NARROW WIN FOR ELMARCH

Southland Times, Issue 23677, 28 November 1938, Page 10

NARROW WIN FOR ELMARCH

GOOD PERFORMANCE BY SURE POTTS THE SANDWICHMAN PAYS DOUBLE FIGURES / —— (Special to The Times) CHRISTCHURCH, November 25. The Apprentices’ Hack Handicap for apprentice riders created much interest as the majority of the riders was almost new to the game. A close contest was staged. An excellent start was effected, the only sufferer being the ultimate winner, Elmarch, who backed out when the barrier went up. Ilithyia quickly assumed command and, accompanied by Happy Memory, led into the straight from Maroha, La Plata and Bastille, with Elmarch making an appearance from a rear position. Maroha, with -a run on the fence, drew level with the leading pair 100 yards from the post, and Dividend and Elmarch then joined in. Maroha had his head in front a few strides from the line, but Elmarch got up to beat him by a head, with a similar margin to Ilithyia, who beat Happy Memory by a head. Dividend was a length away in front of La Plata and Dropped Catch. FAVOURITE’S GOOD WIN Keen Sight and Improvident disputed’ favouritism for the Lagmhor Plate and they fought out the issue throughout. They raced abreast to the straight entrance from Real Lady, Spartan, Sportsman, Nigella and Avenal. Although Improvident was able to keep Keen Sight up to his work, the latter was always going better and won comfortably. Real Lady held on for third money from Spartan and Chantour. OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE Sure Potts, winner of the Melrose Trot, was responsible, for an outstanding performance, as, after being the early leader, he broke and with a mile to go was several lengths away from the leaders, Acuity and Lady Vasclyne. He then made a fast forward move and followed Lady Vasclyne into the straight, with William Potts and Palomar next. Sure Potts gradually wore down the leader to beat her comfortably. Palomar was a fair third, a length in front of William Potts, with a gap to Poker Face and Peter Bee. Girl Pat, Braw Lass and MacGregor broke up at the start. CALCULATIONS UPSET The Sandwichman upset all calculations by winning the principal event, the Tinwald Handicap, practically from the barrier rise. He paid good double figures in a six-horse race. Dictate was the first to show out, at the end of a furlong, The Sandwichman was in front from Dictate and Roy Bun. Dictate lost his place rounding the top turn, and Argentic and Last Refrain moved up to the leader, but this pair did not carry on. The Sandwichman was well clear of Dictate, Roy Bun .and Argentic entering the straight, and although Dictate threw out a determined challenge, the outsider was never in real danger. Dictate was only just able to hold off Roy Bun. Argentic was three lengths away, with Last Refrain and Gironde tailed off. The Sandwichman was having his first race in open company, and actually outclassed his opponents on the day. Dictate lost some valuable ground during the middle stages, but nevertheless did not complete his task very satisfactorily. Roy Bun found the journey too far. Argentic had every chance, but was in trouble two furlongs from home. Last Refrain ran one of his poor races, but will do better during the holidays. Gironde made a weak showing. TORO KOURA’S GOOD WIN Toro Koura and Phalanx, the two best supported in theWinchmore Hack Handicap, fought out a sustained tussle, the former gaining the verdict by a neck. Passenger soon took up the role of pacemaker and with half the journey covered was three lengths clear of To uro Koura, Phalanx, Scuffle and Gay Parade, all in fairly close order. Passenger stopped as soon as the field was straightened up, and Toro Koura was left in charge from Phalanx and Gay Parade. Phalanx

-- " 1 —"1 drew up to Toro Koura a furlong from home, but the latter was always going better. Gay Parade was a good third, well clear of Passenger, with Roro Hika and Scuffle next. FIELD OUTCLASSED The Hamilton-owned and Riccartpntrained Teak was not in as much demand for the Highweight Hack Handicap as his form at the Cup meeting warranted, but he outclassed the nela. He soon went to the front and at the half-mile was three lengths in front of Aggravate, Manetho, Miracle ana Dracula. This order was maintained to the straight entrance, with Lofty becoming prominent on the rails and Bit o’ Blue moving up from a rear position. Teak was never in danger of being overhauled, and won decisively from Bit o’ Blue. Manetho just held off Lofty for third money.. Flashlight and Aggravate were next, in front of Dracula and Superex. COCKSURE’S GOOD FORM Rebel Chief was the early leader in the Wakanui Handicap, and piloted Cocksure, Lady Leigh and Rabble into the straight, but soon retired. Lady Leigh then showed out from Cocksure and Rabble, but 100 yards from the post Cocksure had drawn on terms with her. The pair raced neck-and-neck for a few chains, but Cocksure always held the favourite’s measure and completed his task very solidly. Rabble was a good third, half a length in front of Golden Chest, with Ponty and Rebel Chief well back. PALOMAR’S SUCCESS Palomar won the Mayfield Trot Handicap from end .to end. He was followed early •by Amywin, Devotion, Chieftainess, Four Square and Waikare Jack, and led into the straight from Waikare Jack, Devotion, Chieftainess and Kilrea. Waikare Jack threw out a strong challenge, but Palomar was not seriously troubled. Kilrea came with a late run to gain third from Nelson Eddy, who was also well back turning for home. Chieftainess. Devotion and Silk King were next. Amywyn broke up when one of the leaders at the half-mile and interfered with Gentleman Joe, whose driver was thrown from the sulky. Four Square and Kilrea also met trouble.