NOTES ON THE RUNNING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26792, 8 June 1948, Page 8

NOTES ON THE RUNNING

Special to the Bally Times CHRISTCHURCH, June 7. Favoured by the easy going, County Antrim won the All Aged Stakes at Ashburton to-day in fine style, leading over the last half-mile. Navigate ran a greatly improved race fOr second, with Congo Song half a length further baek. At the end of three furlongs, Chief Officer, Congo Song and Belmont Hall were two lengths clear of Fortuna with County Antrim, Dragoman. Navigate and Whipster next. County Antrim had the lead at the half mile, where Congo Song, Dragoman, Belmont Hall and Navigate were the next ones In line. County Antrim stayed on to beat Navigate, who ' finished well. Congo Song battled on to be third with Countless, Dragoman, Loyal Nurse and Belmont Hall following. It was a good performance of County Antrim, who suffers from bad feet. Tire Sapling Stakes produced a surprise when Perpetua beat the favourites Chamfer and Merrymaker. The positions may have been different but for interference on the part of Chamfer with Merrymaker inside the last 100 yards. Chamfer finished second, but an inquiry later placed Merrymaker second Brilliant Light made the pace easy, Merrymaker, Bronze Goid, Vigilant, Rayon, Direct Chief, Globe Theatre and Perpetua being further back. After a bad start Perpetua had joined Brilliant Light in the lead at the fourfurlong peg, Merrymaker leading Spring Fancy, Chamfer. Belmont Hall. Star Rosa and Perpetua ran to the front at the straight and held on from Chamfer, who bored in on Merrymaker, sending him into a tangle. Sea Pirate was fourth in front of Black Diamond. M. Holmes, the driver of Congo Song, was fined £2O. Gougn’s Pride returned a fine performance to win the Winter Handicap. A bad beginning, which was not her fault, made the position look hopeless, but she gradually made ground to be wide out at the half mile. Once in line she finished gamelv under a dard drive. Sirocco and Milford Lad both completed good doubles, for the meeting, each winning with some-' thine in hand. Merrymaker won the imwald Handicap very easily after being out of the ground early.