NOTES ON THE RACING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21363, 5 June 1939, Page 4

NOTES ON THE RACING

Special to " The Timaru Herald." CHRISTCHURCH, June 3.

The Methven Trotting Club, with only one meeting as its usual quota, had the benefit of and extra permit this season. It was used to-day when tnere was a good crowd to see large fields racing on an excellent grass track. A Good Finish In the Lyndhurst Handicap, most of the competitors broke in the early stages. Milestone, Lord Ernleigh, Reta’s Own and Waiter were well clear after half a mile and when a mile had been covered Milestone and Reta’s Own drew away by themselves. They fought out a ding-dong finish, Reta’s Own winning by a head. Lord Ernleigh was four lengths away, with Waiter, Fire King and Alf Parrish next. The first and second horses claimed as their respective dams Reta Peter and Escapade, the best trotting mares to perform in their period/. Two Divisions In the first division of the Highbank Handicap, Tiny Axworthy won without much to spare, after a tussle with Grattanita, Royal Rufine and Nelson McFarlane over the final furlong. Wexford made the pace for nine furlongs and tnen tired. Grattanita met with interference at the start, but for which she might have won. Rosalind Maid led all the way to win the second division very easily from Diviner, Sterling Pointer and (True Gu’ >, who were always handy to the pacemaker. Rc ge Flambe was close to the leaders rt the bend for Lome but failed in the straight. Rosalind Maid gave a very attractive display.

Easy for Southern Chief Southern Chief got on the journey smartly in the chief event, the President’s Handicap, and after waiting on the leaders for a mile :.nd five furlongs strolled to the front and scored a very easy win. It was his first success since he joined R. B. Berry’s stable not long ago, and it is only a question of leaving the mark to win again soon. Loyal Avis finished strongly to beat Token and Gay Lady for econd place. Token from 60 yards put up a fine performance to get third. Gay Lady, fourth, tangled at the .art, while Privateer was in mulish mood and took no sericus part in the race. Salalon ran into second place at the home turn but failed in the straight. Gold Salute made the pace in the middle stages but dropped out three frrlongs from home.

Favouritism Justified

Loyal Rey was a hot favourite for the Lauriston Handicap and after being driven very confidently, he won easily. After a slow beginning he picked up his ground to be fourth to t’ : straight. Once in line for home he challenged the leader, Ned Worthy, and the pair drew away from the rest of the field, Loyal Rey winning by a length. Becky Direct did best of the others but was a poor third. Loyal Rey and Ned Worthy are engaged in the All-Aged Stakes at Ashburton. Rosalind Maid Again Rosalind Maid had 1 it second win of the day when she got home by a narrow margin in the Springfield Handicap, after a stiff battle with Huguenot over the last furlong. Rosalind Maid was smartest out and led past the stand, with Royal Thread, Erin’s Lad, Huguenot, Equerry, Brown Tap, Glenholm and Labour Day handy. Royal Thread was beaten a furlong from home. Then Huguenot challenged Rosalind Maid, the pair having a great battle. First one and then the other had the lead, Rosalind Maid getting the advantage in the last stride. Labour Day put in good work over the last furlong to get third. Rosalind Maid, a Great Bingen mare, is on the way to being a good class sprinter. A Hard Finish At the end of seven furlongs in the Spaxton Handicap, Reta’s Own and Lord Ernleigh were several lengths in front of Judgment, Gaynor and Alf Parrish, with Cracksman heading the others. Judgment then made two bad breaks, while Alf Parrish and Gaynor tired. In a hard finish, Lord Emleigh beat Reta’s Own by a neck, with Cracksman eight lengths away, and Judgment fourth. Lord Ernleigh made several breaks on the journey but recovered quickly. As the result of an inquiry instituted by the stipendiary steward. Lord Ernleigh was disqualifield for galloping. Reta s Own, Cracksman and Judgment were awarded the places. Reta’s Own, one of R. Townley’s team, shapes like improving.

Harold Guy Wins Easily After a smart beginning, Harold Guy followed Colonel Axworthy for seven furlongs and then drew level, while he was out in front at the entrance to the straight. Then Dancing Pirate challenged but Harold Guy stalled him off easily. Colonel Axworthy, Chenaway and Gallinford tired in the straight, Oversight going on to beat them for third money. A Big Dividend Id’--'mg had a very ea— win in the Oaklands Handicap, after being one of the leaders all the •ay. He was followed to the straight by Stylish Boy, Panquitch, Fortex and Our Fay, but none of his rivals could get near him. Stylish Boy tired in the run home, and Panquitch stayed on well enough to beat Fortex for second. Our Fay was fourth. Edgar Wallace and Kushanahi fell about seventy yards after the start. H. Williams, the rider of Kushar ’.i, was badly injured, but E. Lyons, the rider of Edgar Wallace, escaped with a shaking.