PREMIER ROYAL WINS NARROWLY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27213, 17 October 1949, Page 6

PREMIER ROYAL WINS NARROWLY

MAIN RACE AT FORBURY Conceit Succeeds In Trotters’ Event BABY GRAND BEATS SPRINTERS Fine weather and a card of good fields drew a large attendance to Forbury Park on Saturday, when the local trotting club concluded its spring meeting. The going was a little on the dead side at the outset, but was firm and fast for the second half of the programme. Form worked out well compared with the running on the first day and the only substantial dividend paid during the day was the one returned by Super Scotch in the Domain Handicap. The confidently backed Pierre, improved by his race the first day, won the Royal Handicap in fine style, but his task was made much easier when a, bad smash occurred as the field was running out of the straight the first time. Sirocco hobbled, interfering with Tutta Bella, and as the result of collisions and falls other horses whose chances were extinguished were Constellation, Hall Ace, Allanah, Belle Potts and Saga. The defection of Attack from the President’s Handicap caused disappointment but the race provided the best finish of the day, with the camera being called on to decide the result.

Although there were only seven starters in the President’s Handicap the finish was , a thrilling one and a photo was required to decide all the placings. It was onlyover the last three furlongs that the speed was on, the first half being run in lmin 9 sec and the first mile in 2 min .15 4-ssec. Democrat broke badly at the start and lost at least 48 yards but with no pace on he soon Joined the field, which turned into the back in Indian file, with Right Royal leading, followed by Prince Hall, Minoru, Dragoman, On Approval, Premier Royal, and Democrat. Prince HaU took up the running to lead at the end of six ■ furlongs, with Minoru, Right Royal, and On Approval next. Minoru shaded Prince Hall and On Approval into the last round, with • Premier Royal next and Dragoman and Democrat at the back of the field. Minoru was still out in front turning for home from On Approval and Premier Royal. Halfway down the running the field closed up and the official verdict was for Premier Royal by a short neck frohi On Approval, with Democrat, who staged a grandstand finish getting up to beat Prince Hall by a neck for third. The order after that was Minoru, Right Royal, and Dragoman. SPRINT TO FAVOURITE As a result of his good third in the sprint on the first day Baby Grand was made each-way favourite for the Farewell Handicap, and he won decisively after making most of the running. Positive . showed the way out of the barrier but Baby Grand was quickly taken to the front to lead down the back followed by Positive, Lyndale, Black Machine. Novelda, Caudray and Sir Peterson. • Pacing strongly. Baby Grand was first into the last circuit clear of Sir Peterson and Positive and three furlongs from home these three were followed by British Machine, Lyndale, Premier Royal, and Lady Averil. Premier Royal was moving up on the bend and the order into the straight was Baby Grand, Positive, Sir Peterson, Black Machine, Caudray, Lyndale, and Premier Royal. Kept up to his work, Baby Grand won decisively and Positive was well clear of Black Machine, who shaded Premier Royal, and then came Novelda, Lady Averil, and Caudray. CONCEIT IMPROVES Improved by his race on the first day, Conceit won the Churchill Handicap well, 1 as he broke half a mile from home and lost a few lengths. Lady Inchcape lost her chance at this stage, as she was interfered with. The full card went to the post and they moved away well, but Sure Maid, Bessie Grattan, Noble Star, Blackdale and Teddy Gregg all broke in the first furlong. At the end of two furlongs Billy McElwyn was out in front from Nydia, Vinceremo, Conceit and Lady Inchcape. Nydia headed Billy McElwyn as they turned Into the back stretch, but left her feet immediately, and five furlongs from home Vinceremo was the leader from Billy McElwyn, Conceit, Lady Inchcape, Sandy Duval and Nydia. Conceit broke at the half-mile post, and Lady Inchcape also lost ground. Conceit settled down quickly and went on to win by two lengths from Billy McElwyn, who was four lengths clear of Sandy Duval. Vinceremo, Lady Inchcape and Bessie Grattan were next. SPEEDY BUT ERRATIC After breaking badly in the back straight about three furlongs and a-half from home. Dictation lost most of his long lead, but he settled down again and went right away to come home by himself, the official margin being 15 lengths. Lockinvar lost his chance by breaking at the start and he refused to trot evenly. Dictation skipped at the start and again in the first furlong, and Efficient led past the stand, followed by Dame Durdin, Dictation, Norma’s Pride, Sure Peg, Ripcord, Finale, and High Stakes, with Lochinvar well back.' Norma’s Pride left her feet running through the back stretch, and Dictation went to the front at the far turn to lead into the last round, followed by Efficient, Ripcord, who was trotting very solidly. Dame Durdin, Sure Peg and High Stakes. When Dictation settled down after his break about three furlongs and a-half from home the race was over, as he dropped the field to win from Ripcord and Dame Durdin, who skipped at the home turn, came home very fast for third. Efficient was fourth, followed by High Stakes, Sure Peg, Finale. and Norma’s Pride. e LED ALL THE WAY Getting out well, Pierre was never headed in the Royal Handicap, and his winning margin from Air Mail was a length and a-half. Slavonic broke at the start and put himself out of court. The smash eliminated about half the field, and after it occurred Pierre was showing the way to Brynawelon, Great Wonder, Air Mail, Coliseum, Sirocco and Melton. The order- was unchanged over the next circuit, and, although Air Mail threw out a challenge in the run home, Pierre never looked in danger of defeat. Great Wonder was an easy third from Brynawelon, who drifted in the last round, and the next to finish were Coliseum, Sirocco and Melton. FORM HORSE WINS Systematic was made win favourite for the Victory Handicap and in a duel with 'Sandy Logan over the last half-furlong he beat the Sandydale gelding by half a length. Shalimar and Fabric Silk broke at the start and Fillmore was the first to show out from Darrington Hall, Systematic, Wedding Ring, Tom Gundy, Worthy Dick, Gold Strand, and Sandy Logan. So they ran for over seven furlongs, and then Sandy Logan began to sweep round the field, and Awadale was also moving tip. Continuing his run, Sandy Logan was the first to head for home, followed by Systematic, Awadale, and Darrington Hall. Sandy Logan fought on gamely, but Systematic worried him out of it, and Awadale came on for third ahead of Foreign Lady, Tom Gundy, Fabric Silk, Wedding Ring, and Worthy Dick. AN OUTSIZE DIVIDEND Super Scotch paid the dividend of the meeting when he won the Domain Handicap. the price being over a third of a century. He was always well placed and finished resolutely to beat Grey Streak. Peggydale put up.a good performance to get third from the back mark, and she should soon be in better classe. Desert Flight, Joygiver and Viligant lost ground at the start and Nebula broke badly in the first furlong. The early leaders were ' Grey Streak. Master Mariner, Daisy Bar, Woodstock, Final Return, Super Scotch and Direct Power. There was little alteration in the order over the first mile, but down the back the last time Peggydale was moving through the field. At the home turn Grey Streak had a break on Daisy Bar, Woodstock, Final Return, Super Scotch, and Peggydale. Super Scotch and Peggydale both finished fast and Super Scotch beat Grey Streak by a length, with Peggydale the same distance away. Final Return was fourth ahead of Daisy Bar, Wrackdale, Woodstock and Direct Power. TWO-DIVIDEND FIELD Two scratchings reduced the St. Kilda Handicap field to seven runners and the first ana second favourites had the finish to themselves. Nature Girl winning from Quindale. Mischievous was last to leave and Nature Girl led out, followed by Cottesloe, Quindale, Mystery Dillon, Lusty Bingen, Lucky Fellow, and Mischievous. The last-named put in a fast run in the back straight and a round from home she was third to Nature Girl and Cottesloe. with Quindale next. Once well into the straight Quindale set out after Nature Girl, but she staved off the challenge by a length Mystery Dillon Just beat Cottesloe for third and then came Lusty Bingen, Mischievous, and Lucky Fellow.

