NOTES ON THE RUNNING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26608, 3 November 1947, Page 2

NOTES ON THE RUNNING

VICTORIA HANDICAP Special to the Daily Times CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 2,

When the field settled down Traverse was showing the way to Lady Vi, Direct Medium, Grattan Drive, Aspinall, Right Royal and Mountain Hall. As they paced past the post the first time Scholarship moved up on the outside to be alongside Traverse, and they were followed across the top and into the back by Grattan Drive, Lady Vi, Direct Medium, Mountain Hall, Aspanall and Right Royal. Scholarship took the lead down the back, and with a round to go he was in front from Grattan Drive, Imperial Grattan, Mountain Hall, Traverse, Lady Vi and Right Royal. Half a mile from home the field closed up, and Scholarship began to drift. Grattan Drive and Imperial Grattan were first into the straight from Right Royal, Lady Vi, Ann Scott and Mountain Hail. Grattan Drive and Imperial Grattan fought out a close finish, and after the judge had called for a photo finish for the four placings Imperial Grattan was declared the winner from Grattan Drive, with Right Royal just beating Mountain Hall for third. Then came Lady Vi and Ann Scott. Spring Handicap Past the post the first time, Jimmy Dillon showed the way to Calumella, Beverley Volo, and Castigate. Golden Amazon had broken at the start and Gold Weed immediately after. Fairy Wings was a bit slow. Down the back it was Jimmy Dillon from Castigate, Beverley Volo Jason’s Quest, Calumella, and Strummer. Sure Harvest broke at the end of two and a-half furlongs, and with six furlongs to run Jimmy Scott was out in front from Casltgate, Beverley Volo, and Endowed. Castigate broke on the top bend,

and down the back Jimmv Scott was followed by Endowed, Beverly Volo, Calumelia, Jason’s Quest, Fairy Wings, Golden Amazon, Great Venture, and Sure Harvest Jason’s Quest put in a fine burst to run up to the lead, and Fairy Wings and Sure Harvest were moving through. Jason’s Quest, Beverley Volo, and Jimmy Dillon were first into the straight, but in the run Home Fairy Wings finished strongly to beat Sure Harvest, who finished exceptionally well. Jason’s Quest was third and Beverley Volo fourth. Riccarton Stakes At the end of a furlong Congo Song showed the way to Belmont Hall, Nedlands, Shalimar, Pierre, and Beckleigh Passing the stand, Belmont Hall shaded Congo Song, followed by Pierre, Shalimar, Beckleigh. and Dolly Fraser. At the mile post Fortuna had moved up to fifth behind Belmont Hall, Congo Song, Pierre, and Beckleigh. There was no change on the bend, and Belmont Hall led into the straight from Congo Song, Pierre, and Beckleigh. In a hard finish, Congo Song got up to win narrowly from Belmont Hall with Pierre third and Beckleigh fourth Dolly Fraser was fifth. New Zealand Cup The Cup was run amidst scenes of great enthusiasm, and Highland Fling won like the champion he is. after going up to the leaders at the end of half a mile. Plunder Bar and Nyallo Scott were restive at the barrier. Nyallo Scott was slow to move, and Navigate led out from Battle Colours. Plunder Bar, In the Mood, Great Belwin, Dundee Sandy. Knave of Diamonds, and Highland Fling. Loyal Peter and Highland Fling showed brilliant bursts of speed in the straight, and as they ran across the top Highland Fling was in front from Knave of Diamonds, Nyallo Scott, Loyal Peter, Battle Colours, Plunder Bar, Countless, Dundee Sandy, and Great Belwin. With a mile to run. Highland Fling was pacing smoothly out in front, and the order behind him was Nyallo Scott, Knave of Diamonds, Loyal Peter, Battle Colours, Navigate, Tureo, and Integrity. The two last-named broke, and into the last round it was Highland Fling from Loyal Peter, Nyallo Scott, Knave of Diamonds, and Navigate. There was little alteration down the back, and, travelling well within himself, Highland Fling was first into the straight from Nyallo Scott and Knave of Diamonds. Haughty had moved up smartly, but did not sustain her run. .In the race to the post, Highland Fling never looked like being beaten, and he won impressively from Knave of Diamonds, with Loyal Peter third, ahead of In the Mood, who was followed by Plunder Bar and Nyallo Scott. Canterbury Handicap Lou Hall was slow to move and at the end of two furlongs Checkmate took over the running to lead from Lone Raider, Lady Ngaio, Ben Adam, Maori Home and Radical. Coming through the straight Jackie Guy swept round the field to be alongside Checkmate across the top from Bel Hamed, who had also moved up fast, and then came Lady Ngaio, Lone Raider, Ben Adam, Dillondale, and Maudeen. Six furlongs from home Bel Hamed led from Checkmate, Lady Ngaio, Maori Home, Dillondale, and Jackie Guy. Running down the back Checkmate and Lone Raider left their feet and across the turn Bei Hamed was clear from Lady Ngaio, Maori Home, Jackie Guy and Dillondale. Bel Hamed and Maori Home were the leaders into the

straight, and Maori Home finished the better of the two to win with Maudeen third and Jackie Guy fourth. Lady Ngaio was next, followed by Pre-emin-ence, Dillondale and Ben Adam. Avon Handicap When they settled down Mistydale led from Blue Horizon, Fantom, Firewater, Margin, Aerial Scott, and Rangefinder Aerial Scott broke, and past the post Mistydale led, followed by Fantom, Blue Horizon, Firewater, Margin and Casablanca. Across the lop Fantom lost his place, and Betty Maxegin moved up to the bunch. Three furlongs from home Mistydale was followed by Blue Horizon, Casablanca, Betty Maxegin and Margin Mistydale, Casabianca, Blue Horizon and Betty Maxegin were first into the straight, and, trotting fautlessly, the last-named won from Casabianca, with Mistydale third, ahead of Blue Horizon. Fantom was fourth.

Empire Handicap

Highland Scott and Trusty Scott lost their chances at the start and Belhail, Gamble King, Globe Direct and Captain Gaillard were the early leaders. Through the straight and past the stands, Captain Gaillard showed the way to Belhail, Gold Peg, Gamble King, Scotch Music, Globe Direct and Aberhall. Down the back Captain Gaillard was still leading and was followed by Belhail, Gold Peg, Scotch Music, Gamble King, Globe Direct, Aberhall and Watcher. With seven furlongs to run there was little change in the order, but about half a mile from home Warform moved up to fifth behind Captain Gaillard, Gold Peg, Belhail, and Aberhall. Belhail drifted and the ordei into the straight was Captain Gaillard, Gold Peg, Aberhall and Warform. Aberhall and Warform sorted themselves out and Aberhall won decisively with Worthy Gold coming through to beat Scotch Music in a photo finish for third. Gamble King was fifth. Final Handicap

Hal Derby and Johnnie Lawn lost their chances at the start, and Bonny Bridge was slow to strike his hopples Loyal Nelson was the first to show out from Smirke and Play Safe. Coming through the straight Loyal Nelson and Smirke appeared to collide and they both dropped back. Baby Grand took up the running from Play Safe, Redcliffe Direct, Bonny Clare, Smirke and Loyal Nelson. Turning into the back there was little alteration, except that Smirke left his feet, and Baby Grand drew clear of the field, which was well strung out. Leonin put in good work across the bottom bend and followed Baby Grand and Bonny Clare into the straight. Baby Grand came right away for the easiest of wins from Leonin, with Lady Averil, who came from well back, getting up in time to beat Bonny Clare for third. Then came Loyal Nelson and Play Safe.