Honora Finished Fast To Win At Avondale

Wanganui Chronicle, 20 July 1948, Page 3

Honora Finished Fast To Win At Avondale

(Special) Auckland, July 19. Less tha n a furlong from home in the Plumpton Handicap at Avondale on Saturday the crowd was wrapped up in the efforts of Conspiracy to worry Beb out of the prize. When he did so his supporters sat back to count up their dividend. However, in one fell swoop Honora came literally from the clouds and in a couple of strides the race was over, with Conspiracy only second. That was how it happened and the favourite won. Honora came home fast and was going easLy two to Conspiracy’s one when the latter was relegated to second place, with Beb, at good odds, third. Beb and Irish Poet carried the field along smartly out of the straight and into the back, with Duke Royal and Silver Cane handy, clear of Conspiracy and Fianna Fail. The field bunched making for the straight, where there was little between Beb, Saffron Walden, Irish Poet, Duke Roya<, Silver Cane, Conspiracy and Frontier Mac, with the favourite in the ruck but still not far away. The rest of the story has been told. Frontier Mac was three lengths behind Beb in fourth place and a couple of lengths clear of Duke Royal. Saffron Walden and Sly Robin. Sleepy Fox and Black Ace were hopelessiy left but the latter sybsesuenLy made a bold showing to the three furlongs.

The well-backed Pelias was running just behind the leading bunch at the five furlongs whe n he received a check and he was not prominent after that. Robin Leigh was not a possibility over the final quarter. Conspiracy once again raced very consistently at nice odds. On her form

in this event it looks as if Honora is going to develop into a very fine stayer. A setback for backers came in the President's Handicap, when Silver Lighting, wKo had not scored since the spring, convincingly defeated the field and pay a dividend of nearly a

third of a century. The winner was always handy and trailed Shirley Fox, Niloch, Fencing and Double Chance into the straight. From this point she was always a winner, forging to the front inside the last furlong. Take-a-Lot came home strongly to oust the favourite, Double Chance,

from second place. Next to finish were Bedivere, Fencing, Moonee Valley, Star Performer, Mallee, Master Ted and Gay Youth Shirley Fox was very slow away, and the fact that she took the lead just before straightening up indicates lust how much use was made of her. Double Chance seemed to have every opportunity, but his stablemate, Niloch, who made the pace for nearly five furlongs, again failed to run on.