THREE SUCCESSES M. HOLMES HAS GOOD DAY DICTATION WINS WELL The Christchurch trainer, M. Holmes, had a good innings- on the concluding day of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday, when he drove three winners and two seconds. He trained two of the winners himself. He started off with a second to Nature Girl with Quindale in the St. Kilda Handicap, then he won with Conceit in the Churchill Handicap, Pierre in the Royal Handicap, drove Sandy Logan into second place in the Victory Handicap, and won the last race behind Baby Grand. The totalisator handled £91,795, compared with £88,758 10s on the corresponding day last year, making the total for the meeting £176,926, against £165,975 last year. Results:— TAHUNA HANDICAP, Of £350. Class 3.39. One mile and a-half. 1/3—Dictation, Mr J. Wilson’s blk g, by Josedale Dictator —Seal Globe, syrs, scr (Owner) 1 2/I—Ripcord, Mr H. J. Hewson’s b h, syrs, 36yds bhd (S. a. Edwards) - 4/4—Dame Durdin, Messrs J. F. Grant and M. S. Turton’s b m, 6yrs, scr ' (T. H. Gunning) 3 Also started: 5/5 Efficient scr, 7/7 Finale scr, 3/2 Lochinvar scr, 7/9 Norma’s Pride scr, 8/8 Sure Peg 24yds bhd. 6/6 High Sthkes 60. Won by 15 lengths; two. Efficient was fourth. Times: 3min 32 l-ssec, 3min 33 4-ssec, 3min 37sec. (Winner trained by owner, Rakaia.) ST. KILDA HANDICAP,

