CLOSE FINISHES ARE ALWAYS QUESTIONED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27018, 1 March 1949, Page 8

CLOSE FINISHES ARE ALWAYS QUESTIONED

As is always the case when close finishes occur, there was considerable diversity of opinion about the placings in the Trial Handicap, in which the judge declared a dead-heat between Dinnyhazer, and Robin Redbreast, with Sweet Lorraine half a head away. Some thought Dinnyhazer had won, others were equally insistent that Robin Redbreast was the winner, while a few favoured Sweet Lorraine, who finished faster than the other two. The judge was the only one who could tell, and if the photo-finish had been in operation it would no doubt have confirmed his placings. The press enclosure is on a very slight angle to the finishing wire but it is sufficient to put the occupants out of count when it comes to expressing an opinion concerning a close finish. Jottings

The Grand National Steeplechase will be run at Aintree on March 19. Money Lender has won his three races in open company. The race she had on Saturday will probably mark a big improvement in Heroic Girl Acceptances for the second day of the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting are due to-day. Big in Condition Tring and Arabian Night were very big in condition when they were produced for the St. Andrew’s Handicap and it was not surprising to see them drift just after the start. Omitted Nigger Lad 7.8, should have been included in the list of handicaps for the March Handicap, at Wingatui next Saturday and Defendant 7.0, in the Wingatui Handicap. Milly Mandy’s Sister The full sister to Milly Mandy, who realised 160 guineas at the Wingatui sales, has gone into E. E. Hunt’s stable. Felt the Weight Lance Art ran a solid race in the Tradesmen’s Handicap to finish fifth. He was nicely placed throughout the. running but weight was telling at the finish. Retired Lady Melrose, who broke down last week, has been retired from the race track and will be sent to the stud. A Speedy Sort Ladv Claret showed speed in the Dunedin Handicap but did not carry it fai enough. She shows promise of being more than useful. Finished Well Benevolus did not come into the picture in the Dunedin Handicap until the closing stages and he should be an improved horse next Saturday. Began Slowly Fille d’Honneur got away badly in the Dunedin Handicap and lost any chance she had. Once on the journey the Finis filly can pull out a good turn of speed. Supported by Stable The Salmagundi mare Weldrest carried the confidence of the stable in the Maungatua Handicap, but she did not run up to expectations based on track work and was never in the call. Returning to Form Red Pickle came with a good run to nose Bath Slipper out of second place in the Autumn Handicap and provided he keeps sound the Salmagundi galloper will not be long in recompensing his new owner. Set the Pace Bath Slipper gave further indication of an early return to winning form by running third to Excellency and Red Pickle in the Autumn Handicap. She began smartly and. with Cipher, carried the field along most of the way. Never Likely • Milly Mandy started from' the outside position in the Maungatua Handicap but she began well and was in a handy position at the end of a furlong. She never made anv impression on the leaders, however, and she was eased up short of the post. An Outsider Putechan ran a surprisingly good race to finish third to Baygundi and Attractive Air in the Maungatua Handicap, as he had only recently been put into work. The black Straightcourse gelding looks capable of winning on the minor circuit and will probably be raced at Cromwell next week.