COURAGE OF RENOWNED WAS BIG FACTOR IN AWAPUNI WIN

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 June 1949, Page 3

COURAGE OF RENOWNED WAS BIG FACTOR IN AWAPUNI WIN

Bred in t'ne purple, licnowned carried off the honours in the main fiat event at Awapuni on Saturday, but she had to have plenty of courage and determination to enable her backers to cash their straight-out, tickets in the I’ahnerston North Handicap. They owed as much to Broughton's masterly horsemanship as they did

to Renowned’s grit. On breeding. Renowned would appeal in any field, for she is by Beaulivie, winner among- other events of the Caulfield Cup, ami her dam, Cuddle, won the Nev Zealand Cup and two Auckland Cups. Thus on both sides this mare has stout lilies in her pedigree. Renowned carries the colours of Mr R. J. Murphy. Wellington, for whom she is trained by W. J. Bromby at Trentham, and it was her first win since she scored in the Watkins Handicap on her- home track last spring. She had, however, shown rare courage in her determined effort the previous Saturday to overtake Ngakoti in the Manawatu Winter Cup, failing by a head only alter being in an almost hopeless position half a mile from home. In that race Renowned ruled fifth favourite each way, but backers had no hesitation in installing her first favourite for the Palmerston North Handicap. In the big field of 21 starters Renowned had drawn fairly wide out at the barrier, and her job was made even more difficult when she was nearly brought down as the field jumped out. Thus she raced near the rear for the first half-mile, Broughton giving her plenty of time to become balanced. There were still a dozen ahead of the favourite half a mile from home, and on the home turn she appeared to be hopelessly placed, with eight in front of her and nowhere to go. Then Lord Holland and Bright Side sorted themselves out to engage in a tussle, but they were joined in the final furlong by Renowned, and the Beaulivre mare responded so well to Broughton’s urging that she made it a definite win by three-quarters of a length.

Renowned handles heavy going so well that she may be a factor in some o’ the important distance handicaps during the winter season, and she should be kept in mind for these unless her connections elect to put her aside for some of the big two-milers next season. Bright Side carried the confidence of his stable in the big race at Awapuni and made a determined bid. It took a good one to beat him, and if he is anything like that form at Trentham he should earn his keep. Like the winner, he came from well back over the final stages. Lord Holland continues to run good races without managing to land a winning bracket. Third in the Connolly Handicap and similarly placed in the Manawatu Winter Cup- lie again had to be content with third place in the Palmerston North Handicap. A win should not be far off for this consistent Charles Fox gelding. Sparkling Scholar, a winner in hack company at Awapuni, ran a fine race for fourth place in the Palmerston North Handicap, and when the company is not too select he should be in the firing line. Angell ran a better race than on the opening day, but could do no better than fifth. Peter Nelson, solidly backed to second favourite, was badly placed early, missing the jumpout. but he was taken up rather quickly along the back to be with the leaders making the home turn. The extra ground he had to cover and the effort to gain a good position told on him in the run home and he could not foot it with the major dividendpayers.