ON THE TURF

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 January 1947, Page 3

ON THE TURF

“KESTREL”

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BARGAIN HORSE WINS CUP BRUCE BECOMES BEST DISTANCE HANDICAPPER IN COMMISSION Bought as a yearling at the bargain price of lTOgns. at the 1944 National sales at Trenthani, Bruce came back to the scene of his purchase this month to return his fortunate owner £4550 and a 100-guinea gold cup for his investment of three years ago. As Bruce was the leading three-year-old winner last season, with £4245 to his credit, and earned just over £.lOO in his fust season as a juvenile, he lias made a return of nearly £9OOO to bis pin chaser, Air, Scott Ramsay, of Auckland.

That Bruce was a stayer was evident from his win in the. Great Autumn at Riccarton last Easter, 'further evidence was furnished when he overcame difficulties to wjn the Dominion Handicap at Trentham just over a week ago, and he set the seal on his performances when he led the Held home in the Wellington Cup last Satur day.

Bruce has been in the Riccarton stable of L. J. Ellis throughout his turf_carecr, and it was Atting that he should credit that mentor with his third big cup lace within the short period of fourteen months. Ellis trained Golden Souvenir to win the New Zealand Cup of 1945 and the Wellington Cup of 1946, and it was only by the narrow margin of a neck that the Lang Bian horse failed to beat Foxwyn in the Auckland Cup that season. With Bruce's success in the Wellington Cup on Saturday Ellis has turned out from his stable the winners of three £5OOO laces in a little over a year. With his two wins at Trentham. the Dominion Handicap and the Wellington Cup, Bruce has now registered seven wins, rive seconds and a third, and the chances are that ho may add still further to his record. It is understood that he is to be accorded a nomination for the Australian Cup and the Sydney Cup, the latter event to b e decided at Randwick on Easter Monday. The Sydney Cup will ca ry a stake of ■;3000, and it would not be surprising to find his stable-mate. Golden Souvenir, also entered for these two races. Broughton’s horsemanship was probably the deciding factor in crediting Bruce's owner with the major shai e in the- Wellington Cup stake. With only half a mile to go in the big race Bruc a was apparently hemmed in on the rails and well back towards the rear o£ the field of seventeen. Broughton had to remain there until the straight was reached, by which time lie had moved up two or three places, tfiid once the field spread out for the run to the judge he quickly moved through. First Young Trent, who hod been in the van, dropped out, and Dink's Own, who had shared the lead into the straight, gave way at the distance. A furlong from uOme Broiefield held command, and up to the last hundred yards it appeared as if the Broiefort gelding would credit his sire with a major handicap. Then Brough, tun’s vigorous riding had the effect of bridging liie gap, and in the last fiftyyards he lifted Bruce forward to have a neck advaijta ge at the post. It was a tinish similar to that in the Dominion Handicap, in which Bruce came from the rear to beat th e little-fancied Blanket by half a length. Broiefleld ran nis best race to dale, and fully bore out the .contention that he is a true stayer. It took one of the best horses in commission and the best horstman to beat him. Broiefield’s connections have not asked him to contest the Wellington Racing Club Handicap to-morrow, but he may be given a brief respite before being saddled up for the Summer Handicap next Saturday. At least one of the big autumn handicaps should conib B.oiefield's way. GOLDEN SOUVENIR. Each-way favourite for the Wellington Cup and entrusted with a total of more Uian £BOOO in the combined pools, Golden Souvenir had to cover a good deal ot extra ground. Under ths circumstances last years Cup winner was not disgraced in finishing third, Jess than two lengths behind the leading pair. He put in a solid mn over the final stages and never weakened, though it was only by the narrowest margin that he secured third placing over Langue d’Or in a photo-finish. Golden Souvenir carried the steadier of 9.9, and he will have 10.0 in the saddle to-morrow in the big handicap, for which he is likely to be a staunch favourite. With a better run than he had on Saturday the Lang Bian horse should prove equal to the occasion. Broielield's stablemate, Langue d'Or, earn.t £250 as a result of his fourth placing in the Wellington Cup. He ran a genuine race, a s usual, but again found .the opposition just too good for him. This chap must have a great record of minor placings in hlg handicaps, and in his present form he should secure a Win before the season is much further advanced. Tire Riccarton-trained Tliornbridge was almost in line' with Golden Souvenir and Laugue d'Or without securing any monetary reward. The Foxbridge gelding is only a four-year-old, and on his form this season he looks like developing into a useful handicapper. Indian Gold carried the confident support of his connections, and the Bulandshar gelding was responsible for an excellent performance in finishing sixth, especially as he was not too well placed half a mile from home. From that stage lie made up a lot of leeway. The Southland representative, Signal Officer, was not disgraced. He did not get the best of runs in the middle stages and that may have prevented him from finishing closer to the divi-dend-payers than seventh. Dink's Own was expected to be a prominent contender for th e honours, and his supporters must have had their hopes raised when the Dink gelding dashed into the lead just outside the distance. However, he could not sustain the effort and eventually finished eighth. It would not be surprising to lind him playing a more prominent role in the near future if the company is not as strong as was the case at Trentham last Saturday.

Foxliaven ran his usual genuine race without ever being likely to get in the money, and Swift Quarry ran a fair race, as did Catterick Bridge. Hot Pursuit struck trouble in the middle stages, but for which the Foxbridge gelding might have justified the confidence of his connections, who expressed th e belief before the race that lie would be in a place. Longswoid was never a possibility, but Foxwyn, who lost a good position early, moved up smartly along the back, only to fail to sustain the effort under his 9.1. Young Trent and Cainforth were outclassed over the final stages.