OUTSIDER’S CUP WIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 230, 29 September 1931, Page 4

OUTSIDER’S CUP WIN

LITTLE DOUBT’S PRICE FIRST RUN FOR NEW OWNER A wonderful finish in the Avondale Cup saw Little Doubt, the rank outsider of the field, get up on the outside to win narrowly from Maori Boy, who waj at good odds for second. Little Doubt looked like making a good handicap horse when he won a double at Te Rapa in June, but his form in the meantime has been disappointing and it was not altogether surprising that he was allowed to return a dividend of over two score, comments 11 Archer” in the New Zealand Herald. Until Saturday Little Doubt had done all his racing in the ownership of Mr A. O. Casey, but last Thursday his trainer, E. George, secured him on lease and the gelding therefore won at his first start in his new interests. The field left to a perfect start and when they had done a furlong Standfast was in command from Spear Lad, Little Doubt, Maori Boy, Flying Prince, Te Hoia, Malahat, Historic and Cessation. Standfast carried on the running along the back from Maori Boy, Spear Lad, Autumn Sun, Little Doubt, Flying i Prince, Malahat, Te Hoia, and Historic, who were in close order, with Cessation, Air Laddie and Valroe next. Running across the top Te Hoia went up third and Air Laddie also made a forward move, while Little Doubt and Malahat were also improving. Maori Boy took charge near the turn and he was first into the straight from Te Hoia, Autumn Sun, Standfast, Air Laddie, Little iDoubt, Spear Lad, and cessation. Maori Boy was still the leader at the distance, where Malahat, on the inside, and Valroe on the outside challenged. These horses were having a great tussle inside the distance when Little Doubt came fast on the outside. Little Doubt sustained his run in great style and got up to win by a head from Maori Boy. Valroe was a neck away third and Malahat was almost in line fourth. Next to finish were Gay Cockade, Taneriri, Te Hoia, Air Laddie, Historic True Blood and Flying Prince. Little Doubt was well handled by his apprentice rider. Stockley. The winner’s form was far above any he has shown recently and apparently he has just come to his best again. Maori Boy ran a surprisingly good race and went under only in the last few strides. Valroe. who pulled up lan.e, registered a good performance and just weakened near the end after making a fine run from the half mile. Malahat looked likely at the distance and battled on well, although he also weakened in the last fifty yards. Two Riders Questioned. Taneriri, the favourite, was closer at the finish than at any other stage and he might have done better if Gray had not let him get so far back early, as he was going strongly at the end. Historic

—■ ■ -'LW was never dangerous but ran a fair race and should be an improved horse for the run. Te Hoia and Standfast showed up. prominently to the turn and then beat’ a retreat. Te Hoia might have shown to more advantage If he haC not been asked to run to the leaders so far from home. After the race the stipendiary steward, Mr A. P. Wilson, questioned H. Gray, rider of Taneriri, and L. G. Morris, rider of Historic, about the handling of their mounts. Gray stated that he was struck in the eye by a piece of dirt and this was why Taneriri got so far back early, while Morris explained that Cessation came back on Historic and caused him to drift. The following sectional times were supplied by the honorary timekeeper, Mr E. S. Kohn:—Two furlongs. 26 3-ssec.; four furlongs, 54 l-ssec.; five furlongs, Imin. Bsec.. seven furlongs Imin. 37>rc; and the full, distance 2min. 15 l-ssec. The last six furlongs occupied Imin. 21 l-ssec., and the last three furlongs 38 2-ssec.