COMBAT’S SMALL MARGIN

Southland Times, Issue 24356, 10 February 1941, Page 9

COMBAT’S SMALL MARGIN

COMMENT ON GORE RUNNING GOOD PERFORMANCES BY SPRINTERS The Gore Highweight Handicap was a procession to within half a mile from home where Heidelberg moved up to Combat’s quarters and made a race of it with the winner over the last two furlongs. Heidelberg caught Combat at the distance and 100 yards from the post appeared to get his nose in front, but Ellis shook up Combat and beat Heidelberg on the post by a head. Combat opened up a big lead from Heidelberg going along the back, and the order when the half mile was reached was Combat by three lengths from Heidelberg, with two lengths back to Aspire; then came Very Happy, Atua Here and Sir Denis a bad last. Atua Rere moved up around the turn, but the two leaders had the finish down the straight to themselves. Combat had the run of the race and was well nursed by A. E. Ellis. Heidelberg raced well, but Sir Denis got away badly and never looked like a winner. EASY WIN FOR SECRET FLIGHT Secret Flight won the Longford Hack Handicap with the greatest of ease. She was one of several horses who did not get away well and when the field had gone a furlong she was trailing the field. At the half mile she raced around the field and before the straight was reached she was one of the leading division. Thereafter it was no race for her. She left the field at the distance and went on to win by four lengths from Southern Sail, with Dolita a length away third; then came Gold Robe, Withdrawal, Shantyman and Philibun. Withdrawal, Philibun, Southern Sail, Great Legion and Green Gables got the best of the start. Withdrawal, Philibun and Green Gables were prominent around the turn, and Wild Coon, Dolita and Green Locket were fairly well placed. Secret Flight made a run and joined the leaders at the top of the straight. Southern Sail put in a challenge and Dolita finished strongly, but the winner was not troubled. Gold Robe shaped well and finished solidly in fourth place. Great Legion, the Australian-bred gelding, burst a blood vessel and was pulled up.

BURNHAM S FIRST WIN Well handled by J. Walsh, Burnham, the Wellington Direct gelding owned by Mrs C. C. Herbert, won the Electric Trot in convincing fashion and thus got on the winning list for the first time.

He was well placed throughout the running and less than half a mile from home when he was taken to the front he had the race in safe keeping. Lochiel’s Pride, a well-backed fancy, was one of the leaders practically throughout the journey, but she was unable to stall off Burnham’s challenge. Cathay ran a solid race for third money, and Koesian who was eight lengths behind Cathay showed plenty of pace in patches, Two Crowns gave his backers a good run for about a mile and Gayola and Polling Day finished well from back marks. Two Crowns, Lochiel’s Pride, Southern Wrack and Burnham were well placed over the first half mile, and the order along the back was Two Crowns, Lochiel’s Pride, Burnham, Cathay, Koesian, Gayola and Southern Wrack. Two Crowns was done at the half mile and Lochiel’s Pride and Burnham went away with Cathay handy. In the run home Burnham outstayed Lochiel’s Pride and won by three lengths from Lochiel’s Pride, who was two lengths in front of Cathay. SUCCESSFUL TACTICS The successful tactics of W. F. Ellis in taking Mona’s Song to the front more than six furlongs from home in the Racing Club Handicap played a big part in the success of his mount. The pace was a muddling one over the first half mile, with Peony Rose (under a hard hold) leading the field. Going out of the straight Mona’s Song was rushed up to the front and took the lead from Peony Rose, who was two lengths in front of Sparkle; then followed Sir Hugh, Doubleack and Hanlon. The field bunched before the half mile was reached, but the order was practically unchanged. Mona's Song led into the straight from Peony Rose and in the sprint to the post she always kept her nose in front and gained a popular victory by half a head. Doubleack was third a length away and Sparkle was fourth. It was a poor race from a spectator’s viewpoint. Peony Rose had every chance, but appeared to be ridden too confidently.

