NOTES ON PRINCIPAL EVENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24491, 27 December 1940, Page 3

NOTES ON PRINCIPAL EVENTS

(Special to Daily Times) ASHBURTON, Dec. 26. The Ashburton Trotting Cup was a fine race all the way. Navy Blue was smartest out from Nelson Eddy and Peter Smith, with King Potts handy. After two furlongs had been covered, Renown's Best took charge. Navy Blue, Nelson Eddy, and Peter Smith following her past the stand, while the others were all handy. There was no change till half a mile from home, where Horsepower and Loyal Rey were next. Great Jewel moved up, while Plutus started a run a little further on. Renown's Best led Navy Blue to the straight, but a little further on Nelson Eddy took charge, with Peter Smith, King Potts. Nell Grattan, and Great Jewel in close attendance. In a good finish Peter Smith finished strongly on the rails, beating Nelson Eddy by a neck, with Great Jewel half a length away. King Potts was a length off, while Nell Grattan headed the others. Peter Smith has had four wins this season, including a dead heat. Special Force confirmed his claim as a high-class three-year-old with an easy all-the-way win in the Champion Stakes. He took charge when the field settled down, Shadow Maid. Walter Moore and Festivity following after the first furlong. Mighty followed the three leaders at the mile post and then came Gold Chief, who had gone off a trifle slowly. Special Force drew out in the straight and won easily. Gold Chief finished well, stalling off a late challenge from Walter Moore for second. Shadow Maid was staying on for fourth, while Ngarimu cut the tiring Ronald Logan out of fifth place. Smile Again broke and Donald Dhu went off slowly in the Boxing Day Handicap. Great Divide led out from Harold Guy and Wee Potts, but Guncase ran to the front after two furlongs, while Lady Milne also joined in. Harold Guy lost his place a little further on. Sandusky then moved up, but broke half a mile from home. Guncase dropped out when the straight was reached, leaving Great Divide and Lady Milne in front, with Wee Potts handy, while Harold Guy and Navy Blue were moving up Wee Potts challenged in the last hundred yards, but Great Divide beat her decisively. Lady Milne was nearly a length away, while Harold Guy Just got fourth from Navy Blue, who broke near the post.