NOTES ON THE RACING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26040, 2 January 1946, Page 7

NOTES ON THE RACING

Absentee tried to win the Trial Handicap all the way. She was clear of Bayreuth, Lindy Lou, Wild Cry, Robot and Norse Lance into the straight, but in the run home Bayreuth under a hard ride got up to beat her in the last few strides. Lindy Lou was a moderate third ahead of Wild Cry, Robot and Miss Hula. Frances, Merry Lance, Paper Whistle and Eager Lady missed the jump out. Diggers’ Trot Mistydale and Loyal Boy made all the running in the Diggers’ Trot. At the straight entrance Loyal Boy had headed Mistydale, but Rendezvous, who had been well back in the early running, finished strongly to get up and beat Loyal Boy. Rendezvous, a three-year-old half-sister to Navigate, was responsible for an excellent effort. Tell Us finished with a' great late run to be third, ahead of Bill Axworthy. ' Stimulant made up his handicap quickly in the second division, and after taking charge at the half-mile he was first, into the straight and won comfortably. Notus, who was always well placed in the running, was a good second, ahead of Sure Harvest, who made a fast run round his field at the half-mile, but made little impression in the run home. Grattan Drive was a good fourth. Favourite Wins the Cup Aurora Australis monopolised the betting for the Wyndham Cup, and after receiving a wonderful opening on the rails at the straight entrance she carried on to win well. Aurora Australis was one of the first to show out, but she dropped back to fourth place behind Pride of Mossburn. Aurora Australis secured an ooening on the rails immediately the field straightened up for home, and she soon had Te Anau Lady beaten off Night Robe came with a late run to beat Te Anau Lady for second, with Pride of Mossburn a fair fourth, ahead of Good Cast and Boolamskee. Scored Comfortably Wantwood a clear-cut win In the Members’ Handicap. He was handily placed behind the leaders, Gold Spur, Sunny Course and Secret Course, most of wav. At the home turn Wantwood joined Goid Spur in the lead and .they were first into the straight, where Patmo s almost ran off the course. Wantwood came on to win comfortably from Sumra, who was last to the straight, but finished with a great run on the rails. Rhine Loro

was close up third, ahead of Gold Spur and Patmos, with the favourite, Sunny Course, well back next. President’s Handicap Powys made a gallant effort to win the President’s Handicap ail the way, and it was well inside the distance before he was headed by Lisheen. Powys was three lengths clear of Fleet Strtet, St. Nattar, and Lisheen racing down the back, and he was st.ill in charge when the field straightened up. In the run home Powys hung on weir in a punishing finish, but Lisheen had his measure 50 yards from the post and beat him by a long neck. Fleet Street, who was always one of the leaders, stayed on for third, a neck in front of St. Nattar. A Fighting Finish Siegform, a short-priced favourite for the New Year Handicap, had to be hard ridden over the last furlong to beat the outsider of the field, Fairy’s Special. The lust-named tided to win all tire way and at the straight entrance he was joined by Kai Pai. Tire two leaders ran wide and let Siegform through on the inner and this made all the difference to the result. Siegform got up to beat Fairy’s Special by a haed with Kai Pai a neck away. The Victory Trot Battle On made the opposition look second rate in the Victory Trot Handicap. He was under a firm hold throughout and had no difficulty in winning from Logan Rey, who was closer at the finish than any other stage. Understudy was a moderate third. Big Gap Opened Sailor’s Pal and Minorn set a solid pace in the Visitors' High-weight Handicap. At the home turn they were five lengths clear of Young Bob and Bath Slipper with the others out of it. In a good race Young Bob got up in the last stride to beat Minorn by a neck with Sailor's Pal a head away third. Bath Slipper and Kosciusko were next.