KEEN FINISH IN CHIEF EVENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23375, 6 December 1937, Page 10

KEEN FINISH IN CHIEF EVENTS

AQUA BOND DEFEATS WAITEMATA

AN ENJOYABLE DAY’S

RACING

A feature of the racing at the Wairio Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday was the fast times registered throughout the day as the majority of the contestants are assessed on loose marks. Iron Duke won a double in convincing style and the manner in which he won over a mile and a-quarter, in saddle, in 2min 49sec, suggests that he will not find it difficult to win a maiden race during the holidays.

OHAI TRIAL STAKES

Well handled by J. Walsh, Appomatox won the Ohai Trial Stakes in a good finish with Halesia. Lady Hedford lost ground at the start and Halesia was first to show out from Happy Peter and Geelong, while Appomatox was smartly away. Halesia ran off the course at the top of the straight and Happy Peter broke up. Leading past the stands Appomatox was a length clear of Halesia, with Geelong, Blue Logan and Imperial Wave following. Appomatox and Halesia drew clear down the back by eight lengths from Blue Logan, with Lady Hedford the handiest of the others. Appomatox led to the straight and went on to win by three lengths. Halesia made a determined effort to overhaul the leader but broke nearing the post. Blue Logan got up to beat Lady Hedford for third. The winner gave a solid showing and appears to be well forward. Halesia, who has not raced for some time, was frightened after half a mile and this may have cost her the race. Lady Hedford gave a good account of herself after losing ground at the start. She showed a good turn of speed down the back straight and will be a prospect among the maiden fields during the holidays. Blue Logan did not make a mistake and did well to get up for third.

WAIRAKI MAIDEN STAKES

Iron Duke made no race of the Wairaki Maiden Stakes and after beginning well was never headed. He won by 20 lengths, in the surprisingly good time of 2min 49sec. Iron Duke lead out from Vice Regal, Gold Streak and Dazzling Sun. With a mile to go Iron Duke was three lengths clear of Vice Regal, Dazzling Sun, Gay Avon, Fransol, Lady Bounce and Gold Streak. Down the back Iron Duke was ten lengths clear of Vice Regal, with a gap •ef four lengths to Gold Streak. Directly was the handiest of the others. Iron Duke was not troubled to maintain his lead and he went on to win by a wide margin. Vice Regal had three lengths to spare from Gold Streak and then came Directly, Fransol, College Boy, Dazzling Sun and Gay Avon.

Iron Duke made no race of it and he completely out-classed the field. Vice Regal was always in second place and he hung on well, while Directly made up a lot of ground over the last half.

TROTTING CLUB HANDICAP

Waitemata and Aqua Bond, both racing for Mr W. D. McLeod, of Mandeville, fought out a good finish in the Wairio Trotting Club Handicap over two miles, Aqua Bond getting the decision by half a length. It was a fine race but the winner and runner-up were much too good for the remainder. Drumbunnif was the first to show out from Loyalist, Bright Voyage, Single Lee, John Desborough, Vinola, Waitemata and Aqua Bond. Single Lee broke up racing down the back where Aqua Bond and Waitemata moved up to the leaders. With a mile to go Waitemata was showing the way to Aqua Bond, Drumbunnif, John Desborough, Guywin and Desert Cloud. At the far turn Waitemata and Aqua Bond were four lengths clear of Drumbunnif wit'', a gap back to John Desborough and the remainder well strung out. Aqua Bond had the advantage turning for home and she had enough in reserve to stave off Waitemata’s challenge but there was little between the pair. Drumbunnif was six lengths back third, and then came John Desborough (fourth), Desert Cloud, Embark and Guywin. The first mile was run in 2min 18sec and the mile and a-half in 3min 27sec. The winner’s time of 4min 37 3-ssec was an outstanding performance under the circumstances and she promises to be heard from at coming meetings. Waitemata was the only one capable of making a race of it and she was not disgraced in defeat. Drumbunnif hung on fairly well, but had no chance.

DUNCAN HANDICAP

In winning the Duncan Handicap from 60yds back, Blue Logan gaye a fine exhibition of trotting, although he had little to spare from the earlier winner, Appomatox. Happy Peter lost ground early but he ran to the front after a furlong being followed by Geelong, Imperial Wave, Blue Logan and Appomatox. Happy Peter made more than one mistake and was joined by Imperial Wave down the back while Appomatox was also right up with the leaders. Imperial Wave and Appomatox led to the course proper with Blue Logan right up handy. Blue Logan unwound a fine burst in the run home to overhaul Appomatox by three lengths. Happy Peter got up to beat Imperial Wave for third. Then came Geelong. It was a useful performance on Blue Logan’s part although the pace over the first mile was very slow.

WREY S BUSH HANDICAP

Fortunate lost her chance at the start of the Wreys Bush Handicap while Directly also lost ground. Betty Joffre and Loyalist were smartest to begin and passing the stands this pair were showing the way to Sunny Rimu, Directly, Loyalist and Fransol. Betty Joffre, Directly and Fransol drew well clear of the remainder racing down the back where Single Lee headed the others. Betty Joffre looked a winner at the distance but she was soon headed by Directly, and Fransol then put in her claim. She finally won with something in hand. Single Lee was fourth and then came Country Lady. Fransol has always had a reputation for speed and on this occasion she did not make a mistake. Directly again gave a good showing while Betty Joffre hung on fairly well.

NIGHTCAPS HANDICAP

There was a good deal of merit in Iron Duke’s success in the Nightcaps Handicap as he struck trouble with seven furlongs to go and almost ran off the course. John Desborough and Drumbunnif led out from Iron Duke with Bright Voyage, Guywin, Vinola and Desert Cloud handy. Bonny Brydone fell going out of the straight and Iron Duke lost a lot of ground. He ran up to the leaders again going down the back and at the far turn was in charge from Drumbunnif, John Desborough and Bright Voyage. In a good race home Iron Duke held his lead to win by a length from Drumbunnif, with John Desborough in third place. Desert Cloud was fourth and then came Bright

Voyage, Vinola and Guywin. The fact that the field was a better class one than he accounted for earlier in the day did not trouble Iron Duke and he won well. Drumbunnif again gave a solid display.