MANY SURPRISE WINNERS

Southland Times, Issue 23817, 15 May 1939, Page 11

MANY SURPRISE WINNERS

Sea Gift’s Three Score Dividend

GINGER JACK WINS SPRINT

(Special to The Times) DUNEDIN, May 13. Hamel Bey was elected a good favourite for the Tahuna Handicap but his supporters received a poor run. Betty Drusus, Syntax, Rich Harvest, Paddy’s Harvest, Premier, All Worthy, Hatrack, Orphan Bingen and Chudleigh also broke at one stage of the journey and the race practically resolved into a duel between Great Mountain and CoDirector, who both ran much better races than on the first day. The former was in charge at the end of two furlongs and remained in front to run out a comfortable winner. Co-director as easily held second place from Sir Kit, who moved into third place approaching the straight. Jimmy Drusus was a poor fourth with the remainder out of it. Great Mountain finished fourth on the first i day after losing a lot of ground at the start. FAVOURITE BEATEN The favourite, Axspear, failed to uphold the support accorded him in the Southland Handicap and was in difficulties after three furlongs. Accountant and Rowi, next in order of preference, justified their following but both went under in an exciting finishing to an outsider in Seascape, whose win dividend was just short of a score. With five furlongs to go she was up in second place behind Great Joy and following this pair were Royal Thread, Marfax, Rowi and Accountant. Ochiltree showed up on the outside going down the bdck but she could not reach the leaders and Great Joy led Seascape, Royal Thread and Rowi into the straight. Great Joy collapsed and Seascape held on gamely under punishment to stave off Rowi. Accountant was nearly in line with Rowi and further out only half a length away was Royal Thread. Marfax, Great Joy and Worthy Cross were next. Princess Rey, Petite and Wraquill broke at the start and Charles Russell and Worthy Cross met interference just before half amile had been covered. ANOTHER SETBACK

Another setback was experienced by the public in the Pacific Handicap, the favourite. King Potts, being stopped by Coherto and Willow Bank breaking in front of him. Pecunia also failed to go. Gold Bank was just about to take the lead at the end of two furlongs when he broke and, boring over to the rails, badly interfered with the rest of the field. Lady Slipper and Dan McGrew went on from Gold Bank, who was followed by Purina. The two leaders were still clear beginning the last lap with Purina, Gay Avon, Gold Bank and Nelson Eddy handy. Gold Bank again moved up going, down the back but Lady Slipper, being hard driven, showed the way into the straight from Gold. Bank, Dan McGrew and Gay Avon with Nelson Eddy two lengths away. Half-way down the straight Lady Slipper came away from the rails and Gay Avon’s driver took advantage of the opening to win rather easily. Nelson Eddy just got up to head Dan McGrew on the post about two lengths behind Lady Slipper. Gay Avon’s success was the first for Southland at the m. ■»ting and she paid a good double-figure dividend for a win. , SEA GIFTS SURPRISE . The James Memorial Handicap was won by the rank outsider of the field, Sea Gift, who beat a strong field of pacers in striking fashion and returning a dividend of over three score on the win machine. Marlene, Toorak, Sea Gift, Nell Grattan and Silver Guy was the order just after the start, but at the end of half a-mile Silver Guy shot round to replace Sea Gift, who had momentarily taken up the lead. With six furlongs covered the order was Silver Guy, Sea Gift, Nell Grattan, Marlene, Marsceres, Toorak and Horsepower. They ran in practically the same order for another lap and there was little change at the straight entrance. In a great race home Sea Gift outstayed the field and Marsceres finished fast to head off Marlene. Silver Guy, when fighting out the issue with the placed horses, went to a break and lost all chance. Toorak was fourth, followed by Nell Grattan, Ferry Post and Horsepower. EASY FOR COQUETTE Form was well judged by the public in the Railway Handicap with the success of Coquette. She won very easily, but the race as a spectacle was badly marred by an accident after half a furlong. Don- Acron went to a break and fell, Directly, Stamboul and Fortex crashing over the top of the fallen horse. Stamboul 'got up again, went another 100 yards and slipped under the bottom rail. The rear of the sulky was hung up on the top rail and despite the efforts of a brigade of spectators Stamboul could not be removed before the field came round again and it swung round the fallen horse and some of the helpers almost collided with the runners. Regal led Foremost Junior, Coquette and Guywin with five furlongs to go with the driverless Fortex in the middle of the field. Fortex went through to the lead down the back and looked a danger, but Coquette steered clear and came on to win easily. Regal finished four lengths away, just in front of Foremost Junior. The accident was attributed to Don Acron jumping a shadow. It was one of the worst seen in a race at Forbury Park. BLUE LOGAN’S DISPLAY Peggotty was a solid favourite,, for the Peninsula Handicap and, though she ran an honest race, she was beaten into third place. Blue Logan led practically all the way. He went to a break at the last furlong and Lament, who had been nursed in behind him, was hailed as the winner. Blue Logan, however, quickly regained his gait and came on to head Lament in the final stages. Peggotty was right up third, and then came Royal Romance. Captain Bolt broke twice on the journey, while Guy Hugo and Aristotle failed to go away. A DEAD-HEAT

King Potts and Gay Lady were the best backed for the Royal Handicap. The former managed to split the result with College Boy, but Gay Lady was beaten before the last quarter. College Boy took the lead off King Potts inside the first half-mile and with six furlongs covered showed the way to Privateer, King Potts, Gay Lady, Gay Avon, Southern Chief and Embark. Except for Gay Lady improving her position over the next round there was little change in the order beginning the final lap. Van Derby shortly afterwards, however, bridged the gap to the bunch and he was fourth into the straight to King Potts and College

Boy, practically on terms, and Southern Chief. King Potts looked an outright winner halfway down the running, but College Boy came on again to dead-heat with him. Southern Chief maintained third place despite a strong challenge, by Van Derby in the straight. The latter ran a splendid race. BACKMARKER WINS

A hot favourite in Lightning Lady lost all chance at the start of the Farewell Handicap. Walter Gay took charge early and starting on the final five furlongs was followed by Red Pigeon, Fremont, Horse Power, Waipahi, Southern Smile and Ginger Jack. Waipahi and Ginger Jack were both moving up approaching the straight, where Walter Gay and Red Pigeon led a bunched field. Walter Gay was hanging on well half-way down the running, but he was immediately challenged by Waipahi, and then Ginger Jack, wide out, and Horsepower put in their claims. Red Pigeon was also there and, with about half a dozen horses lined across the track it was a thrilling finish as they crossed the line. Ginger Jack was awarded the verdict from Walter Gay, with Horsepower just beating Red Pigeon. Waipahi seemed unlucky to miss a place.