CAN STILL “FLY”

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1935, Page 12

CAN STILL “FLY”

Although he is still one of the most brilliant sprinters racing in the Dominion, Golden Wings is such an “iffy” proposition at the barrier, that backers take on a risk to support the Woodville champion with any great confidence. After 1- g any winning prospects which he held at the recent Trentham carnival by his flighty barrier manners, Golden Wings came to New Plymouth to defend his Taranaki Stakes title. He was given the facilities for starting from outside of a special hurdle, similar to the practice adopted at Trentham, but once again the start was Golden Wings’ downfall. Not only was he hopelessly left, but also he lost his rider. Riderless and alone, Golden Wings set off aftei - the stakes field in what appeared to be impossible pursuit. Yet turning into the straight he had taken himself into a leading position, and actually he battled out the finish and passed the post in second place. Golden Wings was not particularly strongly fancied for the race, whereas last year, when he took the title, he was a hot favourite. However, -there is no doubt that, judging on the remarkable race he ran, had he managed to get away on reasonable terms, or even had Roy Reed been able to get back into the saddle when the barrier went up, Golden W’ings must have gone very close to holding his title, despite the fact that Mother Superior recorded a real class performance to run the six furlongs in the record time of Im 12 l-ss. The first time he leaves the barrier on terms Golden Wings looks like taking some beating.