RACING IN ENGLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 180, 2 August 1940, Page 9

RACING IN ENGLAND

GODIVA’S DOUBLE WIN OAKS AND GUINEAS LONDON, June 19. For the fourth successive year the winner of the One t housand nas gone on to win the Ooaks, the Hyperion— Carpet Slipper Hiiy Godiva bringing off the double this year. A dual triumph was registered also by the apprentice jockey D. Marks, who is attached to the Royal stable. Godiva is temperamental and will not race for every jockey, but she is tractable with Marks, who understands her idiosyncrasies. It must be a long time since an apprentice has won two classic events in one season. He has ' had only seven mounts this year and has had five victories. The Oaks, like the New Derby, was contested at Newmarket instead of at Epsom. The Held consisted of 14, Godiva being the established favourite. Once again the Manton stable was out in its calculations, for Lord Astor’s Golden Penny was beaten more easily' by Godiva than in the One Thousand Guineas. Drawing Price, a stable companion of Golden Penny, settled down to make the running, and as she came round the bend into the straight she was clear of Mannawind and Self Portrait. Towards the end of a mile Dame de Treffle, Joan Drake, Golden Penny, Silverlace 11. and Godiva were all closing on Drawing Price, who by this time was -beginning to weaken. Godiva continued on in line style and, with a minimum of effort, strode into the lead half a mile from home, and. displaying no signs of faltering, she quickly shook off the attentions of Silverlace 11, to win easily. Valeraine was ridden out to take third place from Golden Penny. The start for this race took place a long way out of sight of the stands behind a belt of trees, and it was learned after the riders had come back that Godiva began very slowly, and at one time was some 15 or more lengths behind the pacemaker, Drawing Price, who was in front when the colours could first *oe seen. Yet soon after the long straight had bum reached Godiva could be seen coming up on a wide outside. Five furlongs from the finish she came across the field clear of them, and as she went past the more experienced riders it is stated on good authority that Marks bade them farewell. Godiva has now won six races, of th" total value of £7804. “With the British Empire up against it I am firmly of the opinion that racing clubs should do everything possible to assist the Government to carry its war effort to a successful issue,’’ said Mr. J. E. Wells, president of the Avondale Jockey Club, in opening his address to members at the annual meeting. “The club will certainly do so,” continued Mr. Wells, “and during the duration of the war all intended improvements will be held in abeyance and net profits of the club’s race meetings be handed to the Government for war purposes. This is in addition to the £450 already given to the Sick and Wounded Soldiers’ Fund."