NOTES ON THE RUNNING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26749, 19 April 1948, Page 3

NOTES ON THE RUNNING

GRILL AN UNLUCKY RUNNER Special to . the Dally Times INVERCARGILL, Apl. 18. With a mile to run in the Waiau Handicap Great Coon was clear of Merry Lancer, Sea Power, Sir Garnish, Sea Flower, Bren Gun, Hunting Charm, and Full Play, with Grill last. There was little change racing down the back, and at the half mile Grill was still last. Sea Flower joined Great Coon in the lead at the home turn, where Sea Power, Sir Garnish, Eriskay, Merry Lancer, and Pride of Mossburn were all well up, and Grill began to make a move from the back. Great Coon was first into the straight from Sea Power, Sea Flower, and Sir Garnish, with Eriskay, Pride of Mossburn and Grill at the head of the others. Great Coon had the opposition in trouble half way down the running, but he had to be kept up to his work to hold off Grill, who arrived on the scene with a terrific late run. Great Coon hung on for a length decision, with Grill beating Sir Garnish by a length and ahalf for second. In a photo finish for fourth Sea Power secured the decision from Bren Gun. Sea Flower, Hunting Charm, Eriskay and Full Play were next to finish. J. W. Dooley, the rider of Sea Power, failed to weigh in for fourth and the placing, which was worth. £ls, was awarded to Bren Gun. ' Lovemorn Wins Narrowly The Wingatui sprinter Lovemorn secured a narrow decision in the Orawia Handicap. Geisha Girl tried to win all the way, but at the home turn she was joined by Sal’s Pal, with Lovemorn, Naughty Lady, Sterling Lad, Perusha, Heroic Girl, and Nigger Lad prominent. Sal’s Pal had Geisha Girl beaten at the distance and then Lovemorn put in her claim on the outer. In a desperate finish between the pair Lovemorn got in the deciding stride and secured a half head decision in a photo finish. Sterling Lad finished on to get up for third, with Geisha Girl a good fourth. Kiltie’s Double Kiltie completed a double for the meeting by winning the Clifden Steeplechase in sound style. The race was full of interest from the word go and considering the ground he was giving the leaders in the middle stages Kiltie's performance was a grand one. Ruling Moment, who gave a wonderful display of jumping in the early stages, tried to win all the way with half a mile to run he had a break of eight lengths to Kiltie and Desert Trek, with Tamerlane, Kosciusko, and San Quentin following at intervals. At the second to last fence Desert Trek was almost on terms with Ruling Moment, but Desert Trek blundered the fence and his rider lost his irons. At the last fence Ruling Moment was still in front, but he was being hotly challenged by Kiltie and Desert Trek. In the run home Ruling Moment was unable to hold off Kiltie, who finished with a great run to get up and win by half a length. Desert Trek, who was definitely the unlucky runner, was two lengths back third. Tamerlane, Debater, Siglow, and Tring followed at intervals.

Oscillate, whose form on the first day was inquired ito, came into her own in the Novice Handicap, She was well back in the field at the half mile and at the straight entrance she was not well placed behind Marie Rita, The Saint, Gleneagles, who ran wide, Substraction, Effervescence, and Some Sal. Marie Rita was still in front half way down the running but once Oscillate got clear she soon settled the issue and won comfortably by a length and a-quarter. Marie Rita beat Substraction by half a length. Impressive Win

Super Flight scored an impressive win in the Te Tua Handicap, in which she did not have to be ridden out to beat Kasimov by a neck. Kasimov made most of the running, but she was joined by Super Flight at the three, and at the straight entrance they were clear of Dark Chief, Plain Pal, Cloud Song, and Golden Winner. In the) run home Super Flight

soon had the upper hand and she was confidently ridden over the last furlong to beat Kasimov by a neck. Air Chief, who was slow away, was half a length back third. Golden Winner was fourth

and The Grate and Dark Chief were next. Fairy Bard’s Win Fairy Bard returned to the winning list by a useful effort in the Pukemaori Hurdles, but he had nothing to spare from Forage, who finished particularly well. Lisheen made the early running, but at the mile post Fairy Bard took over, and he was not afterwards headed. At the half mile Fairy Bard was closely attended by Lisheen, Wild Cry, Dark Warrior, Forage, Batal, and Siegform, and the others were out of it. Siegform made a bad jump at the second to last fence and dropped out. At the straight entrance Lisheen had had enough, and Fairy Bard was first over the last fence from Forage, Batal, Lisheen and Wild Cry. In the run home Forage finished well to get within a neck of Fairy Bard. Lisheen was a length and a-half back third, with Batal next. Tuatapere Handicap String Band was made a good favourite for the Tuatapere Handicap, but he had his chance completely wrecked at the start when he lost fully a dozen lengths. In the circumstances he did well to get up for fourth. Defendant made most of the running, but at the half mile she was joined by Vanity King, and the pair led round the home turn. Defendant was first into the straight from Vanity King, Baffling, Lady Melrose, Flibbertigibbet, Norse Lass, and Alsvider. Defendant was tackled by Baffling inside the distance, and in a good duel between the pair Baffling got up to secure a neck decision. Lady Melrose was two lengths back third, with String Band another two lengths away.