Thames Trainer Does Very Well at Cambridge Trots

Grey River Argus, 25 March 1947, Page 3

Thames Trainer Does Very Well at Cambridge Trots

(Our Own Correspondent) AUCKLAND. March 24,

A feature of the Cambridge Trotting Club’s autumn meeting on Saturday was the success of the young Thames trainer, G. Fitzgerald, who won three races. His successful candidates were Golden Hoofs, who annexed both events for the straight out trotters, and Mac’s Ace, the winners being driven by D. McKendry. The form of many was of interest in view of the meeting at New Plymouth on Saturday, where the classes are similar. Although only two eachway favourites, Lady Averil and Golden Hoofs (second win) were successful, most of the winners were well supported, Brig-O’Dee being the only one to return double figures. The weather was fine and there was a large attendance. The track was dry and dusty, the footing being fast. The totalisator handled £37,508, compared with £33,309 at the summer meeting on January 11, an increase of £4119. Going round the field with a rare burst of speed, the each way favourite, Lady Averil scored a decisive win in the Cambridge Autumn Handicap. When she commenced her run from the three furlongs, Lady Averil was just at the rear bf a bunched field, led by Indian Triumph and Vera Lynn. At the home turn, Gold Strand, who was slow away, put in an appearance to cut Vera Lynn out of third place, behind Indian Triumph, who put up a sound performance. Balalaika disappointed. In spite of his failure in the Cambridge Autumn Handicap, Balalaika was solidly supported for the President’s Handicap, which he won easily, after taking charge entering the straight. A fine finish for the minor places took place between Hey Dey, Deeside and Glen Murray, and they passed the judge in the order named. The win favourite, Fillmore, broke badly in the early part, losing a lot of ground. He was up handy at. the distance, but he could not hold his position. Trailing’ Quite So and Impartial for about three parts of the journey, Mac’s Ace came away to win the Improvers’ Handicap by one length from Impartial, who defeated Cambridge by a neck, with Indian Son, the same distance back, fourth. Quite So faded badly in the run home, and Marshal Ney had all the bad luck of the race, being checked three times by the breaking horses at different stag's.

The little fancied Brig-o-Dee was quickly alongside, the leaders, Fighting Pilot and Worthy Nelson, in the first Primary Handicap, and taking charge three furlongs from home', scored decisively from Fighting Pilot. Finishing solidly, Petite Direct got up to beat Joyce Direct by a head for third. The favourite Kilcash, lost all chance from the start.

Shooting Star, a recent arrival from the south, scored an end to end success in the second Primary Handicap, and Hopeful, who lost ground at the start and was forced to cover extra ground most of the way, finished in second place, well clear of Awamutu, who, after breaking up at the start, came home solidly to cut Staveley’s Lad out of third money. The Nursery Handicap was run in two divisions, Democrat taking the first by a head from Commotion, with Mustang a moderate third. Ivy Goodwin was responsible for a nice effort in winning the second division from Gay Indiana, who was bracketed with Commotion. Handicapped on 2'4 yards, Ivy Goodwin ran the mile and a quarter in 2min 46 3-ssec. Red Phanton was a poor third.

Beginning smartly from the second row, Reclamation made a line effort to win the Karapiro Handicap, which was run as one race, from end to end but could not hold off the final dash of Golden Hoofs, who was always handily placed. King Arthur ran past a beaten lot for third, with Sabre next. The win favourite, Belmoral, broke after going away.

A penalty of 36 yards did not stop Golden Hoofs from spreadeagling the field in the Leamington Handicap. He took charge half a mile from home to win very easily by eight lengths. Rosawar stayed on better than Sabre for second, while All Credit, who broke early when in second place, came home fast to be right up fourth. Noble King and Mine Host collided at the start, while Belmoral and Princess Loma fell during the running.