D. TODD’S TWO WINS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26917, 1 November 1948, Page 2

D. TODD’S TWO WINS

ESTO FIDELIS IMPRESSIVE Special to the Daily Times INVERCARGILL. Oct. 31. The Mataura trainer. D. Todd, won the two principal events, the Southland Handicap with Prince Hall and the Members' Handicao with Esto Fidelis, at the Invercargill Trotting Club's spring meeting yesterday. Prince Hall, who was making his first appearance for the season, outstayed the opposition ,in the Southland Handicap, in which he was prominently placed all the way. Esto Fidelis won with something to spare after racing wide out to take the lead with less than three furlongs to run. Lottie Dale, who won the Travis Memorial Handicap, returned a win dividend of more than three-quarters of a century. The track was heavy for the first few races, but it improved later. Novice Handicap Fernbrook Jack was not seriously troubled to win the first division of the Novice Handicap. He lost some ground at the start, and won by two lengths from Plausible, who got up to beat Quick Trick by a neck in a photo finish for second. There was a break of 12 lengths to Golden Jack, who .broke up badly at the start. In the second division Landlight scored a runaway win. At the straight entrance, he was four lengths clear of Bonnie Drive, First Lord, Curiosity, and Final Return. Landlight won by six lengths, and Final Return beat Curiosity by a neck for second, with First Lord close up fourth and Bonnie Drive next. Curiosity was the unlucky runner. Eynsford Oak was responsible for an impressive showing to win the third division after covering some extra ground, winning by a length from Jingle's Pride, who beat Trouville by two lengths and a-half. Monowai Handicap There was a good finish to the first division of the Monowai Handicap, in which Sure Peg got up in the last stride or two to secure a head decision from Pukatee, with Nonna’s Pride a further head back third. Knocknagree, who tried to get through on the inner in the run home, finished fast into fourth place when he got clear. The second division was a poor affair, with Olympus and Stray Shot, who finished first and second, -preadeagling the opposition. Olympus stayed on the better to beat Stray Shot by a length. Pardon, who broke with a furlong to run, but soon recovered his gait, was two lengths back third, and Ivondale was a poor fourth. Crescent Handicap Keymaster won the Crescent Handicap in sound style and returned a good double-figure win dividend. Keymaster had the measure of Fernbrook Jack at the straight entrance, where Tutta Bella, who had put in a sustained run over tire last half-mile, Saga, Grattan Wave and Sandyscene were in close order. Keymaster stuck to his task in the run home to hold off Tutta Bella by a length, with Sandyscene finishing on two lengths back third. Fernbrook Jack was three lengths away fourth.

Southland Handicap In the Southland Handicap Victory Dale lost several lengths at the start. After passing the half-mile, Blonde Sailor was headed by Prince Hall and they were being challenged at the straight entrance by Hall Ace, with Victory Dale, Parawa Derby, Lucky Meg and Air Mail close up. In the run home Prince Hall did not look like being beaten, winning by two lengths from Lucky Meg. Blonde Sailor finished on again to be half a length back third, with a neck to Hall Ace. The next to finish were Victory Dale, Degreed, Parawa Derby, Air. Mail and South Wind. Hall Ace was placed third by the judge, but Mr F; G. Tavener, owner of Blonde Sailor, appealed to the stipendiary stewards to inspect the photo for third. When this was done It was found that Blonde Sailor was third, and the placings were within the five minutes allowed the judge to make an alteration. Takitlmu Handicap Bradley did not leave the issue in doubt over the concluding stages of the Takitimu Handicap, and he won with a lot In hand. Sure Silver'"sobn ran to the front, but at the half mile he was headed by Solandri, who opened up a lead of two lengths from Bradley. At the home turn Bradley had the measure of Solandri. and he won by six lengths from Happy Joe. who beat- Solandri by a length for second. Nedlands' was a long way back next. Thomson Handicap Glengarry won his first race for almost two years when he outclassed the opposition in the Thomson Handicap. Glengarry was clear of New Order, Will Scarlett, Squire Dillon, Gunsmoke. and Walnut Hall at the half mile post. At the straight entrance Glengarry was two lengths clear of New Order. Will Scarlett, Walnut Hall and Squire Dillon, and he came away from his field over the. last furlong to beat Walnut Hall by 12 lengths. New Order was beaten into third place in a photo finish, with Fortitude and Will Scarlett next. Blue Heaven fell near the half mile post. Travis Handicap In the Travis Memorial Handicap Lottie Dale was three lengths clear of Pardon and Olympus racing down the back and at the straight entrance. She won by a length and a-half from Pardon, who beat Stray Shot by three lengths., Pukatee finished well to be a length back fourth, with Ivondale and Sure Friend next Members’ Handicap Esto Fidelis justified her choice as favourite for the Members’ Handicap, which she won impressively after covering some extra ground in the middle stages. Esto Fidelis led into the straight from Active S;rvice. Parawa Derby, South Wind, Blonde Sailor and Hall Ace. She won by two lengths from Parawa Derby, who beat Hall Ace by a length. South Wind was beaten into fourth place in a photo finish, and then came Active Service and Blonde Sailor.