WON IN LAST STRIDE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 256, 29 October 1932, Page 4

WON IN LAST STRIDE

HISTORIC’S HARCOURT CUP. i BATTLE WITH GAY CREST. I With but four horses going out to 1 contest the Harcourt Cup at Trentham ou Monday, it appeared as if the Wei- ; lington Racing Club’s spring weightfor age attraction might be a poor race. The reverse proved to be the case, for the finish provided a thrill for the oublic. Historic, recently back from Sydney, was backed as though | it was a purely one-horse affair, but I he had to give his last ounce of effort * to win from Gay Crest. He stuck his big head in front only in the last stride, and a few strides past the post t ’ Gay Crest was back in the lead. 0 With the victory Historic joins the c , ranks of those horses who have won the race twice. He was successful two years ago, and was not a runner last -j year. Other horses who h[ive scored more than single victories have been t ’ Desert Gold (three times), Gloaming q three times), and Amythas (twice). a The win was popular, and there was e a big reception awaiting the chestnut y as he returned to the birdcage all be- q grimed in mud after his fine effort, f The victory brings his stake-earnings tl to £8824 to date for nineteen wins and [; nineteen placings in 83 starts, all in ( the colours of Mr. V. Riddiford. S The race requires little description, T writes “Rangatira.” Gay Crest at T once settled down in the lead, with y Cricket Bat on his quarters. Historic b behind him on the femee, and Spear- a ful on Historic’s quarters. So they ran till the straight was reached. At the false rail L. G. Morris sent His toric upon the inner of Cricket Rat who was tiring, and began to creep up along the outside of Gav Crest. But Gay Crest was not yet beaten. B. H. Morris had him going well, and he never faltered. Historic was almost F level at the half distance but could tl not quite get up to terms. Then in d the final hundreds yards came his lasi t great effort, and he pushed his head T in front for moments only as the pos* s] was being passed. A It was a sterling performance, but so was Gay Crest’s. The latter is reputed unable to handle heavy ground, but he made no bones about it on Monday. He n is coming to hand rapidly at present. P and should be near his best on New G Zealand Cup Day. B. 11. Morris seemed 1,1 to get the best out of him, just as in A the past be has out of Historic. t! The other pair were outclassed on the day. Cricket Bat made a disap- ” pointing showing, producing no fight at h all at the finish, and he was eight or hi ten lengths back third at the end. It p does not look as if he can handle a e heavy track. Spearfui was once again i? last, two lengths behind Cricket Bat, si but ho had not previously run in clan- E sic company, and at level weights was hi naturally not considered seriousiv w against Historic and Gay Crest. is October 27, 29—Poverty Bay T.C- di