Aussie Defeats Champion Limerick

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 591, 18 February 1929, Page 7

Aussie Defeats Champion Limerick

NO PACE IN EARLY STAGES RIDER BAGBY’S HEADY TACTICS Having His first mount on the Auckland crack sprinter Aussie. R. S. Bagby to-day at Wingatui had the pleasing experience of lowering the colours of the New Zealand champion in the race for the James Haziett Gold Cup. ' le event had been the main topic lor weeks with racing enthusiasts throughout the Dominion, but the opinion was fairly general in favour of Limerick’s ability to beat the Northerner over a mile course. There were some good judges, however, who favoured the chances of Aussie, and that their judgment proved correct is now a question of history. W lien the machine ceased operations, Linn rick was at a very short price, while Rapier was slightly better supported than Aussie. How They Ran Tho favourite was somewhat slow to move when the tapes were released, Aussie at once going to the lead and, setting a slow pace, got to the furlong post in 15sec. t while the watch registered 2 8 sec. for the initial quarter. Limerick displaced Rapier and was follow: ng Aussie at the half-mile, which was reached in 54sec. There was little improvement for another furlong, where Limerick moved up to liis rival ‘A* I*, 1 *, were practically on terms at tht* home turn, where Rapier was under pressure further back. A lurlong from homo the champion was being called upon lor a final effort, and while he responded gamely, Bagby got to work on Aussie, and the Aucklander, lightlng out every foot of territory, graduit! 4. r ? ed aliead to fl nish almost a length in advance of Limerick who !• i,S , d * teated - but not disgraced. The h _ rce furlongs were traversed in " ' 4-0 and the mile occupied 1.44. Presentations in B tlf a by s tac tics in slowing the field “ “ ®?i r ‘ y stages > and making the race really a sprint test, proved a strong factor toward the result, and he ness S Ven every cr edit for his headiWhen Aussie returned to the enC ' : ;; SU! ‘ e , a , splendid reception was accorded the horse and rider, and the heering was later renewed when Mr. • l. Hanlon, president of the elnh presented the Gold Cup to Mr. George Taul. of Te Awamutu. owner of the mmmt 7 ’ M f s - Hanlon presented a goldthe"occasion.** to