THE DOCTOR WINS AUTUMN

NZ Truth, Issue 1273, 24 April 1930, Page 12

THE DOCTOR WINS AUTUMN

ONE OF LOWER CROWD Merry Damon Did Not Get Up In Time PROTEST WAS NOT SUSTAINED (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Christchurch Eepresentative.) The North Island just missed winning- the Great Easter and the Great Autumn double by a very narrow margin.

IF everyone had had their own Merry Damon would probably have won, but Tom Green, after being m trouble early m the race, seemed to leave his run a bit too late, and he failed to overhaul the improving' Gay Crest, a little fancied runner, by the narrow margin of a short head. A protest was lodged by the connections of Merry Damon against Gay Crest for crossing at the ten furlong post, but it was not sustained. As a matter of fact, Merry Damon's people were fortunate they were not called on to explain accidental interference with Arikiwai a furlong from home. Arikiwai was an unlucky runner m the race. He was ridden a peculiar race by L. Woolford, the Washdyke apprentice. He lost his place soon after the start, ran on the outside of another horse all the journey, and, m receipt of two stone from Historic, ran along with him for ten furlongs. When he did decide to go he got into bother which cost him a royal chance of success. Luck was. with Gay Crest, but no one begrudged both Maurice Louisson and Tom Lloyd their win. Historic was a firm favorite right through, but a lot of late money came for Merry Damon, and he was only fifty chances less favored. Paquito, Arikiwai and Red Heckle were next best m demand. Seatown, Red Heckle and Paquito were ..slowest to move, and when the .field passed- Cutt's Latin Quarter was bowling along m front from Gay Crest,

Merry Damon, and Money Mine, with Historic going easily on the rails, and Arikiwai on the outside of him. The order was ,the same at the far turn, where Arikiwai made a forward move. Gay Crest, which was being ridden patiently, joined Latin Quarter at the top of the straight and came on full of running. Merry Damon commenced his run at the false rail, and m so doing prejudiced the chances of Arikiwai. Historic just failed by a head to cut Latin Quarter out of fourth place. Paquito was close up sixth, Red Heckle seventh, Money Mine eighth, and Seatown last. . Gay Crest ran the best race of his career, and he- confirmed former opinions that he would stay. He has done well for Dr. Louisson since Fred Jones sold him, but this is his first win m open company. He was patiently handled by George Humphreys, and was never further back than second, and covered no extra ground. ■_ Merry Damon may have won had he come sooner. He was doing it better than Gay Crest over the last hundred yards; and was'only a short head away. Arikiwai, better ridden, would also have been m it." He was two lengths away third. Latin Quarter once again was not quite class enough. Historic carried his big weight well, and Bert Morris did not ask him to go any harder than was necessary until the false rail was reached. Paquito ran a fair race, and Red Heckle came on after being well back early.