Of £4OO. Class 3.33. One mile and a-half. 2/1 —Nature Girl, Messrs G. J. and C. W. Belcher's blk m, by U. Scott —Great Muricata, syrs, scr (W. R. Butt) 1 1/3—Quindale, Mesrs W. A. Eddowes and A. G. Downes’ b g. 4yrs, scr (M. Holmes) 2 3/2—Mystery Dillon, Mr J. Smythe’s b g, aged, scr (D. Jones) 3

Also started: 5/5 Cottesloe scr, 4/4 Mischievous scr, 6/6 Lusty Bingen 12yds bhd, 7/7 Lucky Fellow 24. Won -by half a length; two. Cottesloe was fourth. Times: 3min 27 l-ssec, 3min 27 2-ssec, 3min 27 4-ssec.

(Winner trained by W. R. Butt, Templeton.) DOMAIN HANDICAP,

Of £SOO. Class 3.29. One mile and a-half, 13/11—Super Scotch, Mr O. Clarke’s blk g, by u. Scott—Escapade, aged, scr (J, Behrns) 1 4/3—Grey Streak, Mr J. Spiers’s gr g, 6yrs, scr (I. W. Dickie) .. .. 2 9/9—Peggydale, Mr M. J. Smith's dk b m, 6yrs, 36yds bhd (H. I. Herbert) 3

Also started: 6/6 Desert Flight scr, 5/4 Direct Power scr, 14/15 Final Return scr, 3/5 Joygiver scr, 12/12 Master Mariner scr, 2/2 Vigilant scr, 10/10 Woodstock scr, 11/13 Wrackdale scr, 8/8 Daisy Bar 12yds bhd, 15/14 Roulette 12 and Tautuku 12 (bracketed), 7/7 Double Deck 12, 1/1 Nebula 12, 16/16 Josedale Audubon 24. Won by three-quarters of a length; two. Final Return was fourth. Times: 3min 20sec, 3min 20 l-ssec, 3min 17 2-ssec. (Winner trained by C. H. G. Irvine, Dunedin.)

PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP, Of £I2OO. Class 4.28. Two miles, 2/3—Premier Royal, Mr B. C. Lee’s b g, by Grattan Loyal—Clarice, aged, 12yds bhd (T. Thompson) .. .. 1 1/I—On Approval, Mr C. L. Rhodes’s b g, 6yrs, 24 (O. E. Hooper) .. 2 3/2—Democrat, Mrs A. E. Keeler and J. M. Bain’s b m, aged, scr (M. K. Gray), bracketed with Prince Hall 3 Also started: 5/5 Right Royal scr, 3/2 Prince Hall scr (bracketed with Democrat),6/4 iMinoru 12, 4/6 Dragoman 48. Won by a short neck; three-quarters of a length. Prince Hall was fourth. Times: 4min 29sec, 4min 28 l-ssec, 4min 30 2-ssec. (Winner trained by T. Thompson, Yaldhurst.) CHURCHILL HANDICAP, Of £6OO Class 3.33. One mile and a-half. 2/1 —Conceit, Messrs H. and C. Stafford’s b g, by Desmond’s Pride— Mersa Matruh, 6yrs, 24yds bhd (M. Holmes) 1 8/8 —Billy McElwyn, Messrs A. J. Higgs and J. Owens’s b g, aged, scr (G. Holmes) 2 5/s—Sandy Duval, estate late V. Constant's ch g, 6yrs, scr (D. Jones) 3 Also started: 6/6 Nydia scr and Noble Star 48yds bhd (bracketed), 9/9 Sure Maid scr, 1/2 Bessie Grattan 12yds bhd, 3/3 Lady Inchcape 12, 4/4 Vinceremo 12, 7/7 Blackdale 36, 10/10 Teddy Gregg 36. Won by two lengths: four. Vinceremo was fourth. Times: 3min 23sec, 3min 25 l-ssec, 3min 26sec. (Winner trained by M. Holmes, Riccarton.) ROYAL HANDICAP, Of £575. Class 3.25. One mile and a-half. 1/I—Pierre, Mr J. S. Dick's b g, by Dillon Hall—Mademoiselle, syrs, scr (M. Holmes) .. 1 2/2—Air Mail, Mr A. Simpson’s b m, aged, 12yds bhd (W. R. Butt) .. 2 5/5 —Great Wonder, Mr J.. W. Brosnan’s ch g, aged, scr (C. C. Devine) 3 Also started: 2/3 Belle Potts and Allanah scr (bracketed), 11/11 Brynawelon scr, 2/4 Constellation scr, 12/12 Hall Ace scr, 10/9 Melton scr, 9/10 Sirocco scr and Coliseum 12yds bhd (bracketed), 6/6 Saga scr, 7/7 Tutta Bella scr, 8/8 Slavonic scr and Smirke 24 (bracketed). Won by one length and a-half; two. Brynawelon was fourth. Times: 3mln 16sec, 3min 15 2-ssec, 3min 16 3-ssec. (Winner trained by M. Holmes, Riccarton.) VICTORY HANDICAP, Of £675. Class 3.22. One mile and a-half. 12, 10/9 Minoru 12, 14/14 Aberhall 24. Won by Grattan Loyal—War Bride, 6yrs, scr (R. Young) 1 2/1 —Sandy Logan, Mr R, Tohill’s b g, aged, 12yds bhd (M. Holmes), bracketed with Foreign Lady .. 2 4/4 —Awadale, Mr A. W. Argyle’s b g, aged, scr (J Behrns) .. .. .. 3 Also started: 5/5 Gold Strand scr, 8/8 Darrington Hall scr and Fillmore scr (bracketed), 3/2 Fabric Silk scr and Wedding Ring* scr (bracketed), 6/6 Shalimar scr, 7/7 Worthy Dick scr, 2/1 Foreign Lady 12yds bhd (bracketed with Sandy Logan), 10/10 Tam o’ Shanter 12yds bhd, 9/9 Tom Gundy 12. Won by half a length; three. Foreign Lady was fourth. Times: 3min 14 l-ssec, 3min 13 2-ssec, 3min 14 3-ssec. (Winner trained by G. S. Smith, Addington.) FAREWELL HANDICAP, Of £7OO. Class 3.2. One mile and three furlongs. 1/I—Baby Grand, Mr C. S. Over’s br g, by Lusty Volo—Mountain Jewel, aged, scr (M. Holmes), bracketed with Right Royal 1 2/2—Positive, Mr P. P. Gallagher’s b g, aged, scr (Owner) 2 9/6 —Black Machine, Mr W. H. Andrew’s blk g, aged, scr (W. R. Butt) .. 3 Also started: 1/1 Right Royal scr (bracketed with Baby Grand), 3/4 Sir Peterson 12yds bhd, 12/13 Caudray scr, 11/12 Lyndale scr, 7/10 Novelda scr, 6/7 Captain Sandy 36, 5/5 Premier Royal scr, 8/8 Dragoman 12, 4/3 Lady Averil 12 and Maudeen 24 (bracketed), 13/11 Follow Me 12, 10/9 Minoru 12, 14/14 Aberhall 24. Won by one length and a-half; two. Premier Royal was fourth. Times: 2min 56 2-ssec, 2min 56 3-ssec, 2min 56 4-ssec. (Winner trained by G. S. Smith, Addington.) WINNING OWNERS C. L. Rhodes £IO3O, B. C. Lee £B2O, H. Rattray £583, C. S. Over £530, R. Tohill £5lB, Mrs E. L. McKeon £460, A. Crossan £448, H. and C. Stafford £420, Brownson Bros. £4OO, M. J. Smith £385, J. S. Dick £383, O. Clarke £335, G. J. and C. W. Belcher £3lO, H.' J. Hewson £305, J. Wilson £305, P. P. Gallagher £305, R Brown £270, T. W. Gudsell £240, A. Simpson £230, J. Spiers £l5O, J. Smythe £l2O, L. S. and J. C. Purdue £l2O, A. G. Downes £l2O, Mrs A. E. Keeler and J. M. Bain £l2O, A. J. Higgs and J. Owens £l2O, J. W. Brosnan £ll4, W. E. Desmond and R. T. Lisle £IOO, W. H. Andrews £IOO, F. Ruck £IOO, w. A. Eddowes and A. G. Downes £BO, W. Prendeville £67, A. W. Argyle £67, T. B. Mason £6O, estate late V. Constant £6O, J. F. Grant and M. S. Turton £45, M. L. Teahen £35, A. E. Laing and J. Bisman £25, W. R. R. Cruickshank £2O, W. T. Lowe £2O, D. Teahen £2O, Mr and Mrs C. H. Breeze £2O, J. R. and R. J. Cleave £ls. T. W. Allcock £ls, C. S. Donald £lO. Total £IO,OOO.

TAXES PAID

► £ s. d. Totalisator tax .. 8848 16 0 Dividend tax .. 7741 18 0 Stakes tax .. .. • • l 00 0 0 Amusement tax .. .. 281 1 7 £16,971 15 7