A.J.C. ST LEGER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20276, 10 April 1934, Page 12

A.J.C. ST LEGER.

Sheer Gameness Won Classic for Limarch. Hall Mark, favourite at odds on, was last of the three runners in the ■A-J.C. St Leger at Randwick on Satday to finish, but, while it cannot be claimed that he reproduced the form that made him the outstanding ree-year-old in the spring, he was by means disgraced (says a Sydney writer). Sheer gameness won the classic for the New Zealand owned and bred Limarch, it being only after a thrilling struggle that he finished with a head to spare from Blixten, who beat Hall Mark by half a length. It will be remembered that Hall Mark and Limarch dead-heated in the Red Riband of the Victorian turf last month, and that his rider, J. E. Pike, was noisily criticised by a section of the crowd for not havlanded the son of Heroic an outright winner. Later during the Flevnington carnival. Hall Mark, with F. D< mpsey up, won the King’s Plate by a neck from Limarch. and those who had demonstrated against Pike claimed that they uad been vindicated. Mr C. B. Ivellow, Hall Mark’s owner, made a statement to the effect that he was \/< . satisfied with Pike’s handling of his colt so the announcement late last week that D. Monro was to have the mount in Saturday’s classic was not altogether expected. In the circumstances it would be but natural if mke witnessed the defeat of Hall Mark with a certain amount of elation Munro set Hall Mark the task of lead■ng from start to finish, but the pace was so slow for the greater part of the 14-furlong journey that the full time was 16sec outside Millieme’s record for the race of 2min lsec. TT T n e nr ho , me , tl ?r n was rounded with Hall Mark leading by half a length trom Limarch, who was two lengths clear of Blixten, and it was evident the race was to be worthy of the occasion. A furlong from home Limarch was on terms with the favourite. and Blixten was putting in a run that threatened trouble to both of ■j "£?>• Sweeping up on the outside. Blixten got his head in front at the half-distance, but Limarch far from being beaten, battled on in great style and regained the lead right on the post.

WAKING THOUGHTS. Sleep to waken again to new struggles. wrestlings and achievements. —M. Hillis.