PREMIUM EARNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23418, 7 August 1939, Page 7

PREMIUM EARNED

GREAT DIVIDE'S EFFORT

VICTORY-FOR TOKEN

SWORDSMAN MAY IMPROVE

SOUTHERN CHIEF UNLUCKY

[BY TELEGRAPH —FROM ARG'IIKR]

CIIRISTCHITRCH, Saturday

The improving Gracio Fields gave a fine display of trotting to win the Introductory Handicap from end to end,- staying on solidly when challenged strongly bv Swordsman in the straight. Tho winner was moderately fancied and returned over a score on tho straight-out machine. Swordsman trotted smoothly, trailing Gracie Fields until the straight and then making a determined effort. The race tnav improve him. Swift Guy passed several horses in tho last half-mile to gain third, and Violet Wrack battled on for fourth. Shadoland and Reward did best of the others, although the latter weakened after being alongside Swordsman until tho turn. The first six horses wero tho only ones with chances in tho last half-mile. Nevertheless, Escalado made a fair showing after a slow beginning. Timworthy and Mohican .were trotting well when thoy inatlo costly mistakes in tho middle stages. Favoured by Good Run

After securing a fine run early, Token finished just too well for tho favourite, Harold Guy, in the Advance Handicap. Harold Guy trailed Ivy Peterson until tho home turn, and looked like winning' when ho held tho lead beginning the run home. However, ho was not quite equal to the strong challenge of tho back-marker, who made his supporters a good return. Quest gave a creditable performance; and Effio Parrish indicated that she is close to form by finishing fourth'. College Boy was closer in fifth position at the end than at any other stage. Ivy Peterson weakened to sixth, after making the running. Superior Rank broke badly in the straight and finished last. The others gave no trouble. Hot Favourite Succeeds The back-marker Marsceres was sup•ported down to odds-on in the field of fire for the Queen Mary Handicap, and ho duly won, although his supporters had some uneasiness when ho came into the straight badly pocketed on tho rails. His driver was disappointed in trying for an opening there, and he had to wait until about half-way down the running, when he secured a clear run on the rails. Once he got his chance, Marsceres mado short work of the opposition. He secured four firsts and a second in five starts at tho August meeting last year, and he seems to be back to his best form. Horse Power appeared likely when he headed Silver Guy and Sea Gift soon after entering the straight, but ho was no match for the winner. Silver Guy battled on gamely an 1 Sea Gift trotted soundly. Frisco Lady made a creditable . showing, although she never appeared likely to win. Outsiders Fight Out Finish • Two outsiders, Rocks Ahead, and Graham Direct, finished first and second respectively in the. August Handicap, the former winning very decisively. Tho victory of Rocks Ahead was overdue, as she' was unsuccessful last season,, and she returned well over a quarter of a century. She took charge soon after reaching the straight, to be a winner over the last furlong. Graham Direct was favoured ■ with a good run on the rails most of the way and registered his best performance for some time, fighting on sturdily at the finish. Fine Art, after getting into a bad position, made a splendid run oil the outside over the last half-mile to gain third berth, just beating Renown's Best, who did remarkably well, following a very slow beginning. Evicus and Rev Spec tiled in tho straight after being the leaders round the turn. King's Warrior was beaten half a milo from home, and Plutus, who was always handy, in the running, failed to make any impression. Fast Time by Veteran Trotter ;

• The veteran Mute won the Stewards' Handicap from end to end and lie made it extremely difficult for,, the others by g0ing.4.33 3-5 from a 4.-38 mark. lie did not put a* foot wrong, but ho was all out half-way down the straight to stall off a determined challenge from Pilot Peter. The first aad second horses always had the measure of the others, notwithstanding that Lament and Captain Bolt trotted in their best style. Mute was one of the outsiders of the field and paid double figures. Aristotle weakened after being third,most of the way, but lio held on for fifth, arriving ahead of the backmarker, Peggotty, w^lo trottc 'd soundly without being dangerous. Nell Volo was handy for about a mile and a-half and then dropped right out of it. Wahnooka, who made a short break early, gave no trouble, although, he was making up ground.

Attractive Performance

After trailing Gold Salute, Great Divide finished attractively to score a decisive victory in the Trial Handicap. The 4.29 3-5 lie recorded was the fastest winning time for the day for two miles* and as a result the stake was increased from £3OO to £550. Battlefield was a fair third and Bill B. was a closo fourth after having to cover a good 'deal of ground in the last halfmile. .Bill P. looked as if Ije would bo improved with the race. Zincali did well to secure fifth place after losing much ground at the start, and Southern Chief, who went fast over, the last half-mile, was also closo up. Southern Chief did not have tho best of luck in the running and he may do better. Acuity broke badly after going two furlongs and finished a long way back. . I Waitaki Power Wins Well Beaching tho front quickly, Waitaki Power stalled off all challenges to win a fine race in the Sc'lwyn Handicap. Windsor Lass, always in tho leading division, had a good run and she held on well. Donald Dliu finished very fast on the rails and would have been very difficult to beat if he had secured, ail opening sooner. Fremont also came home well after being near tho roar earlv. Nprvio's Last paced another onpditablo raco without being really dangerous. Great Jewel flattered tho hopes of his supporters by holding third position until reaching the straight, but ho did not finish with any dash Token looked likely when ho reached second placo at tho top, but; he weakened. ' Sprint Fancy Unplaced Tho favourite, Colonel' Grattan, dweltj sliglitlv • at the start 1 of tho International Handicap arid could not finish closer than six. On the other hand,. King's Play paced in his best stylo 4 to register a stylish victory. King's, Play covered a little extra ground on the outside,shut he was always'going well in a handy position and he-smothered tho opposition at. tho finish 1 . Igovus gavo another solid performance and after making most of the running fought on courageously for second. Tn a great raco for third Gallant Knight finished solidlv after dropping back slightly near the turn. Frisco Boy and Blair Atliol were almost in lino with him and both went fine races. Ironside was on tho outside most of tho journoy and failed to run on.