COMFORTABLE WIN Central Star was always well placed in the Novice Handicap and after leading into the straight from Eastern Song, Royal Chorus and Valcron, he went away to register a fairly comfortable win by two lengths from Lake Mist, who paid a double figure dividend for a place, and Royal Chorus. Bantas and Ballyaggan were left at the start, and the first to show out were Eastern Song, Silver Night, Royal Chorus, Central Star and Valcron. Lake Mist moved up rounding the top turn and the order into the straight was Central Star, Eastern Song, Lake Mist and Royal Chorus. The last-named made a dab on the inner but weakened, and Central Star got clear and won well. Lake Mist finished strongly but just headed Royal Chorus by half a length, with Valcron next; then came Crinkle, Royal Money and Ballyaggan. BRILLIANT GALLOPING Boaform won the Croydon Handicap from a field of smart sprinters in pointless style. She drew No. 11 in a field of 12 at the barrier, but made light of the handicap and raced to the front within half a mile. She had the race won before the straight was reached. Fleet Street and Craiglea went with her for part of the journey, but less than two furlongs from home there was only one horse in it. Boaform won by five or six lengths from Nightcalm who finished well after being one of the last away, and Phalanx, who again finished well. Craiglea, starting from the rails, held her position in the leading division for four furlongs and into the straight she was in a handy position, but stumbled and almost came down as heads were straightened for home. That cost her a good chance of finishing in a place. Boloyna and Nightcalm got the worst of the start which was delayed by Spendthrift, Norseman and Phalanx who were fractious at the barrier. Boaform raced on the outside of three or four horses which formed the leading division for over two furlongs. They were Craiglea, Gold Flight, Fleet Street and Phalanx. Fleet Street soon showed out in front of Craiglea and Boaform, with Nightcalm and Skyrena making runs. Across the top Fleet Street and Boaform took the lead two lengths clear of Craiglea and Gold Flight. Boaform forged to the front and Fleet Street drifted. In the run home Boaform stalled off a late challenge by Nightcalm and won with ridiculous ease. Nightcalm was three-quarters of a length in front of Phalanx; Skyiena was fourth, close up to Phalanx.

JORROCKS SCORES Rey Chimes broke at the start of the Progressive Trot and lost his chance. Embargo and June Tide were slow away. , , After the field bad settled down Loyalist made a sustained run on the outside of the field and took the lead as they ran out of the straight. Loyalist was followed by Nancy Guy, Aidus, Fenella, Bellond, Blue Spot, June Tide, Debtor and Jorrocks. Loyalist broke when pacing well out in front and Aidus took the lead from Debtor, Jorrocks and Bellond, Debtor collapsed when well placed before the straight was reached and Aidus led into the straight from Jorrocks, with Prince Charles, and Oregon next. Jorrocks came away without difficulty and held off a strong challenge by Prince Charles. Aidus was third a neck behind Prince Charles and then came Loyalist who put in a great burst up the straight. The last-named looked like a good thing beaten through breaking five furlongs from home. After Loyalist came Fenella, Oregon, June Tide, Nancy Guy, with Debtor last. VIGOROUS HORSEMANSHIP Vigorous riding by J. L. Strathern enabled Sea Lady to win the Summer Hack Handicap by a neck from Green Boa and Aravane. Tire race provided one of the best finishes of the day. Sea Lady opened up a big lead in the middle stages and entered the straight in the run home two lengths ahead of Noko, Knight of Old and Susie, with Green Boa and Aravane racing together in the rear of the field. Once heads were straightened for home Aravane and Green Boa put in strong challenges and over the last 100 yards it was an exciting finish. Sea Lady was stopping, but she held on long enough to get the verdict.

Noko was weil placed all the way but failed to respond to his rider’s call for an effort in the straight. He finished fourth well behind the placed horses; then came Knight of Old and Susie. Aravane and Green Boa appeared to be kept too far back over the first half and gave Sea Lady too big a start over the last half.