, in front of Merry Robin, Night Owl, Thornbridge, Reveller, Langham, Pageant, Copper Coin, Western Front, Pandemonium and Super Flight. Detain At Last Detain had his second win over the battens, after a very mixed record m the last 12 months, in the Sydenham Hurdles. He was always well placed, in contrast to his customary tailing off tactics, and with half a mile to go, moved up to the leader Gold Song, and followed him into the straight with Batal making up ground to head off Hunting Mac before reaching the last fence. Detain was the first over the obstacle from Gold Song, and increasing his advantage in the rim to the post, had one of the most decisive wins' of the meeting. In a hard struggle for the minor placings, Batal got up in the last few strides to beat Minion, with Gold Song half a length back. Then followed at intervals Hunting Mac, Pages Raid, Our Gold, Desert Trek and Roman Duke with Amorlad in last place. Gay Fellow when in third place, made a faulty jump at the nine furlong post, and his rider lost his irons. Gay Fellow made a similar blunder at the next, and this time his rider was thrown.

Supreme Command- drew to the front live furlongs from home in the first division of the Aylesbury Handicap, and had a clear lead entering the straight from Kamet, Prefect, Detention, Wicche and Braemorn all in close order. Supreme Command did not concede any ground in the run home, and carridd on for a decisive win. Detention finished on best of the remainder to easily account for Prefect for second place, with Braemorn a moderate fourth, in front of Nutcracker, Chord, Wicche, Upshot, and Kamet in a bunch. The West Coast visitor, Marcus, a stable mate of Bambalina had a commanding lead in the second division at the home turn, but then commenced to bore out, and was in the middle of the track when the run home was commenced. His chance was soon lost, and Indiana took over from Dissenter, Fantasy, Reformed and Te Kooti. The last-named gradually wore down Indiana to beat him comfortably with Dissenter a fair third a length in front of Fantasy. Reformed, County Tyrone, Talent, Woodrow and Royal Scandal followed at intervals. Easy For Brockie Relampago soon took up the role of pacemakerjn the Styyx Hurdle Race, and had a clear lead entering the back stretch from II Carona, Tribute and The Stormovik, with a gap back to Brockie, Sailor Girl and Money Lender. Relampago commenced to weaken rounding the home turn, and Tribute and The Stormovik had charge at the last fence from Brockie, Money Lender, Relampago, High Order and Sailor Girl. Tribute did not carry on, and Brockie continued his run to gradually draw past The Stormovik in the run home,, to wm going away. Money Lender made up a lot of ground in the last two furlongs to head off Sailor Girl by two lengths for third money. Tribute was three lengths back and was followed by Perusha, Arctic Circle, Grill, High Order and Thomas, with Relampago, who narrowly missed falling at the last fence, bringing up the rear. Il Corona struck the hurdle near the six furlong post, and breaking a fetlock, was destroyed.