Lindbergh Too Good For Northern Pacers

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 793, 14 October 1929, Page 12

Lindbergh Too Good For Northern Pacers

PAYS FALSE PRICE STORY OF THE LONG GRASS By students of form the for the Mark Memorial Handicap at Claudelands was generally looked upon as a duel between Lindbergh and Mountain Dell while it was anticipated the-e would be nothing between them when the machine closed. It came then as a surprise to many to see the Auckland mare being mad', a £ 300 warmer favourite than the Canterbury pacer. and backers ct Mountain Dell showed wonderful confidence in the daughter of Blue Mountain King and driver Andy Bryce by accepting a very short price. There is no doubt the story circulated in Hamilton on Friday evening and which was related to "Abaydos"’ bv ■, reliable source, that Lindbergh wo'uM not be able to handle the long gras, on the track, was responsible iu a groat meausre for the turn of the investment tide. The News Spread When owner Boyle and trainer Donald visited the Claudelands track after their arrival, they arc reported to have expressed surprise that it was formed of grass, but this is incredible, as the Belfast mentor raced Great Way Claudelands last season. There is r.o doubt, however, that they were? surprised to find the grass left several inches in length, and even made a request that it be cropped closer. The management was unable to accede to the request, and the party behind Lindbergh solemnly expressed

the opinion to the authorities tnat the gelding’s chances would be discounted on such turf. The news spread, and probably like a snowball, grew in volume as it rolled along, with the result that the majority went for Alountain Dell. But the long grass held no terrors for Lindbergh, and home he came like a champion. The only apparent effect the grass had on the Southerner was to keep him from registering anything like the great time he put up in August at Addington, when he tramped 4.28 4-5 into third place, although it had the effect speculatively of letting him pay a false price. In future the public will, be less likely to listen to stories of horses travelling a long journey to have a race not being able to ’do it on the grass.”

THE CONTEST All went away and Great Peter was ! next in favour. Great Peter was die first to show out from Alountain Dell and Warplane. Passing the stands. Mountain Doll had a slight call over Warplane, Goldman, Lindbergh, Tony ! Victor and Bockburn, and this lot were pretty well bimehed r s they travelled along the back. The second time past the spectators. Mountain Dell and Bockburn were together in the van, with Great Peter and Lindbergh just behind them, and Goldman, Warplane and Cornelian following. Along the back the last time, Lindbergh was close to the favourite, their nearest attendants being Goldman, Bockburn, Cornelian and Tony Victor. Alountain Dell led Lindbergh into the home stretch, Goldman lying handy, with a three lengths’ gap back to Cornelian, Tony Victor and Great Peter. Lindbergh quickly ran up to Alountain Dell half-way up the running, and the favourite left her feet, leaving Lind berg a to score very nicely by a couple cf lengths. Alountain Dell, who settled down smartly, was four lengths ahead iof the little-fancied Goldman, with i Cornelian, Tony Victor and Great ! Peter next to cross the line. Popular Form of Trophy } After receiving the trophy attached | to the stake for the Alark Alemorial | Handicap at Claudelands on Saturday from president IL Burch, who congratulated the owner of Lindbergh on possessing such a fine pacer. Mr. Boyle expressed unfeigned pleasure at •the nature of the prize. He considered the cabinet of cutlery a valuable and useful trophy, and a novel form of presentation, which was destined to I become popular with all clubs. Ine • recipient complimented the Waikato ! Club on its progressiveness, and rej marked that lie would return for the • next meeting. On the call of -L- ---| Burch, cheers were given for ! Boyle, trainer Donald and his pacer, and the donor of the cabinet, Air. H- d