RACING IN AUSTRALIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25673, 23 October 1944, Page 6

RACING IN AUSTRALIA

NIGHTBEAM WINS METROPOLITAN (P.A.) . SYDNEY, Oct. 22. Heavily backed from long odds the aged Nightraid gelding Nlghtbeam made an overpowering run in the last stages of the race to defeat- the brilliant mare Flight in the Metropolitan at Randwick yesterday. Last year’s Epsom Handicap winner, Kiaree, was third, Nlghtbeam was well back in the field until the last three furlongs, but put in a great finishing burst to win by a length going away from his rivals. Kiaree, who also finished strongly, was a length behind Flight. Flight was always with the leaders and conceded Nightbeam 221 bin weight. She made a gallant effort to stave off the winner's challenge, but could not sustain her effort. The heavily-backed favourite Mayfowl was with the leaders into the straight, but weakened badly into tenth place. Nightbeam, one oif the few aged horses to win the rich metropolitan prize, was purchased in New Zealand as a two-year-old by Mr F. W. Hughes, an Australian wool and shipping millionaire. The price. was reported to be 1200 guineas, plus a contingency of another 900 guineas out of any race or races he won. Mr Hughes, who is a leading breeder as well as owner, thought he had an A.J.C. Derby prospect, but Nightbeam disappointed: Until Saturday he had not won above nine furlongs and all his Australian victories were in moderate company. However, he was regarded as an unlucky horse and Mr Hughes was confident that he would develop staying abilities. Nightbeam’s win gave Mr Hughes his second Metropolitan win in three years. He won with Dashing Cavalier in 1941. The time for the race was 2min 43Jsec, two seconds outside the record of Dashing Cavalier and Main Topic, and was considered good as the pace was slow for the first three furlongs. Following are the details:— i

The Metropolitan Handicap.—Nlghtbeam, 7.2 (McGrowdie), 1; Flight, 8.10 (J. Thompson), 2; Kiaree, 8.0 (O’Sullivan), 3. Sixteen started. A length each way. Time, 2min 43Jsec.