THE TURF SURPRISE WINS AT AUCKLAND TROTS

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1947, Page 6

THE TURF SURPRISE WINS AT AUCKLAND TROTS

AUCKLAND, May 19. The dual success of Acropolis, and surprise wins by King Arthur. Little Hero and Popular Girl were features of the second day of the Auckland Trotting Club’s Winter meeting at Epsom, and only two favourites, Snowflake at her second start, and Jackie Guy on the win machine, were successful.

Acropolis was second fancy in both his races. He started four times at the meeting, and was the outstanding performer, with three victories. King Arthur returned the largest dividend which exceeded £25, and Little Hero and Popular Girl were also double figure winners.

Vera Lyne and Parrish Jewel paid good place prices, the former approaching a score. Snowflake was accorded a line reception when she won the Suburban Handicap, her second outing for the day. It was her third race of the meeting, her record being a first and two seconds. Shortly after the start Lord Brooklyn broke down Jewel’s Eyre, Diamond Trust, and Kewpie’s Crown. An inquiry was held and it was found that the mishap was accidental. As in the Adams Memorial Handicap on the first day, Diamond Trust made a gallant attempt to win the C. F. Mark Memorial Handicap all the way, but, after turning for home, was tackled by Scotch Music, Acropolis and Bonnie Jack.

Finishing resolutely, Acronolis got up to beat Scotch Music by a long neck, Diamond Trust .hanging on to Bonnie Jack from third place by a neck. Nyallo Scott was right up fifth. Going 3min 20 2-ssec, from 60 yds. the winner, Acropolis (36) returned 3min 21sec.

Acropolis completed a double for the day, and a treble for the meeting When he ran home a comfortable winner in the Farewell Handicap from Scotch Music, who registered his third second placing for the two days. Scotch Music was under a hard drive in the straight fj overhaul Heliopolis. Characteristic was a fair fourth, followed by Capalpa, Doctor Ted, who was a firm fancy, broke at the start, losing a good deal of ground. Fie came round the field wide outfrom the three furlongs, but could not go on at the finish. Having to race live sulkies out for the., early part, Snowflake reached the lead in the May Handicap at the end of a mile in 2min 19sec, but in spite of a gallant effort, she could not hold off the final dash of Dyrham Lea, who won by half a length. Red Ace came on solidly to cut Copper Trail, who was one of the leading division to the distance, out of third place, and Black Machine, who did not have much luck in the running, was close up, fifth.

Jackie Guy secured a nose decision over Minoru in a photo finish for the Liverpool Handicap, with Jackie Boy three quarters of a length away third, half a length in front of Beu Ledi, who tried to win all the way. Contender, handy over the last mile was fifth. Jackie Guy ran up to a good position early, and after drifting a little in the middle stage, came home well. Minoru appeared to be hampered for room approaching the final bend, but finished resolutely. Following her second to Black Machine in the Cornwall Handicap on the first day, and second again on Saturday to Dvrham Lea in the May Handicap, Snowflake scored a popular win in the Suburban Handicap by half a length from Copper Trail, who ran a sound race. The consistent Elack Machine was live lengths away, beating Lone Raider, who bored out under pressure, by a neck. Larissa was fifth.

There was a good finish in the Manukau Handicap 1 , when three little fancied candidates. Popular Girl, •Vera Lyne and Parrish Jewel filled the places. The first named finished solidly under pressure to beat Vera Lyne by a long neck, with Parrish Jewel less than a length away third. Auto Chief, who tried to win all the way was fourth, followed by Indian Son, who had every chance, but faded in the run home. The little fancied Little Hero scored an easy win in the Members’ Handicap. Patiently driven by E. N. Kennerley, Little Hero ran past the leader Nero, and, challenged by Mine Host, went on to win by three lengths. The back-marker, Toushay, trotted solidly on the final round to get within half a length of the second horse. Also in leading bunch, Silver Plane was a good fourth, ahead of Nero, who had had every chance.

Trotting solidly and well placed after going a mile, King Arthur and Lord Grattan, both of which were not greatly fancied, staged a line fini'ih in the Royal Handicap, the former prevailing by half a length. In a photo finish for third, Maxee got the decision from Soldier Sam. Noble Star, who broke five furlongs from home, when going well, ran on again to be fifth.